• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2018

Background: Although postural instability is one of the major symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), dopaminergic treatment is ineffective for treating postural instability. Recent reports have shown that somatosensory deficit is associated with postural instability, and that somatosensory input improved postural instability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of lateral wedges for quiet standing postural control in people with PD. Methods: Twenty-two patients who were diagnosed with PD were enrolled in this study. The participants stood on a force plate under two conditions (wedge and no wedge) with or without having their eyes open or closed. The center of pressure (COP) range and velocity were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The range and velocity of COP in the anterioposterior and mediolateral (ML) directions were significantly improved after the patients stood on the lateral wedge with their eyes closed (p < 0.05). The range in ML direction and velocity in both directions of COP were significantly decreased when their eyes were open (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of vision, standing on lateral wedges improved postural sway in people with PD.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of balance training on gait stability. The study population included 17 male high school students who were divided into 3 groups, each of which underwent one of the following types of balance-training programs for 8 weeks: 1 foot standing on cushion foam, trunk muscle training, and inverted body position training. 0, 4, and 8 weeks, the following experiment was performed: The participants were asked to close their eyes and take 17 steps; the stability of forward and sideward movement was determined, and the direction linearity was measured. The results revealed that all the training programs caused a decrease in stride deviation and an increase in the and the stride length, thereby improving the stability of forward movement. All the programs decreased the variation in step width and were thus also effective in improving the stability of sideward movement. The inverted body position training program was considered very effective because the cross point appeared on post hoc graphic analysis after 4 weeks, and the deviation length for 10 m was low, i.e., below 4 cm. All the programs were effective with respect to direction linearity because they decreased the deviation in direction widths. The results indicate that whole-body neurocontrol training is more effective than simple muscle training and local focused balance training, although this neurocontrol training-in the form of inverted body position training-required a longer training period than did the other programs.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1990

The right hip adbuctor musculature has been reported to demonstrate 'stretch weakness' attributable to chronic elongation imposed by standing posture common to right-handed healthy persons. Kendall and associates have described the concept of 'stretch weakness'. The purpose of this study was to assess isometric hip abduction torque and surface electro-myographic activity (using MYOMED 432) in a sample of 40 healthy right-handed persons (20 male, 20 female), all of whom agreed to participate in the study, and compare side difference in the hip abductor musculature. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the paired t-test was applied at the .05 level of significance. The results were as follows : 1. The difference in apparent leg length of right and left legs was significant at the .05 leve1. 2. There was a significant difference between right and left pelvic height (standing position) at the .005 level measurements, and scapula height at the .05 level. 3. Power measurements and action potentials of right hip adbuctor were greater than the left hip adbuctor regardless of the range of joint motion (inner range, outer range). 4. The difference in muscle power and action potentials according to inner or outer range of both hip abductor were significant at the .05 level. 5. In supine during active left hip abduction, the appearance of action potentials in the right hip abductors is indicative of contra-lateral effect (p<.005). These results suggest : In healthy right-handed persons. the apparent leg length on the right is longer than on the left, and pelvic height is elevated on the right side. Muscle torque and muscle action potentials of the right hip adbuctor art higher than those of the hip abductor in the lengthened position. Therefore, the results in this study are contrary to Kendall's. This type of study should be carried out in many physical therapy departments.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2014

Objective: In this study, we applied a neurodynamic sciatic nerve sliding technique to healthy adults to elucidate its effects on hamstring flexibility and postural balance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study targeted twenty four healthy adults (16 men, 8 women). A neurodynamic sciatic nerve sliding technique was applied 5 times to all subjects' dominant leg. The subjects were asked to sit on the bed while performing cervical and thoracic flexion, as well as knee flexion with ankle plantar flexion. Then, they were asked to perform cervical and thoracic extension and knee extension with their ankle in dorsiflexion and maintain the position for 60 s. For postural balance, we measured postural sway while the subjects maintained a one-legged standing posture using the Good Balance System and measured the hip joint flexion range of motion using a standardized passive straight leg raise (SLR) test. Results: SLR test increased significantly from $79^{\circ}$ before the intervention to $91.67^{\circ}$ after the intervention (p<0.05). Regarding the participants' balance evaluated using the one-legged standing test, the X-speed decreased significantly from 18.61 mm/s to 17.17 mm/s (p<0.05), the Y-speed decreased from 22.28 mm/s to 20.52 mm/s (p<0.05), and the velocity moment was significantly decreased from $89.33mm^2/s$ to $74.99mm^2/s$ after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: Application of the neurodynamic sciatic nerve sliding technique exhibited improved hamstring flexibility and postural balance of healthy adults.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the core muscle strength enhancement of the elderly on 8 weeks training using the core exercise equipment for the elderly on the ability to control the whole-body center of mass in posture stabilization. Method: 16 females (10 exercise group, 6 control group) participated in this study. Exercise group took part in the core strength training program for 8 weeks with total of 16 repetitions (2 repetitions per week) using a training device. External perturbation during standing as pulling force applied at the pelvic level in the anterior direction was provided to the subject. In a UCM model, the controller selects within the space of elemental variables a subspace (a manifold, UCM) corresponding to a value of a performance variable that needs to be stabilized. In the present study, we were interested in how movements of the individual segment center of mass (elemental variables) affect the whole-body center of mass (the performance variable) during balance control. Results: At the variance of task-irrelevant space, there was significant $test^*$ group interactions ($F_{1,16}=7.482$, p<.05). However, there were no significant main effect of the test ($F_{1,16}=.899$, p>.05) and group ($F_{1,16}=1.039$, p>.05). At the variance of task-relevant space, there was significant $test^*$ group interactions ($F_{1,16}=7.382$, p<.05). However, there were no significant main effect of the test ($F_{1,16}=.754$, p>.05) and group ($F_{1,16}=1.106$, p>.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the 8 weeks training through the core training equipment for the elderly showed a significant decrease in the $Vcm_{TIR}$ and $Vcm_{TR}$. This result indicates that the core strength training affects the trunk stiffness control strategy to maintain balance in the standing position by minimizing total variability of individual segment CMs.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.207-215
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• 2019

This study examines the effect of the height of cane that hemiplegic patients due to stroke use on their plantar pressure in standing position, gait speed. The study suggests a new standard for appropriate cane height that considers the change of average height of population. Research subjects included 12 patients hospitalized in S Medical Care Hospital located in Gwangju Metropolitan City in South Korea who were diagnosed with stroke. Group A uses a cane of the height of the greater trochanter of femur, group B uses a cane of 5cm above the height of the greater trochanter of femur, and group C is a cane of 10cm above the height of the greater trochanter of femur. In the study result, non-affected side plantar pressure and affected side plantar pressure showed a significant difference among the cases where the cane height was the same as the A group, B group, C group. In the post-hoc analysis result, a significant difference was observed between the case of A group and C group. Gait speed showed no significant difference among the case of the A group, B group, C group. The asymmetry of the stroke affects not only the posture but also the walking that is related to daily life. Changes in the height of the cane did not affect walking speed. The change in the height of the cane showed a change in the weight support ratio, which is thought to have a positive effect on the asymmetry. In future clinical setting, this study result will be able to provide fundamental data regarding the cane height in the standing or walking therapy for hemiplegic patients due to stroke with cane application.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.292-298
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dual tasks on balance and postural control during standing in patients with cerebellar ataxia (CA). It was hypothesized that CA patients would exhibit different sway characteristics of the center of mass (COM) depending on the complexity of the secondary cognitive tasks compared with normal control subjects. Methods: A total of 8 patients with CA and age-matched healthy control subjects participated in this study. They were instructed to perform two balance tasks (non-dual and dual movement) with 3 different complexity of dual tasks. Range, variability, and velocity of COMs were measured. Results: According to the results CA patients showed deficits in balance and postural control with increased dual-task complexity during the static balance task in saggital sway movements. However, there was no significant difference in static balance in frontal sway. With higher difficulty in the cognitive task, CA patients took longer to stabilize their body center, while normal control subjects showed no change between conditions. In addition, CA patients had a greater COM resultant velocity during recovery in the dual-task condition compared with the single-task condition. These findings indicate that CA patients had defendable compensatory strategies in performing dual tasks. Conclusion: In conclusion, CA patients appeared to manage the priority to balance and postural control. Particularly in a situation with a postural threat such as when potential consequences of the loss of stability increase, they appeared to prioritize the control of balance and posture over the performance of the secondary task.

• IE interfaces
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.120-132
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• 2000

As science advances in many fields, the task of accommodating all human beings with comfort and safety becomes increasingly complex. The anthropometric data are basis of product design, but most of the anthropometric data for Korean emphasize the anthropological, physiological and engineering points of views. Also due to the scarce of body dimensions needed in designing products, the industrial designers are cautious in applying these data to design products. The purpose of this study was to select and measure the body parts that are necessary for the industrial designers but are scarce in existing data, and to illustrate the human body with measures instead of tables for easy understanding and application to industrial product design. Three hundreds and eighteen males and 260 females of age from 18 to 60 participated for this study. Eighty-two dimensions in standing and seating posture were selected to measure. The front views, side views and some working postures for man and woman are illustrated with measures. This study could provide the most vital data to assist designers in creating products and environments that better accommodate human needs.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.85-94
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• 1998

In this study we tested the physiological influence on human-body according to clothing pressure with reduction rate and varied posture using three kinds of belt with different width. The width of belts were 2.5cm, 3.5cm and 4.5cm, and reduction rates of belts were 0%, 2.5% and 5% of the subject/s waist size respectively. the measured postures were standing state and sitting stste in the chair. The reasults are as follows; 1. Clothing pressure was high in the order of Side part>Front part>Back part and the rate fo change in the side part was highest, according to the reductio rate of belts. The more the width of belt was wide, the less the clothing pressure was small, and this kind of phenomenon could be explained by "The Principle of the power". 2. Both the rate of reduction of belt and the change of average skin temperature in accordance with the width of belt is small, however, the more the width of belts is wider and the reduction rate is bigger, the more the skin temperature at the waist part is increased. 3. The blood pressure and pulse was influenced when the width of belt was narrow and the reduction rate was high. 4. A sense restraining was much influenced by the width of belt, especially when the width of belts was wide, the significant difference was permitted.permitted.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the postural habits, body image, and peer attachment of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and healthy adolescents, and to examine the correlation between body image and peer attachment in each group. Methods: Eighty-three adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and 83 healthy adolescents were recruited from 4 middle schools located in W city. Data were collected from November 22 to December 6 2010 using a structured questionnaire including items about postural habits, body image, and peer attachment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, $X^2$-test, independent t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: Compared to healthy adolescents, adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis were more likely to use one hand, to lean back while seated, and to put weight on one leg while standing. The score for body image was significantly lower for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis compared to healthy adolescents, but peer attachment was not significantly different between the two groups. Body image was significantly correlated with peer attachment only for the adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Conclusion: Interventions to promote balanced postural habits in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are needed. Information on body image and peer attachment for these adolescents should also be considered when developing interventions.