• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1794-1805
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• 2009

This study investigates the influence of slit positions on the microclimate temperature/humidity of garments. To design the slits, a market survey was performed to indicate the method to apply the slits, in addition to a literature survey about muscles and body surface variation through body movements. Based on the survey, three positions of slits were selected, shoulder slit, lowback slit, and midback slit, a slit width of 1cm and length to 30cm was used. The results showed that microclimate temperatures/humidity on the back according to the slit positions were in the order of, lowback, midback, and the shoulder. The lowback slit showed the highest effect on the temperature/humidity of a front trunk. Lowback slits affected on localized areas of the glutaeus maximus, erector spinae, and latissimus dorsi. Midback slits affected the back muscle and deltoid. Shoulder slits showed a more significant effect on the localized area of the deltoid versus other localized areas. In the subjective sensations, the lowback slit was cooler, dryer, and more comfortable than the other slits. For the subjective sensations by fabric characteristics, the slit positions correlated at |r|${\geq}.8$ and were significant at p<.001 The results show that the lowback slit has a superior air exchange effect and thermoregulation qualities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.197-200
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate the feasibility of a sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The sit-to-stand assistive chair was developed to assist the sit-to-stand movement by rising up of the chair by a pneumatic cylinder. After the user is seated on the chair, if the pneumatic cylinder pulls the seat plate when standing up, the spring of the pneumatic cylinder, which has been stretched, assists in rising the rear end of the seat plate so that the user can stand conveniently and comfortably. A feasibility test was performed in 10 heathy adults. The electromyographic muscle activation of the trunk and lower extremity muscles was analyzed, which included the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius when standing up from sitting using the developed chair and standing up without using the developed chair. Results: As a result, the sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder was developed. In the feasibility test, the use of the developed chair had a decrease in rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior activation compared to those who did not use the device in the healthy adults. Conclusions: The sit-to-stand assistive chair using a pneumatic cylinder may be helpful to reduce the activation of the rectus abdominis, quadriceps, tibialis anterior muscles when performing a sit-to-stand movement. Through the results, the efficacy of the sit-to-stand assistive chair can be confirmed. In the future, further studies are warranted to investigate for the safety and efficacy of its use in the elderly population or those who are disabled.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.597-603
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• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lifting activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lifting heights from 10cm above floor level to knuckle height. Background: Even though two-hands lifting activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lifting tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lifting technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lifting tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lifting tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 43%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15.0kg. For the right-hand lifting task, these were increased by the average 34%. For the two-hands lifting tasks, these were increased by the average 25%. The lateral shear forces at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks, notwithstanding the half of the workload of two-hands lifting tasks, were very high in the 300~317% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. The moments at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks were 126~166% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. Conclusion: It is concluded that the effect of workload for one-hand lifting is greater than two-hands lifting. It can also be concluded that asymmetrical effect of one-hand lifting is much greater than workload effect. Application: The results of this study can be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lifting activity.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.413-420
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lowering activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lowering heights from knuckle height to 10cm above floor level. Background: Even though two-hands lifting/lowering activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting/lowering are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lowering tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lowering technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lowering tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lowering tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 6%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15kg. For the right-hand lowering task, these were increased by the average 17%. For the two-hands lowering tasks, these were increased by the average 14%. Conclusion: Even though the effect of workload on the biomechanical stress for both one-hand and two-hands lowering tasks is not so significant for the workload less than 15kg, it can be claimed that the biomechanical stress for one-hand lowering is greater than for two-hands lowering tasks. Therefore, it can be concluded that asymmetrical lowering posture would give greater influence on the biomechanical stress than the workload effect for one-hand lowering activity. Application: The result of this study may be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lowering activity.

• 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 the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: Forward head posture (FHP) is a head-on-trunk malalignment that results in musculoskeletal dysfunction and neck pain. To improve forward head posture, both the craniocervical flexion exercise (CCFE) and the visual guide (VG) technique have been used. This study compared the immediate effects of CCFE and VG combined with CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), as well as on the activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and anterior scalene (AS) muscles during CCFE in subjects with FHP. METHODS: In total, 16 subjects (nine males, seven females) with FHP were recruited using the G-power software. Each subject conducted CCFE and CCFE combined with VG in random order. The CVA was recorded using a digital camera and the ImageJ image analysis software. The EMG data of SCM and AS were measured by surface electromyography. A paired T-test was used to assess differences between the effects of the CCFE and VG combined with CCFE interventions in the same group. RESULTS: The CVA was significantly greater for CCFE combined with the VG than for CCFE alone (p<.05). The activity of the SCM and AS muscles was also significantly greater when the VG was combined with CCFE than during CCFE alone across all craniocervical flexion exercise phases (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Use of the VG technique combined with CCFE improved FHP in subjects with FHP compared to CCFE alone.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.183-190
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increased gait function enhancement exercise in three adolescent convulsive cerebral palsy sinuses on children's large movement function, balance and gait function, self-efficacy, and guardian attitude. Methods : The purpose of this study was to conduct a program to strengthen trunk muscles and strengthen walking ability 5 times a week for 8 weeks in 3 children with convulsive cerebral palsy in adolescence. The main reinforcement of the program was 20 minutes of muscle strength and 20 minutes of walking on a treadmill five times a week. Exercises were focused on the reinforcement of the flexor muscles of the proprioceptive neuromuscular promotion (PNF) and the extension of the legs in the bridge posture exercise and squat movements. Results : The results of GMFM-88 to determine the effects of this functional enhancement program on the body of children with convulsive cerebral palsy, and PBS & TUG to determine the effects of balance and gait ability were improved. In addition, parenting attitudes of guardians, self-efficacy of children, and self-efficacy of parents increased positively due to mental consequences. Conclusion : The results of GMFM-88 to determine the effects of this functional enhancement program on the body of children with convulsive cerebral palsy, and PBS & TUG to determine the effects of balance and gait ability were improved. In addition, parenting attitudes of guardians, self-efficacy of children, and self-efficacy of parents increased positively due to mental consequences.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was examined to improve the standing posture of a scoliosis client using the ICF Tool. Methods: For examination, the study subject was a 16-year-old female student diagnosed with 3curve-pelvic (3CP) type scoliosis. Information about her were collected through a client interview and based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF core set was for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions, and the ICF level 2 items suggested by National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) were added to the recommendations for scoliosis. For evaluation, the ICF assessment sheet was used to identify the interaction among the problems. For the diagnosis, the client's functional problems were described in ICF terms. For the prognosis, the global goals for reaching the client's functional activity and participation level were presented as the long-and short-term goals. For the intervention, a coordinative locomotor training program composed of warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down was applied 3 times a week, 50 minutes a day, for 5 weeks. For the outcome, the differences between before and after the intervention were compared with the ICF qualifier and are shown with the ICF evaluation display. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function and structure (7° decrease of thoracic angle, 7 score increase of trunk muscle power, 6.47s improve of one leg standing, 4 score decrease of neck pain). The activity for maintaining the standing posture, in which the client had a primary limitation, was improved. Conclusion: Applying the coordinative locomotor training program is expected to improve scoliosis client's standing posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to suggest a way to easily understand and utilize the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) or Korean Standard Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (KCF), a common and standard language related to health information. METHODS: The tools used by physical therapists to evaluate the functioning of neurological patients were collected from 10 domestic hospitals. By applying the ICF linking rule, two experts compared, analyzed, and linked the concepts in the items of the collected tools and the ICF/KCF codes. The frequency of use of the selected tool, the matching rate of the liking results of two experts, and the number of the codes linked were treated as descriptive statistics and the code set was presented as a list. RESULTS: The berg balance scale, trunk impairment scale, timed up and go test, functional ambulation category, 6 Minute walk test, manual muscle test, and range of motion measurements were the most commonly used tools for evaluating the functioning. The total number of items of the seven tools was 33, and the codes linked to the ICF/KCF were 69. Twenty-two codes were mapped, excluding duplicate codes. Ten codes in the body function, 11 codes in the activity, and one code in the environmental factor were included. CONCLUSION: The information on the development process of the code set will increase the understanding of ICF/KCF and the developed code set can conveniently be used for collecting patients' functioning information.