• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of isometric exercise on muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers. Research design, data, and methodology: Twenty gait asymmetry people were divided to unilateral exercise group (UG, n=10) and bilateral exercise group (BG, n=10). UG were performed unilateral exercise for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks, and BG were performed one side and then the other side alternately for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks. Muscle activity and body balance ability were measured before, after 4 and 16 weeks isometric exercise. Moreover, SI (symmetry index; SI) was calculated from the measured value of SL (step length). Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, a paired t-test, and multiple comparisons according to Scheffe. Results: In the muscle activity, ST decreased significantly in short step length(S-SL) and BG of LS compared to before isometric exercise(p<.05), and GCM decreased significantly in BG of S-SL(p<.05). As for body balance ability, the mSEBT-A difference between L-SL and S-SL was decreased significantly in UG(p<.05). And the respective total scores of L-SL and S-SL, mSEBT-PM and mSEBT-PL were increased significantly in BG(p<.05). Conclusions: As a result, in this study above, it was confirmed that isometric exercise improved muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2015

As the numbers of users of domestic passenger ships increased up to 14.5 millions at 2012, the numbers of ships accidents also increased as 2 times than ever. It will be very important to develop technologies related with safety design for onboard passengers and disclose the potential problems. This study performed consciousness survey on ordinary peoples' way finding who have not got any regular anti-disaster training, to develop evacuation models for evacuation feasibility studies. Followings are the results answered by 83 participants for 33 way finding questions. Respondents selected right ways more than 6~18% for 2 ways like T type, U type, Y type passages. But when there are some walkers and/or runners, respondents preferred to select the way where walkers or runners are. And more over the ratio of the ways that runners are on is comparatively higher than walkers. On 'ㅏ'type, 'ㅓ'type and 3 way type passages, even though the walkers and/or runners are affected to answerers, straight way were most preferred. And it is clear that peoples like bright passages. On the other hands, peoples responded as they like right, downward and near stairs more than left, upward and far stairs, respectively. and very few selected escalator and elevator for as evacuation stairs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 2012

This study aimed to identify the asymmetry observed in the electromyography (EMG) activity patterns of selected trunk and thigh muscles between the affected and unaffected sides during the sit-to-stand movement in ambulatory patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. This study included 20 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The differences between stroke fast walkers (${\geq}8m/s$, 11 subjects) and stroke slow walkers (<8 m/s, 9 subjects) were compared. The activation magnitude and onset time of the multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, hamstrings, and quadriceps during the sit-to-stand movement were recorded through surface EMG. Moreover, the EMG activation magnitude and onset time ratios of each bilateral corresponding muscle from the trunk and leg were measured by dividing the relevant values of the unaffected side by those of the affected side. In all the subjects, the activation magnitudes of the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps on the affected side significantly decreased compared to those on the unaffected side (p<.05). The onset time of muscle activity in the affected side was markedly delayed for the multifidus and quadriceps during the task (p<.05). The activation magnitude ratios of the quadriceps were markedly decreased in the stroke slow walkers as compared to those in the stroke fast walkers. These findings indicate that the asymmetry in the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activation patterns in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis may be due to the excessive muscle activation in the unaffected side to compensate for the weakened muscle activity in the affected side. Our findings may provide researchers and clinicians with information that can be useful in rehabilitation therapy.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.63-77
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study identifies the meaning of walking and its facilitating factors and barriers from the perspective of urban walkers in Seoul. Methods: The participants consisted of twelve people who either lived or worked in Gangnam district of Seoul. The study applied the data collection process featured in the photovoice, in which the participants took photographs and shared their stories through focus group interviews. Results: Walking is regarded as one of the easiest types of physical activity. While walking, participants find mental tranquility, communication opportunities, and a chance to step back from their everyday lives. Facilitating factors include: access to walking-friendly venues and attractive surrounding environments; the participant's assimilation into the surrounding area; having the feeling of ease and relaxation; and friends and family to walk together. Barriers consist of physical factors such as street design and the busy urban streets, insensitive traffic and low civic awareness, and personal situational factors. Conclusions: The benefit of walking exceeds beyond those of physical health promotion. Actions to encourage walking in urban areas should address the multiple meanings perceived by their citizens.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2017

As cities develops, road systems become more and more complicated. These days people depends on navigation systems when walking as well as driving cars. General navigation systems are either installed in cars or exists as smart phone applications. Therefore, it is very difficult to use them while walking or riding bicycles. Moreover, disabled person cannot use them to find his destinations. In this paper, we propose a bracelet navigation system for walkers and disabled people, and describe the design and implementation of such a device. This navigation will help not only walkers and people riding bicycle but also disabled people to actively participate their social activities.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.17-26
• /
• 2009

In this study, anthropometric analysis and usability evaluation for four-wheeled walker were carried out and then ergonomics design guidelines were proposed. In anthropometric analysis, design factors of four-wheeled walker were firstly identified and anthropometric design guidelines were made using Korean human scales. Design suitability for two typical four-wheeled walkers was analyzed in based on anthropometric design guidelines. Usability evaluation for two typical walkers was also performed through observation method and expert evaluation. Several usability problems were identified and design solutions were proposed for the design improvement of four-wheeled walker. Finally a design model of four wheeled walker considering analysis results was proposed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.309-314
• /
• 2016

Objective: There are no guidelines for choosing appropriate gait assistive devices. The aim of this study was to evaluate gait assistive devices in patients with Parkinson's disease. Method: We evaluated 15 individuals with Parkinson's disease who did or did not use one of two different devices including canes and two-wheeled walkers. Data were collected using the GAITRite system. Results: Participants in the group using canes and two-wheeled walkers had significantly increased double support time and decreased gait velocity, normalized gait velocity, and stride length compared with those who did not. Participants who used a two-wheeled walker had significantly decreased gait velocity, normalized gait velocity, and stride length compared with those who used a cane. Furthermore, participants who used a two-wheeled walker had significantly decreased coefficients of variation for step time, stride length, and swing time compared with those who used a cane. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the two-wheeled walker offered the most consistent advantages for decreasing the risk of falling.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.35-42
• /
• 2006

The walker provides stability for walking for people whose lower extremities are disabled. It is important to measure and determine the appropriate height of a walker to conserve energy and to improve function. The purposes of this study were to examine effects of walker height and gait velocity on triceps, latissimus dorsi muscle activation, and energy expenditure index (EEI) during ambulation with a walker. Fifteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Each subject was assigned a walker with one of three heights (high, standard, lower height) and of two gait velocities (comfortable gait velocity or fast gait velocity). Electromyographic data were collected from triceps and latissimus dorsi, and EEI was determined from each condition. Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance. Post hoc comparison was performed with the Bonferroni test. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. There was a significant difference in the %MVIC of triceps among different walker height factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that %MVIC of dominant triceps brachii was more significantly increased in patients who used the higher walker than those who used the lower walker (p<.05). 2. There were significant differences in the %MVIC of the latissimus dorsi among different walker height factors and gait velocity factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that the %MVIC of dominant latissimus dorsi was also more significantly increased in patients who used the higher walker than those who used the lower walker (p<.05) and in those who used the faster gait velocity than those who used the slower gait velocity (p<.05). 3. There were significant differences in the EEI among different walker height factors and gait velocity factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that the EEI was significantly increased among those who used higher and lower walkers compared with the standard walker. The EEI was also more significantly increased among those who used the fast gait velocity than those who used the slower gait velocity (p<.05). It has been concluded that increased muscle activation in triceps and latissimus dorsi was required when the walker height increased and that more energy was exp ended when the gait velocity increased. Therefore, from the findings of this study, it is recommended that walker height be adjusted according to the purposes of gait training and that healthy subjects conserve energy when ambulating with standard walkers in a comfortable gait velocity.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.147-152
• /
• 1996

Therapeuticre rehabilitation of young children has often included the use of walker as mobility aids. Traditional walkers have four vertical legs, a horizontal bar in front of child, and horizontal bars on either side which also serve as hand grip. Child pushes it. It is called 'anterior walker'. 'Posterior walker' have been introduced which the child pull along behind himself during ambulation. The purpose of this investigation was to compare specific gait characteristics of children with developmental disability, while they ambulated with anterior and posterior walker. Using the posterior walker, specific gait characteristics improve than using anterior walker.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.339-348
• /
• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activations of neck, trunk and leg in cerebral palsy of spastic diplegia with genu recurvatum and knee flexion contracture, when using anterior and posterior walkers. Methods : We selected 21 cerebral palsy and received the written consent to participate in this study. The inclusion criteria for participation required patients to have spastic diplegic CP; to be between 3~6 years of age, to have a GMFCS III grade, to have no botulinum toxin injection and orthopedics surgery within before six months starting the study. Measurements of muscle activities (sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, rectus abdominis, erector spinea, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, medial hamstring and calf muscles) were evaluated anterior and posterior walker ambulations. Statistical evaluation of these data were accomplished by utilizing the paired t-test and independent t-test by SPSS 20.0 program. Significance level was set at p<.05. Results : The following results were obtained. There was significant difference on muscle activation of neck, trunk and legs(soleus except) in anterior and posterior walkers. There was no significant difference in muscle activation of neck but significant difference in muscle activation of trunk, legs between genu recurvatum and knee flexion contracture(rectus abdominis, medial hamstring when using anterior walker, rectus abdominis, erector spinea, gluteus maximus, medial hamstring when using posterior walker). Conclusion : The conclusion of this study is the different knee joint forms would have different effect on muscle activation of trunk and legs while cerebral palsy of spastic diplegic ambulated with anterior walker and posterior walker.