Background: Visual and somatosensory integration processing is needed to reduce pusher behavior (PB) and improve postural control in hemiplegic patients with acute stroke. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of game-based postural vertical training (GPVT) on PB, postural control, and activity daily living (ADL) in acute stroke patients. Methods: Fourteen participants with acute stroke (<2 months post-stroke) who had PB according to the Burke lateropulsion scale (BLS) (score>2) were randomly divided into the GPVT group (n1=7) and conventional postural vertical training (CPVT) group (n2=7). The GPVT group performed game-based postural vertical training using a whole-body tilt apparatus. while the CPVT group performed conventional postural vertical training to reduce PB (30 minutes/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week for 3 consecutive weeks). The BLS was evaluated to assess the severity of PB. And each subject’s postural control ability and ADL level were assessed using the postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), balance posture ratio (BPR), and Korean-modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Outcomes were measured preand post-intervention. Results: Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention assessment results showed that both interventions led to the following significant changes: decreased severity of PB scores and increased PASS, BPR, and K-MBI scores (p<.05). In particular, statistical analysis between the two groups, the BLS score was significantly decreased in the GPVT group (p<.05). And PASS, BPR, and K-MBI scores were significantly improved in the GPVT group than in the CPVT group (p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GPVT lessened PB severity and improved postural control ability and ADL levels in acute stroke patients.

Background: Genu varum is also known as bow leg. It is a deformity wherein there is lateral bowing of the legs at the knee. it does give rise to pain, and persistent bowing can often give rise to discomfort in knees, hips and ankles. Objects: This study investigated the effect of narrow squats on the knee joint during a gait and distance between the knees of person with genu varum. Methods: This study analyzed 23 patient with genu varum that grade Ⅲ, 12 narrow squat group and 11 genenal squat group in motion analysis laboratory. The subjects of experiment took gait before and after intervention, the range of joint motion, moment of knee joint adduction, power, distance of the knees were measured. And in order to make an analysis between groups, an paiered t-test and independent t-test was carried out. For statistical significance testing, it was decided that significance level α be .05. Results: It was shown that the group of narrow squat exercise significantly decreased in distance of knees (p<.05),In moment of adduction of knee joint, it was shown to significantly decrease in two groups (p<.05), was significantly decreased in adduction, abduction, and rotation (p<.05). In relation of peak-knee adduction moment and valgus angle, there was significant decrease in narrow squat group (p<.05). Conclusion: When the above result of study were examined, a narrow squat exercise given to the genu varum patients significantly decreased the distance between the knees, range of knee adduction and abduction, knee adduction moment, knee power. And stability gains through the decrease of excursion of knee medial part be effective for the correction of genu varum deformation.

Background: It is very difficult for hemiplegic patients to effectively perform the sit-to-stand (STS) movements independently because of several factors. Moreover, the analysis of STS motion in hemiplegic patients has been thus far confined to only muscle strength evaluation with little information available on structural and environmental factors of varying chair height and foot conditions. Objects: This study aimed to analyze the change in biomechanical factors (ground reaction force, center of mass displacement, and the angle and moment of joints) of the joints in the lower extremities with varying chair height and foot conditions in hemiplegic patients while they performed the STS movements. Methods: Nine hemiplegic patients voluntarily participated in this study. Their STS movements was analyzed in a total of nine sessions (one set of three consecutive sessions) with varying chair height and foot conditions. The biomechanical factors of the joints in the lower extremities were measured during the movements. Ground reaction force was measured using a force plate; and the other abovementioned parameters were measured using an infra-red camera. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was performed to determine the changes in biomechanical factors in the lower extremities with varying chair height and foot conditions. Results: No interaction was found between chair height and foot conditions (p>.05). All measured variables with varying chair height showed a significant difference (p<.05). Maximum joint flexion angle, maximum joint moment, and the displacement of the center of mass in foot conditions showed a significant difference (p<.05); however the maximum ground reaction force did not show a significant difference (p>.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that hemiplegic patients can more stably and efficiently perform the STS movement with increased chair height and while they are bare-foot.

목 적 : 수술 전 종양의 위치 확인, 뇌종양 수술의 성과 및 계획을 향상시키기 위해 Neuronavigation 시스템을 이용하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 수술 전 시행되는 Navigation MRI의 정확성 향상을 위해 기존의 2D Axial(이하 AXL) 영상을 보완한 3D Sagittal(이하 SAG) 영상을 적용함으로써 그 유용성을 평가하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 뇌종양 제거 수술을 위해 본원에 입원한 환자 중 수술 전 Navigation 검사를 시행한 환자 20명을 대상으로 하였다. 검사 장비는 3.0T MRI System(Intera Achieva, Philips medical system, Netherlands), 신호수집코일은 32Channel SENSE Head coil을 사용하였다. 사용된 Parameter는 기존의 2D T1 AXL은 FOV 240mm, TR/TE 514ms/10ms, Matrix 256×256, Thickness/gap 2mm/0mm, NSA 1, Scan time 11m 5s이고, 2D T2 FLAIR AXL은 FOV 240mm, TR/TI/TE 11000ms/2800ms/125ms, Matrix 256×256, Thickness/gap 2mm/0mm, NSA 1, Scan time 8m 15s이다. 그리고 새롭게 적용된 3D T1 SAG은 FOV 240mm, TR/TE 9.8ms/4.6ms, Matrix 240×240, NSA 1, Scan time 6m 17s이고, 3D T2 FLAIR SAG은 FOV 240mm, TR/TI/TE 4800ms/1650ms/340ms, Matrix 256×256, NSA 2, Scan time 6m 9s이다. 각각의 3D SAG 영상은 AXL(1mm/No gap) 영상으로 재구성하였다. 평가 방법은 조영제 주입 전 2D T2 FLAIR AXL 영상과 3D FLAIR SAG 영상을 얻고, 조영제 주입 후 2D T1 AXL 영상과 3D T1 SAG 영상을 획득하여 각 AXL 영상의 SNR과 CNR을 비교하였다. 또한 정성적 분석을 위해 신경외과전문의 2명과 방사선사 5명이 각 영상의 평가항목(1.해상도 2.대조도 3.Artifact 감소 4.병변의 경계부위 묘사 5.병변의 명확도 6.조영증강 효과)에 대해 리커트(Likert) 5점 척도로 분석하였다. 분석 방법은 각 2D AXL 영상을 3점 기준으로 3D AXL 영상을 비교 평가하였다. 통계적 분석은 SPSS(Ver.20)을 이용하여 paired t-test 방법으로 분석하였다. 결 과 : 정량적 분석 결과 2D T2 FLAIR AXL 영상의 평균 SNR은 62.5, 3D T2 FLAIR AXL 영상은 191.7로 3D기법이 약 3.1배 높았고, 2D T1 AXL CE 영상의 평균 SNR은 62.9, 3D T1 AXL CE 영상은 144.5로 3D 기법이 약 2.3배 높았다. 또한 3D T2 FLAIR AXL 영상의 평균 CNR은 211.1로 2D AXL 영상의 62.0에 비해 약 3.4배 높았고, 3D T1 AXL CE 영상의 평균 CNR도 101.4로 2D AXL CE 영상의 53.9에 비해 약 1.9배 높았다. 그리고 2D AXL 영상을 3점 기준으로 비교 평가한 정성적 분석 결과는 3D FLAIR AXL 영상의 평균값이 3.88(±1.00), 3D T1 AXL CE 영상의 평균값은 4.57(±0.73)점으로 나타났다. 정량적 및 정성적 분석 결과값은 paired t-test 통계 분석 결과 각각의 평가 항목에서 모두 p<0.05로 유의한 결과를 나타냈다. 결 론 : 기존의 2D AXL 영상보다 3D SAG 영상을 획득하여 AXL로 재구성한 영상이 SNR과 CNR 모두 더 높은 결과를 나타냈고, 정성적 분석 결과 또한 3D 기법을 적용한 영상이 더 높은 점수를 얻었다. 그리고 종양의 위치에 따라 COR 영상이 필요할 경우가 있는데, 3D 영상을 획득하면 AXL 영상뿐만 아니라 COR 영상까지 추가적인 스캔 없이 재구성할 수 있어 더 효율적이었다. 시간적인 측면에서도 더 나은 영상을 더 빠른 시간 안에 획득할 수 있어 실용적이고, 이는 환자의 Motion Artifact 발생 가능성도 줄일 수 있었다. 그리고 기존의 2D AXL 영상은 2mm 두께로 영상을 획득하지만 3D 영상은 1mm로 재구성할 수 있어 종양의 위치를 더 정확하게 판단할 수 있었다. 이러한 장점은 수술 전 Navigation MRI 검사를 통해 수술 부위를 판단하는 의료진의 입장에서 더 나은 수술 결과를 도출 할 수 있고 나아가 결국 의료의 질을 높이는 계기가 될 것이라 사료된다.

This study investigated the effect of a load of 15% body weight on trunk, pelvis and hip joint coordination and angle variability in subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP) during an anterior load carriage task. Thirty volunteers participated in the study (15 without CLBP, 15 with CLBP). All participants were asked to perform an anterior carriage task with a load of 15% body weight. The outcome measures included the means and standard deviations for measurements of three-dimensional coordination and angle variability of the trunk, pelvis and hip joint. As CLBP patient group .06, control group .70, the correlation coefficient between the groups showed a significant difference only in trunk-pelvic in the sagittal plane (p<.05). Angle variability of CLBP patient group increased significantly in the trunk in frontal plane, the pelvis in all sagittal plane, frontal plane, transverse plane, and the hip in sagittal plane, the hip in frontal plane than angle variability of control group (p<.05). This results mean that the CLBP patient group showed a disconnected coordination pattern in the trunk-pelvis in the sagittal plane, an increased pelvic angle variability in all three planes, and hip angle variability in the sagittal, and frontal planes. The CLBP patient group may have developed a compensatory movement of the pelvis and hip joint arising from the changed stability due to the abnormal coordination patterns of the trunk-pelvic in the sagittal plane. Therefore, CLBP symptoms can potentially worsen in the pelvis and adjacent hip joint in CLBP patients who perform weight-related behaviors in their daily lives. Further research is needed to determine the three-dimensional characteristics of the electromyography and neuromuscular aspects of subjects with CLBP.

목적 : 본 연구는 상위흉수손상군, 하위흉수손상군, 정상군을 대상으로 체간과 상지의 컴퓨터 사용과 관련된 여덟 가지 근육의 활성도를 측정하여 흉수손상자에게 적절한 키보드의 위치를 제시하고자 실시되었다. 연구방법 : 연구대상자는 미국 척수 손상 협회(American Spinal Injury Association; ASIA) A 또는 B의 흉수손상자 중 상위흉수손상자(T2-T8) 9명, 하위흉수손상자(T9-T12) 11명, 그리고 정상인 9명이었다. 적절한 키보드의 위치를 알아 보고자 두 가지 위치 즉, 팔꿈치 굽힘 100°위치와 팔꿈치 굽힘 70°위치에서 근활성도를 측정하였다. 모든 대상자는 2분간 메트로놈의 박자에 맞춰 키보드 중간열의 키를 1초에 4타의 속도로 타이핑하였으며 이때 표면근전도기를 이용하여 목과 어깨의 목세움근, 위등세모근, 앞어깨세모근, 뒤세모근, 중간등세모근과 손목폄근군, 그리고 척수손상자의 체간유지 보조근육인 넓은 등근과 큰가슴근의 근활성도(%RVC)를 측정하였다. 결과 : 상·하위흉수손상군의 측정치는 정상인과 동일하게 팔꿈치 굽힘 100°의 자세에 비해 팔꿈치 굽힘 70°인 위치에서 위등세모근, 손목폄근군, 앞어깨세모근의 활성도가 유의하게 낮게 나타났다. 또한 하위흉수손상군의 경우 정상인과 다르게 팔꿈치 굽힘 100°높이에서 목세움근과 넓은등근의 활성도가 유의하게 증가하였다. 결론 : 흉수손상자의 체간과 상지의 근긴장도를 감소시키기 위해 적절한 키보드 위치는 팔꿈치 굽힘 70°정도의 높이였다. 차후 연구에서는 보다 많은 척수손상자를 대상으로 장시간의 포괄적 컴퓨터 작업을 적용하여 장애특성에 적합한 VDT 환경을 파악하는 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

This study used an unstable platform to change the support surface type and position of both lower limbs in order to determine changes in weight distribution and muscle including the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, lateral hamstring, and lateral gastrocnemius of both lower limbs were evaluated during knee joint flexing and extending in a semi-squat movement in 32 hemiplegic patients. The support surface conditions applied to the lower limbs were divided into four categories: condition 1 had a stable platform for both lower limbs; condition 2 had an unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side; condition 3 had a stable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and an unstable platform for the hemiplegic side; and condition 4 had an unstable platform for both sides. The normalized EMG activity levels of muscles and weight bearing ratio of both sides in the four surface conditions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. A significant increase was found in the weight support distribution for the hemiplegic side in flexing and extending sessions in condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A statistically significant decrease in significant decrease in asymmetrical weight bearing in flexing and extending sessions was observed for condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A similar significant decrease was found in differences in muscular activity for both lower limbs in condition 2 (p<.05). The muscular activity of the hemiplegic side, based on the support surface for each muscle showed a significantly greater increase in condition 2 (p<.05). An unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side therefore increased symmetry in terms of the weight support distribution rate and muscle activity of lower limbs in hemiplegic patients. The problem of postural control due to asymmetry in hemiplegic patients should be further studied with the aim of developing continuous effects of functional training based on the type and position of the support surfaces and functional improvement.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supporting surface instability to trunk and lower extremity muscle activities during bridging exercise combined with core-stabilization exercise. Thirty young healthy adults (15 males and 15 females) voluntarily participated in this study. Each subject was asked to perform bridging exercise combined with core-stabilization exercise on three different supporting surfaces (stable ground surface, the wooden balancing board, and the air cushion). The muscle activities were measured using surface electromyography (EMG) during performing exercise. To test statistical significance, one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used with the significance level of .05. The findings of this study are summarized as follows. (1) There were significant differences in muscle activities on internal oblique, external oblique, gluteus medius, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius during exercise (p<.05). (2) The biceps femoris and lateral gastrocnemius showed significantly higher muscle activity on the wooden balancing board rather than on the ground, and semitendinosus, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius showed significantly higher muscle activity on the air cushion rather than on the ground (p<.05). Therefore, it is concluded that muscle activities in the trunk and the lower limbs during bridging exercise combined with core-stabilization exercise was affected with instability of supporting surface. Further researches are needed to investigate the long term effect of bridging exercise on muscle activity with patient group.

In order to prevent upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, effective keyboard selection is an important consideration. The aim of this study was to compare upper extremity muscle activity according to transverse plane angle changes during vertical keyboard typing. Sixteen healthy men were recruited. All subjects had a similar typing ability (rate of more than 300 keystrokes per minute) and biacromion and forearm-fingertip lengths. Four different types of keyboard (vertical keyboard with a transverse plane angle of 60˚, 90˚, or 120˚, and a standard keyboard) were used with a wrist support. The test order was selected randomly for each subject. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure upper extremity muscle activity during a keyboard typing task. The collected EMG data were normalized using the reference contraction and expressed as a percentage of the reference voluntary contraction (%RVC). In order to analyze the differences in EMG data, a repeated one-way analysis of variance, with a significance level of .05, was used. Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons. There were significant differences in the EMG amplitude of all seven muscles (upper trapezius, middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, extensor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris) assessed during the keyboard typing task. The mean activity of each muscle had a tendency to increase as the transverse plane angle increased. The mean activity recorded during all vertical keyboard typing was lower than that recorded during standard keyboard typing. There was no significant difference in accuracy and error scores; however, there was a significant difference between transverse plane angles of 60˚ and 120˚ with regard to comfort. In conclusion, a vertical keyboard with a transverse plane angle of 60˚ would be effective in reducing muscle activity compared with vertical keyboards with other transverse plane angles.

An abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) with a pressure biofeedback unit can be used to prevent excessive lumbar lordosis during bridging exercise. Therefore, in this research, the effects of an ADIM on lumbar lordosis and lower extremity muscle activity during bridging exercise were investigated in thirty healthy adults. Surface electromyography (EMG) and VICON system were used to collect kinematic data and muscle activity, respectively. A paired t-test was used to determine a statistical significance. The results showed as follows: (1) When performing bridging exercise with an ADIM, the height of the anterior superior iliac spine and greater trochanter decreased significantly (p<.05). (2) When performing bridging exercise with an ADIM, the trunk extension angle and pelvic angle increased significantly (p<.05). (3) When performing bridging exercise with an ADIM, the EMG signal amplitude increased significantly in the rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, external oblique abdominis, medial hamstring, and lateral hamstring (p<.05). (4) When performing bridging exercise with an ADIM, the EMG signal amplitude decreased significantly in the erector spinae (p<.05). From the result of this research, an ADIM trained with pressure biofeedback unit during bridging exercise is effective to prevent excessive contraction of erector spinae, to limit excessive motion of pelvis from sagittal plane and to increase muscle activity of abdominal muscles and hamstring muscle.

With the introduction of the video display terminal (VDT), the efficiency and productivity of work has improved. However, VDT syndrome is threatening the health of workers as a side effect of prolonged use of a VDT. Among various VDT syndromes, the musculoskeletal disorder, especially, the cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) is the common research topic related with upper extremities function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the wrist-hand orthosis (WHO) on fatigue in middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, serratus anterior, and upper trapezius during one-hour computer keyboard typing. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to assess the localized muscle fatigue (LMF), and the LMF was calculated at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, and 60 minutes in each muscle, with and without the WHO. Data were analyzed by paired t-test with a level of significance of .05. The results of this study are as follows: 1) At 10 minutes, the LMF decreased significantly with applied WHO in the middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, and upper trapezius (p=.001, p=.026, p=.019, respectively). 2) As the computer keyboard typing period increased, there were no significant LMF differences, except for the upper trapezius. Therefore, it can be concluded that the WHO can be applied to decrease the LMF for the initial 10 minute period in the middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, and upper trapezius' but that the long term effect of WHO in reducing the LMF was proven only in upper trapezius during continued computer keyboard typing.

Studies of attentional focus effects, have shown that the performer's attentional focus plays an important role in the performance and learning of motor tasks. We examined the influence of attentional focus on the performance of dual tasks (a postural task and a suprapostural task) and used electromyography (EMG) to examine whether the differences between external and internal focus were also manifest at the neuromuscular level. The subjects (n=40) stood on a balance board (postural task) and held a bar horizontally (suprapostural task). All of the subjects performed under different attentional focus conditions: external (balancer on balance board) or internal (feet) focus on the postural task, and external (balancer on bar) or internal (hand) focus on the suprapostural task. The mean displacement velocity of the bar and the percent reference voluntary contraction (%RVC) of the biceps brachii were reduced when the subjects adopted an external focus on the suprapostural task (p<.05). In addition, the mean displacement velocity of the balance board and %RVC of the tibialis anterior were reduced when the subjects adopted an external focus on the postural task (p<.05). When the subjects adopted an external focus on the suprapostural task, the mean displacement velocity of the balance board and %RVC of the tibialis anterior were also reduced (p<.05). When the subjects' attentional focus was on the postural task, there were no differences in the mean displacement and %RVC of the biceps brachii between attentional focuses. The performance of each task was enhanced when subjects focused on the respective task. The suprapostural task goals had a stronger influence on postural control than vice versa. These results reflect the propensity of the motor system to optimize control processes based on the environmental outcome, or movement effect, that the performer wants to achieve.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of spine orthosis and sit-to-stand motor strategies on ground reaction force (GRF) and lower extremity muscle activity. Twenty healthy adult men participated, and subjects randomly performed sit-to-stand motions in three different conditions: Momentum-transfer strategy (MTS); MTS with spine orthosis; and zero-momentum strategy (ZMS) with spine orthosis. GRF data, onset time, and muscle activity were determined and compared using force plate and electromyography. Data were statistically analyzed by the SPSS version 13.0. One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance, and least significant difference was used as a post hoc test. The level of significance was .05. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Peak GRF and relative time to peak GRF were not significantly different in the three different conditions (p>.05). 2. Onset time of four muscles, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris and rectus femoris, in the three different conditions were significantly different (p<.05). 3. The tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscle activity before hip-off and tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and rectus fermoris muscle activity after hip-off were significantly different in the three different conditions (p<.05).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hip extension velocity (7.5 degree/second, 30 degree/second) on the relative onset time of the gluteus maximus in relation to the hamstring during hip extension in prone position. Thirteen healthy male subjects (mean age=22.6 years [SD=1.8], mean weight=73.4 kg [SD=10.3], mean height=176.1 cm [SD=6.3]) voluntarily participated in this study. Electromyographic data was collected on the gluteus maximus and hamstring to determine onset time. Statistical analyses were performed with the paired t-test. The results showed that the onset time of the hamstring was significantly faster than that of the gluteus maximus in both fast and slow hip extension velocity. The gluteus maximus began contraction .079 seconds later following the contraction of the hamstring. The onset time of the hamstring was significantly faster in fast hip extension velocity compared with slow hip extension velocity. In conclusion, it was determined that the onset time of the gluteus maximus was faster with fast hip extension velocity compared with slow hip extension velocity. There was a statistically significant difference between the onset times of the gluteus maximus and hamstring in relation to the two velocities (p<.05). Further study is needed to examine whether the velocity of hip extension can influence the onset time in a similar fashion in patients with low back pain.

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.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of concurrent and reciprocal isometric contraction and angle of ankle joint on fatigue of concentrically contracting contralateral dorsiflexor and plantar flexor. Seventeen able-bodied subjects participated in the study. Concurrent and reciprocal isometric contraction were performed under three different ankle joint angles (dorsiflexion, neutral position, plantar flexion). During concurrent or reciprocal isometric contraction. fatigue of concentrically contracting contralateral tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus was investigated and compared. There was no interaction between different ankle joint angles and direction of isometric contraction (p<.05). No significant differences were found among three different ankle joint angles (p<.05). Contralateral muscle fatigability was lower in reciprocal isometric contraction than that in concurrent isometric contraction (p<.05). Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that reciprocal isometric contraction is more beneficial than concurrent isometric contraction inducing less fatigability during contralateral concentric contraction.

This study is aimed at investigating the influence of different quantitative knowledge of results on the measurement error during lumbar proprioceptive sensation training. Twenty-eight healthy adult men participated and subjects were randomly assigned into four different feedback groups(100% relative frequency with an angle feedback, 50% relative frequency with an angle feedback, 100% relative frequency with a length feedback, 50% relative frequency with a length feedback). An electrogoniometer was used to determine performance error in an angle, and the Schober test with measurement tape was used to determine performance error in a length. Each subject was asked to maintain an upright position with both eyes closed and both upper limbs stabilized on their pelvis. Lumbar vertebrae flexion was maintained at for three seconds. Different verbal knowledge of results was provided in four groups. After lumbar flexion was performed, knowledge of results was offered immediately. The resting period between the sessions per block was five seconds. Training consisted of 6 blocks, 10 sessions per one block, with a resting period of one minute. A resting period of five minutes was provided between 3 blocks and 4 blocks. A retention test was performed between 10 minutes and 24 hours later following the training block without providing knowledge of results. To determine the training effects, a two-way analysis of variance and a one-way analysis of variance were used with SPSS Ver. 10.0. A level of significance was set at .05. A significant block effect was shown for the acquisition phase (p<.05), and a significant feedback effect was shown in the immediate retention phase (p>.05). There was a significant feedback effect in the delayed retention phase (p<.05), and a significant block effect in the first acquisition phase and the last retention phase (p<.05). In conclusion, it is determined that a 50% relative frequency with a length feedback is the most efficient feedback among different feedback types.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of applied insole types to lower extremities muscle fatigue during treadmill exercise. The control group and each different insole type group consisted of ten healthy male subjects. In the control group and each different insole type (soft type; 10 shore, semi-rigid type; 33 shore, rigid type; 50 shore) treadmill exercise was performed in twenty-five minutes. The electromyography (EMG) signals of four muscle (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris) were recording at sampling rate of 1024 Hz during treadmill exercise. The localized muscle fatigue (LMF) can be investigated using power spectral analysis. When did data analysis that excepted initial five minutes. The raw EMG signals was processed using the fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and the median power frequency value was determined in initial ten second period and in last ten second period. Fatigue index was calculated and collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS version 10.0 two-way using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures () was used to determine the main effect and interaction. Post hoc was performed with least significant difference. A level of significance was .05. Muscles fatigue index were significantly decreased in insole types (p<.05) and not significantly different in muscle (p>.05). Post hoc analysis shows that fatigue index in soft insole type, semi-rigid insole type and rigid insole type were lower than that control group (p=.028, p=.146, p=.095). There were no interaction between insole type and muscles (p>.05). The finding of this study can be used as a fundamental data when insole is applied and insole can be used to decreased of a fatigue during the dynamic exercise.

The purpose of this research is to study suitability of a sweeper as a new occupation fitting to the character of the people with the mental retardation. Analysis of job which is necessary to perform the sweeper has been conducted. This research also studied the suitability of the occupation to the individuals with different impairments of physical, sensory function, cognitive function and emotional behavior based on the study of 5 individual participants. Conclusion is as follows. 1. The office building maintenance(sweeper) is an occupation which demands muscular strength of gross motor. Visual perception about a space and an object is mainly needed and the most important facts in the cognitive function are an idea of time, sequence, direction, topographic orientation, & memory. 2. Based on analysis of 5 different individuals who have different functional impairments shows that deteriorated muscular strength (compare to non-disabled person) didn’t affect the job. On the contrary, visual perception and emotional behavior problems are two biggest challenges to the occupation. 3. Not requiring dexterity of hands movement as in the manufacturing industry and broad acting radius, those two facts made a sweeper a suitable occupation for the people with mental retardation who lack dexterity in acting and concentration. Based on the research, a sweeper is a suitable occupation fitting to the character of the people with mental retarcation and it is therefore need to generalize the result of the research by conducting a follow-up research with more participants.