The study aimed to compare the effect of the treadmill walking training combined with obstacle-crossing (TWT-OC) and treadmill walking training (TWT) on the walking function of patients with chronic stroke. 29 subjects volunteered to participate in this study; they were randomly assigned to either TWT-OC group (15 subjects) or TWT group (14 subjects). Subjects from the TWT-OC group underwent a treadmill walking combined with obstacles-crossing for 30 minutes daily, three days a week for four weeks, whereas subjects from the TWT group received only a treadmill walking. The 10 m walk test (10MWT), 6-min walk test (6MWT), berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), activities-specific balance confidence-Korean version (ABC-K), and walking ability questionnaire (WAQ) were measured before and after the 4-week training. The TWT-OC group showed significantly better functional mobility of walking and balance measured by 6MWT (p<.01), BBS (p<.01), and TUG scores (p<.05) when compared with those of the TWT group. Further, within-group comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<.01) except for 10MWT. These findings suggest that the TWT-OC and TWT may be helpful for improving the walking function of patients with chronic stroke, and the TWT-OC has probably more favorable outcomes for chronic stroke, however, further trials with wider range of subjects are warranted for generalization and clinical relevance.

This paper aims to develop a crutched walking frame with one-wheel driving system for the walking-impaired person as the aged. The walking frame is made up of four main parts : the steering and suspension system, the driving unit using the worm gear, the sensor and the controller. The walking frame can be controlled to keep the stable attitude by using the tilt sensor that measure the tilting of frame. The experimental results without control motion and with control motion for the downhill and uphill are presented in this study. Finally, a comparison between these results is presented to show the validity of system.

Parcel delivery services are a bit different from general vehicle routing problems since the services require a deliver’s walking time to give the parcel to the customer. This time takes more than 1/4 of total delivery time, but it is ignored for the conv

The purpose of this study was to analyze lower limb muscle activity and 3D motion analysis according to change foot arch height during walking. We selected 9 young and healthy people who have been normal foot. And we selected 7 young and healthy people who have been flatfoot. So, people were divided into 2 groups and walked platform during 2 minutes twice for checked by 3D motion analysis. These data were characterized by EMG measurements of three muscles( tibialis anterior, medial and lateral gastrocnemius) while they were walking. The collected data were analyzed by Independent t test using the SPSS statistics program(Ver 12.0). In foot arch change, there were no significant difference in three muscles 3D motion analysis also found that there were no significant difference in joint angles. In this study was to analyze lower limb muscle activity and 3D motion analysis according to change foot arch, but there were no significant difference in 6 muscles neither joint angles.

Driving mechanism, the central part of a robot, was designed in this study. Power for the motive drive was acquired by directly connecting the motor shaft in worm shape of the low-end DC motor, car window motor, to a decelerator. The decelerator consists of a worm gear to receive power from the motor shaft, a pinion gear to be connected in line with the worm gear, and an output shaft to be engaged to the pinion gear. Motion driving is achieved by the power from the motor shaft with the designed gears, transferred to the deceleration mechanism and to the output gear

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of stabilization, resistance exercise, and combined exercise for lumbar on balance and walking ability of elderly. This study selected 22 subjects of over 65 years old elderly women who satisfy the study condition from A, B and C Senior Citizen's Center, in Daegu. The subjects were divided into groups; 7 for resistance exercise group, 8 for stabilization exercise group, and 7 for combined exercise group(resistance and stabilization exercise). The exercises were conducted for 60min a day, three times a week for 12 weeks. Balance and walking ability were checked before the exercise, 6 weeks later, and 12 weeks later. First, all lumbar muscle strengthening exercises were effective for static balance which changed according to exercising period. In dynamic balance, the resistance exercise group showed significant improvement in sit to stand. Stabilization exercise group showed significant improvement in all factors. The combined exercise group showed significant improvement in sit to stand and timed up and go. There was no difference between the exercise types. Second, the resistance exercise group showed significant change in Cadence which changed according to exercising period. The combined exercise group showed significant improvement in all factors. Between the exercise types, combined exercise was a bit more effective than resistance exercise. According to the result of 12 weeks of lumbar muscle exercise, combined exercise is considered to be the most effective exercise to prevent fall as it helps balance and walking ability slightly more than other exercises. Therefore, this study can understand the risk factors for fall accidents that frequently occur among elderly and adopt the combined exercise to prevent fall which in turn will prevent secondary problems occur from fall accidents and improve quality of life of elderly.

The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of change in heel height on lower extremities activity of young women on high-heeled shoes that young women prefer from more kinetic and realistic perspective as this study changes the degree of slope on a treadmill. The study subjects are 15 young and healthy women who do not have any external injuries or problem with walking and understand the purpose of this study clearly. They wore three different height of heels(1cm, 7cm, 12cm) and walked on a treadmill at a constant speed of 3km/h. EMG value of four muscles (anterior tibial muscle, gastrocnemius muscle, straight muscle of thigh, and biceps muscle of thigh) were collected when walking and the change according to the height of heels were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Multiple comparison analysis on anterior tibial muscle and heel height showed that the group with 12cm heel showed significantly high muscle activation compared to the groups with 1cm and 7cm heels. The result of this study can be used for various perspectives from inferring and mediating problems caused by wearing high heels on different ground slopes for a long time

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high heeled shoes with the total contact insert (TCI) on the frontal plane of the joints for the lower extremity during the gait. Ten healthy females voluntarily participated in this study and the height of the high heeled shoes was 7 cm. A three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) and force plates were used to analyze the movements of the joints for the lower extremities. The results were as follows: There were no significant differences for the angle value on the event of the gait cycle in the maximum eversion and inversion of the ankle joint, the varus and valgus of the knee joint, and the adduction and abduction of the hip joint (p>.05). But, there was a significant difference or the range of motion in the ankle joint (p<.05). The value of ankle and knee moment with a TCI was less than the value for no TCI. And there were significant differences for the moment value of the maximum inversion and eversion on the ankle joint and for the maximum varus and valgus on the knee joint (p<.05). Therefore, a TCI would be effective in stabilizing the joints of the lower extremities and increasing the balance of a body to reduce the injure from a fall during the gait.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of treadmill walking in underwater and overground which affects gait and physical function of people who have had a stroke. Twenty people after a stroke who have become hemiplegic over 6 months were participated. Participants were divided into two groups: underwater treadmill group(UTG) and overground treadmill group(OTG). The intervention was done 4 times per weeks for 6 weeks and 1 session lasted for 30 minutes. Gait and physical function elements were measured at baseline, at the middle(3 weeks) and at the end of the intervention(6 weeks). For the elements of gait, walking velocity, affected stance phase, affected weight bearing were assessed. For the elements of physical function, Short Form 8(SF-8) health survey was used. The result of this study showed that both groups improved similarly in walking velocity. However participants in UTG improved more than those in OTG in affected stance phase(p<.05), affected weight bearing( p<.05) and emotional aspect(p<.001). Based on the results of this study, it can be suggested that treadmill walking both in underwater and on the ground can be effective in improving hemiplegic gait and physical function of people who have had a stroke. The result also suggest that the underwater treadmill exercise can be more effective than overground treadmill in restoration of gait in people after stroke.

보행보조로봇은 고령화 사회에 노인 복지 및 중증 신경계 손상을 입은 환자에게 이동을 도울 수 있는 반드시 필요한 장비이다. 특히, 하지 마비 환자를 위한 보행보조로봇의 편리성을 위해서는 환자의 보행 의도를 내현적으로 파악함으로써 환자 의지에 따라 로봇을 통제할 수 있어야 한다. 본 논문은 보행 의도 감지 모델을 개발하기 위한 선행 연구로, 먼저 저항 센서와 기울기 센서의 융합을 통하여 3족 보행 모델을 기반으로 사용자의 보행 의도를 분석하였다. 저항 센서는 사용자의 양쪽 손바닥과 발바닥에 각각 부착되어, 부착된 위치의 압력을 센싱하였다. 양쪽 손바닥의 신호는 보행 의도를 파악하기 위해, 발바닥의 신호는 보행 단계를 확인하기 위하여 사용되었다. 기울기 센서는 몸의 움직임 상태를 측정하기 위한 센서로서, 사용자의 등 부분, 요추에 부착되어 상체의 움직임(roll, pitch)을 센싱하였다. 연구 결과, 사용자가 지팡이를 바닥에 짚을 때 양 손바닥에서 측정되는 2개의 저항 신호만으로 기본적인 보행 의도를 파악할 수 있었으나, 기울기 센서 정보를 함께 이용함으로써 오른발 뻗기, 왼발 뻗기 등의 움직임을 시작하려는 상태 등에 대한 보행 의도를 보다 구체적으로 확인할 수 있었다. 결론적으로, 본 연구를 통하여 저항센서와 기울기 센서의 융합에 기반한 사용자의 보행 의도를 감지할 수 있었다.

This research is to develop a street-walking aid for the visually impaired, which detects front direction obstacles within 2 meters and inform the user with sound and vibration as well. This way it keeps the visually impaired from such obstacles. This aid also identifies 10 different colors quite correctly so that the visually impaired could apply it when he or she tries to match the color of his or her clothes, or he or she wants to know the color of things he or she would buy. This aid has additional function of identifying the brightness level around the user. It provides also various ergonomic design features such as optimized centroid design for minimal fatigue of hands even after long use, ideal position of back button for easy and convenient grip, easy and compact recharge, raised letters on all buttons, the usefulness of main body itself without attached white cane, non-slip hand grip, high-performance ultrasonic sensors, and wrist strap.

2방향 중공슬래브 시스템은 슬래브 두께가 증가해도 자중은 크게 증가하지 않으면서 솔리드 슬래브에 비해서 휨강성이 크게 저하되지 않는 장점이 있다. 따라서 최근 넓은 바닥판 구조에 대한 수요가 커지면서 2방향 중공슬래브 시스템에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있다. 그러나 이러한 장스팬 구조의 경우 바닥판 진동의 증가에 의한 사용성에 문제가 발생할 수 있고 특히 2방향 중공슬래브의 경우 기존의 구조시스템과 동적특성이 상이하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 기존의 라멘조 시스템과 2방향 중공슬래브 시스템의 바닥진동성능을 보행하중을 가하여 검토해 보았다. 본 연구에서는 해석의 효율성을 위하여 2방향 중공슬래브의 동적특성을 정확히 나타낼 수 있는 등가의 플레이트 모델을 사용하여 시간이력해석을 수행하였다. 해석결과를 바탕으로 일본건축학회와 미국표준협회에서 제안하는 진동성능평가 기준을 이용하여 진동성능 평가를 수행한 결과 2방향 중공슬래브가 사무실 수준의 진동성능을 만족하고 있는 것으로 나타났다.

Walking distance and eating time of Holstein (HF) and Brown-Swiss (BS) cows on the temperate pasture were measured on two dairy farms (A and B) in June, August and October to compare the foraging activity using Global Positioning System (GPS) device and voice recorder. The cows on A farm were supplemented concentrate and com silage about 43% of daily dry matter intake and the cows on B farm were supplemented concentrate about 23% of daily dry matter intake. The cows in both farms were grazed in daytime and night except for October in the A farm when the cows were kept in the bam during the night. There was no significant difference in walking distance between HF and BS in the A farm, however the walking distance of BS tended to be longer than HF in the B farm. Eating and ruminating time of the cows in the A farm did not differ between HF and BS. However, eating time of the cows in the B farm was higher in BS than in HF. These results suggest that foraging activity of dairy cows on the temperate pasture differ between HF and BS, and is also affected by amount of supplement.

The goal of this study was to assess the level of vibration in an walking-type cultivator, and to provide a basic information to manage the vibration exposure for farmers. The latent periods of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) were assessed through analyzing the vibration levels and frequency characteristics. Also, vibration acceleration levels based on the daily vibration exposure duration was suggested. The latent periods of vibration-induced white finger were assessed by ISO 5349 method. The latent periods were 4.5 and 10.1 years at 10% and 50% of farmer group, respectively. Also, under ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) standard, daily vibration exposure duration at 6.7 m/s2 of vibration acceleration has to be less than 4 hours. Therefore, education that maximum working hours should be less than 4 continuous hours is necessary for the operators of walking-type cultivators.

The purpose of this study was to compare spatio-temporal parameters during walking between patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and a control group matched for age, height, and weight. Thirty-three subjects were included in this study. Fifteen normal subjects (age, 63.3±5.8 yrs; height, 164.1±8.7 cm; weight, 60.7±17.5 kg) and eighteen patients (age, 64.0±7.7 yrs; height, 164.7±7.3 cm; weight, 63.6±7.7 kg) participated in the study. The Vicon 512 Motion analysis system was used for gait analysis in each group during walking, with and without an obstacle. The measured spatio-temporal parameters were cadence, walking speed, stride time, step time, single limb support time, double limb support time, stride length, and step length. Results in stride length and step length, when walking without an obstacle, showed a significantly greater decrease in the patient group compared to the control group. During walking with an obstacle, the patient group showed a significantly greater decrease in the step length as compared to the control group. For the control group, there were significant decreases in parameters of cadence and walking speed and increases in parameters of stride time, step time, and single limb support time when walking with an obstacle. The patient group had lower cadence and walking speed and higher stride time, step time, and single limb support time during walking with an obstacle than in walking without an obstacle. These results suggest that patients with Parkinson's disease who walk over an obstacle can decrease cadence, stride length, and step length. Further study is needed, performed with more obstacles and combined with other external cues, such as visual or acoustic guides.

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in joint moment in the intact limb of uni-transfemoral amputees and to identify the implications of knee osteoarthritis. As an experimental method, three-dimensional gait analysis was performed on 10 uni-transfemoral amputees and 10 healthy males. Kinematics and kinetics at the hip, knee, and ankle joint were calculated. As a statistical method, independent t-tests were conducted to perform a comparison between the transfemoral amputee group and the control group. The results showed that the external knee adduction moment increased in the transfemoral amputee group (.22 Nm/kg) compared with that of the control group (.13 Nm/kg) at terminal stance (p=.008). External knee flexion moment also increased in the transfemoral amputee group (.24 Nm/kg) but this difference was not statistically significant. External hip flexion moment increased in the transfemoral amputee group (1.35 Nm/kg) compared with that of the control group (.45 Nm/kg) at initial stance, and external hip extension moment decreased in the transfemoral amputee group (-.26 Nm/kg) compared with that of the control group (-.76 Nm/kg) at terminal stance. Although external ankle plantarflexion moment of the transfemoral amputee group increased, it was not found to be statistically significant. The results suggest that the intact limb joint moment of the uni-transfemoral amputees during walking can be different from that of healthy subjects. In conclusion, it was found that there is a link between the increase of external knee adduction moment and the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in uni-transfemoral amputees. This result is expected to provide some objective data for rehabilitation programs related to knee osteoarthritis in transfemoral amputees.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-paced walking exercises in elderly women with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Thirty-eight elderly women with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia (16 hypertension, 11 hyperglycemia, 11 hypercholesterolemia), aged between 65 and 80, were invited to participate in this study. Each subject participated in a self-paced walking exercise five times a week for twelve weeks from 26 June to 16 September 2006. The changes between pre- and post-exercise were analyzed using the analysis of a paired t-test with the SPSS version 12.0 package program. There were significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (p<.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p<.05), blood glucose(p<.05), and cholesterol in the blood (p<.01). These results show that self-paced walking exercises may be helpful in treating elderly women with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia.