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.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of two shoe size conditions on foot pressure, ground reaction force (GRF), and lower extremity muscle fatigue. Seven healthy men participated. They randomly performed walking and running in two different conditions: proper shoe size and 10 mm greater than proper shoe size. Peak foot pressure, and vertical, anterior and mediolateral force components were recorded with the Parotec system and Kisler force platform. To assess fatigue, the participants performed treadmill running for twenty-five minutes twice, each time wearing a different shoe size. Surface electromyography was used to confirm localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of four muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris). The results were as follows: 1) In walking conditions, there was a significantly higher peak pressure in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size insole sensor 1, 2, 14, and 18 (p<.05). 2) In running conditions, there was a significantly higher peak pressure in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size insole sensor 5, 14, and 15 (p<.05). 3) In walking conditions, there was a significantly higher first maximal vertical GRF in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size (p<.05). 4) In running conditions, no GRF components were significantly different between each shoe size condition (p>.05). 5) Muscle fatigue indexes of the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris were significantly increased in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size condition. These results indicate that wearing shoes that are too large could further exacerbate the problems of increased foot pressure, vertical GRF, and muscle fatigue.

The purposes of this study were to determine correlations between the Berg Balance Test (BBS), Timed -UP & Go Test, Fugl Meyer-L/E, Balance, Sensory (FM-L/E, B, S), Motor Assessment Scale-Gait (MAS-G), Comfortable maximal Gait Speed (C MGS), and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). The subjects were 40 stroke patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul. Main outcome measures were Balance control (BBS, FM-B), Gait (TUG, C MGS, MAS-G), ADL (MBI) and Motor Function of Lower Extremities (FM-L/E, S). The data were analyzed using Pearson product correlation. FM scales between other clinical and instrumental indexes and multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for Balance, Gait and ADL Motor Function of Lower Extremity inclinations. The results of this study were as follows: The BBS, FM-L/E, balance, sensory and MBI showed positive correlation relations, but TUG and C MGS showed negative correlations. The sensory factor of the FM-scale showed the strongest variance in predicting BBS. However the FM-balance showed the strongest variance in predicting TUG, MAS-G and C MGS. The use of both quantitative and qualitative scales was shown to be a good measuring instrument for the classification of the general clinical performance of the patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of high-heeled shoes on walking of obese women as it was already proven an extrinsic factor of knee osteoarthritis in women with normal weight. In this study the aimed therefore in particular was to utilize high-heeled shoes in proving it's causal influence on knee osteoarthritis by measuring the angle and torque of the knee joint. Fifteen obese women (BMI>25 ) were measured in their twenties. Each angle and torque of their knee joints during walking on 6.5 cm high-heeled shoes and with a bare feet, were compared with each other and analyzed with a 3D motion analysis system. There was no significant difference in walking speed, cadence and stride length between the two conditions. However, there was a significant increase in a double limb support time and the stance phase when walking on high-heeled shoes as when walking with bare feet. The peak knee flexion angle and peak knee varus torque was higher when walking on high-heeled shoes than with bare feet. On the contrary, the peak knee flexion angle in the swing phase was not statistically different. The prolongation of peak knee varus torque was also proven. There was a significant increase in peak knee varus torque in the initial and last stance phases during walking on high-heeled shoes as compared to walking on bare feet. Through the above results, it was proven that when obese women walked on high-heeled shoes, rather than with bare feet, peak knee flexor and varus torque increased along with the changes of the in knee joint angle. Therefore, the influence of high-heeled shoes might be a significant intrinsic factor in knee osteoarthritis of obese women.

본 논문에서는 ATMEGA128칩을 사용하여 소형 2족 보행로봇의 제어기를 설계 및 구현하였다. 로봇 제 어기는 빠른 연산속도 및 안정된 보행상태를 유지하기 위해 다양한 센서가 필요하다. 본 논문에서는 관절의 구동부로 22개의 RC서보모터를 사용한 소형 2족 보행로봇의 제어기 구조를 제안하고 설계 구현하였다. ATMEGA128칩을 이용하여 각각의 서보모터를 제어하고 호스트컴퓨터와 블루투스통신을 통한 실시간 제어가 가능하도록 설계하였다. 또한 음성인식칩을 사용하여 인간의 명령을 로봇에 전달할 수 있도록 구현하였으며 다양한 실험을 통하여 제안된 2족 로봇제어기의 성능을 고찰하였다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of walking aid on hemiplegic gait of chronic stroke patients. Twelve stroke patients participated in this study. Physiological cost index (PCI), gait speed, and climbing stairs with and without walking aid were measured and analyzed. The results showed that walking with walking aid significantly improved gait speed and reduced physiological cost index and time needed to climb stair (height 7 cm) in comparison with a walking without walking aid. In conclusion, walking aid may improve the speed and efficiency of hemiplegic gait in chronic stroke patients.

The main purposes of this study were to find the correlation between walking ability assessment tools using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Spinal Cord Injury Measurement II (SCIM II), Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI), walking velocity, and walking endurance. The study population consisted of 56 patients with spinal cord injury referred to the department of Rehabilitative Medicine in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. All subjects were ambulatory with or without an assistive device. All participants were assessed by MBI, FIM, SCIM II, WISCI, walking velocity, and walking endurance. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and X2. There was significant correlation between the MBI, FIM, SCIM II, WISCI, walking velocity, and walking endurance (p<.01). In particular, WISCI has a significant correlation with SCIM II(p<.001). Therefore the WISCI scale is an appropriate assessment tool to predict the gait ability of patients with spinal cord injury. Further study about MBI, FIM, SCIM II, WISCI, walking velocity, and walking endurance is needed using a longitudinal study design.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of clinical characteristics of chronic stroke patients on physiological cost index (PCI) during walking. Fourteen stroke patients participated in this study. To investigate the clinical characteristics, Fugl-Meyer score (FMS), gait velocity (GV), muscle strength of the knee extensor, modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of ankle plantar flexor, devices, and gait patterns during walking were measured and analyzed. The results were as follows: Firstly, use of devices and high MAS of the ankle plantar flexor significantly increased PCI. Secondly, PCI was significantly correlated with the FMS and MAS of the ankle plantar flexor. In conclusion, inhibition of spasticity of the ankle plantar flexor is considered to reduce PCI during walking for chronic stroke patients.

목적 : 발의 강직성 저측굴곡으로 인하여 무릎이 과신전된 뇌성마비 아동을 대상으로 발 보조기 착용이 무릎 각도와 독립적인 보행거리에 미치는 영향과 COPM을 이용하여 아동의 보조기 착용 전후의 작업수행의 차이를 알아보았다. 연구방법 : 본 실험은 개별실험연구의 반전연구 ABA' 실험설계를 이용하여 총 18회기를 실시하였다. 기초선 A에서는 발 보조기를 착용하지 않고 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리를 측정하였고, 캐나다작업수행측정을 실시하여 보조기 착용 전후의 작업수행의 수행도와 만족도의 변화를 알아보았다. 치료기간인 B에서는 보조기를 아동에게 착용하게 한 후의 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리를 측정하였다. 기초선 A'에서는 보조기를 제거한 후의 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리 및 작업수행의 수행도와 만족도를 보호자에게 재실시하였다. 무릎각도와 독립적인 보행거리를 평균과 시각적 분석을 이용하였고, 작업수행의 수행도와 만족도는 COPM의 점수 비교를 통하여 알아보았다. 결과 : 아동의 무릎각도는 보조기 착용 전후에 평균 11.63° 감소하였고, 독립적인 보행거리는 평균 6.97m 증가하였다. 아동이 혼자서 화장실 가기, 좋아하는 장난감을 스스로 가지러 가기, 공을 발로 차기 모두 보조기를 착용 하기 전보다 수행도와 만족도가 모두 증가하였다. 결론 : 본 연구 결과를 통하여 뇌성마비 아동의 발의 안정성이 아동의 보행거리뿐만 아니라 작업수행에도 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 앞으로는 더 많은 수의 아동을 대상으로 보행거리와 아동의 작업을 수행하는데 있어서 자신감과 자율성과의 상관관계에 대한 연구도 이루어져야 할 것이다.

Walking loads are influenced by various parameters so that they need to be measured considering such parameters. Walking frequency(rate) is experimentally investigated as the most important parameter in determining the walking load expressed with dynamic load factor. This study focuses on the derivation of continuous walking load-time functions at any walking frequency ranging from 1.30Hz to 2.70Hz. Experiments were conducted to obtain time-histories of walking loads at the increment of 0.1Hz, which are decomposed into harmonic loads by the Fourier transformation. The polynomial load-time functions are proposed representing the relationship between harmonic coefficients and walking frequencies, thereby easily formulating walking load-time histories for dynamic load factor with various walking frequencies.