Bee-Oh Lim

Difference in Lower Extremity Landing Biomechanics between Male and Female Ballet Dancers During the Box Drop Landing

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between female and male ballet dancers in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors during the box drop landing task. Nine female and nine male collegiate ballet dancers participated in this study. Kinematic and ground reaction data were collected and combined with inverse dynamics to estimate the knee extensor and abductor moment. EMG data from the biceps femoris and rectus femoris were used to estimate the ratio of quadriceps-hamstrings muscle activity. No gender differences in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors were found during the box drop landing task. A significant relationship was found between female and male ballet dancers in the knee flexion angle.

Effects of Gymnasts Shoes on Risk Factors of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries during Drop Landing in Female Gymnasts

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of gymnasts shoes on risk factors of anterior cruciate ligament injuries during drop-landing followed by vertical jump in female gymnasts. Thirteen female gymnasts were recruited and performed randomly drop-landing followed by vertical jump in height of her knee with and without shoes. Kinematics and ground reaction data were collected to estimate the anterior cruciate ligament injuries risk factors. Data were analyzed with paired samples t-test with Bonferroni correction. Female gymnasts with shoes showed more reduced thigh maximum adduction angle, and knee maximum extension moment than without shoes. Female gymnasts with shoes showed more increased shank maximum abduction angle than without shoes. In conclusion, Female gymnasts with shoes reduced anterior cruciate ligament injuries risk factors.

Analysis of Obstacle Gait Using Spatio-Temporal and Foot Pressure Variables in Children with Autism

The purpose of this study was to analyze of obstacle gait using spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables in children with autism. Fifteen children with autism and fifteen age-matched controls participated in the study. Spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables was investigated using GAITRite pressure sensor system. Each footprint was divided into 12 equal trapezoids and after that the hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot analysis was developed. Independent t-test was applied to compare the gait variables between the groups. The results showed that the autism group were significantly decreased in velocity, cadence, cycle and swing time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased in step width and toe out angle compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and forefoot of lateral part of footprint and forefoot of medial part of footprint in the peak time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and hindfoot in , at midfoot in active area, and at hindfoot in peak pressure compared to the control group. In conclusion, the children with autism showed abnormal obstacle gait characteristics due to muscle hypotonia, muscle rigidity, akinesia, bradykinesia and postural control impairments.

The Effects of Knee Brace on the Knee Muscular Neuro-Biomechanical Variables during the Rebound in Female Highschool Basketball Players

The purpose of this study were to investigate the effects of knee brace on the knee muscular neuro-biomechanical variables during the rebound in female highschool basketball players. Twelve high school female () basketball players rebound jumped for maximal vertical height to sufficiently stress the anterior cruciate ligament with and without knee brace. Kinematic data were collected to estimate the knee flexion, abduction angles and jump height. The EMG data from the biceps femoris and rectus femoris was used to estimate the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity. Female athletes with knee brace showed more reduced the knee abduction angle and the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity at foot contact phase than without knee brace. In conclusion, Female athletes with brace reduced knee anterior cruciate ligament loads.

Kinematic Analysis of Rising from a Chair in Healthy and Stroke Subjects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematic characteristics during rising from a chair. Six stroke patients and three healthy subjects participated in the study. Three dimensional kinematic analysis was used to get the duration, center of mass, and lower extremity angle. The stroke patients performed longer duration(0.28sec) than the healthy subjects in rising from a chair. The stroke subjects stayed longer time than the healthy subjects did in phase 2(From the initiation of knee extension to the reversal of trunk flexion to trunk extension)(t

Lower Extremity Muscle Activity on the Obstacle Gait in Older Parkinson Diseases

Falls associated with tripping over an obstacle can be dangerous, yet little is known about the strategies used for stepping over obstacles in older Parkinson disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower extremity muscle activity on the obstacle gait according to obstacle height in older Parkinson diseases. The obstacle gait of 7 older Parkinson disease was examined during a 5.0 m approach to, and while stepping over, obstacles of 0, 25, 52, and 152mm. Seven pairs of surface electrodes(Noraxon MyoResearch, USA) were attached to the right-hand side of the body to monitor the adductor longus(AL), gluteus medius(GME), gluteus maximus(GMA), biceps femoris(BF), rectus femoris(RF), gastrocnemius(GA), tibialis anterior(TA). Electromyography data were filtered using a 10Hz to 350 Hz Butterworth band-pass digital filter and normalized to the maximum value in the analyzed phases. A one-way ANOVA for repeated measures was employed for selected electromyography variables to analyze the differences of the height of four obstacles. The results showed significant differences between 0.0mm and 25, 52, and 152mm obstacle height in TA and GA activities during the second phase(swing phase). But the more increase obstacle height, the more not increase the muscle activities. This means that the Parkinson disease stepping over obstacle inefficiency. To prevent and reduce the frequency of falls, elderly Parkinson disease maintained and improved their balance, muscular strength, neuromuscular control and mobility.

Comparative gait analysis between children with autism and age-matched controls: analysis with temporal-spatial and foot pressure variables.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the gait pattern of children with autism by using a gait analysis system. [Subjects] Thirty children were selected for this study: 15 with autism (age, 11.2 ± 2.8 years; weight, 48.1 ± 14.1 kg; height, 1.51 ± 0.11 m) and 15 healthy age-matched controls (age, 11.0 ± 2.9 years; weight, 43.6 ± 10 kg; height, 1.51 ± 0.011 m). [Methods] All participants walked three times on the GAITRite® system while their plantar pressure was being recorded. [Results] The results showed a reduction in cadence, gait velocity, and step length, and an increase in step width in children with autism. Plantar pressure variables highlight the differences between the active pressure areas, especially in the hindfoot of children with autism. [Conclusion] The results suggest that children with autism have an abnormal gait compared with that of age-matched controls, and thus they need extra attention to correct these abnormal gait patterns.

Effects of Hoehn-Yahr Scale on the Activation of Lower-Extremity Muscles during Walking with Parkinson`s Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Hoehn-Yahr scale on the activation of lower-extremity muscles during walking. Electromyography (EMG) analysis was carried out on 36 patients with Parkinsons disease in the off phase of the medication cycle. We recorded EMG signals of the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), soleus (SOL), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris (BF) using Noraxon 16 channels EMG system during walking at preferred speed. Rectified EMG signals were normalized to reference voluntary contractions (RVC) over a gait cycle at the preferred speed, allowing for an assessment of how the activity was distributed over the gait cycle. Compared to the H & Y Scale 1, H & Y Scale 3 exhibited greater activation of the vastus lateralis during mid-stance and greater activation of the medial gastrocnemius during terminal swing. Compared to the H & Y Scale 1, H & Y Scale 2 and 3 exhibited less activation of the tibialis anterior during initial swing. We conclude that the more Hoen & Yahr Scale increase, the more abnor- mal lower-extremity muscles activation.

A Comparison of Sex-based Differences in Knee Neuromuscular Biomechanical Factors during Basketball Rebound Jump

The purpose of this study were to investigate the differences between female and male basketball players in knee neuromuscular biomechanical factors during basketball rebound jump. Twelve high school female () and twelve male () basketball players rebound jumped for maximal vertical height to sufficiently stress the anterior cruciate ligament. Kinematic and ground reaction data were collected and combined with inverse dynamics to estimate the knee extensor and abductor torque. The EMG data from the biceps femoris and rectus femoris was used to estimate the ratio of quadriceps muscle activity. Female athletes showed more reduced knee flexion at foot contact, more increased knee abduction, extensor and abductor knee joint torque at foot contact, and quadriceps ratio at stance phase than those of male athletes. In conclusion, Female athletes showed differences in knee neuromuscular biomechanical factors than male athletes during basketball rebound jump.

A Literature Review of Parkinson's Disease Rating, Balance, Fall and Gait Scales

Objective : The purpose of the study was to investigate and compare the differences between Parkinson``s disease rating, balance, fall and gait scales. Results : Parkinson``s disease rating scales include the Hoehn-Yahr Scale and the Unified Parkinson``s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The Hoehn-Yahr Scale can measure disease rates easily; however it is not sensitive enough to evaluate the disease’s process and management. UPDRS’s advantage is in it’s higher inter-reliability score; however it is more complicated to use. Parkinson``s balance scales are comprised of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). BBS has the advantage in that it is cheaper to measure and simple in use. ABC’s advantage is especially in it’s ability to measure higher functional levels; however it is more difficult measure responses due to scores appearing in both extremes. The Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) and The Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) are Parkinson``s fall scales. FES’s leverage over SAFE is that it is simpler to measure; however it does not coincide with responses which proves disadvantageous in measuring balance loss in high-level Parkinson``s patients. SAFE’s advantage is in it’s simpler use and ability to be utilized without encountering the fear of fall; however it’s at a disadvantage in regards to its use with multilateral aspects providing insufficient inspection. Lastly, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) are Parkinson``s gait scales. DGI is advantageous in its ability to test gait ability when exposed to a variety of external environments; however it is disadvantageous in that it registers higher scores with activities. FGA’s advantage is in it’s dynamic balance test; however it at a disadvantage with those unable to walk. Conclusion : A researcher of Parkinson``s patients must choose each scale while considering their positive and negative characteristics