전투복 내 기능성 바지 착용 시 걷기·계단 보행 중 주관적 안정감과 하지 근활성도에 미치는 효과 = Effects of Wearing Functional Under-Trousers Beneath Combat Uniforms on Perceived Stability and Lower-Limb Muscle Activity During Walking and Stair Ascent and Descent

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study designed and evaluated functional under-trousers that incorporate two dynamic-taping concepts—the patellofemoral joint loop and the lateral sling—by applying elastic bands to the outer surface to reduce lower-limb muscular demand during walking and stair ambulation. In a prototype test (n = 10), participants completed walking and stair tasks and provided 5-point Likert ratings of perceived stability, support, and comfort. Perceived stability and support generally improved for the knee, calf, and foot, while comfort was largely maintained; reports of restriction from the knee band and underfoot discomfort informed redesign. In the final design, the knee and ankle bands were removed, the thigh and anterior-calf lines were reinforced, and garment pressure was controlled within target ranges (front thigh 1.97 kPa; rear thigh 1.59 kPa; front calf 2.32 kPa; rear calf 1.44 kPa). Overall ratings were high for stability (4.70 ± 0.82) and support (4.60 ± 0.52), with moderate comfort (3.80 ± 0.81). Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to assess muscular demand during stair ascent and descent; normalized amplitudes for the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and medial and lateral gastrocnemius were consistently lower when wearing the functional under-trousers, indicating reduced muscular demand. Collectively, these findings suggest that exterior elastic bands can enhance joint stabilization and perceived support while minimizing skin friction, and that careful tuning of band placement and tension is critical to balance assistance with comfort. These under-trousers show potential to improve stability and reduce muscular demand during everyday activities that load the knee–ankle complex, such as stair ambulation.