JP2010201066A - Metabolizing amount calculating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a metabolizing amount calculating device, calculating the metabolizing amount with higher accuracy as compared with a pedometer and a heart rate meter. <P>SOLUTION: This metabolizing amount calculating device includes: a muscle stretch amount detecting sensor 10 for detecting the muscle stretch amount of a subject; and a kinetic metabolizing amount calculating means for calculating the metabolizing amount Q1 in movement based on the time integral value of the muscle stretch amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a metabolic rate calculation device for calculating a metabolic rate of a subject.

  Conventionally, a pedometer or a heart rate monitor has been used to calculate the amount of metabolism (energy consumption). The pedometer detects vibrations associated with walking and estimates the metabolic rate based on the detected vibrations (see Patent Document 1). In addition, the heart rate meter uses the fact that there is a strong correlation between the heart rate and the oxygen uptake to calculate the metabolic rate based on the heart rate (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-54234 A JP 2001-161670 A

  However, the pedometer can calculate the metabolic amount during walking, but cannot accurately calculate the metabolic amount, for example, when driving a bicycle. When driving a bicycle, vibrations are difficult to detect and may be smaller than the actual metabolic rate. Furthermore, since the pedometer detects even vibrations that are not related to walking, in this case, it is calculated as a larger metabolic amount than the actual metabolic amount. In addition, the heart rate changes due to changes in diet and emotion. Therefore, the metabolic rate cannot be accurately calculated depending on the heart rate monitor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a metabolic rate calculation device capable of calculating a metabolic rate with higher accuracy than a pedometer or a heart rate monitor. .

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention according to claim 1
A muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor for detecting the muscle expansion / contraction amount of the subject;
Exercise metabolic rate calculation means for calculating a metabolic rate during exercise based on a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion and contraction over time;
It is characterized by providing.

  The amount of muscle expansion / contraction of the subject depends on the actual activity of the subject. And this inventor discovered that the value which carried out the time integration of the amount of muscle expansion-contraction has a correlation with the amount of metabolism. Therefore, by detecting the amount of muscle expansion and contraction, the metabolic rate can be calculated based on the value obtained by time integration of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction.

  Here, in the present invention, the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is used. For this reason, the metabolic rate can be calculated with high accuracy even during bicycle driving that cannot be detected by the pedometer. Further, in the pedometer, when a vibration unrelated to walking is detected, the metabolic rate is larger than the actual metabolic rate. However, according to the present invention, since the amount of muscle expansion and contraction according to the actual activity is used, it is difficult to be affected by actions not related to the activity. Also from this, the metabolic rate can be calculated with high accuracy. In addition, even in the case of a meal or a change in emotion that was a problem in the case of a heart rate monitor, the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is not affected, so that the metabolic rate can be calculated with high accuracy.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
A frequency analysis means for performing frequency analysis on the muscle stretch amount detected by the muscle stretch amount detection sensor in a predetermined period;
The exercise metabolic rate calculating means is to calculate a metabolic rate during exercise based on a value obtained by integrating the muscle expansion / contraction amount with time when the frequency of the muscle expansion / contraction amount is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency.

  During exercise, the muscle repeats stretching and contracting. That is, when the frequency of the muscle expansion / contraction amount is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency, it is estimated that the user is exercising. In this case, the amount of metabolism during exercise can be calculated with high accuracy by using a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion and contraction over time. The term “exercise” as used herein includes not only traveling and bicycle driving but also slow walking. The frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is high when running or riding a bicycle, and low when walking slowly. However, when there is little activity, the frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is even lower than that of slow walking. That is, the predetermined frequency may be set so as to include a case of slow walking and not include a case of little activity.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2,
A resting metabolic rate calculating means for calculating a basal metabolic rate as a resting metabolic rate when the frequency of the muscle stretching amount is smaller than the predetermined frequency;
A total metabolic rate calculating means for calculating a total metabolic rate by totaling the metabolic rate during the exercise and the metabolic rate at rest;
It is to provide.

  As described above, during exercise, it is estimated that the frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency. On the other hand, when not exercising, that is, when resting, the frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is estimated to be smaller than the predetermined frequency. The present inventors have found that during exercise, the amount of metabolism during exercise can be calculated based on a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion and contraction with time, but it is not appropriate to apply the same calculation method during rest. It was. Therefore, the metabolic rate at rest was determined as the basal metabolic rate. Then, the total metabolic rate can be calculated by summing the metabolic rate at rest and the metabolic rate at exercise.

  Here, in general, a pedometer or a heart rate meter can calculate a metabolic rate during exercise. On the other hand, the metabolic rate calculation apparatus of the present invention can calculate the total metabolic rate in consideration of the metabolic rate at rest as well as during exercise. Therefore, for example, the total metabolic rate of the subject can be calculated for one day.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3,
When the frequency of the muscle expansion / contraction amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined frequency, an estimated heart rate calculating means for calculating an estimated heart rate during exercise based on a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion / contraction with time.

  As a result, not only the metabolic rate but also the estimated heart rate during exercise can be calculated. As described above, the actual heart rate is affected by changes in meals and emotions. The heart rate meter can then detect the actual heart rate. However, it is not easy to extract a heart rate specialized for heart rate during exercise. According to the present invention, since only the heart rate specialized during exercise can be extracted, the change in the heart rate corresponding to the exercise can be reliably observed.

The invention according to claim 5 is any one of claims 2 to 4,
The frequency analysis means performs frequency analysis on the amount of muscle expansion and contraction during the predetermined period, and determines a frequency at which the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is a maximum value among the frequency components of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction detected during the predetermined period. Extracting and setting the extracted frequency as the frequency of the muscle expansion and contraction amount in the predetermined period.

  The frequency of the amount of muscle expansion / contraction varies depending on the type of exercise, but may include a plurality of frequency components even if the same exercise is performed. In such a case, it is necessary to clarify which frequency component is used as the frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction. Therefore, according to the present invention, the frequency at which the amount of muscle expansion and contraction becomes the maximum value in a predetermined period is extracted, and the extracted frequency is set as the frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction in the predetermined period. As a result, it is possible to reliably determine whether to exercise or to rest.

The invention according to claim 6 is any one of claims 1 to 5,
The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor detects the muscle expansion / contraction amount based on the deformation amount of the subject's skin.
The deformation of the subject's skin occurs as the muscle stretches. That is, by detecting the amount of deformation of the subject's skin, the amount of muscle expansion and contraction of the subject can be detected.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6,
The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor is a sensor that is provided in contact with the subject's skin, can be deformed according to the movement of the skin, and outputs a physical quantity according to the deformation amount. .
Thereby, the amount of muscle expansion and contraction can be detected reliably.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7,
The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor is a sensor that changes any of a resistance value, an impedance, and a capacitance according to the deformation amount of the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor.

  Thereby, the physical quantity according to the subject's muscle expansion and contraction amount can be output reliably. Here, as the muscle expansion / contraction amount sensor, for example, a conductive polymer material can be used. The conductive polymer material changes in resistance value, impedance, capacitance, and the like according to the deformation amount. In addition to the conductive polymer material, an image sensor that can observe the operation of the skin of the subject can also be used. However, when a conductive polymer material is used, it is easy to directly attach the conductive polymer material so as to contact the subject's skin. Therefore, in consideration of wearability, it is highly useful to apply a conductive polymer material or the like as the sensor.

The invention according to claim 9 is any one of claims 1 to 8,
The said muscle expansion-contraction amount detection sensor is detecting the said muscle expansion-contraction amount in the said test subject's leg part.
Use leg muscles during normal activities. That is, according to the present invention, the amount of metabolism during exercise can be calculated with high accuracy with respect to exercise in normal activities.

It is a perspective view which shows a metabolic rate calculation apparatus. It is a block block diagram of a metabolic rate calculation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the main arithmetic processing in the arithmetic processing part of a metabolic rate calculation apparatus. (A) It is a figure which shows the output value of the muscle expansion-contraction amount sensor at the time of driving | running | working. (B) It is a figure which shows the output value of the muscle expansion-contraction amount sensor at the time of a slow walk. (C) It is a figure which shows the output value of the muscle expansion-contraction amount sensor at the time of rest. (A) It is a figure which shows the frequency analysis result of the output value at the time of driving | running | working. (B) It is a figure which shows the frequency analysis result of the output value at the time of a slow walk. (C) It is a figure which shows the frequency analysis result of the output value at the time of rest. It is a figure which shows the relationship with the actual heart rate and estimated heart rate of a subject with respect to the time integral value of the output value of a muscle expansion-contraction amount sensor. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a subject's actual heart rate and oxygen uptake. It is a flowchart which shows the display process in the arithmetic processing part of a metabolic rate calculation apparatus. (A) Display screen 1 in the display device, that is, a screen displaying the current total metabolic rate and the current estimated heart rate. (B) Display screen 2 in the display device, that is, a screen displaying a time course graph of total metabolic rate. (C) Display screen 3 in the display device, that is, a screen for displaying a time lapse graph of the estimated heart rate.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the metabolic rate calculating apparatus of the present invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of metabolic rate calculation device)
The metabolic rate calculation device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the metabolic rate calculation device is formed in a ring shape as a whole, and can expand and contract in the circumferential direction. This metabolic rate calculation device is placed at the position of the subject's thigh. The metabolic rate calculation device includes a muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10, a controller 20, a display device 30, and a belt member 40.

  The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10 is provided in contact with the skin of the subject's thigh. Specifically, the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10 is provided in contact with the skin that moves according to the movement of the subject's quadriceps, and expands and contracts according to the movement of the skin at the site. The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10 outputs a physical amount corresponding to the expansion / contraction deformation amount of the sensor 10. That is, the physical quantity is a value corresponding to the movement of the quadriceps.

  The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10 includes a base material 11, a sensor body 12, and electrodes 13 and 14. The base material 11 is formed in a long plate shape, and is made of a woven rubber that can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction. The base material 11 is arrange | positioned in the position which can detect the motion of the front surface of a test subject's thigh, ie, quadriceps.

  The sensor body 12 is formed in a long plate shape that is slightly smaller than the base material 11, and is attached to the surface (front surface) of the base material 11. The sensor body 12 can be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction, and is formed such that the electrical resistance increases as the amount of expansion and contraction increases. That is, the sensor body 12 can output a voltage corresponding to the amount of expansion / contraction deformation when a constant current is supplied. For example, the sensor body 12 is made of rubber containing a conductive filler. The spring constant of the sensor body 12 in the longitudinal direction is set to be larger than the spring constant of the substrate 11 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the sensor body 12 is easier to expand and contract than the base material 11.

  The electrodes 13 and 14 are provided at both ends of the sensor body 12 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the electrical resistance between the electrodes 13 and 14 is configured to change according to the electrical resistance of the sensor body 12. These electrodes 13 and 14 are fixed to the substrate 11.

  The controller 20 (exercise metabolism calculation means, rest metabolism calculation means, total metabolism calculation means, estimated heart rate calculation means) is arranged on one end side of the base material 11 with respect to the electrode 13 on the front surface of the base material 11. Yes. The controller 20 and the electrodes 13 and 14 are electrically connected by a conductive wire. The display device 30 is disposed on one end side of the base material 11 with respect to the front surface of the base material 11 with respect to the controller 20.

  The belt member 40 is made of a stretchable woven rubber and is formed in a long shape. Both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the belt member 40 are connected to both end portions of the base material 11. That is, the belt member 40 and the base material 11 form an annular shape. The belt member 40 is disposed on the rear surface of the thigh.

  Next, the details of the controller 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 20 includes a DC power source 21, a voltmeter 22, a storage device 23, and an arithmetic processing unit 24.

  The DC power supply 21 has a role as a power supply for supplying a constant current to the sensor main body 12 and supplying each part in the controller 20. The voltmeter 22 can measure the voltage between the electrodes 13 and 14. That is, when a constant current is supplied to the sensor body 12 from the DC power source 21, the voltage between the electrodes 13 and 14 of the sensor body 12 can be measured. This voltage value is a value corresponding to the electrical resistance of the sensor body 12.

  The storage device 23 stores data of voltage values (corresponding to “output values output from the sensor main body 12”) measured by the voltmeter 22, and the estimated heart rate and total metabolism calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 24. Remember the amount. In addition, the storage device 23 stores a relationship map between the time integrated value of the voltage value and the estimated heart rate. This relationship map is shown in FIG.

  The arithmetic processing unit 24 performs a metabolic rate calculation process based on the output value output from the sensor body 12 and performs a display process on the display device 30 based on the result of the main arithmetic process. Details of the metabolic rate calculation process and the display process in the arithmetic processing unit 24 will be described later.

(Metabolic amount calculation processing in the arithmetic processing unit 24)
Next, the metabolic rate calculation process in the arithmetic processing unit 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, in the metabolic rate calculation process, the output value output from the sensor main body 12 already stored in the storage device 23 is acquired for a predetermined period (for example, 2 sec) (S1). Here, the output value output from the sensor body 12 is a value corresponding to the muscle expansion / contraction amount of the subject's quadriceps detected by the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10. Further, the predetermined period is set to a period that is set sufficiently longer than the sampling period of the voltage value measured by the voltmeter 22 and has a sufficient data amount for frequency analysis described later.

  Here, FIGS. 4A to 4C show output values from the sensor main body 12 during running, during slow walking, and at rest. As is clear from FIGS. 4A and 4B, the output value from the sensor body 12 shows a periodic behavior during running and walking. Furthermore, when traveling, the output value is higher and the cycle is shorter than when walking. In addition, when resting (specifically, sitting on the floor with the legs extended), the output value from the sensor body 12 shows irregular behavior instead of periodic behavior. Yes.

  Subsequently, frequency analysis is performed based on the acquired output data for a predetermined period (S2). However, if the output data itself from the sensor main body 12 is subjected to frequency analysis, it is difficult to produce a frequency difference according to each action. Therefore, data obtained by multiplying the output data from the sensor main body 12 by a predetermined coefficient is used. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C show the frequency analysis results of the output data of FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C in this case. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the frequency analysis result during traveling, as shown in FIG. 5A, the peak of the output value is around 45 Hz, and its harmonic component is slightly high. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the frequency analysis result during slow walking has a peak output value around 20 Hz, and its harmonic components are slightly higher. As shown in FIG. 5C, the frequency analysis result at rest is a peak of the output value near zero, and the output value is almost close to zero in other frequency bands.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the frequency F at which the output value by the frequency analysis becomes the maximum value (peak) is larger than the frequency threshold fth (S3). This frequency threshold value fth is a threshold value for distinguishing between a state of exercising and a state of not exercising. Here, the frequency threshold fth is set to 15 Hz. That is, the frequency F having the maximum output value based on the frequency analysis during running and walking is a frequency larger than the frequency threshold fth. On the other hand, the maximum output value frequency F by frequency analysis at rest is a frequency equal to or lower than the frequency threshold fth.

  Subsequently, when the frequency F having the maximum output value by frequency analysis is larger than the frequency threshold fth (S3: Yes), the output data from the sensor main body 12 in the predetermined period described above is time-integrated, and the time integrated value ISO ( Integrated Sensor Output) is calculated (S4). As is clear from FIGS. 4A and 4B, the time integration value ISO during running is larger than the time integration value ISO during walking.

  Subsequently, the estimated heart rate HR is calculated based on the calculated time integration value ISO, and the calculated estimated heart rate HR is stored in the storage device 23 (S5). Here, the relationship between the calculated time integration value ISO and the actual heart rate or estimated heart rate HR of the subject will be described. The results of experiments on the relationship between the time integral value ISO and the actual heart rate are indicated by black circles in FIG. The experimental values coincide with the vicinity of the solid line obtained by approximating the black circles in FIG. 6 by the least square method using a cubic function. Thus, it can be seen that the time integration value ISO and the actual heart rate have a certain correlation. Therefore, the relationship between the time integral value ISO and the estimated heart rate HR is stored as a relationship map indicated by the solid line of the cubic equation in FIG. That is, if the time integration value ISO is determined, the estimated heart rate HR can be obtained by using the relationship map of FIG.

  Subsequently, the oxygen intake VO2 is calculated based on the estimated heart rate HR (S6). Here, it is known that the heart rate and the oxygen intake amount have a substantially proportional relationship or a linear relationship. The result of actual experiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the relationship between the actual heart rate and the oxygen intake is a linear relationship. However, it is known that the actual heart rate has the above relationship in a range exceeding 110HR. Here, when the frequency F having the maximum output value by frequency analysis is greater than the frequency threshold fth, that is, during processing, the estimated heart rate HR is approximately 110 or more. In other words, this process corresponds to calculating the amount of oxygen intake during exercise.

  Subsequently, a metabolic rate during exercise (hereinafter referred to as “exercise metabolic rate”) Q1 is calculated based on the calculated oxygen intake VO2 during exercise (S7). The exercise metabolic rate Q1 has a substantially proportional relationship with the oxygen intake VO2. For example, it is generally considered that the exercise metabolism Q1 is substantially equal to a value obtained by multiplying the oxygen intake VO2 by 5 kcal. Therefore, here, the exercise metabolic rate Q1 is calculated based on the relational expression.

  On the other hand, in step S3, when the frequency F having the maximum output value by frequency analysis is equal to or lower than the frequency threshold fth (S3: No), the metabolic rate at rest based on the basal metabolic rate (hereinafter referred to as “resting metabolic rate”). Q2) is calculated. Here, the basal metabolic rate varies depending on the subject. Therefore, in the present embodiment, information related to the subject, for example, information such as sex, age, height, and weight is input in advance, and the basal metabolic rate is determined based on these information. The resting metabolic rate is calculated by multiplying the basal metabolic rate by the predetermined period described above.

  Subsequently, the current total metabolic rate Qt is calculated (S9). First, assuming that the exercise metabolic rate Q1 is calculated in the initial stage, the exercise metabolic rate Q1 becomes the total metabolic rate Qt. Thereafter, when the resting metabolic rate Q2 is calculated, the resting metabolic rate Q2 calculated this time is added to the already calculated total metabolic rate Qt, and the total metabolic rate Qt is updated and stored. That is, the total metabolic rate Qt is a value obtained by adding up the exercise metabolic rate Q1 so far and the rest metabolic rate Q2 so far. Then, by repeating the update of the total metabolic rate Qt, the total metabolic rate Qt from the start of the metabolic rate calculation device to the present can be calculated. Here, the storage device 23 stores not only the current total metabolic rate Qt but also information on the total metabolic rate Qt so far.

  Subsequently, if there is acquirable data, the process returns to step S1 and is repeated (S10). On the other hand, if there is no data that can be acquired, the process ends.

(Display processing in the arithmetic processing unit 24)
Next, display processing in the arithmetic processing unit 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, first, when the metabolic rate calculation device is activated, an initial screen display process is executed (S11). In the initial screen, as shown in FIG. 9A, the current total metabolic rate Qt is displayed in the upper part of the screen, and the current estimated heart rate HR is displayed in the lower part of the screen.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a display request for the total metabolic rate time course graph has been made (S12). The display request of the total metabolic rate time lapse graph is made by a button (not shown) that can be operated by the subject on the surface of the display device 30. When the display request of the total metabolic rate time course graph is made (S12: Yes), the total metabolic rate time course graph as shown in FIG. 9B is displayed on the screen of the display device 30 (S13). ). That is, the behavior in which the total metabolic rate has changed from when the metabolic rate calculation device is activated to the present is displayed.

  On the other hand, if the display request for the total metabolic rate time lapse graph has not been made (S12: No), it is determined whether or not the display request for the estimated heart rate time lapse graph has been made (S14). The display request of the estimated heart rate time lapse graph is made by a button (not shown) that can be operated by the subject on the surface of the display device 30. When the display request of the estimated heart rate time lapse graph is requested (S14: Yes), the estimated heart rate time lapse graph as shown in FIG. 9C is displayed on the screen of the display device 30. That is, the behavior in which the estimated heart rate HR has changed from the start of the metabolic rate calculation device to the present is displayed (S15). However, the estimated heart rate HR is calculated only during exercise, as described in the metabolic rate calculation process described above. Therefore, when it is determined that the person is at rest, the estimated heart rate HR is displayed as zero.

  On the other hand, when the display request of the estimated heart rate time lapse graph has not been made (S14: No), it is determined whether or not an initial screen switching request has been made (S16). The initial screen switching request is made by a button (not shown) that can be operated by the subject on the surface of the display device 30. When an initial screen switching request is made (S16: Yes), the screen of the display device 30 is switched to the screen shown in FIG. If an initial screen switching request has not been made (S16: No), the process returns to step S12 and is repeated until the metabolic rate calculation device is turned off. That is, the display screen of the display device 30 is appropriately switched to a display screen according to a display request from the operator.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, the amount of metabolism was calculated using the amount corresponding to the amount of muscle expansion and contraction of the subject. The amount of muscle expansion / contraction of the subject depends on the actual activity of the subject. In addition, by finding that the value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion and contraction with time has a correlation with the amount of metabolism, the amount of metabolism during exercise can be calculated by detecting the amount of muscle expansion and contraction.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the amount of metabolism can be calculated with high accuracy even during bicycle driving that cannot be detected by the pedometer, and the pedometer may be affected by an operation that is not related to the activity that caused the false detection. The metabolic rate can be calculated with high accuracy. In addition, even in the case of a meal or a change in emotion that was a problem in the case of a heart rate monitor, the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is not affected, so that the metabolic rate can be calculated with high accuracy.

  Furthermore, by distinguishing between exercise time and rest based on the frequency of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction, the two can be reliably distinguished. Accordingly, the metabolic rate Q1 during exercise is calculated based on a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion and contraction over time, and the metabolic rate Q2 during rest is calculated based on the basal metabolic rate, so that the total metabolic rate Qt as a whole is calculated. Can be calculated with high accuracy.

  However, the result of frequency analysis of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction usually includes a plurality of frequency components. It is important to determine which frequency component among the plurality of frequency components. In the present embodiment, the frequency F with the maximum output value of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is extracted, and the frequency F is used as a criterion. Thereby, it can be determined reliably whether it is at the time of exercise or at rest.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the estimated heart rate HR is calculated. Here, the actual heart rate is affected by changes in diet and emotion. However, according to the present embodiment, since a heart rate specialized in the heart rate during exercise can be extracted, a change in the heart rate corresponding to the exercise can be reliably observed.

  In the present embodiment, a sensor capable of detecting the movement of the subject's skin is used when detecting the amount of muscle expansion and contraction. If there is a muscle to be detected in the vicinity of the subject's skin, the movement of the skin corresponds to the movement of the muscle. Therefore, by detecting the movement of the subject's skin, the amount of muscle expansion and contraction of the subject can be reliably detected.

  Moreover, the sensor main body 12 in this embodiment uses what changes resistance according to the expansion-contraction amount of the sensor main body 12. FIG. Thus, by using a sensor whose physical quantity changes according to the deformation amount, it is possible to reliably detect the movement of the subject's skin. Furthermore, since the size can be reduced, it is also effective in terms of wearability to the subject. Further, the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 10 is formed of a material that can expand and contract. Therefore, it is possible to improve the mounting property and the mounting feeling.

<Others>
In the above-described embodiment, the sensor body 12 whose resistance changes according to the deformation amount is used. In addition to this, a sensor body 12 whose impedance or capacitance changes according to the deformation amount can be applied. In this case, a substantially similar configuration can be applied by supplying AC power as a power source.

  In the above embodiment, the metabolic rate calculating device is attached to the thigh of the subject. The thigh is the most used part in normal human life. Therefore, the total metabolic rate Qt of the subject can be calculated by mounting the metabolic rate calculation device on the thigh. However, when performing exercises specialized for the upper body, for example, exercise using a bench press, or for persons with disabilities in the lower body, an appropriate metabolic rate Qt can be obtained by attaching a metabolic amount calculation device to the arm or abdomen. Can be calculated.

10: muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor 11: base material, 12: sensor main body, 13, 14: electrode 20: controller 21: DC power supply, 22: voltmeter, 23: storage device, 24: arithmetic processing unit 30: display device 40 : Belt member

Claims (9)

A muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor for detecting the muscle expansion / contraction amount of the subject;
Exercise metabolic rate calculation means for calculating a metabolic rate during exercise based on a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion and contraction over time;
A metabolic rate calculation device comprising: A frequency analysis means for performing frequency analysis on the muscle stretch amount detected by the muscle stretch amount detection sensor in a predetermined period;
2. The metabolism according to claim 1, wherein when the frequency of the muscle stretching amount is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency, the exercise metabolic rate calculating unit calculates a metabolic amount during exercise based on a value obtained by integrating the muscle stretching amount over time. Quantity calculation device. A resting metabolic rate calculating means for calculating a basal metabolic rate as a resting metabolic rate when the frequency of the muscle stretching amount is smaller than the predetermined frequency;
A total metabolic rate calculating means for calculating a total metabolic rate by totaling the metabolic rate during the exercise and the metabolic rate at rest;
The metabolic rate calculation apparatus according to claim 2, comprising:   The estimated heart rate calculating means for calculating an estimated heart rate during exercise based on a value obtained by integrating the amount of muscle expansion / contraction with time when the frequency of the muscle expansion / contraction amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined frequency. The metabolic rate calculation apparatus described.   The frequency analysis means performs frequency analysis on the amount of muscle expansion and contraction during the predetermined period, and determines a frequency at which the amount of muscle expansion and contraction is a maximum value among the frequency components of the amount of muscle expansion and contraction detected during the predetermined period. The metabolic rate calculation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the extracted frequency is set as a frequency of the muscle expansion and contraction amount in the predetermined period.   The metabolic rate calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the muscle stretch amount detection sensor detects the muscle stretch amount based on a deformation amount of the subject's skin.   The muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor is provided in contact with the skin of the subject, is a sensor that can be deformed according to the movement of the skin, and outputs a physical quantity according to the deformation amount. The metabolic rate calculation apparatus according to 1.   The metabolic rate calculation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor is a sensor that changes any one of a resistance value, an impedance, and a capacitance according to a deformation amount of the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor.   The metabolic rate calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the muscle expansion / contraction amount detection sensor detects the muscle expansion / contraction amount in the leg of the subject.

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