【発明の詳細な説明】
【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、衣類等の着脱しや
すさを、アンケートによる主観評価に頼ることなく、客
観的な数値で測定・評価することを目的とする、快適性
の計測・評価方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】衣類等の着脱のしやすさを測定・評価す
る方法は、アンケートを主体とした主観評価に頼らざる
を得なかった。アンケートは重要な評価方法であるが、
人によって同じ刺激でも受け取る感覚レベルが異なり、
個人差が生じやすいという短所がある。また、再現性に
乏しく、長時間経過した後に評価をすると、同じ答えが
得られない場合が生じる。さらには、全身約400個ある
骨格筋のどの筋肉を使っているかを意識することは難し
く、商品・製品の改良を行う場合、具体策が考えにく
い。
【０００３】筋電図を使った評価として、スポーツ分野
での運動機能性の評価、睡眠研究でのオトガイ筋の評
価、表情研究での顔面表情筋の微細な変化を捉える評価
等が進められている。しかし、衣類等の着脱性につい
て、筋電図を使い、定量的な評価指標で測定・評価する
技術は確立されていない。
【０００４】近年、高齢者の増加に伴い、高齢者にやさ
しい商品開発に取り組んでいるが、定量的な評価を行い
ながら商品開発・改良しているケースは少ない。高齢者
において、肌着、シャツ、靴下、ガードル、ブラジャ
ー、ズボン、等の衣類の着脱性は重要な快適性要因であ
る。これは、加齢に伴い、体型が変化し、筋肉が萎縮
し、関節の柔軟性が低下するためではないかと推測さ
れ、筋電図により、定量的に計測・評価できる技術の確
立が望まれる。該技術の確立により、商品開発、および
商品改良が速やかに進捗する。
【０００５】また、高齢者のみならず、身体障害者、要
介護者でも衣類の着脱性は重要である。さらには、健常
者、若人であっても、着脱性に優れた商品を提供するこ
とは喜ばれる。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】本発明は、衣類等の着
脱のしやすさをアンケート等の主観評価に頼ることな
く、筋電図を用いて数値化し、定量的に測定・評価する
方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、かかる目的を
達成するために、次の構成からなる。即ち、衣類等を着
脱する際に発生する骨格筋の筋電図を計測し、筋電の発
生開始点から終点までの筋電発生時間及び／又は筋電発
生中の出力電位の積分値を求めることを特徴とする衣類
等の着脱性測定方法である。
【０００８】以下、本発明について詳細に説明する。衣
類等とは、肌着、シャツ、ガードル、ブラジャー、スパ
ッツ、作業服、ズボン、靴下、サポーター、オムツ、布
団、シーツ、パジャマ等の身につける、または、身にま
とう製品のことである。着脱する作業をする対象者は、
着脱する本人、および、第３者に着脱させる立場の人の
両方を含む。
【０００９】骨格筋は、全身に約４００個あるが、特に
筋肉の指定はしない。しかしながら、着脱する場合に
は、尺側手根屈筋、長掌筋、とう側手根屈筋、浅指屈
筋、上腕筋、上腕三頭筋、長とう側手根伸筋、上腕二頭
筋、腕とう骨筋、縫工筋、大腿直筋、外側広筋、大臀
筋、大腿二頭筋などが活発に活動するので、測定に適し
ている。特に、上腕二頭筋、腕とう骨筋の活動が活発で
あり測定により適当である。
【００１０】関節を曲げ伸ばしする、または力を入れる
作業をすると、筋肉が収縮し、それに伴い数ミリボルト
(ｍＶ)の電位変化が生じる。筋電図とは、その電位変化
のことであり、専用の筋電計、ポリグラフ装置、脳波計
などの生体アンプを使って増幅して用いる。測定は、走
行する筋繊維に沿って皮膚上に２つの電極を貼りつけ、
その他アースを一箇所とり、電位変化を検出する。２つ
の電極の距離は約２ｃｍにする。
【００１１】着脱性の評価尺度としては、筋電の発生開
始点から終点までの筋電発生時間及び／又は該筋電発生
中の出力電位の積分値を求めることが適当である。前者
は、筋肉が活動している時間が着脱時間であると想定し
た値である。複数の筋肉が活動する（筋電が発生する）
時間帯は、各々の筋肉で一致する場合もあれば若干ずれ
る場合もある。各々の筋肉の筋電発生時間がずれる場合
は、いずれかの筋肉から電位が発生しているトータルの
時間を用いることが望ましいが、場合によっては、個々
の筋肉での筋電位発生時間を用いても構わない。後者
は、着脱に伴い筋電が発生する時間の筋電発生量積分値
を計測する方法である。積分の方法は、振幅の絶対値を
積分する方法、または、振幅の絶対値を求め時間経過に
従い面積積分する方法を用いる。各筋肉の筋電の合計を
用いても、平均値を用いても構わない。また、筋電発生
量積分値を単位時間あたりに換算した値を用いることも
可能である。筋電発生時間が長い及び／又は出力電位の
積分値が高いと着脱しにくいと評価する。
【００１２】以下に実施例を示すが、本発明の着脱性の
評価方法は、以下の測定部位、および製品アイテムに限
定されるものではない。尚、筋電図は、ポリグラフ（日
本ＧＥマルケットメディカルシステム（株）製）を用
い、ＳＥＮＳＩＴＩＶＩＴＹは１ｍＶ／０.５Ｖで測定
した。解析は、ビムタスII（キッセイコムテック（株）
製）を用いた。
【００１３】
【実施例】（実施例１）素材、デザインの異なるガード
ルＮＯ.１〜ＮＯ.７までの７点を、女性被験者７名に着
脱してもらった。左右の上腕内側部に位置する上腕二頭
筋および、左右の前腕外側部に位置する腕とう骨筋の、
合計４箇所の筋電図を測定した。また、着用感は、「着
にくい―着やすい」「脱ぎにくい―脱ぎやすい」という
項目で、-２〜＋２点の５段階評価のＳＤ法により評価
した。筋電図より、各筋肉の筋電発生開始点から終了点
までの筋電発生時間を求めた。４ヶ所の筋電発生開始
点、および終了点はほぼ一致していたため、１つの筋肉
の筋電より、筋電発生時間を求めた。さらに、筋電発生
時間中の筋電発生量積分値を求め、４箇所の積分値の合
計を求めた。筋電発生時間、および筋電発生量積分値は
いずれも被験者７名の平均値を用いた。
【００１４】（実施例2）素材、デザインの異なる学生
服ＮＯ．１およびＮＯ．２の２点を、女性被験者２名に
着脱してもらった。左右の上腕三頭筋、三角筋の合計４
箇所の筋電図を測定した。また、着用感は、「着にくい
―着やすい」「脱ぎにくい―脱ぎやすい」という項目
で、-２〜＋２点の５段階評価のＳＤ法により評価し
た。筋電図より、各筋肉の筋電発生開始点から終了点ま
で筋電発生時間は異なったため、４箇所の筋肉のいずれ
かから筋電が発生していれば、筋電発生時間に含めてト
ータルの時間を計算した。さらに、筋電発生時間中の筋
電発生量積分値を求め、４箇所の積分値の合計を求め
た。筋電発生時間、および筋電発生量積分値はいずれも
被験者２名の平均値を用いた。
【００１５】（実施例３）素材、デザインの異なる大人
用オムツＮＯ．１〜ＮＯ．４の４点を、寝たきりの男性
１名に対し、女性被験者１名が、はかせ、その後、脱が
せた。このとき、女性被験者の左右の上腕内側部に位置
する上腕二頭筋、および、左右の前腕外側部に位置する
腕とう骨筋の、合計４箇所の筋電図を測定した。また、
着用感は、「着させにくい―着させやすい」「脱がせに
くい―脱がせやすい」という項目で、-２〜＋２点の５
段階評価のＳＤ法により評価した。筋電図より、各筋肉
の筋電発生開始点から終了点までの筋電発生時間を求め
た。４ヶ所の筋肉のいずれかから筋電が発生していれ
ば、筋電発生時間に含めてトータルの時間を計算した。
さらに、筋電発生時間中の筋電発生量積分値を求め、４
ヶ所の積分値の合計を求めた。
【００１６】（実施例４）素材、デザインの異なる布団
カバーＮＯ．１〜ＮＯ．３の３点を、女性被験者１名に
よって、布団に取り付ける作業を実施した。このとき、
女性被験者の左右の上腕内側部に位置する上腕二頭筋、
および、左右の前腕外側部に位置する腕とう骨筋の、合
計４箇所の筋電図を測定した。また、着用感は、「取り
付けにくい―取り付けやすい」「取り外しにくい―取り
外しやすい」という項目で、-２〜＋２点の５段階評価
のＳＤ法により評価した。筋電図より、各筋肉の筋電発
生開始点から終了点までの筋電発生時間を求めた。４ヶ
所の筋肉のいずれかから筋電が発生していれば、筋電発
生時間に含めてトータルの時間を計算した。さらに、筋
電発生時間中の筋電発生量積分値を求め、４ヶ所の積分
値の合計を求めた。
【００１７】実施例１より、「着やすさ」と「着衣時の
筋電発生量積分値」とは負の相関関係が見られる。「着
やすさ」と「着衣時の筋電発生時間」とも、負の相関関
係が見られる。「脱ぎやすさ」と「脱衣時の筋電発生量
積分値」とは、負の相関関係が見られる。「脱ぎやす
さ」と「脱衣時の筋電発生時間」とも、負の相関関係が
見られる。このように、着脱性を筋電図を活用すること
で、定量的に評価することができる。
【００１８】実施例２、実施例３、実施例４からも、実
施例１と同様で、「着脱しやすさ」「着脱させやすさ」
「取り外しやすさ」を、筋電図を使って定量的に評価す
ることができる。
【００１９】
【表１】
【００２０】
【表２】【００２１】
【表３】
【００２２】
【発明の効果】本発明によりアンケートによる主観評価
に頼ることなく、客観的な数値で衣類等の着脱性測定・
評価することが可能となる。Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of measuring and evaluating the ease of putting on and taking off clothes and the like by objective numerical values without resorting to a subjective evaluation by a questionnaire. The objective is to measure and evaluate comfort. 2. Description of the Related Art A method of measuring and evaluating the ease of putting on and taking off clothes and the like has had to rely on a subjective evaluation mainly based on a questionnaire. Surveys are an important evaluation method,
Different people receive the same stimulus at different levels,
The disadvantage is that individual differences tend to occur. In addition, the reproducibility is poor, and if the evaluation is performed after a long time, the same answer may not be obtained. Furthermore, it is difficult to be aware of which of the approximately 400 skeletal muscles the whole body uses, and it is difficult to think about specific measures when improving products and products. As evaluations using electromyograms, evaluations of motor functionality in the sports field, evaluation of geniomus muscles in sleep studies, evaluations to capture minute changes in facial expression muscles in facial expression studies, and the like have been advanced. I have. However, no technology has been established for measuring and evaluating the detachability of clothes and the like with a quantitative evaluation index using an electromyogram. [0004] In recent years, with the increase in the number of elderly people, efforts have been made to develop products that are gentle to the elderly, but there are few cases in which product development and improvement are performed while performing quantitative evaluation. In the elderly, the removability of clothing such as underwear, shirts, socks, girdle, bras, pants, etc. is an important comfort factor. It is presumed that this is because the body shape changes with aging, the muscles atrophy, and the flexibility of the joints decreases, and it is desired to establish a technology that can measure and evaluate quantitatively by electromyogram. . With the establishment of this technology, product development and product improvement progress quickly. [0005] In addition to the elderly, the detachability of clothes is important not only for the elderly, but also for the physically handicapped and those requiring care. Furthermore, even healthy people and young people are pleased to provide products with excellent detachability. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention quantifies the ease of putting on and taking off clothes and the like using electromyograms without relying on subjective evaluations such as questionnaires, and quantitatively measures and evaluates them. It is intended to provide a method for doing so. The present invention has the following configuration to attain the above object. That is, the electromyogram of the skeletal muscle generated when the clothes and the like are attached and detached is measured, and the electromyogram generation time from the generation start point to the end point of the electromyogram and / or the integrated value of the output potential during the generation of the electromyogram are obtained. This is a method for measuring the detachability of clothes or the like. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. Clothing refers to products worn or worn on underwear, shirts, girdle, bras, spats, work clothes, pants, socks, supporters, diapers, futons, sheets, pajamas, and the like. The target person who does the work of putting on and taking off
This includes both the person who attaches and detaches and the person who attaches and detaches to a third party. There are about 400 skeletal muscles throughout the body, but no particular muscle is specified. However, in the case of attachment and detachment, the ulnar carpi flexor, the palmaris longus, the flexor carpal flexor, the superficial finger flexor, the brachius, the triceps brachii, the extensor carpi extensor, the biceps brachii, the arm The radial muscle, the sartorius muscle, the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the gluteus maximus, the biceps femoris, etc. are active and are suitable for measurement. In particular, the activities of the biceps brachii and the acetabulus are active and are more appropriate for measurement. [0010] When bending or stretching a joint or applying a force, the muscle contracts, and accordingly, a few millivolts.
(mV) potential change occurs. The electromyogram is a change in the electric potential, and is used after being amplified using a biological amplifier such as a dedicated electromyograph, a polygraph device, and an electroencephalograph. For measurement, stick two electrodes on the skin along the running muscle fiber,
In addition, one ground is taken to detect a potential change. The distance between the two electrodes is about 2 cm. As an evaluation scale of the detachability, it is appropriate to obtain the myoelectric generation time from the start point to the end point of myoelectric generation and / or the integrated value of the output potential during the myoelectric generation. The former is a value assuming that the time during which the muscle is active is the attachment / detachment time. Multiple muscles are active (myoelectricity occurs)
The time zone may be the same for each muscle or slightly off. When the electromyogram generation time of each muscle is shifted, it is desirable to use the total time during which the potential is generated from any muscle, but in some cases, using the electromyogram generation time of each individual muscle No problem. The latter is a method of measuring the integrated value of the amount of myoelectric generation during the time when myoelectricity is generated due to attachment and detachment. As a method of integration, a method of integrating the absolute value of the amplitude or a method of obtaining the absolute value of the amplitude and integrating the area over time is used. Either the sum of the myoelectricity of each muscle or the average value may be used. It is also possible to use a value obtained by converting the integrated value of the amount of myoelectric generation per unit time. If the myoelectric generation time is long and / or the integrated value of the output potential is high, it is evaluated that it is difficult to detach. Examples will be shown below, but the method for evaluating the detachability of the present invention is not limited to the following measurement sites and product items. The electromyogram was measured using a polygraph (manufactured by GE Marquette Medical Systems Japan) at a SENSITIVITY of 1 mV / 0.5 V. Analysis was performed by Vimutus II (Kissei Comtech Co., Ltd.)
Was used. (Example 1) Seven female subjects, girdles No. 1 to No. 7 having different materials and designs, were attached to and detached from seven female subjects. The biceps located on the inner part of the left and right upper arms and the sciatic muscles located on the outer parts of the left and right forearms,
Electromyograms at a total of four locations were measured. In addition, the feeling of wearing was evaluated by a five-point SD method of -2 to +2 points in the items of "hard to wear-easy to wear" and "hard to take off-easy to take off". From the electromyogram, the electromyogram generation time from the start point to the end point of each muscle was calculated. Since the start point and the end point of the generation of myoelectricity at the four locations almost coincided, the myoelectric generation time was obtained from the myoelectricity of one muscle. Furthermore, the integrated value of the amount of myoelectric generation during the myoelectric generation time was obtained, and the total of the integrated values of the four locations was obtained. The average value of seven subjects was used for the myoelectric generation time and the myoelectric generation amount integrated value. (Example 2) School uniform NO. 1 and NO. Two female subjects were attached and detached by two female subjects. Left and right triceps, deltoid total 4
The electromyogram of the location was measured. In addition, the feeling of wearing was evaluated by a five-point SD method of -2 to +2 points in the items of "hard to wear-easy to wear" and "hard to take off-easy to take off". From the electromyogram, the electromyogram generation time was different from the start point to the end point of each muscle, so if the electromyogram was generated from any of the four muscles, it was included in the electromyogram generation time. Time was calculated. Furthermore, the integrated value of the amount of myoelectric generation during the myoelectric generation time was obtained, and the total of the integrated values of the four locations was obtained. The average value of two subjects was used for each of the electromyogram generation time and the electromyogram generation amount integrated value. (Example 3) Diapers NO. 1 to NO. One female test subject wore four points of 4 to one bedridden male, and then took off. At this time, a total of four electromyograms were measured for the biceps brachii muscles located on the inside of the left and right upper arms of the female subject and the sciatic muscles located on the left and right outer forearms. Also,
The feeling of wearing is the item "It is hard to put on-It is easy to put on", "It is hard to take off-It is easy to take off".
It was evaluated by the graded SD method. From the electromyogram, the electromyogram generation time from the start point to the end point of each muscle was calculated. If myoelectricity was generated from any of the four muscles, the total time was calculated including the myoelectricity generation time.
Further, an integrated value of the amount of myoelectric generation during the myoelectric generation time is obtained, and 4
The sum of the integral values at the three locations was determined. (Embodiment 4) Duvet cover NO. 1 to NO. The work of attaching the three points of No. 3 to the futon was carried out by one female subject. At this time,
Biceps, located on the inner side of the upper arm of the female subject,
In addition, electromyograms at a total of four places were measured at the radial muscles of the arm located on the lateral portions of the left and right forearms. In addition, the feeling of wearing was evaluated by the SD method of five-level evaluation of -2 to +2 points in the items of "difficult to attach-easy to attach" and "difficult to remove-easy to remove". From the electromyogram, the electromyogram generation time from the start point to the end point of each muscle was calculated. If myoelectricity was generated from any of the four muscles, the total time was calculated including the myoelectricity generation time. Further, the integrated value of the amount of myoelectric generation during the myoelectric generation time was obtained, and the sum of the integrated values at four locations was obtained. From Example 1, there is a negative correlation between "easiness of wearing" and "integrated value of myoelectric generation during clothes". There is a negative correlation between “easiness of wearing” and “time of generation of myoelectricity during clothes”. There is a negative correlation between “easiness of taking off” and “integrated value of myoelectric generation at the time of undressing”. There is a negative correlation between “easiness of taking off” and “time of myoelectric generation at the time of undressing”. As described above, the detachability can be quantitatively evaluated by utilizing the electromyogram. The second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment are similar to the first embodiment, and are “easy to attach and detach” and “easy to attach and detach”.
“Ease of removal” can be quantitatively evaluated using an electromyogram. [Table 1] [Table 2] [Table 3] According to the present invention, it is possible to measure the detachability of clothes and the like by objective numerical values without relying on subjective evaluation by questionnaire.
It becomes possible to evaluate.
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】着やすさと筋電発生量積分値との関係を示す
図。
【図２】着やすさと筋電発生時間との関係を示す図。
【図３】脱ぎやすさと筋電発生量積分値との関係を示す
図。
【図４】脱ぎやすさと筋電発生時間との関係を示す図。BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a relationship between ease of wearing and an integrated value of myoelectric generation. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between ease of wearing and myoelectric generation time. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between ease of removal and an integrated value of myoelectric generation. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between ease of removal and myoelectric generation time.