JP2976341B2 - Muscle strength measurement device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a muscular strength measuring device for suitably measuring the muscular strength of a lower limb for a subject (hereinafter referred to as a patient) whose muscular strength is to be measured.

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique, there is Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-30509.
This publication discloses an input shaft mechanism for applying a muscle force to rotate, a torque detection mechanism for detecting a muscle force, a mechanism for controlling the rotation of the input shaft to a predetermined speed pattern, and driving the input shaft by decelerating with a motor. A mechanism, a mechanism for displaying a load torque on an input shaft, and the like are disclosed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the muscular strength measurement training device mentioned as a conventional technique, an isometric method (muscular strength measurement performed in an isometric state) is used for muscular strength measurement. Therefore, there is a case where a patient injures a muscle or a tendon. Therefore, there is a demand for a safe muscular strength measuring device that does not have to worry about injuring a muscle or a tendon.

Measures to solve the problem Measurement of lower limb muscle strength is indispensable for teaching on-site rehabilitation and strength training.

Also, since all human activities are antigravity exercises, at this point the weight bearing capacity in exercise is also calculated.

Focusing on the functions of the quadriceps femoris muscles of the lower limb muscles, isometric voluntary maximum muscle strength [hereinafter referred to as MVC (Maximum Vol.
untary contraction)] for evaluation of lower limb function.

Also, the muscle strength per body weight, that is, the weight support number [hereinafter referred to as WBI (Weight-Bearing Index)] is calculated from the MVC, and this WBI is also used for muscle function evaluation.

In such a situation, the MV is rotated while rotating the joint.
A device that can appropriately estimate and measure C has been developed.

MVC measurement isometric state of conventional means (= maximum effort state)
There was a concern that the muscles and tendons would be damaged when performing the procedure, but according to the means for measuring while performing a submaximal exercise (= exercise below the state of maximum effort), there is no concern that the muscles and tendons would be damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide a muscle strength measuring device capable of measuring MVC without damaging muscles and tendons.

That is, the present invention provides an arm 11 attached to a rotating shaft 10 that is set in a horizontal direction in accordance with the position of a knee joint of a human body, and a muscle force detecting unit 9 that detects a force applied to an appropriate position on the arm 11.
And a resistor 13 for imparting resistance to the rotation of the rotating shaft 10, a microprocessing unit 22 (hereinafter referred to as MPU 22) for obtaining a muscle strength signal from the muscle strength detector 9 and calculating MVC, This is a muscular strength measuring device including a display unit 33 for displaying a result.

For the calculation of the MVC, a coefficient corresponding to the angular velocity is input in advance to a memory unit of the MPU 22, a muscle strength detection unit 9 detects a muscle strength and an angle, and the MPU 22 calculates each speed from the detected angle. , By dividing the muscle force by the coefficient corresponding to the calculated angular velocity.

Action The patient's lower leg is mounted on the mounting device 5 slidably fixed to the front of the arm 11, and a force is applied to the mounting device 5 to apply the arm.
Move 11

The patient sitting on the chair 4 applies a rotating power to the rotating shaft 10 protruding from the detection and resistance setting unit 12 via the arm 11.
At this time, the muscle strength detection unit 9 provided at the base of the attachment 5
To detect muscle strength.

 The rotation angle of the rotation shaft 10 is detected by the angle detection unit 14.

The operator sets the appropriate resistance load value on the keyboard switch 32.
And input to the MPU 22 which performs various calculations such as calculation of MVC. Further, the MPU 22 provides a signal to the resistor 13.

 The resistor 13 gives resistance to the rotation of the rotation shaft 10.

The MPU 22 detects the muscular strength detected by the muscular strength detecting unit 9 in advance by the MPU 22.
The MVC is calculated by dividing by a coefficient corresponding to the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 10 input to the memory unit.

The calculated MVC is displayed on the display unit 33, and when the measurement is completed, the value of the MVC is printed by the printer.

In the case of performing a constant speed movement, the resistance value of the resistor 13 is controlled in real time so that the rotation shaft 10 rotates at a constant speed. In this case, the angular velocity of the rotating shaft 10 is detected by the angular velocity detection unit 14, and based on the angular velocity signal, the MPU 22 generates a signal to be given to the resistor 13, and the patient applies an unfixed appropriate force. The resistance generated by the resistor 13 is controlled in real time so that the rotation speed of the moving shaft 10 becomes a constant speed set in advance by the operator. MPU22 is a coefficient corresponding to the speed set by the operator.
Is calculated.

In the case of performing a motion in which the rotation speed is not controlled to be constant (for example, an isotonic resistance motion or a variable speed variable resistance motion), the operator sets the resistance value of the resistor 13 by the keyboard switch 32.
Set the value to the value entered selectively with. in this case,
The rotation speed of the rotation shaft 10 fluctuates depending on the degree of force applied by the patient, but the MPU 22 reads out a coefficient stored in advance in correspondence with each angular speed detected by the angular speed detection unit 14, and uses the read out coefficient. MVC is calculated by dividing muscle strength.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the outline of the configuration of the present invention is to provide a seat 2 on a frame 1,
A patient mounting chair 4 having a backrest 3 erected at the rear end of the seat 2 and a base 7 for detecting the muscle strength of the patient's lower limbs and detecting the angle of the rotating shaft 10 It consists of three separate members: a detection and resistance setting unit 12 for applying resistance to the movement of the lower limb during exercise of the patient's lower limb, and a calculation display unit 34 for calculating and displaying muscle strength.

 Next, the above configuration will be described in detail.

A weight input unit 37 composed of a gauge or the like is provided between the seat 2 of the chair 4 and the frame 1. The output of the weight input unit 37 is input to the MPU 22 which takes in various data and calculates.

The detection and resistance setting unit 12 is installed at the upper end of a telescopic support column 8 erected on the base 7 on the side of the chair 4.

The detection and resistance setting unit 12 is provided with a rotation shaft 10 in a horizontal direction on a side of the detection and resistance setting unit 12 facing the chair 4.
An arm 11 is detachably attached to a tip of the rotating shaft 10, and a mounting tool 5 is slidably fixed to an appropriate position of the arm 11, and a muscle force is attached to a mounting base of the mounting tool 5. A detection unit 9 is provided. Further pivot
At the base end of the resistor 10, a resistor 13 for giving resistance to the rotation of the rotation shaft 10 is provided.
The rotation shaft 10 is provided at an appropriate position with an angle detection unit 14 for detecting the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 10.

The muscular strength detection unit 9 detects a force applied to the mounting device 5 and detects a load cell 15 provided at a base of the mounting device 5, a sensor amplifier 16 that amplifies a signal generated by the load cell 15, and converts an amplified analog signal into a digital signal. An A / D converter 17 is provided, and an output signal of the A / D converter 17 is input to the MPU 22.

The muscular strength signal input to the MPU 22 is divided by a coefficient described later and converted into MVC.

The angle detection unit 14 includes a detection and resistance setting unit 12 and a rotation axis.
A potentiometer 19 provided between both members of the angle sensor 10 and an angle sensor amplifier 20 for amplifying a signal of the potentiometer 19
And an angle A / D converter 21 for converting an analog signal output from the angle sensor amplifier 20 into a digital signal. The output signal of the angle A / D converter 21 is input to the MPU 22.

The angle signal input to the MPU 22 is converted into an angle (= direction) change per unit time, that is, an angular velocity.

The resistor 13 receives a command signal from the MPU 22 and provides resistance to the rotation of the rotation shaft 10. Although not shown, the embodiment of the resistor 13 includes a cylinder, a fluid path restricting mechanism, a crank arm, and the like. As another embodiment, a powder brake may be used.

The output of the keyboard switch 32 that specifies and drives the resistance load value is input to the interface 31 connected to the keyboard switch 32, and the output of the interface 31 is set to the MPU 22.
Put in.

 Next, the configuration of the MPU 22 that performs a predetermined operation will be described.

The MPU 22 has a data MPU 18 that mainly captures data.
There is an arithmetic MPU 26 that mainly performs data arithmetic,
The first serial communication circuit 2 is connected to the input / output end of the data MPU 18.
3 and an isolation circuit 24 consisting of a photocoupler, etc.
And a second serial communication circuit 25, which is another serial communication circuit, is sequentially connected in series, and the input / output of the second serial communication circuit 25 calculates data,
Is connected to the input / output terminal of the arithmetic MPU 26 for calculating

The calculation display section 34 includes the second serial communication circuit 25 and a calculation MP.
It comprises a U26 and a display unit 33 for displaying the calculation result of the calculation MPU 26.

The display unit 33 is a Centronics control circuit incorporating a buffer device and a device for sending and receiving operation messages.
27, a printer 28 for printing the output signal of the centronics control circuit 27, that is, the output signal of the calculation result of the MPU 22.
And a display control circuit 29 for outputting data generated for screen display in synchronization with a scanning line, and a display 30 for displaying an output signal of the display control circuit 29, that is, a calculation result of the MPU 22 on a screen.

 Next, the configuration of peripheral devices of the MPU 22 will be described.

The first output signal of the MPU 22 is provided to the printer 28 via the Centronics control circuit 27.

The second output signal of the MPU 22 is provided to the display 30 via the display control circuit 29.

The third output signal of the MPU 22 is provided to the resistor 13.

When the muscle strength is measured at a constant speed motion, a signal for controlling the resistor 13 in real time from the MPU 22 is provided so that the rotation shaft 10 can rotate at a constant speed.

When performing a motion that is not controlled at a constant speed, the MPU 22 outputs the resistor 13 based on the signal input by the keyboard switch 32.
Is provided with a control signal for causing a constant resistance load.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 35 denotes a handle attached to the frame 1;
Is a fixing band for fixing the patient's thigh to the seat 2.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention when measuring and training the muscle strength will be described.

The patient is seated on the seat 2 of the chair 4, the lower leg is brought into contact with the mounting device 5 positioned in front of the lower leg of the patient, and the lower leg is fastened to the mounting device 5 with the lower leg mounting band 6.

An appropriate resistance load value is input by the keyboard switch 32, and the output of the keyboard switch 32 is input to the MPU 22 via the interface 31.

The patient extends and flexes the knee joint and applies force to the wearing equipment 5. When the knee joint is extended, the quadriceps muscle works, and the muscular strength of the quadriceps muscle acts on the wearing equipment 5.

The force applied to the attachment 5 is detected by the load cell 15 as a muscle force, and the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 10 is detected by a potentiometer 19.

The signal detected by the load cell 15 is amplified by the sensor amplifier 16, the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 17, and the digital signal is input to the MPU 22.

The signal detected by the potentiometer 19 is amplified by the angle sensor amplifier 20, the analog signal is converted to a digital signal by the angle A / D converter 21, and the digital signal is input to the MPU 22.

The MPU 18 for data and the MPU 26 for operation existing in the MPU 22 are:
Signals are exchanged via the first serial communication circuit 32, the isolation circuit 24, and the second serial communication circuit 25 of the interface 31.

On the other hand, the data MPU 18 includes various sensor members and resistors 13
, And provided in the detection and resistance setting unit 12 to have a function of taking in signals from various sensors. The other computation MPU 26 is provided in the computation display unit 34 and has a function of performing various computations based on data and issuing a computation result. These two MPUs enhance the reliability of data transfer between the detection and resistance setting unit 12 and the operation display unit 34.

The first signal output from the MPU 22 reaches a printer 28 via a centronics control circuit 27 having an interface function, and the printer 28 prints the values of MVC and WBI.

The second signal output from the MPU 22 passes through a display control circuit 29 having an interface function to reach a display 30. The display 30 displays the MVC in units of "Kg", and the WBI
Is displayed as an anonymous number.

The third signal output from the MPU 22 controls the resistor 13 to control the magnitude of the resistance applied to the rotation of the rotation shaft 10.

Note that in order to measure the maximum muscular strength in a moving state and estimate MVC from the measured value, the MPU 22 previously stores coefficients corresponding to each angular velocity.

The coefficients for each angular velocity are extremely reliable coefficients statistically created based on many experimental data. Some of the coefficients calculated from the relationship between MVC and angular velocity are picked up as follows.

MVC is calculated by dividing the measured maximum muscular strength by the coefficient of angular velocity.

As described above, when performing a constant speed motion, the rotation axis 10
The resistance of the resistor 13 is controlled in real time so as to rotate at a constant speed.

In this case, the angular velocity of the rotating shaft 10 is detected by the angular velocity detecting unit 14, and based on the angular velocity signal, the MPU 22 controls the resistor 13 in real time, and rotates the rotating shaft 10 to a predetermined constant speed. . The MVC is obtained by dividing the measured muscle strength by a coefficient corresponding to the set speed.

In the case of performing exercise without controlling at a constant speed, the magnitude of the resistance of the resistor 13 is set to a constant value selected by the keyboard switch 32.

In this case, the rotation speed of the rotation shaft 10 varies depending on the strength of the patient's force, etc., but the MPU 22 reads a coefficient corresponding to each angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detection unit 14, and divides the muscle force by this coefficient. And calculate the MVC.

 Next, the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

First, the measurement is started by turning on the power supply or the like, and then an appropriate value is driven by the keyboard switch 32 to operate the resistor 13 to apply an appropriate resistance to the turning operation of the turning shaft 10.

The patient rotates the arm 11. The muscle strength and angle are detected from the rotation of the rotation shaft 10.

The angle change per unit time, that is, the angular velocity, is calculated from the angle detected in the immediately preceding short time.

Subsequently, the muscle strength is divided by the coefficient of the angular velocity to obtain MVC, which is displayed on the display 30 and stored.

The WBI is obtained by dividing the MVC by the weight, and the WBI is displayed on the display unit 33.
Is also displayed.

When the measurement is completed, a comment or the like based on the measurement result of the MVC is printed.

When the measurement of the muscle strength is completed and the training of the muscle strength is started next, the number of reciprocating rotations of the arm 11 and the optimum resistance to be applied to the resistor 13 are set.

In the above embodiment, the muscular strength detecting unit 9 is provided at the base of the mounting unit 5. However, as another embodiment, when the muscular strength detecting unit 9 is provided at a part of the rotating shaft 10, the muscular strength is expressed in torque units ( =
T, T = F × L). In this case, the torque (= T) is divided by the distance from the rotating shaft 10 to the mounting tool 5, that is, the arm length (= L). The muscle strength (= F) is calculated.

In the above-described embodiment, the chair 4 and the detection and resistance setting unit are used.
Although 12 is a separate body, as another embodiment, although not shown, the detection and resistance setting unit 12 may be integrally provided on the side of the chair 4 in some cases.

According to the present invention, the detection and resistance setting unit is provided with a muscular strength detection unit, an angle detection unit, and a resistor, and a special coefficient corresponding to each angular velocity of the rotation axis is stored in the MPU in advance, and a keyboard switch is used as appropriate. The MVC is calculated and displayed on the basis of the muscle force applied to the wearing equipment by the patient by inputting and inputting an appropriate resistance load.

The effect of this configuration is that, first of all, the MVC can be calculated from the submaximal movement of rotating the lower limb by applying an appropriate resistance. When expressed, there is a risk that the muscle and tendon may be damaged due to excessive muscle contraction in the muscles and tendons, and there are many cases where MVC can not be measured during the treatment process,
According to the present invention, this worry has been eliminated, and MVC measurement can be performed safely and safely.

(B) As an advantage of the muscle strength measurement, the patient has anxiety about the injured lower limb function, so it is difficult to express the maximum muscular strength of the lower limb, and it is difficult to measure MVC itself. By using the device of the present invention for estimating and calculating the maximum muscle strength in the isometric state, the patient can easily measure MVC without pain and without worrying about injuring muscles and tendons, and know the value. Can be.

(C) As an advantage in the measurement posture, since it is not known at which angle the maximum muscle strength appears, when measuring in an isometric state,
Since there is an individual difference in the MVC exertion angle, the MVC could not be found unless a plurality of measurement results measured at different angles were compared, but the device of the present invention which calculates the MVC while rotating the lower limb dynamically Can be used to measure rotation once.
Since the MVC can be calculated, it is now possible to know the MVC accurately and without losing muscles, significantly reducing time and labor.

Secondly, a display is provided that displays the MVC in `` Kg '', which is more everyday and easier to understand than the `` Kg ・ m '' display of torque. You can now help motivate recovery training.

Third, despite the fact that measurement is performed while performing submaximal exercise, the MVC can be appropriately estimated and measured, and this MVC can be clearly displayed, which is very advantageous in instructing functional recovery training. It is.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric configuration, FIG. 2 is an overall external view, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of muscle strength measurement. Is shown. 9 ... Muscle strength detection unit, 10 ... Rotating axis, 11 ... Arm, 13 ...
... Resistor, 14 ... Angle detector, 22 ... MPU, 26 ... MPU for calculation, 32 ... Keyboard switch, 33 ... Display unit,

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An arm (11) attached to a rotating shaft (10) set horizontally in accordance with the position of a knee joint of a human body, and an arm (11).
A muscular strength detection unit 9 for detecting a force applied to an appropriate position above,
A resistor 13 for imparting resistance to the rotation of the rotating shaft 10, a microprocessing unit 22 for obtaining a muscle strength signal from the muscle strength detector 9 and calculating an isometric voluntary maximum muscle strength, a situation and results of muscle strength measurement A coefficient corresponding to the angular velocity is input to the memory unit of the microprocessing unit 22 in advance, the muscular strength and the angle are detected by the muscular strength detection unit 9, and detected by the microprocessing unit 22. A muscle strength measuring device, wherein the isometric voluntary maximum muscle strength is calculated from the angular velocity calculated from the angle, the coefficient corresponding to the angular velocity, and the muscle strength.