JP4204868B2 - Electrical stimulation muscle strengthener - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer that performs exercise training for muscle strength enhancement and other functional recovery.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
In Japanese Patent No. 3026007, Patent Document 1 discloses that when the muscle which is the main muscle contracts and the muscle which is the antagonist muscle is stretched, the muscle which is the main muscle or the antagonist muscle is given electrical stimulation. There is disclosed a muscle strength enhancer characterized by having means for contracting the muscle.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the invention of Patent Document 1, when the main muscle is contracting, the antagonistic muscle extends, but when an electrical stimulus is applied to the antagonistic muscle at this time, the antagonistic muscle is caused to elongate while contracting, causing centrifugal contraction. And highly efficient exercise enhancement. However, it is impossible to exercise safely and efficiently by balancing the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles. In addition, there is no configuration for detecting the balance of contraction of the main and antagonist muscles, and it is not possible to properly balance the contraction of both muscles.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer capable of efficiently performing muscle strength enhancement and functional recovery.
[0005]
[Means to solve the problem]
That is, the present invention provides a contraction means (1) for applying electrical stimulation to the main and antagonist muscles to contract the main and antagonist muscles when both the main and antagonist muscles are relaxed , It has a detection means (2) for detecting the contraction of the antagonistic muscle and a chair (4) provided with a footrest (3), and the detection means (2) detects the direction or balance of the force applied to the footrest (3). It is an electric stimulation type muscular strength enhancer characterized by being a footrest detector (5) . In addition, when both the main muscle and the antagonist muscle are contracted, contraction means (1) for applying electrical stimulation to the main muscle and / or antagonist muscle to contract the main muscle and / or antagonist muscle, and the main muscle And a detection means (2) for detecting the contraction of the antagonistic muscle and a chair (4) provided with a footrest (3), and the detection means (2) determines the direction or balance of the force applied to the footrest (3). It is a footrest detector (5) to detect. Furthermore, the contraction means (1) includes an output adjustment means (6) for arbitrarily controlling the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles. Furthermore, the output of the contraction means (1) is automatically adjusted so that the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles is balanced in accordance with the detected contraction state of the main and antagonist muscles.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Using the electrical stimulation type muscular strength enhancer 15 of the present invention, the exercised person (= patient) performs a closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise that simultaneously contracts the main and antagonist muscles.
The exercised person sits on the chair 4, puts the affected leg on the footrest 3, applies force to the affected lower leg, and steps on the footrest 3. By this operation, the quadriceps and flexors (hamstrings, popliteal muscles) contract together, and exercise by the closed motor chain.
[0007]
The contraction means 1 for contracting muscles applies electrical stimulation to the main and antagonist muscles when both the main and antagonist muscles are relaxed, and contracts the main and antagonist muscles.
[0008]
Alternatively, the contraction means 1 for contracting muscles applies electrical stimulation to the main and / or antagonist muscles and contracts the main and / or antagonist muscles when both the main and antagonist muscles contract. .
[0009]
The detection means 2 is a footrest detector (5) that detects the direction or balance of the force applied to the footrest 3, and detects the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles.
[0010]
The output adjusting means 6 provided in the electrical stimulation device 7 arbitrarily controls the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles.
[0011]
The output of the contraction means 1 is automatically adjusted to balance the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles in accordance with the detected contraction state of the main and antagonist muscles.
[0013]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the chair 4 on which the exerciser sits in a sitting posture, the contraction means 1 for contracting the main and antagonist muscles of the exerciser, and the detection for detecting the direction or balance of the force applied to the foot by the exerciser Means 2.
[0014]
The chair 4 is provided with a footrest 3 on which the exercised person puts his / her foot.
[0015]
The detection means 2 is a means for detecting the force (muscle contraction) applied to the foot by the exercised person, and further detecting the direction or balance of the force applied to the sole by the detection, and a footrest detector provided in the footrest 3 5 and a measurement indicator 8 for displaying the output of the footrest detector 5.
[0016]
Specifically, when detecting the direction of the force applied to the sole, the footrest detector 5 is a two-dimensional load cell 18 provided at a predetermined position of the footrest 3, and balance of the force applied to the sole. Is a pressure sensor 19 provided respectively on the toe side and the heel side of the surface of the footrest 3, and detects the balance of the pressing forces on the toe side and the heel side.
[0017]
As another specific example of the footrest detector 5, in the case of detecting the angle of the force applied to the sole, as shown in FIG. 2, the footrest 3 is provided at a predetermined position of the footrest 3. An angle sensor 20 that detects an angle. The footrest 3 is pivotally supported on the support frame 17 via a shaft 21.
[0018]
The contraction means 1 is an electrical stimulation device 7 that applies electrical stimulation to muscles and contracts the muscles. The electrical stimulation device 7 includes a power circuit 9 that generates a stimulation current, and an output adjustment unit that adjusts the output of the power circuit 9. 6, an automatic adjustment circuit 16 that automatically operates the output adjustment means 6 to adjust the output, a conductor 10 that guides the output current of the power circuit 9, and a conductor 11 that contacts and energizes the skin of the exercised person. A plurality of pairs of conductors 11 are prepared.
[0019]
An electromyograph 12, a myoelectric lead 13 and a myoelectric conductor 14 for detecting myoelectricity generated in the quadriceps and flexor muscles are provided on each of the quadriceps and the flexor muscles. Are displayed on the electromyograph 12, and the contraction state of each of the quadriceps muscle and the flexor muscle is individually known from the display.
[0020]
When using the embodiment, the exerciser sits on the chair 4 in a sitting position and places his / her feet on the footrest 3. The conductor 11 of the electric stimulator 7 is attached to the femoral flexor and quadriceps of the exercised person.
[0021]
The exercised person applies force to the foot in the direction of stepping on the footrest 3 and starts exercising. This exercise is a CKC exercise in which the main and antagonist muscles contract simultaneously.
[0022]
The footrest detector 5 detects the force received by the footrest 3 when pressed by the foot of the person to be moved, converts the detected value into an electric signal, and the electric signal is sent to the measurement indicator 8 in the direction of the force or Display as balance. From this display, the strength of contraction of the thigh flexor muscle and the strength of contraction of the quadriceps muscle can be known, and the balance of contraction of both muscles can be determined.
[0023]
The output adjustment means 6 is controlled by an automatic adjustment circuit 16 that obtains the output of the footrest detector 5 and calculates the balance state of the thigh flexor and quadriceps, and the current output from the power circuit 9 is individually set to a suitable value. As a result, it flows into the thigh flexor muscle and / or quadriceps muscle, and the both muscles are contracted. Among these two muscles, a large amount of electric current is passed through the one with weaker contraction to balance the strength of contraction of the two muscles.
[0024]
That is, the contraction of the femoral flexor and / or quadriceps is urged by electrical stimulation to balance the heel side force applied to the footrest 3 and the toe side force applied to the footrest 3.
The direction of the force indicated by B in FIG. 1 (from the sole to the hip joint) is a direction in which the force on the toe side and the force on the heel side are balanced, and the direction of the force indicated by A or C is changed to the B direction by electrical stimulation. Correct it.
[0025]
When the direction of the force detected by the two-dimensional load cell 18 is the direction shown by A in FIG. 1, the quadriceps femoris contracts more strongly than the flexor flexors.
At this time, the automatic adjustment circuit 16 automatically operates the output adjustment means 6 of the electrical stimulation device 7 to set the current output from the power circuit 9 to a suitable value and flow to the thigh flexor muscle, and the electrical stimulation stimulates the thigh flexor muscle contraction. Then, the force is corrected in the direction of the force indicated by B in FIG. 1, and the toe side force applied to the footrest 3 and the heel side force applied to the footrest 3 are balanced to balance the contraction strength of both muscles. Plan.
[0026]
When the value of the pressing force detected by the pressing sensor 19 is greater on the heel side than on the toe side, the quadriceps muscle contracts more strongly than the thigh flexor muscle.
At this time, the automatic adjustment circuit 16 automatically operates the output adjustment means 6 of the electrical stimulation device 7 to set the current output from the power circuit 9 to a suitable value and flow to the thigh flexor muscle, and the electrical stimulation stimulates the thigh flexor muscle contraction. The toe side pressing force applied to the footrest 3 and the heel side pressing force applied to the footrest 3 are balanced.
[0027]
When the angle detected by the angle sensor 20 increases toward the heel, the quadriceps muscle contracts more strongly than the thigh flexor muscle. At this time, the automatic adjustment circuit 16 automatically operates the output adjustment means 6 of the electrical stimulation device 7 to set the current output from the power circuit 9 to a suitable value and flow to the thigh flexor muscle, and the electrical stimulation stimulates the contraction of the thigh flexor muscle Then, the toe side force applied to the footrest 3 and the heel side force applied to the footrest 3 are balanced to restore the inclination angle of the footrest 3 to the original position.
[0028]
When the direction of the force detected by the two-dimensional load cell 18 is larger on the toe side than on the heel side, the femoral flexor is contracted more than the quadriceps.
At this time, the output adjusting means 6 is operated, and the current output from the power circuit 9 becomes a suitable value and flows to the quadriceps muscle, and the electrical stimulation applies the contraction of the quadriceps muscle and gives it to the footrest 3. The force on the toe side and the force on the heel side applied to the footrest 3 are balanced to balance the strength of contraction of the two muscles.
[0029]
When the force value detected by the pressure sensor 19 has a greater pressing force on the toe side than on the heel side, the femoral flexor is contracting more strongly than the quadriceps.
At this time, the output adjusting means 6 is automatically operated, and the current output from the power circuit 9 becomes a suitable value and flows to the quadriceps, and the electrical stimulation urges the contraction of the quadriceps. The pressing force on the toe side to be applied and the pressing force on the heel side applied to the footrest 3 are balanced.
[0030]
When the angle detected by the angle sensor 20 is increased toward the toe, the femoral flexor is contracted more strongly than the quadriceps.
At this time, the output adjusting means 6 is automatically operated, and the current output from the power circuit 9 becomes a suitable value and flows to the quadriceps, and the electrical stimulation urges the contraction of the quadriceps. The toe side force to be applied and the heel side force to be applied to the footrest 3 are balanced to restore the inclination angle of the footrest 3 to the original position.
[0031]
When the exercised person cannot contract the muscle by himself, the assistant gives the output current of the electrical stimulation device 7 to the quadriceps and flexor muscles while detecting the force applied to the footrest 3, and the quadriceps and flexors The femoral flexor muscles are contracted to increase muscle strength.
At that time, the assistant operates the output adjusting means 6 to set the current output from the power circuit 9 to a suitable value, and flows the current to the quadriceps and flexor muscles of the exercised person, and the force developed on the toe side. Both muscles contract while balancing the force expressed by the heel side.
[0032]
In the two embodiments described above, when the exerciser sits on the chair 4 in a sitting position and applies force in the direction to step on the footrest 3, both the main muscle and antagonist muscle, or the main muscle However, the electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer 15 according to the present invention is not limited to the use in the exercise state. Applying electrical stimulation to both the main and antagonist muscles or either the main and antagonist muscles when sitting on a saddle and stroking a pedal with a load applied (cycle exercise) It may be a thing.
[0033]
That is, the electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer 15 according to the present invention applies electrical stimulation to the main muscle and the antagonist muscle when the main muscle and the antagonist muscle are relaxed, or antagonizes the main muscle and the antagonist muscle. It is only necessary that electrical stimulation can be applied to both the main muscle and antagonist muscle, or either the main muscle and antagonist muscle when both muscles are contracted.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the contraction means 1 for applying electrical stimulation to the main and antagonist muscles to contract the main and antagonist muscles when both the main and antagonist muscles are relaxed.
According to this configuration, the main muscle and the antagonist muscle relax simultaneously, and it is possible to perform muscle strengthening training by the closed motor chain with the contraction means 1 for the exercised person who is unable to contract muscle by himself. .
[0035]
The present invention has a contraction means 1 for contracting the main and / or antagonist muscles by applying electrical stimulation to the main and / or antagonist muscles when both the main and antagonist muscles are contracting. is there.
According to this configuration, when the main and antagonist muscles contract simultaneously, muscle contraction due to electrical stimulation is added to the voluntary training of the exercised person, so the effect of muscle strengthening training by the closed motor chain is higher. Is convenient.
[0036]
In addition, although it is difficult to train muscular strength strengthening by an accurate closed chain by only voluntary training, the present invention antagonizes the main muscles with the footrest detector 5 that detects the direction or balance of the force applied to the footrest 3. The muscle contraction state is detected, and the muscles with weak contraction are energized and stimulated to balance the contraction. Therefore, it is possible to perform muscle strengthening exercises using an accurate closed movement chain, and thus safe and effective muscle strength training. Is convenient.
[0037]
Since the present invention is provided with the detecting means 2 for detecting the contraction of the main muscle and the antagonistic muscle, it is possible to know which muscle is weakly contracted, and to apply the electrical stimulation to the weaker muscle so as to balance the muscle contraction. It is possible to improve the muscle strength, which is convenient.
[0038]
Since the present invention is provided with the output adjusting means 6 for arbitrarily controlling the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles, the output adjusting means 6 can easily control the contraction of the main muscle and the antagonist muscle and works weakly. Conveniently, it is possible to apply an electrical stimulation to the muscle to balance muscle contraction and to selectively and selectively stimulate either the main muscle or the antagonist muscle during exercise.
[0039]
The present invention automatically adjusts the output of the contraction means 1 so that the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles is balanced in accordance with the detected contraction state of the main and antagonist muscles. This is convenient because the contraction balance of the main and antagonist muscles can be accurately obtained, and the number of operations can be omitted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing another specific example of the footrest detector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Contraction means 2 Detection means 3 Foot rest 4 Chair 5 Foot rest detector 6 Output adjustment means

Claims (4)

A contraction means (1) for applying electrical stimulation to the main and antagonist muscles to contract the main and antagonist muscles when both the main and antagonist muscles are relaxed; and contraction of the main and antagonist muscles A footrest detector that has a detection means (2) for detecting and a chair (4) provided with a footrest (3), and the detection means (2) detects the direction or balance of the force applied to the footrest (3). (5) The electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer characterized by the above-mentioned. When both main driving muscles and antagonistic muscles are contracted, and contraction means for contracting the muscles of the driving muscle and / or antagonistic muscles provide electrical stimulation to the driving muscle and / or antagonist muscles (1), antagonize the driving muscle It has a detection means (2) for detecting muscle contraction and a chair (4) provided with a footrest (3), and the detection means (2) detects the direction or balance of the force applied to the footrest (3). An electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer characterized by being a footrest detector (5) . 3. The electrical stimulation type muscle strength enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contraction means (1) includes output adjustment means (6) for arbitrarily controlling contraction of the main and antagonist muscles . The electric power according to claim 3, wherein the output of the contraction means (1) is automatically adjusted so that the contraction of the main and antagonist muscles is balanced in accordance with the detected contraction state of the main and antagonist muscles. Stimulated muscle strength enhancer.

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