JPH08317920A - Energy consumption measuring device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a device that can distinguish movement conditions of testees and measure energy consumption precisely and with high accuracy in correspondence with detecting accelerations prepared for each movement condition. CONSTITUTION: Heart beats of a testee are measured by a heart beat calculator 9 based on detection signals from an electrocardiograph electrode 4, and at the same time the acceleration in vertical direction is measured by an acceleration sensor 6. Then, the movement condition of the testee is specified from the relationship between the number of heart beats and the acceleration, and an energy estimating formula is specified from the acceleration suitable for each movement condition, wherein the energy consumption is derived based on integral values of the measured acceleration according to the specified estimation formula.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an energy consumption measuring apparatus and method capable of accurately calculating energy consumption associated with exercise.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an evaluation method of energy consumption, it has been recognized that there is a high correlation between an integral value of vertical acceleration in a portion near a center of gravity of a body and energy consumption. For this reason, there has been developed a device for estimating energy consumption using an acceleration sensor that is small and convenient to carry. However, this conventional device has only the function of obtaining the energy consumption amount based on the momentum on the flat ground.

[0003]

However, a motion involving a vertical movement of the center of gravity, such as stair climbing or walking on a slope, has a larger integral value of acceleration with respect to an increase in actual energy consumption than a motion on a level ground. Since the change is small, in such a case, for example, the energy consumption amount when going up and down stairs, walking on a slope and running is underestimated. Therefore, accurate energy consumption is not required, and the heart or the like may be overloaded depending on the exercise environment.

[0004]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and is provided with the following structure as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

That is, the heart rate measuring means for measuring the heart rate of the subject, the acceleration detecting means for detecting the moving acceleration of the subject, the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means and the heart rate measuring means were used for measurement. Calculation of calculating the energy consumption amount according to the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means according to the moving state specifying means for specifying the moving state of the subject based on the heart rate and the condition corresponding to the moving state specified by the moving state specifying means. And means.

Further, for example, the movement state specifying means is
If the heart rate is higher than the amount of acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means, the movement is on a sloping ground, and if the heart rate is not much higher than the amount of acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means, it is on a flat ground. It is characterized in that the movement state is specified as the movement of.

Alternatively, for example, the calculating means calculates the energy consumption amount by substituting the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means into a calculation formula for each type of moving state that can be specified by the moving state specifying means registered in advance. It is characterized by doing. Then, for example, the specific movement state in the movement state specifying means includes at least a substantially flat ground movement state and a stairs movement state, and in the substantially flat ground state, the following calculation formula Y = 0.307X + 0.002 (Kcal / kg / mi
n), in the stairs moving state, the following calculation formula Y = 1.472X + 0.015 (Kcal / kg / mi
n) However, Y = energy consumption; X = detected acceleration (G) is used.

[0008]

In the above structure, focusing on the fact that there is a close relationship between the increase in energy consumption and the change in heart rate, heart rate and acceleration are measured simultaneously, and the motion state of the subject can be distinguished, Accurate and highly accurate energy consumption corresponding to the detected acceleration prepared for each motion state can be measured.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a CP which controls the overall control of the apparatus of this embodiment according to a program stored in a ROM 2.
U and 2 are ROs that store the programs of the CPU 1 described above.
M and 3 are R for temporarily storing the processing progress of the CPU 1 and the like.
AM, 4 is an ECG electrode for measuring the heart rate, and 5 is an ECG interface for amplifying a measurement signal from the ECG electrode and converting it into a corresponding digital signal.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an acceleration sensor which is attached to a portion near the center of gravity of the body of the subject to measure vertical acceleration, and for example, CR-3 made by Fuji Ceramics can be used. Further, 7 is a sensor interface. 8
Is an energy consumption calculation unit that calculates the energy consumption of the subject according to an arithmetic expression described below, and 9 is a heart rate calculation unit that calculates the heart rate from the detected electrocardiogram information from the electrocardiogram electrode 4.

Further, 10 is a display unit which can be constituted by a CRT or the like for displaying various processing results of the subject and collected data from the living body, 11 is a display control unit for controlling the display unit 10,
Reference numeral 12 denotes a printer that prints out energy consumption, collected data from the living body, and the like. In this embodiment, a thermal type printer is used. A printer control unit 13 controls the printer 12.

Further, the apparatus of this embodiment is capable of recording the calculated data in the FD so that it can be used by another apparatus.
Is provided with an FD control unit for controlling the FD device 14.

It should be noted that although all of the above configurations are shown in a form integrated in one housing, this embodiment is not limited to the above examples. For example, the electrocardiogram electrode 4 and EC
Only the G interface 5, the acceleration sensor 6, and the sensor interface 7 are integrated to form a portable biometric information collection unit, and this unit and other configurations are separated from each other by a wired cable or wireless information mutually. May be configured to be able to be exchanged. As a result, it is possible to measure the energy consumption amount under the condition that the exercise load is applied without imposing an excessive burden on the subject.

In this embodiment, this structure is provided,
The heart rate calculator calculates the heart rate by measuring, for example, the R wave peak interval in the electrocardiogram information. Although the example of measuring the heart rate from the electrocardiographic waveform has been described in the above example, the present invention is not limited to the above example.For example, a heart sound microphone is attached, and the heart rate is calculated from the heart sounds collected from this microphone. Alternatively, a pulse wave sensor may be attached and the pulse wave may be detected by this pulse wave sensor, and the heart rate may be obtained from this pulse wave. it can.

Furthermore, the energy consumption calculation unit 8 of this embodiment is the most characteristic configuration of this embodiment, and the inventor of the present invention has a close relationship with the increase of energy consumption and the change of heart rate. By focusing on the points and considering such points, it is possible to detect the exercise state that was impossible in the past. It was established based on the fact that a certain correlation was found, and by simultaneously measuring the heart rate and the vertical acceleration of the portion close to the center of gravity of the body of the subject,
A discriminant function to be described later distinguishes a motion state, for example, a moving motion on a flat ground and a sloping ground, and an energy consumption estimation formula from the integrated value of the measured acceleration registered according to the motion state is used to determine the energy consumption according to the motion state. Is a circuit for calculating

In the present embodiment, in order to obtain the above-mentioned discriminant function, a plurality of subjects walk on a flat ground, the relationship between acceleration and heart rate and energy consumption during running, and when climbing stairs as a slope. The relationship between acceleration and heart rate and energy expenditure was measured.

This measuring method is shown in FIGS. Figure 2
Is when moving on a flat ground, and Fig. 3 is when climbing stairs. The up-arrows shown in the heart rate and acceleration mark fields in the figure represent the heart rate and acceleration data collection timings, respectively.

First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, "slowly" when walking on a flat ground, running and climbing stairs,
Measure the heart rate immediately before each of "normal" and "fast" movements, and then simultaneously measure the heart rate and acceleration each time a prescribed time has elapsed after the start of exercise, and inhale the breath. Based on this, the energy consumption associated with exercise is measured by a known detection method. Then, the relationship between the heart rate and the acceleration in each case, and the relationship between the acceleration and the energy consumption in each case are measured.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the relationship between the acceleration and the heart rate during the different exercises thus measured. In FIG. 4, the experimental results of four representative measurers are shown. White circles indicate walking on a flat ground, white squares indicate running on a flat ground, and white triangles indicate running on stairs.

Although there is some variation among the subjects, there is a constant relationship between the increase in the heart rate and the increase in the acceleration when moving on a flat surface, and the increase in the heart rate and the acceleration even when climbing the stairs. There is a certain relationship with the increase. And, obviously, the relationship when moving on a flat ground is different from the relationship when going up and down stairs. The discriminant function derived from the measurement results for each exercise is shown in the figure.

Therefore, based on the above results, for example, a predetermined threshold value is set in advance, and if the threshold value is equal to or more than the threshold value, the slope state is easily moved. Can be identified.

Further, if this discriminant function is obtained in advance for each subject and can be taken into the device by the FD device 14 or the like, it is possible to distinguish between the flat ground movement and the sloping ground movement with extremely high accuracy. Is possible. In this case, it is also possible to obtain a discriminant function for each slope, and finer classification can be performed. However, even if such a discriminant function for each subject is not set in advance, when it is detected that the change in the heart rate is larger than the change in the acceleration or the change is small, The change in the exercise state may be detected by either of them.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the calculated energy consumption amount and the acceleration based on the air sampling result for each exercise in the typical subject illustrated in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, although there are some variations among the subjects, the amount of energy consumption is calculated within a predetermined range and with a constant relational expression to the measured acceleration for each exercise. it can. The relational expression between the energy consumption amount (Y) and the integrated value (X) of the measured acceleration in this case is shown in the figure.

In view of the above results, the inventor of the present application has specified the estimation formula for obtaining the energy consumption amount from the integrated value of the vertical acceleration of the portion close to the center of gravity of the body for each different exercise.
The relationship between the integrated value of vertical acceleration and the energy consumption of the portion close to the center of gravity of each of the different exercises, and an example of an estimation formula for obtaining the energy consumption from the integrated value of acceleration are shown below. Using the formula (1), Y = 0.307X + 0.002 (Kcal / kg / min) ... (1) In the stairs movement state, the following formula (2) is used.

Y = 1.472X + 0.015 (Kcal / kg / min) (2) where Y = energy consumption; X = integral value of detected acceleration (G) Energy consumption calculation unit 8 of the present embodiment Holds in advance these estimation formulas (1) and (2), and also holds data relating to the above-mentioned discriminant function for discriminating the motion state. Alternatively, instead of the energy consumption calculation unit 8,
The same effect can be achieved even if these are stored in the RAM 2 or the ROM 2 as parameters and are read out and used when the energy consumption calculation unit 8 calculates the energy consumption.

Next, the energy consumption measuring process in the apparatus of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration and holding the above-mentioned estimation formula will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S1, the electrocardiographic electrode 4 is attached to a predetermined portion of the skin surface of the subject, and the acceleration sensor 6 for vertical acceleration is attached to a portion near the center of gravity of the body.
Subsequently, in step S2, the CPU 1 activates the energy consumption calculating unit 8 and the heart rate calculating unit 9. As a result, the heart rate can be detected from the electrocardiogram signal detected from the electrocardiogram electrode 4 via the ECG interface 5, and at the same time, the acceleration at that time can be calculated.

Subsequently, in step S3, integrated values of the heart rate and acceleration are calculated at predetermined intervals. Then, the following step S4
According to the above-described discriminant function between the heart rate and the acceleration, the motion state at the time of measurement is determined. For example, it is determined whether the movement is on a flat ground or the stairs are moved up and down (movement on a slope). If it is determined that the movement is on a flat ground, the energy consumption estimation formula (1) is selected in step S5, and the process proceeds to step S7.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the stair is moving up or down, the process proceeds to step S6, the equation (2) for estimating the energy consumption is selected, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the energy consumption amount is calculated by substituting the integral value of the acceleration calculated in step S3 into the estimation formula selected in step S5 or step S6. Then, as necessary, it is stored in the RAM 3 or stored in the FD device 14. At the same time, processing such as displaying the result on the display 10 or printing out the measurement result from the printer 12 each time or collectively according to an instruction from an operation unit (not shown) is performed. In the subsequent step S8, it is checked whether or not the measurement is completed. If the measurement is not completed, the process returns to step S3 and the energy consumption measurement process at the next predetermined sampling time is continued.

In the above description, an example in which the processing result is held by the present embodiment alone has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above example, and other devices may be further provided via a communication medium. Alternatively, for example, communication with a host computer or the like may be possible, and measurement results may be transferable to this host computer. As a result, it becomes possible to make a comprehensive judgment, etc. that combines other measurement results.

Further, the above-mentioned example has been shown as an example of the coefficient of the calculation formulas specified in the above estimation formulas (1) and (2), but these coefficients are respectively determined according to age, sex, past exercise experience and the like. It is of course within the scope of the present invention to specify the coefficients of the estimation formulas that are subtly different and are further subdivided based on the personal data of each subject. Furthermore, it is possible that the optimal coefficient may differ depending on future changes in exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary ability, and the coefficient of the above estimation formula is not limited to the above example. Just select it.

As described above, according to this embodiment, focusing on the fact that there is a close relationship between the increase in energy consumption and the change in heart rate, the heart rate and acceleration are simultaneously measured, and the By making it possible to distinguish exercise states and providing an energy consumption estimation formula from acceleration for each exercise state, a highly accurate energy consumption estimation formula can be selected for each exercise state. The consumption can be measured.

In the above description, an example is described in which the two motion states of stair climbing and flat ground walking (running) are divided, but the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and the tilt angle is not limited to the above example. If the configuration is provided with a discriminant function and an estimation formula that are further subdivided according to, it is possible to measure the energy consumption with higher accuracy.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to measure an accurate and highly accurate energy consumption amount corresponding to the detected acceleration regardless of the motion state.

[0038]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an energy consumption measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an experimental method for identifying a motion state discriminant function and an energy consumption estimation formula from acceleration according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an experimental method for identifying a motion state discriminant function and an energy consumption estimation formula based on acceleration according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between acceleration and heart rate during exercise.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between acceleration and energy consumption during each exercise.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between acceleration and energy consumption during different exercises in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram for explaining the energy consumption measurement process of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 ECG electrode 5 ECG interface 6 Accelerometer 7 Sensor interface 8 Energy consumption calculator 9 Heart rate calculator 10 Display 11 Display controller 12 Printer 13 Printer controller 14 FD controller 15 FD device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inoue Munehiro Shindo 3-30-15 Tasumi, Saray-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (72) Inventor Kazuo Fukui 2-35-8 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Fukuda Electronics Co., Ltd. Company Hongo Office (72) Inventor Shigeo Kobayashi 2-35-8 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Fukuda Electronics Co., Ltd. Hongo Office

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heart rate measuring means for measuring a heart rate of a subject, an acceleration detecting means for detecting a moving acceleration of the subject, an acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means and a heart rate measuring means. Calculation of calculating the energy consumption amount according to the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means according to the moving state specifying means for specifying the moving state of the subject based on the heart rate, and the condition corresponding to the moving state specified by the moving state specifying means. An energy consumption measuring device comprising: 2. The movement state specifying means is movement on a sloping ground when the heart rate is higher than the acceleration amount detected by the acceleration detecting means, and is higher than the acceleration amount detected by the acceleration detecting means. The energy consumption measuring device according to claim 1, wherein when the heart rate is not so high, the movement state is specified to be movement on a flat ground. 3. The calculation means calculates the energy consumption amount by substituting the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means into a calculation formula for each type of movement state that can be identified by the movement state identification means registered in advance. The energy consumption measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized. 4. The specific movement state in the movement state specifying means includes at least a substantially flat ground movement state and a stairs movement state, and in the substantially flat ground state, the following calculation formula Y = 0.307X + 0.002 (Kcal / kg / Mi
n), in the stairs moving state, the following calculation formula Y = 1.472X + 0.015 (Kcal / kg / mi
n) However, Y = energy consumption; X = detected acceleration (G) is used, The energy consumption measuring device of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The moving state of the subject is determined by the heart rate measured by the heart rate measuring means for measuring the heart rate of the subject and the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means for detecting the moving acceleration of the subject. An energy consumption measuring method, characterized in that the energy consumption is calculated based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting means in accordance with the specified condition corresponding to the moving state. 6. The energy consumption measurement according to claim 5, wherein the energy consumption is calculated by substituting the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection means into a calculation formula registered for each moving state in advance. Method. 7. The identifiable movement state includes at least a substantially flat ground movement state and a stairs movement state, and in the substantially flat ground state, the following calculation formula Y = 0.307X + 0.002 (Kcal / kg / mi
n), in the stairs moving state, the following calculation formula Y = 1.472X + 0.015 (Kcal / kg / mi
n) However, Y = energy consumption; X = detected acceleration (G) is used, The energy consumption measuring method of Claim 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.