JPH09313468A - Dynamometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a testee having such weak grip strength as unable of holding a dynamometer by his/her own hands to measure grip strength by providing the dynamometer with a support means, and fitting the support means with a leg part for standing on a table. SOLUTION: A pillar 1b is erected vertically on a leg part 1a kept in contact with table top. Furthermore, the pillar 1b is passed through a height adjustment member 1c and thereby made freely movable along a vertical direction. The height adjustment member 1c is fixed to the pillar 1b via an adjusting screw 1d, and an angle adjustment member 1f having a vertical insertion hole is fixed to a rod type member 1e laid horizontally for the height adjustment member 1c. Also, a U-shaped rod member 1g with one end connected to a dynamometer body 2 and the other end passed through the insertion hole is provided, together with an adjusting screw 1h for fixing the other end of the U-shaped rod member 1g to the angle adjustment member 1f. Furthermore, the sensor 2c of the dynamometer body 2 detects a force applied to the fixing member 2a and the movable member 2b in a grip state as the measurement value of grip strength, and outputs the value to an operation and display means 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grip strength meter suitable for use in measuring grip strength of a subject having extremely weak grip strength.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a grip force meter used for ordinary measurement of grip strength measures the grip strength of a subject when the subject holds it in his / her hand. However, when measuring the grip strength of a debilitated subject after surgery or a subject who is unable to fully exercise the motor functions of the hand or arm due to a disease, the subject has only a weak grip and cannot even hold the grip dynamometer by himself. ,
Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to measure grip strength. In addition, the conventional grip strength meter measures the maximum grip strength, and cannot truly evaluate the muscle strength adjustment ability of the hand.Therefore, a means for evaluating the hand strength adjustment ability based on more diverse measurements is required. It was being done.

[0003] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has the following objects. (1) To provide a grip dynamometer capable of measuring grip strength even by a subject having a weak grip strength that cannot be held in his / her own hand. (2) To provide a grip dynamometer capable of multilaterally evaluating the muscle strength adjustment ability of the hand.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, as a first means, a means including a supporting means is adopted.

As a second means, in the above first means, a means in which the supporting means has a leg portion for standing on a table is adopted.

As a third means, in the first or second means, a grip dynamometer body for detecting a grip force and outputting it as a measurement value, a target value according to a measurement mode, and a measurement value corresponding to the target value. Means including a calculation display means for displaying and is adopted.

As a fourth means, in the third means, when the first measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means follows a target value that fluctuates in a predetermined cycle and in a predetermined grip force range and the target value. A means for generating and displaying a measurement image composed of the measured value that fluctuates due to the change is adopted.

As a fifth means, when the second measurement mode is instructed in the third or fourth means, the calculation display means fluctuates in a sine wave shape with a lapse of time in a predetermined cycle and a predetermined grip force range. A means for generating and displaying a measurement image composed of a target value and a measurement value that changes following the target value is adopted.

As a sixth means, in any one of the above third to fifth means, when the third measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means displays the target value of the duration for the maximum grip force and the target value. A means for generating and displaying a measurement image composed of a measurement value indicating a continuous state of grip strength is adopted.

As a seventh means, when the fourth measurement mode is instructed in any one of the third to sixth means, the calculation display means displays a constant target value equal to or less than the maximum grip force and the target value. A means for generating / displaying a measurement image including a measurement value indicating a continuous state is adopted.

As an eighth means, in any one of the third to seventh means, when the fifth measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means displays the target value of the constant grip force and the repeated grip force with respect to the target value. A means for generating / displaying a measurement image including a measurement value indicating a continuous state is adopted.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a grip force meter according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the present embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a supporting means placed on a table, 2 is a grip force meter main body fixed to the supporting means 1,
Reference numeral 3 is a calculation display means.

The supporting means 1 is a leg portion 1a which is brought into contact with a desk.
And a column 1b provided vertically to the leg 1a
And the column 1b is inserted and its axial direction (vertical direction)
And a height adjusting member 1c that is freely movable
Adjusting screw 1d for fixing the column to the column 1b and the height adjusting member 1
a rod-shaped member 1e provided in the horizontal direction with respect to c, an angle adjusting member 1f fixed to the rod-shaped member 1e and having a vertical insertion hole, one end of which the grip force gauge main body 2 is connected and the other end of which is U-shaped rod member 1g inserted into the insertion hole
And the other end of the U-shaped rod member 1g is connected to the angle adjusting member 1f.
It is formed from an adjusting screw 1h which is fixed to.

The grip force meter main body 2 has a fixed member 2a connected to one end of the U-shaped rod member 1g, a movable member 2b slidably mounted on the fixed member 2a, and the movable member. The sensor 2c is interposed between the fixed member 2a and the fixed member 2a. The sensor 2c detects the force applied by gripping the fixed member 2a and the movable member 2b as a measurement value of the grip force, and the calculation display means 3 provided in the grip force meter main body 2 is provided.
Output to

The calculation display means 3 includes a display device 3a for displaying the measured values, an input device 3b for instructing selection of a measurement mode and start / end of the measurement, and a connector 3c for outputting the measured values to the outside. Composed of and. The grip dynamometer of the present embodiment has measurement modes 1 to 5 as described in detail below, and by measuring the grip force with respect to different target values in each measurement mode, the muscular strength adjustment ability of the hand is varied. Is configured to measure.

According to the grip dynamometer thus constructed, the subject measures the grip strength using the grip dynamometer placed on a table in a supported state. That is, since the grip dynamometer main body 2 to be grasped is supported by the support means 1, the subject does not need to support the grip dynamometer main body 2 by his / her own force, and thus the hand or the arm etc. is weakened after the operation or due to a disease. Grip strength can be measured even by a subject having a weak grip strength that cannot fully exercise the motor function of.

On the other hand, it is possible to adjust the height of the grip force meter main body 2 by operating the adjusting screw 1d. Therefore, the grip force can be measured at an appropriate height for the subject. Further, since the direction of the grip force meter main body 2 can be adjusted by operating the adjustment screw 1h, it is possible for a subject having no physical strength to measure the grip force in a comfortable posture.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the grip force meter. In this figure, reference numeral 3d is A / D
It is an (analog / digital) converter, which converts a measurement value (analog signal) output from the sensor 2c of the grip strength meter body 2 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the CPU (central processing unit) 3e. An internal storage device 3f stores a program processed by the CPU 3e, and also stores the target value (strictly speaking, setting data defining the target value).

The CPU 3e generates image data by processing the digital signal (measured value) and the target value in accordance with a program and outputs the image data to the image interface 3g, and outputs a voice based on the difference between the measured value and the target value. Data is generated and output to the voice interface 3h.
Further, the CPU 3e outputs the measured value to the external interface 3i in accordance with the operation of the input device 3b.

The image interface 3g generates a measurement image based on the image data and outputs it to the display device 3a. The voice interface 3h generates a voice signal based on the voice data and outputs the voice signal to the notification device 3j. The external interface 3i sends the measured value to RS.
It is converted into a communication signal conforming to a standard interface standard such as 232C, and output to the outside through the connector 3c.

As the external equipment connected to the connector 3c, for example, an external storage device (personal computer), a printer or the like is applied. The personal computer stores the measured value input through the connector 3c in a storage device such as a hard disk device or a floppy disk device, and the printer prints the measured value. When the measured value is stored in the storage device, the measured value of the grip strength can be centrally or temporally stored.

Next, the operation of the grip force meter constructed in this manner will be described for each measurement mode. In addition, in the case of measuring or training the gripping ability using the grip strength meter, the test subject pays attention to the measurement image displayed on the display device 3a according to each measurement mode, thereby measuring the grip strength of the grip strength meter main body 2. Adjust how to add.

[First Measurement Mode] FIG. 3 is a measurement image displayed on the display device 3a in the first measurement mode. When the input device 3b is operated and the first measurement mode is selected, the image data indicating the measurement image is displayed on the CPU 3e.
And the measurement image is displayed on the display device 3a based on the image data. In this figure, the vertical axis is grip strength (kg), reference numeral A1 is a target bar graph showing a target value a, B1 is a measurement bar graph showing a measured value b, and C1 is a measurement condition.

Based on the setting data stored in the internal storage device 3f, the CPU 3e has a constant period between the lower limit value a11 and the upper limit value a12, for example, 0.3H, as shown by the broken line.
The image data of the target bar graph A1 in which the target value a changes in the cycle of z (hertz) is generated. The subject looks at the measurement image displayed on the display device 3a based on the image data, so that the grip force applied to the grip force gauge main body 2, that is, the measurement value b, follows the target value a that fluctuates as described above. Will be adjusted accordingly. Here, the lower limit value a11
Is set to a value corresponding to 5% of the maximum grip strength of the subject, for example, and is set to a grip strength equivalent to 25% of the maximum grip strength between the upper limit values a12.

Further, during the above measurement, the difference between the measured value b and the target value a is calculated by the CPU 3e. When the calculated value is equal to or less than a certain threshold value, voice data is output from the CPU 3e and a voice indicating that the measured value b follows the target value a is notified from the notification device 2j. That is, the ability of the muscle force adjusting function of the hand to follow the target value a that increases or decreases in a certain range is evaluated by such measurement.

In this first measurement mode, the maximum grip strength of the subject is measured prior to the above measurement. This time,
The CPU 3e causes the display device 3a to display the maximum grip strength as a bar graph as described above. Then, at the time of measuring the following ability, the above-described measurement image is displayed on the display device 3a, but the measurement condition C such as the maximum grip force or the change cycle of the target value is measured.
1 is also displayed in the measurement image.

[Second Measurement Mode] FIG. 4 shows a measurement image displayed on the display device 3a in the second measurement mode. When the input device 3b is operated and the second measurement mode is selected, image data indicating the measurement image is displayed on the CPU 3e.
Generated by In this figure, the vertical axis is the grip strength (k
g), the horizontal axis is the elapsed time (sec) from the start of measurement, the symbol A2 is a sine wave graph showing the target value a which changes sinusoidally with the passage of time, B2 is the graph showing the measured value b, and C2 is These are the measurement conditions.

The CPU 3e determines the lower limit value a21 to the upper limit value a based on the setting data stored in the internal storage device 3f.
Image data of a sine wave graph A2 in which the target value a smoothly changes in a sine wave shape is generated at a constant cycle between 22 and 0.1 Hz (hertz), for example. The test subject adjusts the grip force applied to the main body 2 of the dynamometer, that is, the measured value b, so as to follow the target value a which changes with the passage of time. Here, the lower limit value a21 is set to a value corresponding to 5% of the maximum grip force of the subject similarly to the above-described first measurement mode, and the upper limit value a22 is set to a grip force equivalent to 25% of the maximum grip force. Is set.

During the measurement, the CPU 3e calculates the difference between the measured value b and the target value a at the same time t. If the calculated value is less than or equal to a certain threshold value, the CPU 3e outputs audio data and the measured value b
A voice indicating that the target value a follows the target value a.
j is notified. That is, by such a measurement, the tracking ability of the muscle strength adjustment of the hand with respect to the target value a that gradually increases and decreases along the sine wave is evaluated.

[Third Measurement Mode] FIG. 5 is a measurement image displayed on the display device 3a in the third measurement mode. When the input device 3b is operated and the third measurement mode is selected, the image data indicating the measurement image is displayed on the CPU 3e.
Generated by In this figure, the vertical axis is the grip strength (k
g), the horizontal axis is the elapsed time (sec) from the start of the measurement, the symbol B3 is a graph showing the change over time of the measured value b after the start of the measurement, and D3 is a mark indicating the target value of the duration for which the grip strength is kept constant. Is.

The CPU 3e generates the graph B3 on the basis of the measured value b at each time, and the mark D on the basis of the setting data stored in the internal storage device 3f.
Image data indicating 3 is generated. Then, the test subject applies a grip force to the grip force meter main body 2 so as to maintain the maximum grip force during the period from the start of measurement to the mark D3.

On the other hand, when the above measurement is started, time t0
The maximum measured value bmax at
The deviation of the measured value b from ax is calculated by the CPU 3e. When this deviation is less than or equal to a certain threshold value, voice data is output from the CPU 3e and a voice indicating that the measured value b maintains the maximum measured value bmax is notified from the notification device 3j. . That is, such a measurement evaluates the endurance ability of the muscle strength adjustment of the hand with respect to the maximum grip strength.

[Fourth Measurement Mode] FIG. 6 shows a measurement image displayed on the display device 3a in the fourth measurement mode. When the input device 3b is operated and the fourth measurement mode is selected, the image data showing the measurement image is C
It is generated by the PU 3e. In this figure, the vertical axis is the ratio (%) to the maximum grip strength, the horizontal axis is the elapsed time (sec) from the start of measurement, the symbol A4 is a graph showing a constant value a4 as the target value a, and B4 is the measured value b over time. It is a graph which shows change.

Based on the setting data stored in the internal storage device 3f, the CPU 3e determines, for example, the maximum grip force of 40.
The graph B4 is generated based on the graph A4 having a constant value a4 corresponding to%, and the measured value b at each time. Then, the subject adjusts the grip force applied to the grip force meter main body 2 so as to maintain the constant value a4.

During the above measurement, the CPU 3e calculates the difference between the measured value b and the constant value a4 at each time t. If the calculated value is less than or equal to a certain threshold value, the CPU 3e outputs audio data and the measured value b
Is indicated by the notifying device 3j. That is, such a measurement evaluates the static endurance of the muscle strength adjustment of the hand.

[Fifth Measurement Mode] FIG. 7 is a measurement image displayed on the display device 3a in the fifth measurement mode. When the input device 3b is operated and the fifth measurement mode is selected, the image data indicating the measurement image is displayed on the CPU 3e.
Generated by In this figure, the vertical axis represents the ratio (%) to the maximum grip strength, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time (sec) from the start of measurement, and the symbol A5 is a constant value a5 as the target value a.
And B5 is a graph showing the change with time of the measured value b.

Based on the setting data stored in the internal storage device 3f, the CPU 3e determines, for example, that the maximum grip force is 90.
Image data composed of a graph A5 having a constant value a5 corresponding to% and the graph B5 based on the measured value b at each time is generated. The subject repeats the operation of applying the grip force to the grip force meter main body 2 by gazing at the measurement image generated based on the image data and repeating the operation of canceling the application, and the maximum value of the grip force at the time of application is a constant value. Try to maintain a5.

Further, during the above measurement, the difference between each maximum value when the grip force is applied and the constant value a5 is calculated, and when the calculated value is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, the voice data is stored in the CPU3.
The notification device 3j outputs a sound output from e indicating that each maximum value of the measured values b maintains a constant value a5. That is, the dynamic endurance ability of the muscle strength adjustment of the hand is evaluated by such measurement.

[0039]

As described above, the grip strength meter according to the present invention has the following effects. (1) Since the subject is provided with the supporting means, the subject does not need to hold the grip force meter by his / her own grip force, and therefore, the grip force is measured even by a subject having a weak grip force that cannot hold the own weight of the grip force meter. It is possible. (2) Since the supporting means has legs for standing on a table, it is possible to measure grip strength while sitting on a chair or the like. (3) Since the grip force meter main body detects the grip force and outputs it as a measurement value, and the calculation display means for displaying the measurement value together with various target values of the grip force according to the measurement mode, it is displayed on the calculation display means. By adjusting the grip force applied to the main body of the grip dynamometer according to the target value, it is possible to evaluate the muscle strength adjusting ability of the hand from various angles. (4) For example, when the first measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means includes a measurement image including a target value that changes in a predetermined cycle and a predetermined grip force range, and a measurement value that changes in accordance with the target value. Is generated and displayed, it is possible to evaluate the ability of the hand muscle strength adjustment to follow the target value that fluctuates within a certain range. (5) When the second measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means uses a target value that varies sinusoidally over time in a predetermined cycle and a predetermined grip force range, and a measurement value that varies following the target value. Since such a measurement image is generated and displayed, it is possible to evaluate the ability to follow the muscle strength adjustment of the hand with respect to the target value that continuously changes with a cycle. (6) When the third measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means generates and displays a measurement image including a target value of the duration for the maximum grip strength and a measurement value indicating the duration of the grip strength for the target value. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the instantaneous force of hand muscle strength adjustment and the endurance ability of maximum grip strength. (7) When the fourth measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means generates and displays a measurement image composed of a constant target value equal to or less than the maximum grip force and a measurement value indicating a continuous state with respect to the target value. , It is possible to evaluate the endurance ability of the muscle strength adjustment of the hand for the target value below the maximum value. (8) When the fifth measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means generates and displays the measurement image including the target value of the constant grip force and the measurement value indicating the sustained state of the repeated grip force with respect to the target value. , It is possible to evaluate the endurance ability of repeated adjustment of muscle strength of the hand to a certain target value.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a grip force meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electrical configuration of a grip force meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a measurement image in a first measurement mode in the grip force meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a measurement image in a second measurement mode in the grip force meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a configuration of a measurement image in a third measurement mode in the grip force meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration of a measurement image in a fourth measurement mode in the grip force meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a measurement image in a fifth measurement mode in the grip force meter according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supporting means 1a Leg part 1b Strut 1c Height adjusting member 1d, 1h Adjustment screw 1e Bar-shaped member 1f Angle adjusting member 1g U-shaped bar member 2 Grip force meter main body 2a Fixed member 2b Movable member 2c Sensor 3 Calculation display means 3a Display device 3b Input device 3c Connector 3d A / D converter 3e CPU 3f Internal storage device 3g Image interface 3h Voice interface 3i External interface 3j Notification device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A grip dynamometer comprising support means. 2. The grip dynamometer according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means includes legs for standing on a table. 3. The grip force meter according to claim 1, wherein a grip force meter body for detecting grip force and outputting it as a measurement value, a target value according to a measurement mode, and a measurement value corresponding to the target value are displayed. A grip force meter, comprising: 4. The grip force meter according to claim 3, wherein when the first measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means changes a target value that changes in a predetermined cycle and in a predetermined grip force range, and changes in accordance with the target value. A grip force meter characterized by generating and displaying an image for measurement consisting of measurement values to be measured. 5. The grip force meter according to claim 3 or 4, when the second measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means displays a target value that changes in a sinusoidal manner with a lapse of time in a predetermined cycle and a predetermined grip force range. A grip dynamometer that generates and displays a measurement image composed of a measurement value that changes in accordance with the target value. 6. The grip strength meter according to claim 3, wherein when the third measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means displays the target value of the duration for the maximum grip force and the grip force for the target value. A grip dynamometer characterized by generating and displaying a measurement image consisting of a measurement value indicating a continuous state. 7. The grip force meter according to claim 3, wherein when the fourth measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means has a constant target value equal to or less than the maximum grip force and a continuous state for the target value. A grip force meter characterized by generating and displaying a measurement image composed of a measurement value indicating 8. The grip force meter according to claim 3, wherein when the fifth measurement mode is instructed, the calculation display means displays a target value of a constant grip force and a continuous grip force continuation state with respect to the target value. A grip force meter characterized by generating and displaying a measurement image composed of a measurement value indicating