JP4369855B2 - Flexible exercise equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible exercise device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible exercise device that detects a bioimpedance and makes a flexible exercise based on the detected bioimpedance.

  Flexible exercise such as stretching is widely used as an exercise for relieving mental and physical tension or for maintaining and managing health. Conventionally, as an instrument for assisting flexible movement, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The instrument for flexible exercise of Patent Document 1 includes a slope having a variable tilt angle, and a control member and an angle adjusting member so that the tilt angle can be adjusted. The user rests on the slope and performs a flexible motion by bending forward. Here, the user can easily change the inclination angle while riding on the platform with the control member and the angle adjusting member.

Conventionally, as a health care instrument that can easily obtain health-related indexes and the like, there is one described in Patent Document 2, for example. The health management device of Patent Literature 2 measures bioimpedance, calculates the index based on the measurement result, and displays it.
JP-A-8-33737 JP 2003-265427 A

  By the way, the strength of effective flexible exercise (the angle of the slope and the number of forward bends) varies depending on the physical condition such as the degree of body and mind tension and the degree of obesity. Therefore, when the user performs a flexible exercise, it is convenient if an effective strength corresponding to the physical condition of the user can be set by the flexible exercise device. However, in the conventional apparatus for flexible exercise, there is no means for detecting the physical state of the user, and the user has to determine the intensity of the flexible exercise based on his / her subjective feeling. For this reason, there was a case where the strength of the flexible exercise was insufficient and a sufficient effect could not be achieved. Or, if the user performs excessively flexible exercise, there is a problem that muscle detachment or the like may occur, which may be harmful to health.

  Here, if the said conventional health care instrument is used, a user's physical condition can be objectively grasped | ascertained using bioimpedance. However, the displayed index cannot be associated with the intensity of the flexible exercise, and it is difficult to perform the flexible exercise based on the target based on the physical condition.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a flexible exercise device that can detect bioimpedance and perform flexible exercise based on the detected bioimpedance. It is aimed.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a flexible exercise device according to the present invention includes a flexible exercise device capable of adjusting a flexible exercise intensity and a flexible exercise performed by the user by supplying a current to the user's body. A bioimpedance detection device that detects the bioimpedance of the user that changes, and a display unit that displays an indicator related to the flexible motion based on the bioimpedance detected by the bioimpedance detection device, It is comprised so that the said user can perform the said flexible exercise | movement based on the said parameter | index displayed on the said display part (Claim 1). Thereby, bioimpedance can be used as an objective index regarding flexible exercise intensity. That is, it is possible to adjust the flexible exercise intensity using an objective index in order to solve the problem of insufficient or excessive flexible exercise intensity. Further, it is possible to grasp the change in the user's body caused by the flexible exercise, that is, the appropriateness and effect of the flexible exercise using an objective index.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing the step which can adjust a step angle, and the said step angle corresponding to the said flexible exercise | movement intensity | strength (Claim 2). Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust the step angle based on the bioimpedance of the user.

  Moreover, it is good also as a thing provided with the press plate which can adjust the relative height between a footrest and the upper surface of the said footrest, and the said height is equivalent to the said flexible exercise | movement intensity | strength (Claim 3). Thereby, it becomes possible to adjust a push plate position based on a user's bioimpedance.

  Moreover, you may display the said bioimpedance (Claim 4). Accordingly, the user can perform flexible exercise while objectively grasping the load applied to the body by the exercise.

  Moreover, you may calculate body information based on the said bioimpedance (Claim 5). This allows the user to intuitively understand the body's moisture distribution, degree of dehydration, muscle percentage, muscle mass, body fat percentage, body fat mass, interstitial fluid volume, good or bad blood circulation, and muscle stretch. Flexible exercise can be performed using easy parameters as objective indicators.

  Moreover, you may provide the flexible exercise | movement intensity detection apparatus which detects the said flexible exercise | movement intensity | strength (Claim 6). Thereby, the user or the apparatus for flexible exercises can grasp the flexible exercise intensity easily and objectively. Therefore, it becomes easy to perform flexible exercise by correlating the flexible exercise intensity and the bioelectrical impedance.

  Further, a weight detection device for detecting the weight of the user may be provided, and physical information may be calculated based on the weight and the bioelectrical impedance. Thereby, even if a user does not input a body weight, the calculation of a physical information can be performed.

  Further, a storage device may be provided (claim 8). Thereby, bio-impedance, the detected value of body weight, the calculation result of body information, body composition, etc. can be memorize | stored and it can utilize for various uses.

  The bioelectrical impedance may be stored in the storage device (claim 9). Thereby, the time change of bioimpedance, an average value, etc. are computable. Therefore, the detection result of the bioelectrical impedance can be used for various purposes such as grasping the target flexible exercise intensity, the effect of the flexible exercise, and the appropriateness.

  Moreover, you may calculate the target flexible exercise | movement intensity | strength based on the said bioimpedance (Claim 10). Thereby, the user can perform a flexible exercise according to an objective goal.

  The flexible exercise intensity adjusting device may adjust the flexible exercise intensity, and the flexible exercise intensity adjusting device may adjust the flexible exercise device to the target flexible exercise intensity. Thereby, the flexible exercise device is automatically set to the desired flexible exercise intensity. Therefore, it becomes easier to perform flexible exercise according to objective goals.

  Further, the target flexible exercise intensity may be displayed (claim 12). Thereby, the user can easily grasp the target value of the flexible exercise intensity obtained by the objective calculation means.

  Moreover, you may calculate the variation | change_quantity of the said bioimpedance (Claim 13). Thereby, the effect of the flexible exercise and the degree of load on the body can be objectively grasped. In addition, the amount of change can be used for calculating the appropriate degree of flexible exercise and the target value of the flexible exercise intensity.

  Moreover, you may display the variation | change_quantity of the said bioimpedance (Claim 14). Thus, the user can objectively grasp the effect of the flexible exercise and the degree of load on the body.

  The degree of effect of the flexible exercise may be calculated based on the amount of change in the bioelectrical impedance (claim 15). Thereby, the effect by flexible exercise can be grasped objectively.

  Further, the appropriateness of the flexible exercise intensity may be calculated based on the amount of change in the bioelectrical impedance (claim 16). As a result, the appropriateness of the flexible exercise can be objectively grasped.

  Further, physical information may be calculated based on the bioelectrical impedance, and the physical information may be stored in the storage device. Thereby, the time change, average, etc. of physical information can be calculated. Therefore, the physical information can be used for various purposes such as grasping the target flexible exercise intensity, the effect of the flexible exercise, and the appropriateness.

  Moreover, you may calculate the fluctuation | variation of the said physical information (Claim 18). Thereby, the effect of the flexible exercise and the degree of load on the body can be objectively grasped. Moreover, the said fluctuation | variation can be utilized for the calculation of the target value of the appropriate degree of flexible exercise | movement and a flexible exercise | movement intensity | strength.

  Moreover, you may display the fluctuation | variation of the said physical information (Claim 19). Thus, the user can objectively grasp the effect of the flexible exercise and the degree of load on the body.

  Moreover, you may calculate the effect degree of flexible exercise | movement exercise | movement based on the fluctuation | variation of the said physical information (Claim 20). Thereby, the effect by flexible exercise can be grasped objectively.

  In addition, the appropriateness of the flexible exercise intensity may be calculated based on the fluctuation of the physical information (claim 21). As a result, the appropriateness of the flexible exercise can be objectively grasped.

  In addition, the bioimpedance detection device may detect bioimpedance using currents having a plurality of frequencies. As a result, it is possible to detect bioimpedance using different components in the body as impedance paths. Therefore, information reflecting the state of a specific component (muscle or interstitial fluid) can be obtained.

  The physical information may be body composition (claim 23). Thereby, the user can perform flexible exercise using the body composition as an objective index.

  The physical information may be a moisture distribution of the body (claim 24). As a result, the user can perform flexible exercise using physical information as an objective index.

  The physical information may be a cross-sectional area of a muscle (claim 25). Thereby, the user can perform flexible exercise using the cross-sectional area of the muscle as an objective index.

  The physical information may be blood circulation (Claim 26). Thereby, the user can perform flexible exercise using blood circulation as an objective index.

  Further, the number of flexible movements may be integrated based on the bioelectrical impedance (claim 27). Alternatively, the number of flexible exercises may be integrated based on the detected value of the weight (claim 28). Or you may calculate the appropriate degree of a flexible exercise | movement based on the said bioimpedance (Claim 29). Alternatively, the appropriateness of the flexible exercise may be calculated based on the detected value of the weight (claim 30). That is, the number of flexible exercises can be integrated using the variation amount and variation pattern of the bioelectrical impedance and the weight detection value. Therefore, even if the user does not count, the user can easily grasp the number of flexible exercises. Or, when the strength of the flexible movement reaches the limit, tremors of the body, shaking of the center of gravity, etc. may occur. Using this fact, it can be determined whether the flexible exercise is performed with an appropriate intensity.

  Further, the flexible movement may be a forward bending movement (claim 31). Thereby, the user can perform forward bending based on the bioimpedance of his / her body.

  The storage device may store user's body identification information, and calculate body information based on the body identification information and the bioimpedance (Claim 32). Thus, if the body specifying information is input only once, then the body information can be calculated even if the input is omitted. Therefore, it is easy to perform flexible exercise using intuitively easy-to-understand parameters as objective indices.

  In addition, a personal identification device for identifying a plurality of users may be provided, and the physical information may be calculated based on the physical identification information and the bioelectrical impedance of the identified users (claim 33). As a result, even when multiple users use the same flexible exercise equipment, if the body identification information is input only once for the user, the body for each user can be omitted even if the input is omitted thereafter. Information can be calculated.

  The bioimpedance detection device may include two pairs of hand electrodes and two pairs of foot electrodes, and may detect bioimpedance of a left arm, a right arm, a left foot, a right foot, a torso, and a combination thereof (claims). Item 34). Thereby, the bioelectrical impedance of the site | part which performs flexible exercise | movement can be detected. Therefore, objective indicators such as physical information, flexible exercise targets, and effectiveness are obtained for each part. Therefore, it is possible to perform more precise flexible movement.

  Here, terms used in the claims and specification will be defined below.

  The “flexible motion” in the claims and the specification refers to a motion for softening body muscles, tendons, and joints.

  The term “flexible motion device” as used in the claims and specification refers to a device for performing a flexible motion, which makes it easier to perform a flexible motion by bringing the body into contact with a specific member of the device. A device that can be used.

  The “flexible exercise intensity” in the claims and the specification means the state of the device (such as the angle and position of a specific element) and the state of the body (foot, arm, joint, etc.) that are set when performing flexible exercise. Parameters such as angle and position), the number of flexible movements, etc., and by changing this, the load on the body such as the degree of muscle and joint expansion and contraction caused by the flexible movement, the amount of exercise (heat consumption), etc. It means something that fluctuates.

  The “step” in the claims and the specification refers to a member having an upper surface on which a user can place a foot and perform a flexible motion.

  The “step angle” in the claims and the specification means an angle formed by the upper surface of the step and the horizontal plane.

  The “push plate” referred to in the claims and specification refers to a plate that contacts a fingertip in a forward bending motion, and the degree of forward bending changes when the plate is moved up and down.

  The “body information” referred to in the claims and specification refers to a parameter that represents a user's physical condition, which is calculated using bioimpedance. More specifically, it refers to, for example, body water distribution, degree of dehydration, muscle ratio, muscle mass, body fat percentage, body fat mass, amount of interstitial fluid, good or bad blood circulation, and muscle extension.

  The “body composition” as used in the claims and the specification refers to the ratio and state of tissues constituting the body such as muscle, fat, and bone. More specifically, it refers to, for example, BMI, body fat percentage, body fat mass, visceral fat area index, muscle percentage, muscle mass, muscle level, basal metabolic rate, estimated bone mass, and water content.

  The “flexible exercise intensity adjusting device” in the claims and the specification refers to a device that sets the flexible exercise intensity of a flexible exercise device according to a control target value.

  The “target flexible exercise intensity” in the claims and the specification refers to a flexible exercise intensity that is set in a specific body state to be safer and improve health.

  The “variation amount of the bioelectrical impedance” referred to in the claims and the specification refers to the variation amount of the bioelectrical impedance before and after the flexible movement or before, during and after the flexible movement. Here, the flexible movement may be performed continuously at intervals of several seconds to several minutes, or may be performed at intervals of several hours to several days or more.

  The “variation of physical information” referred to in the claims and specification refers to the fluctuation of physical information before and after flexible exercise, or before, during and after. Here, the flexible movement may be performed continuously at intervals of several seconds to several minutes, or may be performed at intervals of several hours to several days or more.

  “Accumulating the number of flexible movements” in the claims and the specification means counting the number of flexible movements performed since the start of the flexible movements. The start time may be, for example, at the time of purchase, a specific date and time, or every activation.

  “Personal identification device” as used in the claims and specification refers to a device for identifying a user who is to be used this time when a flexible exercise device is used by a plurality of users. Say. Specifically, for example, it may be identified by an input personal number, or may be personal authentication by a personal identification number or a fingerprint.

  The “body specifying information” referred to in the claims and specification refers to information for specifying a user's body, which is used for calculation of body information or body composition. Specifically, for example, height, weight, chest circumference, waist, inseam height, sex, date of birth, age, and the like may be used.

  The “storage device” referred to in the claims and specification is a device for storing parameters, and specifically includes, for example, an internal memory, a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk, a flash memory, and a magnetic tape. And so on.

  The present invention has the configuration as described above, and has an effect that it is possible to provide an apparatus for flexible exercise that can detect a bioimpedance and perform a flexible exercise based on the detected bioimpedance. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
{Concept of the present invention}
First, the concept of the present invention will be described. The present invention has been made based on the following findings. That is, there is a relationship between flexible motion and bioimpedance. Bioimpedance is an electrical quantity that represents the difficulty of flowing alternating current in the body of a subject. The electrical characteristics of the living body are as follows. That is, a tissue containing a large amount of water such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and muscle in a living body is a conductive tissue exhibiting high conductivity. On the other hand, a part filled with an insulator or air, such as fat, bone, or lung, is an insulating tissue that exhibits high electrical resistance. Therefore, even if the body weight and height are the same, if the proportion of body fat that is an insulator is high, the bioimpedance increases relatively. On the contrary, when the proportion of muscles and moisture as conductors is high, the bioimpedance is relatively lowered. Using such electrical characteristics of the living body, body composition such as BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and water content can be analyzed.

  In the detection of bioelectrical impedance, the current path is mainly constituted by the minimum impedance path in the living body. That is, the current mainly passes through the minimum impedance path in the living body. When a low frequency alternating current is used, the extracellular fluid constitutes the minimum impedance path. On the other hand, when high-frequency alternating current is used, intracellular fluids such as muscle cells form a minimum impedance path. Thus, by selecting the frequency of the alternating current, it is possible to detect bioimpedance using a specific component as a current path.

  For example, by using an alternating current with a high frequency, it is possible to detect a bioimpedance using muscle cells as a minimum impedance path. At this time, the value of bioimpedance is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the muscle. That is, if the muscle cross-sectional area increases due to contraction, the bioelectrical impedance decreases. Conversely, if the muscle cross-sectional area decreases due to stretching, the bioimpedance increases. Therefore, when the muscle is stretched by flexible exercise, the bioelectrical impedance increases. That is, when the load on the body due to the flexible exercise is high, the bioimpedance increases accordingly.

  Further, when blood circulation is deteriorated due to muscle tension or the like, the bioelectrical impedance increases. Conversely, if blood circulation is promoted by flexible exercise, the bioimpedance decreases.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the results of an experiment conducted to show the relationship between the strength of the flexible motion and the bioelectrical impedance. The experiment was performed by measuring the bioimpedance when the foot sole was brought into close contact with a footboard with an adjustable angle to the horizontal plane. Four subjects (A, B, C, D) were used, and the angle was changed from 0 degrees to 30 degrees in steps of 5 degrees. As can be seen from the figure, the bioelectrical impedance decreased for any subject as the angle increased. This is thought to be a result of the calf muscle being stretched downward by changing the angle and the cross section of the calf being reduced. From the above, it can be seen that the strength of the flexible motion (the angle of the step) and the bioelectrical impedance are closely related.

  In addition, an angle (limit point) at which the bioelectrical impedance no longer decreases was observed for each subject. From this, it is considered that by detecting the change in the bioelectrical impedance, it is possible to obtain the optimum step angle (for example, the angle immediately before the limit point or the first angle that becomes the limit point) for each subject. It is done.

  As described above, there is a close relationship between the strength and effect of flexible exercise and bioimpedance. That is, the bioelectrical impedance can be used as an objective index such as strength, load, target, and effect in flexible exercise. The present invention provides a flexible exercise device that can perform an appropriate flexible exercise using bioimpedance by using the relationship as described above.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described.
(Embodiment 1)
1A and 1B are external views schematically showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flexible exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a side view, FIG. 1C is a rear view. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a usage state of the flexible exercise device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the flexible exercise apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  First, the hardware system of the flexible exercise apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the flexible exercise device 1 according to the present embodiment generally includes two pedestals 2 extending in the front-rear direction and a planar step pedestal 4 disposed thereon. Yes. The two pedestals 2 are arranged side by side on the left and right, and the front part and the rear part are supported by the load cell unit 6. Further, the two pedestals 2 are connected to each other at the front portion and the rear portion by a horizontal bar 8. Further, a fixing member 32 is disposed at the rear part of each pedestal 2, and a pad holder 3 made of an inverted U-shaped pad holder projects from the fixing member 32. A pad 7 is fixed to the top of the pad holder 3 in a forward direction. On the other hand, a plate-like scale 9 extending upward is attached to the center portion of the front horizontal bar 8 by a fixture 33. Further, a push plate 10 is attached to the scale 9 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The scale 9 and the push plate 10 are each provided with a resistor and a brush, so that the push plate position detecting device 20 for detecting the position of the push plate 10 (for example, the height from the upper surface of the base 2; hereinafter, the push plate position). (See FIG. 2).

  The footrest 4 is rotatably attached to the pair of fixing members 32 by a rotating shaft 5 so that the angle between the upper surface on which the foot is placed and the horizontal surface (hereinafter referred to as the footrest angle) is variable. Angle adjustment plates 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B are swingably attached to the lower surface of the step 4 via hinges 12. The angle adjustment plates 11A and 11B are plate-like members each having a different length, and are attached to each other in opposite directions as a pair of left and right, and the pair of width, direction, and position do not interfere when the pair swings. So different. In addition, angle adjusting grooves 13A and 13B corresponding to the angle adjusting plates 11A and 11B are engraved on the base 2. The angle adjusting grooves 13A and 13B are provided in a row on each of the left and right pedestals, and at three positions in each row with different pitches and angles. The user can adjust the step angle by fitting one end of the angle adjusting plate 11A or 11B into the angle adjusting groove 13A or 13B, respectively. That is, since there are three types of angle adjustment grooves corresponding to the two types of angle adjustment plates, six kinds of step angle can be selected as combinations. Each groove displays a number (for example, a step angle when the groove is selected). The angle adjusting plates 11A and 11B and the angle adjusting grooves 13A and 13B are provided with contacts (not shown), respectively, to detect which angle adjusting plate 11A or 11B is fitted in the angle adjusting groove. An angle detection device 21 (see FIG. 2) is configured.

  In the flexible exercise device according to the present embodiment, the push plate position detection device 20 and the footrest angle detection device 21 are the flexible exercise intensity detection device referred to in the claims.

  On the upper surface of the step 4, foot electrodes 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> C are provided on the left and right of the substantially central portion, and foot electrodes 14 </ b> B and 14 </ b> D are provided on the left and right of the rear portion. An input unit 15 and a display unit 16 are provided at the front center of the upper surface. In addition, a hand electrode unit housing portion 31 is formed at the front end of the step platform 4, and the hand electrode unit 17 is detachably fitted therein. Further, the lower front center portion of the step platform 4 and the hand electrode unit 17 are connected by a curled cord cable 18. Hand electrodes 19A, 19C, and 19B, 19D are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the hand electrode unit 17, respectively. In addition, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, an impedance detection circuit 24, an I / O 25, and a timing device 26 (not shown) are stored in the step platform 4.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a button is used for the input unit 15, and a liquid crystal panel is used for the display unit 16, for example.

  One or more of the four foot electrodes may be provided on the pad 7. Furthermore, you may arrange | position a current pole and a voltage pole, or a voltage pole and a current pole in the upper surface of the step stand 4, and the pad 7, respectively. This increases the distance between the electrodes and stabilizes the measurement.

  Next, a control system of the flexible exercise apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a control system of the flexible exercise device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control system of the flexible exercise device 1 includes a control unit 22 including an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU. The control unit 22 is connected to a storage unit 23 including a nonvolatile memory via a bus. The storage unit 23 stores a program for performing the operation of the flexible exercise equipment according to the present embodiment, various parameters, and the like. The foot electrodes 14A to 14D and the hand electrodes 19A to 19D are connected to the impedance detection circuit 24, and the output of the impedance detection circuit 24 is input to the control unit 22 via the I / O 25. The I / O 25 is also connected with a push plate position detection device 20, a footrest angle detection device 21, a load cell unit 6, and an input unit 15, and each output is input to the control unit 22 via the I / O 25. The display unit 16 is connected to the I / O 25, and the display of the display unit 16 is controlled by the control unit 22 via the I / O 25. The time is input to the control unit 22 from the time measuring device 26 via the I / O 25.

  The load cell unit 6 constitutes a weight detection device that detects the weight of the user in conjunction with the I / O 25, the control unit 22, and the storage unit 23.

  Next, the operation of the flexible exercise device 1 will be described below.

  In the flexible exercise device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is necessary to perform an initial setting when the battery is attached for the first time after purchase. Therefore, by operating the input unit 15 (for example, an initial setting button is provided and pressed), the flexible exercise device 1 is set to the initial setting mode. Then, after the operation mode of the flexible exercise device 1 is set to the initial setting mode, the input unit 15 is operated to input data such as date and time at the time of operation. The data of the time measuring device 26 is updated based on the input date and time. The date and time may be input at the time of factory shipment. In this case, even if the setting of the date and time is omitted immediately after purchase, it can be used normally.

  In the initial setting mode, information for identifying the user's body (hereinafter, body identification information) such as the user's name, height, age, and sex is input. The body specifying information is stored together with the personal identification number of the user (for example, if the number of users is 4 at the maximum, it may be a natural number up to 4). Thereafter, the input of the body identification information can be omitted by selecting the personal identification number at the time of activation. The body weight is also the body specifying information, but in the present embodiment, the body weight detected using the load cell unit 6 may be used. However, if an error occurs in the weight detection result due to clothes or the like, the input weight may be used. Clothing correction may be performed. Further, the load cell unit 6 may be omitted. In this case, the weight is input in the initial setting mode.

  Further, prior to normal use, appropriate values are set for individual users. The appropriate value is set by operating the input unit 15 (for example, providing an appropriate value setting button and pressing it) and setting the flexible exercise device 1 in the appropriate value setting mode. In the proper value setting mode, the user performs a flexible motion using a standard method (for example, one recommended by the manufacturer) with respect to the step angle, the push plate position, the number and methods of forward bending. The flexible exercise by the standard method is performed a plurality of times (for example, seven times) over a plurality of days (for example, one week), and the bioimpedance value before and after the exercise and the average value of the change amount are memorized by the method described later. Is done. Then, the average value is stored as a reference value. Further, for example, a range of ± 5% to ± 10% of the reference value is set as an allowable range of the bioelectrical impedance. Further, appropriate values for the step angle, the push plate position, and the number of forward bends are calculated by the control unit 22 and stored in the storage unit 23. In the present embodiment, the step angle, the push plate position, and the number of forward bends are the flexible exercise strengths in the claims. Note that the reference value is not necessarily an average value, and may be a median value, a mode value, or the like. Any value may be used as long as the value is calculated based on the detection result of the bioelectrical impedance.

  Next, the operation during normal use will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation program during normal use of the flexible exercise device 1.

  1 to 4, when a command to turn on the power is input from the input unit 15, the power of the flexible exercise device 1 is turned on (step S1).

  A list of the personal identification number and the user's name is displayed on the display unit 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as display), and who is to be used this time is selected (step S2).

  The step angle and the push plate position at the previous use are displayed (step S3). The user adjusts the current step angle and the push plate position with reference to the previous step angle and the push plate position.

  The user places the foot 4 in front of the foot electrode 14A, the foot electrode 14B in contact with the right foot sole, the foot electrode 14C in contact with the left foot front, and the foot electrode 14D in contact with the left foot sole. On the top. Further, the hand electrode 19A and the hand electrode 19B are pinched with the left index finger and the left thumb, respectively, and the hand electrode 19C and the hand electrode 19D are pinched with the right index finger and the right thumb, respectively. Then, a detection start command is input (step S4).

  The weight detection device 20 including the load cell unit 6 detects the weight of the user, and the weight stored in the storage unit 23 is updated. Next, the impedance detection circuit 24 detects the bioimpedance of the user and inputs the bioimpedance to the control unit 22 and stores the bioimpedance before exercise in the storage unit 23. Next, the weight and bioelectrical impedance values are displayed (step S5).

  Next, an exercise start command is input from the input unit 15 (step S6).

  Then, the step angle and the push plate position are detected by the step angle detecting device 21 and the push plate position detecting device 20, respectively, and input to the control unit 22 and stored in the storage unit 23 (step S7).

  At the same time as the allowable range set in the appropriate value setting mode is displayed, the bioimpedance value at that time is displayed in real time (step S8). The user performs flexible exercise while adjusting the strength so that the displayed bioimpedance value falls within the allowable range.

  When the flexible motion is completed, a command for terminating the flexible motion is input by the input unit 15 (step S9).

  Then, the biometric impedance of the user is detected by the impedance detection circuit 24 and is input to the control unit 22 and stored in the storage unit 23 as the bioimpedance after exercise. The value of bioimpedance before and after exercise and the difference between bioimpedance before and after exercise are displayed (step S10).

  As described above, according to the flexible exercise device 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can perform flexible exercise while confirming whether or not the strength of the flexible exercise performed by the user is appropriate. . Therefore, the apparatus 1 for flexible exercise according to the present embodiment has a situation in which the effect is not improved because the flexible exercise intensity is insufficient or a situation in which an injury is caused by performing the flexible exercise with an excessive strength. Help to prevent. Further, when the body tension is released by the flexible exercise, blood circulation is improved and the value of the bioelectrical impedance is reduced. According to the flexible exercise device 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can objectively grasp the effect of blood circulation enhancement by the flexible exercise by referring to the value of the bioimpedance before and after the exercise. In addition, by confirming the difference between the reference value and the current value, it is possible to objectively grasp the current health level and the long-term effect of flexible exercise.

  The impedance detection circuit 24 may be configured to supply a plurality of currents having different frequencies. Thereby, when a low-frequency current is used, bioimpedance that reflects the information of the extracellular fluid is obtained. Therefore, the bioelectrical impedance can be used as an objective index such as blood circulation. In addition, when a high-frequency current is used, a bioimpedance reflecting intracellular information (for example, a cross-sectional area of muscle) can be obtained. Therefore, the bioelectrical impedance can be used as an objective index of the flexible exercise intensity. In this way, by using a plurality of frequencies, information on different components in the body can be used for flexible exercise. Or you may measure bioimpedance using the electric current of three or more types of different frequencies. Moreover, you may calculate using the ratio of the bioimpedance detected using the some frequency. The impedance ratio can be a more effective indicator of a physical condition such as a change in water content.

  In each flexible exercise, the value of bioimpedance before and after the exercise and the amount of change are accumulated and used to update the reference value or the allowable range periodically (for example, every fixed number of times). May be. Thereby, a flexible exercise | movement can be performed more appropriately according to the fluctuation | variation of a body. Or you may display the fluctuation | variation of the said reference value or the said tolerance | permissible_range. Thereby, the effect of flexible exercise can be grasped objectively.

  Further, the control unit 22 may calculate an index of the flexible exercise intensity from the step angle and the push plate position, and may display this on the display unit 16. Here, the flexible exercise intensity index is an index value calculated by combining the step angle and the push plate position, and may be a semi-quantitative level value. Alternatively, for example, the step angle (degree) It may be a quantitative value such as a product of push plate positions (cm). Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain objectively the relationship between the setting state of the apparatus for flexible exercise | movement, and the intensity | strength of flexible exercise | movement.

  It should be noted that a personal identification device for identifying the user may be provided so that the personal identification number is automatically input. This eliminates the need to select a user for each use. The personal identification device may be, for example, a fingerprint reading device disposed on the hand electrodes 19A to 19D, the foot electrodes 14A to 14D, the hand electrode unit 17, and the like.

  Also, from bioimpedance and body specific information, before, during or after flexible exercise, BMI, body fat percentage, body fat mass, visceral fat area index, muscle percentage, muscle mass, muscle level, basal metabolic rate, Body information such as estimated bone mass, water content, or the like, or body information such as water distribution, dehydration, muscle cross-sectional area, tension, stretch, or blood flow index may be computed and the computation results displayed. The calculation is basically performed using the correlation equation of each parameter obtained from the data of the group of people. Thereby, the user can perform a flexible exercise | movement, confirming own body composition and body information. For example, the effects of flexible exercise can be easily known through changes in body composition. Alternatively, for example, the degree of muscle extension can be used as an indicator of the load on the body caused by the flexible exercise. Then, if the flexible exercise is performed so that the degree of muscle extension does not exceed a certain standard, the degree of muscle extension can be used as an index for preventing injury. A warning may be displayed when the degree of muscle extension exceeds a certain standard. In addition, you may enable it to display the calculation result of body composition and body information at times other than during flexible exercise.

  The degree of effect of the flexible exercise may be calculated using the change amount of the bioelectrical impedance or the fluctuation of the body information, and the result may be displayed. In this case, the flexible exercise may be performed continuously at intervals of several seconds to several minutes, or may be performed at intervals of several hours to several days or weeks. For example, the degree of effectiveness of how much blood circulation has been promoted can be calculated using the decrease width of the bioelectrical impedance as an index. Alternatively, the degree of effect on how much obesity has been improved can be calculated using the decrease in body fat percentage as an index. Thereby, the user can objectively and easily grasp the effect of the flexible exercise using the detection result of the bioelectrical impedance.

  You may memorize | store the past body composition, body information, and the effect of flexible exercise | movement in the memory | storage part 23 with the date and time which performed flexible exercise | movement. Moreover, you may display the memorize | stored past body composition, body information, and the effect of flexible exercise | movement with a numerical value or a graph along a time series. Thereby, the effect of the soft exercise performed in the past can be clearly grasped through objective indexes such as body composition, physical information, and the effect of the soft exercise.

  Using the results of bioimpedance detection in the previous flexible motion or the calculation results of body information (hereinafter referred to as the previous data), the current flexible motion strength (stepping platform angle, push plate position, number of forward bending motions, etc.) The target value may be calculated and displayed. Alternatively, the target value may be calculated and displayed using the current bioimpedance or the weight detection result in addition to the previous data. In any case, the user can perform the flexible movement according to the objective index by performing the flexible movement by setting the step angle, the push plate position, and the number of forward bending movements to the target values. Moreover, if the target value is set so as to gradually increase the flexible exercise intensity, the user can further increase the flexibility of his / her body. Therefore, health promotion by flexible exercise can be measured.

  A push plate position adjusting device including a driving device such as a stepping motor may be provided, and the push plate position may be adjusted by the push plate position adjusting device. Further, instead of the angle adjusting plates 11A and 11B and the angle adjusting grooves 13A and 13B, a step angle adjusting device including a driving device such as a stepping motor is provided in the portion of the rotation shaft 5, and the step angle is adjusted by the step angle adjusting device. May be adjustable. In the present embodiment, the push plate position adjusting device and the footrest angle adjusting device are the flexible exercise intensity adjusting device as defined in the claims. By setting it as this structure, after calculating the target value of flexible exercise intensity | strength, the setting state of the apparatus for flexible exercises can be automatically set to a target value.

  In addition, when a forward bending exercise is performed, the detected value of the bioelectrical impedance or the body weight varies with the exercise. Therefore, based on the variation pattern, the number of flexible exercises performed since the start of the flexible exercise may be counted. The start time may be, for example, at the time of purchase, a specific date and time, or every activation.

  Note that the soft exercise is more effective when performed with a gentle movement, and sudden movement may cause injury. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether the operation is steep or not from the variation pattern. Then, it may be determined on the basis of a certain threshold value regarding the speed of operation. Furthermore, when it is determined that the movement is abrupt, a warning may be displayed or the movement may not be counted as one flexible movement.

  In addition, when the flexibility of the body is low, the sway of the center of gravity and bioimpedance that occurs during the flexible movement increases. Therefore, the degree of flexibility of the body, the estimated age calculated backward from the average of the degree of human flexibility at each age, or the like may be calculated and displayed from the fluctuations in the detected values of body weight and bioelectrical impedance. Alternatively, based on fluctuations in the detected values of the center of gravity and bioelectrical impedance, calculation and determination of the limit of flexible motion and the appropriateness of flexible motion (for example, how far forward can be bent and whether or not forward bending is performed to the limit) Determination) may be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the flexible motion is a forward bending motion, but the flexible motion can be similarly performed based on the bioimpedance even for a backward bending motion or a motion for extending the brachial muscle. In other words, the flexible exercise device according to the present embodiment can be applied to any flexible exercise as long as it can be placed on the platform 4.

  In addition, the flexible exercise device according to the present invention does not necessarily include the step 4 or the push plate 10. Even if it is a different member, it is sufficient that the flexible exercise intensity can be adjusted using this. Therefore, any flexible motion can be used as long as it is a flexible motion performed using a flexible motion device capable of adjusting the flexible motion intensity.

  In this case, it is desirable to dispose the display unit 16 in the hand electrode unit 17. Thereby, flexible exercise | movement can be performed, confirming display content, such as bioimpedance and body information, irrespective of a user's attitude | position. Moreover, the control part 22 and the hand electrode unit 17 are good also as a structure which can communicate using an electromagnetic wave. Thereby, regardless of the length of the cord, it is possible to perform flexible exercise in a free posture while confirming display contents such as bioelectrical impedance and body information.

  Further, by combining the hand electrodes 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D and the foot electrodes 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, the bioimpedance of each part of the left arm, the right arm, the left foot, the right foot, the torso, and the body that combines them is obtained. It may be detected. Thereby, the bioelectrical impedance of the site | part which performs flexible exercise | movement can be detected. Therefore, physical information can be obtained for each part. Therefore, the effect of the flexible exercise can be grasped more accurately. Moreover, the bioelectrical impedance for each region can be used as an objective index for flexible exercise. Therefore, the target and appropriateness of the flexible exercise can be adjusted not only for the whole body but also for each part.

  The apparatus for flexible exercise according to the present invention is useful as an apparatus for flexible exercise capable of detecting a bioimpedance and performing a flexible exercise based on the detected bioimpedance.

It is a figure which shows typically an example of schematic structure of the instrument for flexible exercises concerning embodiment of this invention, Comprising: Fig.1 (a) is a front view, FIG.1 (b) is a side view, FIG.1 (c) Is a back view. It is a block diagram which shows typically an example of the control system of the instrument 1 for flexible exercises. It is a perspective view which shows typically an example of the use condition of the instrument for flexible exercises concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement program at the time of normal use of the flexible exercise apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of the experiment conducted in order to show the relationship between the intensity | strength of flexible movement, and bioelectrical impedance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible exercise equipment 2 Base 3 Pad holder 4 Step stand 5 Rotating shaft 6 Load cell unit 7 Pad 8 Horizontal bar 9 Scale 10 Push plate 11A, 11B Angle adjustment plate 12 Hinge 13A, 13B Angle adjustment groove 14A-14D Foot electrode 15 Input Unit 16 display unit 17 hand electrode unit 18 curl cord cable 19A to 19D hand electrode 20 push plate position detection device 21 step platform angle detection device 22 control unit 23 storage unit 24 impedance detection circuit 25 I / O
26 Timekeeping Device 31 Hand Electrode Unit Storage Unit 32 Fixing Member 33 Fixing Tool

Claims (34)

A flexible exercise device capable of adjusting the flexible exercise intensity;
A bio-impedance detection device that supplies a current to the user's body and detects the bio-impedance of the user that changes according to the flexible movement performed by the user ;
A display unit for displaying an index related to the flexible movement based on the bioelectrical impedance detected by the bioelectrical impedance detection device;
The user is configured to perform the flexible exercise based on the indicator displayed on the display unit.
Flexible exercise equipment.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 1, further comprising a platform capable of adjusting a platform angle, wherein the platform angle corresponds to the flexible exercise intensity.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing plate capable of adjusting a relative height between a step and an upper surface of the step, wherein the height corresponds to the flexible exercise strength.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the bioimpedance is displayed.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein body information is calculated based on the bioelectrical impedance.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 1, comprising a flexible exercise intensity detection device that detects the flexible exercise intensity.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, comprising a weight detection device that detects a weight of a user, and calculating physical information based on the weight and the bioelectrical impedance.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, comprising a storage device.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 8, wherein the bioelectrical impedance is stored in the storage device.   The flexible exercise device according to claim 9, wherein a target flexible exercise intensity is calculated based on the bioelectrical impedance.   11. The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 10, further comprising a flexible exercise intensity adjusting device that adjusts the flexible exercise intensity, wherein the flexible exercise intensity adjusting device adjusts the flexible exercise device to the target flexible exercise intensity. .   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 10, wherein the target flexible exercise intensity is displayed.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 9, wherein a change amount of the bioelectrical impedance is calculated.   The flexible exercise apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the change amount of the bioelectrical impedance is displayed.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 13, wherein an effect degree of the flexible exercise is calculated based on the amount of change in the bioelectrical impedance.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 13, wherein the appropriateness of the flexible exercise intensity is calculated based on the change amount of the bioelectrical impedance.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 8, wherein body information is calculated based on the bioelectrical impedance, and the body information is stored in the storage device.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 17, wherein a variation in the physical information is calculated.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 18, wherein a change in the physical information is displayed.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 18, wherein an effect degree of the flexible exercise is calculated based on the change in the physical information.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 18, wherein an appropriateness degree of the flexible exercise intensity is calculated based on the fluctuation of the physical information.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the bioimpedance detection device detects bioimpedance using currents having a plurality of frequencies.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the physical information is a body composition.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the physical information is a moisture distribution of the body.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the physical information is a cross-sectional area of a muscle.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the physical information is blood circulation.   The flexible exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the number of flexible exercises is accumulated based on the bioelectrical impedance.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 7, wherein the number of flexible exercises is accumulated based on the detected value of the body weight.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the appropriateness of the flexible exercise is calculated based on the bioelectrical impedance.   The instrument for flexible exercise according to claim 7, wherein the appropriateness of the flexible exercise is calculated based on the detected value of the body weight.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 1, wherein the flexible movement is a forward bending movement.   The flexible exercise apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the storage device stores body identification information of a user, and calculates body information based on the body identification information and the bioelectrical impedance.   The apparatus for flexible exercise according to claim 32, comprising a personal identification device for identifying a plurality of users, and calculating the physical information based on the physical identification information and the bioelectrical impedance of the identified user. . The said bioimpedance detection apparatus is provided with 2 pairs of hand electrodes and 2 pairs of foot electrodes, The bioimpedance of the site | part which combined the left arm, the right arm, the left foot, the right foot, the trunk | drum, and those is detected. Flexible exercise equipment.

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