JP7735752B2 - Exercise support method, exercise support device, and exercise support program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an exercise support method, an exercise support device , and an exercise support program .

Conventionally, a pace measurement device that measures pace (travel time per unit distance), which represents an indicator of movement when running, is known, such as the device disclosed in Patent Document 1. With this pace measurement device, for example, each time the user travels a predetermined distance, the user is notified of the results of a comparison between their latest pace and a predetermined standard.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-315085

However, with the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, even during periods when the pace is unstable, such as immediately after starting a run, the device notifies the user of a comparison result indicating that the latest pace is greater or less than a predetermined standard, which can hinder the user's understanding of their running condition. This problem is particularly pronounced for beginners who are not accustomed to running at a steady pace from the start of the run.

The present invention was developed in consideration of these problems, and aims to appropriately determine the movement state during a certain exercise.

In order to solve the above problems, an exercise support method according to the present invention includes:
a first acquisition step of acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
a determining step of determining whether the value of the index data acquired in the first acquiring step is within a normal range;
a second acquisition step of acquiring, as a stable period number, a period of the certain exercise for which the index data included in history data relating to the certain exercise performed in the past is determined to be within the normal range in the determination step, if the period satisfies a first condition;
a step of identifying a timing derived based on the number of stable periods as a stable timing at which the motion of the subject is stable when the number of stable periods satisfies a second condition different from the first condition;
a setting step of switching and setting the normal range set by a first upper limit value and a first lower limit value included in the history data to a first expanded range set by a second upper limit value different from the first upper limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined to be outside the normal range in the determining step, and a second lower limit value different from the first lower limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined to be outside the normal range in the determining step, during a certain period from the start of the certain exercise to the stabilization timing;
The present invention is characterized by comprising:

The present invention makes it possible to appropriately determine the movement state during a certain exercise.

1 is a block diagram showing an exercise support system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A is a rear view showing a state in which the exercise support device is worn by a user, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a state in which the exercise support device is worn by a user. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the exercise support device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transition of a running state (normal state or abnormal state). 10 is a table showing an example of indices of running movements when running. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a stable timing specifying process. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for identifying stable timing. 10 is a flowchart showing a running state determination process. 10 is a flowchart showing a normal range setting process.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

The configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. First, the exercise support system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exercise support system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the exercise support system 1 includes an exercise support device 10 and a terminal device 20 .

The exercise support device 10 is worn by a user during a specified exercise (e.g., running), determines the user's running condition, and outputs the results of the determination of the running condition to a terminal device 20.

2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing examples of how the exercise support device 10 is worn.
2(a) and 2(b), the exercise support device 10 is attached to the user's lower back, for example, at a position above the sacrum. The exercise support device 10 is attached to the sacrum in this manner in order to accurately measure the rotational movement of the user's pelvis and the swinging of the body, but the attachment position of the exercise support device 10 is not limited to the position above the sacrum and may be, for example, the user's chest or feet.

The terminal device 20 is a terminal device that can be carried by the user during a predetermined exercise (e.g., while running). Examples of this terminal device 20 include a smartphone, a wearable device such as a smartwatch, a mobile phone, etc.

Next, the internal functional configuration of the exercise support device 10 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the exercise support device 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the exercise support device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an operation unit 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a sensor unit 14, a display unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a communication unit 17. The various units of the exercise support device 10 are connected via a bus 18.

At least one processor, the CPU (processing unit) 11, controls each unit of the exercise support device 10. The CPU 11 reads out a specified program from among the system programs and application programs stored in the storage unit 16, expands it into RAM 13, and executes various processes in cooperation with the program. Note that while a single CPU 11 is shown in Figure 3, this is not limited to this. Two or more processors such as CPUs may be provided, and the processes executed by the CPU 11 of this embodiment may be shared and executed by these two or more processors.

The operation unit 12 is equipped with a power button (not shown) for switching the power on/off, a start/stop button (not shown) for instructing the start/stop of data acquisition, and the CPU 11 controls each unit based on instructions from this operation unit 12.

RAM 13 is a volatile memory that forms a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs.

The sensor unit 14 includes motion sensors such as a three-axis acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor that can detect the movement of the exercise support device 10, as well as a GPS receiver that can acquire location information of the exercise support device 10, and outputs the measurement results to the CPU 11.

The display unit 15 is composed of multiple LED lamps and can display the data transmission status (e.g., whether data is being transmitted or not), the ON/OFF status of the GPS receiver, etc.

The storage unit 16 is composed of flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), etc. The storage unit 16 stores system programs and application programs executed by the CPU 11, as well as data required to execute these programs.

The communication unit 17 transmits the results of determining the operating state (e.g., running state) during a specified exercise (e.g., running) to the terminal device 20 under the control of the CPU 11. For example, the communication unit 17 may be a communication unit that employs a wireless standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a wired communication unit such as a USB terminal.

Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 20 includes a CPU 21, an operation unit 22, a RAM 23, a display unit 24, a storage unit 25, a communication unit 26, and a speaker unit 27. The components of the terminal device 20 are connected via a bus 28.

The CPU 21 controls each component of the terminal device 20. The CPU 21 reads out a specified program from among the system programs and application programs stored in the storage unit 25, expands it into the RAM 23, and executes various processes in cooperation with that program.

The operation unit 22 includes, for example, a touch panel, receives touch input from the user, and outputs the operation information to the CPU 21 .
The touch panel is formed integrally with the display unit 24, and detects the X and Y coordinates of the position where the user touches the display unit 24 by using various methods, such as a capacitance method, a resistive film method, or an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method. The touch panel then outputs a position signal related to the X and Y coordinates of the touch position to the CPU 21.

RAM 23 is a volatile memory that forms a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs.

The display unit 24 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., and displays various information according to display information instructed by the CPU 21.

The storage unit 25 is composed of, for example, flash memory, EEPROM, or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 25 stores system programs and application programs executed by the CPU 21, as well as data required to execute these programs.

The communication unit 26 receives the results of the determination of the user's operating state (e.g., running state) from the exercise support device 10 worn by the user, and is, for example, a communication unit that employs a wireless standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a wired communication unit such as a USB terminal.

The speaker unit 27 includes a D/A converter (not shown), a speaker element (not shown), a diaphragm (not shown), etc., and converts sound data into an analog signal using the D/A converter in accordance with instructions from the CPU 21. The analog signal is then amplified to a predetermined volume using the diaphragm, and a beep is emitted to the outside of the terminal device 20.

Next, with reference to Figure 5, the basic mechanisms of alert notifications and alert cancellation notifications executed by the exercise support system 1 will be described. Here, an alert notification is a notification indicating that the user's running state has deviated from the target state (normal state). An alert cancellation notification is a notification indicating that the user's running state has returned to the target state from an abnormal state. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transition in running state (normal state or abnormal state). Note that the circles shown in each cycle (running cycle) shown in Figure 5 indicate that the foot corresponding to the circle is in contact with the ground. Furthermore, the shaded cycles indicate that the value of the index data for that cycle is outside the normal range, i.e., above the upper limit or below the lower limit of the normal range.

Here, a running cycle refers to the period from when one foot (e.g., the right foot) touches the ground until that foot touches the ground again. Furthermore, index data refers to data that represents indices of running movements when running. As shown in Figure 6, indices of running movements when running include, for example, pitch, stride, ground contact time rate, airborne time rate, braking, propulsion, vertical movement, lateral movement, sinking, forward lean angle, horizontal angle, and rotation angle (yaw). Note that the method of deriving (calculating) the index data corresponding to each index is a known technology, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the exercise support device 10 determines the current running state (normal or abnormal) for each cycle and determines whether the value of the index data (e.g., pitch data) for that cycle is within the normal range. For example, if the current running state is normal and the index data value is outside the normal range for five consecutive cycles, such as in cycles 10 to 14, the exercise support device 10 transitions the current running state from the normal state to the abnormal state and outputs abnormal state information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17. As a result, the terminal device 20, having received the abnormal state information, issues an alert notification indicating deviation from the target state. Furthermore, if the current running state is abnormal and the index data value is within the normal range for five consecutive cycles, such as in cycles 21 to 25, the exercise support device 10 transitions the current running state from the abnormal state to the normal state and outputs normal state information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17. As a result, the terminal device 20, having received the normal state information, issues an alert cancellation notification indicating return to the target state.

Next, the stable timing identification process executed by the exercise support device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the stable timing identification process. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for identifying the stable timing. Here, the stable timing refers to the timing when, after starting running, the running pace changes little and the running becomes stable.
The stable timing identification process is executed, for example, at the timing when the measurement of the various indicators described above using the exercise support system 1 is completed, but it may also be executed at the start of the running condition determination process described below.

As shown in FIG. 7 , when the stable timing identification process is initiated, the CPU 11 of the exercise support device 10 first acquires measurement history data from the storage unit 16 (step S1). Here, the measurement history data includes, for example, the measurement date and time indicating the date and time when measurement of various indices during running began each time running was performed, the number of elapsed cycles indicating the number of cycles elapsed between the start (the timing at which it was determined in step S23 of the running condition determination process (see FIG. 9 ) that running had started) and the finish (the timing at which it was determined in step S33 of the running condition determination process (see FIG. 9 ) that a predetermined ending operation had been performed), index data indicating the values of the various indices measured for each cycle, and the upper and lower limit values used to determine whether the values of the various indices were within normal ranges, all of which are stored in association with each other. For example, as shown in the table of Figure 8, multiple measurement results (eight in the table of Figure 8) specified by measurement dates and times such as April 20, 2021, 10:08, April 23, 2021, 9:52, ..., May 2, 2021, 10:50 are stored as measurement history data. Note that the CPU 11 may acquire the above measurement history data from the terminal device 20 or a server (not shown) on the network via the communication unit 17.

Next, the CPU 11 identifies one of the measurement results from the measurement history data (for example, the measurement result with the measurement date and time of 10:08 on April 20, 2021; see Figure 8) (step S2).

Next, the CPU 11 clears the OK count, which counts the number of stable cycles (described below) (step S3).

Next, the CPU 11 obtains index data (e.g., pitch data) for each period from the measurement results identified in step S2 (step S4).

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether one of two conditions is met (step S5). The first of these two conditions is that the index data acquired in step S4 is for more than 300 cycles since the start of running, and the second is that the maximum cycle of the index data included in the measurement results identified in step S2 is less than 300 cycles. The purpose of the first condition is to speed up the stable timing identification process and reduce the processing load by stopping at 300 cycles. The purpose of the second condition is to ensure the reliability of the identified stable timing by rejecting data (measurement results) with a maximum cycle less than 300 cycles.

If it is determined in step S5 that one of two conditions is met (step S5; YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to the determination process in step S12.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S5 that neither of the two conditions is met (step S5; NO), the CPU 11 determines whether the value of the index data (index value) is within the normal range based on the information on the upper and lower limits stored in the measurement history data described above (step S6).

If it is determined in step S6 that the index data value (index value) is not within the normal range (step S6; NO), the CPU 11 stores the index data value as an abnormal index value in the memory unit 16 (step S9). For example, in the measurement results with the measurement date and time of April 20, 2021, 10:08 AM, as shown in FIG. 8, if it is determined that the index data values for cycles 1 to 3, 7, 14, 15, 29, and 42 are not within the normal range (exceed the upper limit of the normal range), the values of the index data are stored in the memory unit 16 as abnormal index values (index values above the upper limit). Furthermore, in the measurement results with the measurement date and time of April 20, 2021, 10:08 AM, if it is determined that the index data values for cycles 20 to 23, 36, and 37 are not within the normal range (below the lower limit of the normal range), the values of the index data are stored in the memory unit 16 as abnormal index values (index values below the lower limit). Note that a "-" in the table in Figure 8 indicates that the index data value for the corresponding cycle is within the normal range. An "O" indicates that the index data value for the corresponding cycle exceeds the upper limit of the normal range. A "U" indicates that the index data value for the corresponding cycle is below the lower limit of the normal range. An "S" indicates the number of stable cycles (described below).

Next, the CPU 11 clears the OK count (step S10), returns the process to step S4, and repeats the subsequent steps.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S6 that the value of the index data (index value) is within the normal range (step S6; YES), the CPU 11 increments the OK count by 1 (step S7).

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the OK count value is less than 25 (step S8).

If it is determined in step S8 that the OK count value is less than 25 (step S8; YES), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S4 and repeats the subsequent processes.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S8 that the OK count value is not less than 25, i.e., that the OK count value has reached 25 (step S8; NO), the CPU 11 stores the current number of periods as the stable number of periods in the memory unit 16 (step S11). For example, in the measurement results shown in FIG. 8 with the measurement date and time set to 10:08 AM on April 20, 2021, the 67 periods in which the OK count value was continuously incremented to reach 25 are identified as the stable number of periods and stored in the memory unit 16.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether all measurement results have been identified by repeatedly executing step S2 (step S12).

If it is determined in step S12 that not all measurement results have been identified from the measurement history data (step S12; NO), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S2 and repeats the subsequent processes.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S12 that all measurement results have been identified (step S12; YES), the CPU 11 derives the average of each stable period count stored in the memory unit 16 for all measurement results (step S13). For example, in the case of the measurement results shown in Figure 8, the stable period counts "67", "54", "73", "62", "45", "75", "78", and "48" are stored in the memory unit 16, so in step S13, the average of these stable period counts, "63", is derived.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the average number of stable periods derived in step S13 is 100 or less (step S14).

If it is determined in step S14 that the average number of stable periods is 100 or less (step S14; YES), the CPU 11 identifies the average number of stable periods as the stable timing and stores it in the memory unit 16 (step S15). The CPU 11 then terminates the stable timing identification process.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S14 that the average number of stable periods is not 100 periods or less (step S14; NO), CPU 11 does not identify the average number of stable periods as the stable timing and leaves the stable timing undetermined (step S16). Then, CPU 11 ends the stable timing identification process. It is empirically known that when running on flat ground, stable running is usually achieved within one minute of starting the run, i.e., within 100 periods. If stable running is not possible for one minute or more after starting the run, it is likely that the person is engaged in trail running, etc. Therefore, if it is determined that the average number of stable periods is not 100 periods or less, the average number of stable periods is not identified as the stable timing and leaves it undetermined.

Next, the running condition determination process executed by the exercise support device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the running condition determination process. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the normal range setting process executed in step S21 of the running condition determination process. The running condition determination process is started, for example, when a start/stop button (not shown) on the operation unit 12 is operated to instruct start.

As shown in Figure 9, when the running condition determination process is started, the CPU 11 of the exercise support device 10 first executes the normal range setting process (step S21).

As shown in FIG. 10, when the normal range setting process begins, the CPU 11 first determines whether the stable timing has been identified (step S211).

If it is determined in step S211 that the stable timing has been identified (step S211; YES), the CPU 11 sets the period during which the normal range is set to an expanded range larger than the predetermined range to the period from the start of running until the stable timing (step S212).

Next, the CPU 11 derives the average and maximum values of each index value (upper limit over index value) stored in the memory unit 16 as exceeding the upper limit of the normal range in the above-mentioned stable timing identification process (step S213).

Next, the CPU 11 sets the intermediate value between the average value and the maximum value calculated in step S213 as the upper limit of the expansion range (step S214).

Next, the CPU 11 derives the average and minimum values of each index value (indicator values below the lower limit) stored in the memory unit 16 as falling below the lower limit of the normal range in the above-mentioned stable timing identification process (step S215).

Next, the CPU 11 sets the intermediate value between the average value and the minimum value calculated in step S215 as the lower limit of the expansion range (step S216). The CPU 11 then returns the process to the driving condition determination process.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S211 that the stable timing has not been identified, i.e., that the stable timing is undetermined (step S211; NO), the CPU 11 sets the period during which the normal range is set to an expanded range larger than the predetermined range to the period up to 50 cycles after the start of running (step S217).

Next, the CPU 11 sets the expansion range to 1.5 times the predetermined range (step S218). Specifically, the CPU 11 sets the upper limit of the expansion range to a corrected upper limit value calculated by the following formula (1) and the lower limit of the expansion range to a corrected lower limit value calculated by the following formula (2), thereby setting the expansion range to 1.5 times the predetermined range. The CPU 11 then returns the process to the driving condition determination process.
Corrected upper limit value = (upper limit value - target value) / 2 + upper limit value (1)
Correction lower limit value = (lower limit value - target value) / 2 + lower limit value (2)

Returning to FIG. 9 , the CPU 11 then outputs measurement start information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S22). As a result, the terminal device 20, which has received the measurement start information, displays, under the control of the CPU 21, message information, for example, encouraging the user to start running, on the display unit 24.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the user has started running (step S23). Specifically, the CPU 11 compares at least one of the increase in the user's pitch, the increase in the user's stride, and the increase in the user's speed, which are derived based on sensing information (e.g., acceleration information, angular velocity information, etc.) acquired from the sensor unit 14, with a threshold, and determines whether running has started based on the comparison result (running started when the increase > threshold). More specifically, the CPU 11 determines that running has started if the increase is greater than the threshold, and determines that running has not started if the increase is equal to or less than the threshold. Note that the CPU 11 may also determine whether the user has started running based on the presence or absence of a predetermined operation on the operation unit 12 indicating the start of running.

If it is determined in step S23 that the user has not started running (step S23; NO), the CPU 11 repeats the determination process of step S23. Note that if it is determined that a predetermined end operation has been performed using the operation unit 12 while the determination process of step S23 is being repeated, the CPU 11 ends the running state determination process.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S23 that the user has started running (step S23; YES), the CPU 11 sequentially acquires sensing information (e.g., acceleration information, angular velocity information, etc.) from the sensor unit 14 (step S24).

Next, the CPU 11 sequentially derives index data for each running cycle based on the sensing information (step S25).

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the current cycle (running cycle) is within the set period for which the expansion range was set in the normal range setting process (step S21) described above (step S26).

If it is determined in step S26 that the current cycle is within the set period (step S26; YES), the CPU 11 skips step S27 and proceeds to the determination process in step S28.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S26 that the current cycle is not within the set period (step S26; NO), the CPU 11 returns the normal range to the predetermined range (step S27). Note that after the normal range is returned to the predetermined range in the processing of step S27, the normal range will remain within the predetermined range.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the current state (current driving state) is normal (step S28).

If it is determined in step S28 that the current state is normal (step S28; YES), the CPU 11 determines whether the value (index value) of the index data (e.g., pitch data) derived in step S25 is outside the normal range (step S29). Here, it is assumed that a normal range (upper limit and lower limit) corresponding to each index is set.

If it is determined in step S29 that the index value is not outside the normal range (step S29; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S33.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S29 that the index value is outside the normal range (step S29; YES), the CPU 11 determines whether the value (index value) of the index data (e.g., pitch data) derived in step S25 has fallen outside the normal range five consecutive times (step S30).

If it is determined in step S30 that the index value has not fallen outside the normal range five consecutive times (step S30; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S33.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S30 that the index value has fallen outside the normal range five times in a row (step S30; YES), the CPU 11 determines that the user's (subject's) operating state (running state) is abnormal and transitions the current state (current running state) from a normal state to an abnormal state (step S31).

Next, the CPU 11 outputs abnormal state information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S32). As a result, the terminal device 20, which has received the abnormal state information, notifies the terminal device 20 of a deviation from the target state (normal state) by, for example, activating the device's vibration function under the control of the CPU 21, and displays alert information indicating the deviation from the target state on the display unit 24. It is also possible to output a sound notifying the terminal device 20 of a deviation from the target state from the speaker unit 27 instead of or in addition to the sound. The notification of a deviation from the target state (normal state) may be made using at least one of the above-mentioned means: activating the device's vibration function, displaying alert information on the display unit 24, and outputting a sound.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether a predetermined termination operation has been performed using the operation unit 12 (step S33).

If it is determined in step S33 that the specified termination operation has not been performed using the operation unit 12 (step S33; NO), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S24 and repeats the subsequent processes.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S33 that a predetermined ending operation has been performed using the operation unit 12 (step S33; YES), the CPU 11 ends the running condition determination process. At this time, the CPU 11 stores in the memory unit 16 as measurement history data the measurement results (measurement date and time, number of cycles elapsed from the start to the finish, index data measured for each cycle, upper and lower limit values used when determining whether the values of various indexes are within normal ranges, etc.) from when it is determined in step S23 that running has started until when it is determined in step S33 that the predetermined ending operation has been performed.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S28 that the current state is not normal, i.e., that the current state is abnormal (step S28; NO), the CPU 11 determines whether the value (index value) of the index data (e.g., pitch data) derived in step S25 is within the normal range (step S34).

If it is determined in step S34 that the index value is not within the normal range (step S34; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S33.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S34 that the index value is within the normal range (step S34; YES), the CPU 11 determines whether the value (index value) of the index data (e.g., pitch data) derived in step S25 has been within the normal range five consecutive times (step S35).

If it is determined in step S35 that the index value has not been within the normal range for five consecutive times (step S35; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S33.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step S35 that the index value has fallen within the normal range five times in a row (step S35; YES), the CPU 11 determines that the user's (subject's) operating state (running state) is normal and transitions the current state (current running state) from an abnormal state to a normal state (step S36).

Next, the CPU 11 outputs normal state information to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S37), and proceeds to the determination process of step S33. Here, under the control of the CPU 21, the terminal device 20 that has received the normal state information notifies the user that the target state (normal state) has been restored by, for example, activating the device's vibration function, hiding the alert information that was displayed on the display unit 24, and outputting a beep from the speaker unit 27 to notify the user that the target state (normal state) has been restored. Note that instead of or in addition to the beep, audio may be output to notify the user that the target state has been restored. The notification that the target state (normal state) has been restored may be achieved by using at least one of the following means: activating the device's vibration function, hiding the alert information, and outputting a beep.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the exercise support device 10 acquires index data that represent indicators of the movement of a user (subject) who is running (a certain exercise), and determines whether the user's running state (movement state) is normal or abnormal based on whether or not certain conditions, including that the value of the acquired index data is within a normal range (steps S28 to S30, steps S34 to S35 of the running state determination process (see FIG. 9)), are satisfied; during a certain period while running, the normal range is set to an expanded range that is larger than a predetermined range (a certain range), and during periods other than the certain period while running, the normal range is set to the predetermined range.
Therefore, by setting the normal range to an expanded range during a certain period, the exercise support device 10 can reduce the occurrence of index data values falling outside the normal range. For example, by setting the certain period as a period during which the running pace is unstable, the occurrence of the user's running condition being determined to be abnormal during that period can be reduced, thereby preventing the user from having difficulty understanding their running condition. As a result, the exercise support device 10 can appropriately determine the running condition during running.

In addition, when the exercise support device 10 determines that the user's running condition (operating condition) is abnormal, it outputs abnormal condition information indicating that the user's running condition is abnormal to the speaker unit (output unit) 27 of the terminal device 20.
For this reason, the exercise support device 10 can, for example, designate the above-mentioned certain period as a period in which the running pace is unstable, thereby reducing the output of abnormal state information indicating that the user's running state is abnormal from the speaker unit 27 of the terminal device 20 during that period. This can prevent problems such as the pace being disrupted due to the output of the abnormal state information during a period in which the running pace is unstable.

Furthermore, the exercise support device 10 identifies the stable timing at which the user's movements become stable while running, based on measurement history data relating to past running, and sets the normal range as an expanded range, taking the period from when the user starts running to the identified stable timing as a certain period.
Therefore, the exercise support device 10 makes it difficult to determine that the running state is abnormal during the period until the stable timing when the user's movements become stable. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as the pace being disrupted due to the output of the abnormal state information immediately after the start of running until the stable timing.

In addition, the exercise support device 10 identifies the timing at which the last of the indicator data that has been determined to have a value within the normal range for a predetermined number of consecutive times (e.g., 25 times) while the user is running is acquired, based on the indicator data obtained from the measurement history data, thereby increasing the reliability of the stable timing.

Furthermore, if the user has run multiple times in the past, the exercise support device 10 identifies the stable timing as the average of the timings (number of stable cycles) at which the above-mentioned last index data was acquired during each run, thereby further increasing the reliability of the stable timing.

In addition, based on the index data obtained from the measurement history data, the exercise support device 10 derives the average value and maximum value of the index data values that exceed the upper limit value that defines a specified range (a certain range), and sets the intermediate value between the average value and the maximum value as the upper limit value of the expanded range, and derives the average value and minimum value of the index data values that fall below the lower limit value of the specified range, and sets the intermediate value between the average value and the minimum value as the lower limit value of the expanded range.
Therefore, according to the exercise support device 10, when setting the expansion range, the expansion range can be set taking into account the characteristics of the running movement of the user immediately after starting to run, so that the movement state of the user immediately after starting to run can be appropriately determined.

Furthermore, if the identified stable timing exceeds a predetermined specific target period (e.g., 100 cycles), the exercise support device 10 invalidates the stable timing, and if the stable timing is invalid, sets the expansion range to a range that is a predetermined number times (e.g., 1.5 times) a predetermined range (a certain range) for a predetermined expansion setting period (e.g., 50 cycles immediately after starting running).
Therefore, according to the exercise support device 10, if the identified stable timing exceeds a predetermined specific target period, i.e., if the reliability of the stable timing is low, the expanded range is set to a range that is a predetermined multiple of the predetermined range for a predetermined expanded set period, making it difficult to determine that the running condition while running is abnormal. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as the pace being disrupted due to the output of the abnormal condition information immediately after starting running and during the period up to the expanded set period.

In addition, the exercise support device 10 derives index data for each running cycle, where one cycle is the time from when one foot touches the ground until that foot touches the ground again. This allows the exercise support device 10 to derive index data in accordance with the running motion, making it possible to more accurately determine the running condition while running.

Although the above describes an embodiment of the present invention, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the exercise support device 10 determines that the running state during running has transitioned from a normal state to an abnormal state if it determines that index data whose values are outside the normal range have been derived five consecutive times in a normal state, and determines that the running state during running has transitioned from an abnormal state to a normal state if it determines that index data whose values are within the normal range have been derived five consecutive times in an abnormal state.However, the criteria for each determination are not limited to "derived five consecutive times."The determination criteria can also be "derived under a predetermined condition."For example, if it determines that index data whose values are outside the normal range have been derived in nine out of ten cycles, it can determine that the running state during running has transitioned from a normal state to an abnormal state, or if it determines that index data whose values are within the normal range have been derived in nine out of ten cycles, it can determine that the running state during running has transitioned from an abnormal state to a normal state.
Also, for example, if it is determined that index data whose value is outside the normal range for five seconds or more is derived, it may be determined that the running state while running has transitioned from a normal state to an abnormal state, and if it is determined that index data whose value is within the normal range for five seconds or more is derived, it may be determined that the running state while running has transitioned from an abnormal state to a normal state. This allows for more flexible determination of the running state while running.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the criteria for determining whether the running state while running has transitioned from a normal state to an abnormal state may be different from those for determining whether the running state has transitioned from an abnormal state to a normal state. For example, by setting the criteria for determining whether the running state while running has transitioned from a normal state to an abnormal state as "deriving index data whose values are outside the normal range in 9 out of 10 cycles," and the criteria for determining whether the running state while running has transitioned from an abnormal state to a normal state as "deriving index data whose values are within the normal range in 7 out of 10 cycles," it becomes possible to more flexibly determine the running state while running.

In addition, in the above embodiment, regardless of whether the user's current driving condition is normal or abnormal, if index data whose values are not within the normal range are derived at a predetermined frequency after derivation of index data whose values are not within the normal range, the user's driving condition may be determined to be abnormal; and if index data whose values are within the normal range are derived at a predetermined frequency after derivation of index data whose values are within the normal range, the user's operating condition may be determined to be normal.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the normal range used to determine the running condition while running and/or the predetermined conditions used to determine whether the running condition while running has transitioned from a normal state to an abnormal state, or whether the running condition while running has transitioned from an abnormal state to a normal state, may be set to a desired normal range and/or predetermined conditions based on user operation. This allows the normal range and/or predetermined conditions to be changed depending on the circumstances when running, making it possible to more accurately determine the running condition while running.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the terminal device 20 is used to notify the user of deviation from the target state (normal state) and return to the target state, but this is not limited to this. For example, the exercise support device 10 itself may be equipped with a vibration function, display, and speaker similar to those of the terminal device 20, and may activate the vibration function to notify the user of deviation from the target state (normal state), display alert information indicating deviation from the target state on the display, and output a beep from the speaker to notify the user of deviation from the target state. In addition, the exercise support device 10 itself may activate the vibration function to notify the user of return to the target state (normal state), hide the alert information displayed on the display, and output a beep from the speaker to notify the user of return to the target state (normal state).

In the above embodiment, the stable timing determination process (see Figure 7) determines the stable timing for all measurement results in the measurement history data. However, it may also be possible to determine the stable timing for each group classified by predetermined conditions (e.g., training method (pace running, jogging, interval training, etc.), running environment (up-and-down, track, etc.), season (spring, summer, fall, winter), physical condition (lack of sleep, fatigue, etc.)) for each measurement result belonging to that group. In such a case, for example, when starting to measure various indices while running, a user operation is performed to specify the group via the operation unit 12 of the exercise support device 10 or the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 20, and the measurement results are recorded with the specified group linked. Then, in the normal range correction process (see Figure 10), the normal range is corrected based on the stable timing for the group specified when starting the running condition determination process (see Figure 9), i.e., when starting to measure various indices while running. The groups to which measurement results are linked when they are recorded do not necessarily have to be designated by user operation; for example, they may be designated based on the average heart rate over a predetermined period of time while running (100 cycles immediately after starting lining up). In such cases, the grouping conditions are set in advance, such as group A if the average heart rate is 93-108, group B if the average heart rate is 109-131, and group C if the average heart rate is 132-150.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the certain period is the period from the start of a certain exercise to the specified stabilization timing, but a period set in response to a user operation performed via the operation unit 12 of the exercise support device 10 or the operation unit 22 of the terminal device 20 may also be used. In this case, the user can set the certain period to any period, such as the period during water intake while running.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the exercise support device 10 is configured to perform the stable timing identification process (see FIG. 7) and the running state determination process (see FIG. 9). However, for example, while the user is running, the exercise support device 10 sequentially acquires sensing information and derives index data for each running cycle based on the sensing information. The terminal device 20 may then sequentially acquire the above index data from the exercise support device 10 and perform the running state determination process. Alternatively, the terminal device 20 may store the above-mentioned measurement history data and perform the stable timing identification process instead of the exercise support device 10. In such a case, the terminal device 20 may acquire the measurement history data from a server (not shown) on the network via the communication unit 26.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the stable timing is determined based on the running cycle, but the stable timing may also be determined based on, for example, running time or running distance.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when the measurement results during running are stored as measurement history data, running condition information indicating the running condition (normal condition or abnormal condition) for each running cycle may be further associated and stored as shown in FIG. 5. This makes it possible to understand the running condition during running from the above measurement history data even after the run has ended.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the exercise is running, but it could also be, for example, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, skating, cycling, etc., and of course, any well-known data can be used as index data in such cases.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.
The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are as follows. The claim numbers described in the appendix are the same as those of the claims originally attached to this application.

[Note]
<Claim 1>
an acquiring step of acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
a determining step of determining whether the motion state of the subject is normal or abnormal based on whether or not a certain condition including that the value of the index data acquired by the acquiring step is within a normal range is satisfied;
a setting step of setting the normal range to an expanded range larger than the certain range during a certain period while the certain exercise is being performed, and setting the normal range to the certain range during periods other than the certain period while the certain exercise is being performed;
An exercise support method comprising:
<Claim 2>
2. The exercise support method according to claim 1, further comprising an output step of causing an output unit to output abnormal state information indicating that the motion state of the person being measured is abnormal when the motion state of the person being measured is determined to be the abnormal state.
<Claim 3>
a step of identifying a stable timing at which the subject's movement becomes stable while the subject is performing the certain exercise, based on history data relating to the certain exercise performed in the past;
a determining step of determining whether the certain exercise has started,
3. The exercise support method according to claim 1, wherein in the setting step, the period from when it is determined in the determination step that the certain exercise has started to when the stable timing identified in the identification step is set as the certain period, and the normal range is set as the expanded range.
<Claim 4>
In the acquiring step, the index data is successively acquired while the subject is performing the certain exercise,
4. The exercise support method according to claim 3, wherein the specifying step specifies, based on the index data obtained from the history data, a timing at which the last of the plurality of index data whose values are determined to be within the normal range a predetermined number of consecutive times while the subject is performing the certain exercise, is acquired as the stable timing.
<Claim 5>
The exercise support method according to claim 4, characterized in that in the identification step, if the subject has performed the certain exercise multiple times in the past, the average of the timings at which the last index data was obtained each time the certain exercise was performed is identified as the stable timing.
<Claim 6>
6. The exercise support method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the setting step, an average value and a maximum value of the index data values that exceed an upper limit value that defines the certain range are derived based on the index data obtained from the history data, and an intermediate value between the average value and the maximum value is set as the upper limit value of the expanded range, and an average value and a minimum value of the index data values that fall below a lower limit value of the certain range are derived, and an intermediate value between the average value and the minimum value is set as the lower limit value of the expanded range.
<Claim 7>
In the setting step,
If the stable timing identified by the identifying step exceeds a predetermined specific target period, the stable timing is invalidated;
If the stabilization timing specified in the specifying step is invalid, the expansion range is set to a range that is a predetermined multiple of the certain range for a preset expansion setting period.
7. The exercise support method according to claim 4, wherein:
<Claim 8>
The exercise support method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein in the specifying step, the stable timing is specified based on a cycle when a series of movements is repeated in the certain exercise.
<Claim 9>
9. The exercise support method according to claim 1, further comprising a period setting step of setting the certain period based on a user operation.
<Claim 10>
10. The exercise support method according to claim 1, wherein the certain exercise is running performed by the subject who is a human.
<Claim 11>
11. The exercise support method according to claim 10, wherein in the acquiring step, the index data is acquired for each running cycle, with one cycle being the time from when one foot touches the ground until the same foot touches the ground again.
<Claim 12>
12. The exercise support method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step determines that the motion state of the person being measured is abnormal if a condition is satisfied that, after the acquisition of index data whose value is not within the normal range, index data that is not within the normal range is acquired at a predetermined frequency.
<Claim 13>
13. The exercise support method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step determines that the motion state of the person being measured is normal if a condition is satisfied that, after the acquisition of index data whose value falls within the normal range, index data whose value falls within the normal range is acquired at a predetermined frequency.
<Claim 14>
acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
determining whether the motion state of the subject is normal or abnormal based on whether the acquired value of the index data satisfies certain conditions, including whether the value is within a normal range;
During a certain period while the certain exercise is being performed, the normal range is set to an expanded range larger than the certain range, and during periods other than the certain period while the certain exercise is being performed, the normal range is set to the certain range.
An exercise support device comprising a processing unit.
<Claim 15>
Computer,
a derivation means for deriving index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
a determination means for determining whether the motion state of the subject is normal or abnormal based on whether or not a certain condition including that the value of the index data derived by the derivation means is within a normal range is satisfied;
a setting means for setting the normal range to an expanded range larger than the certain range during a certain period when the certain exercise is being performed, and for setting the normal range to the certain range outside the certain period when the certain exercise is being performed;
An exercise support program characterized by functioning as a
<Claim 16>
An exercise support system including an exercise support device worn by a subject performing a certain exercise, and a terminal device carried by the subject while performing the certain exercise,
The exercise support device includes:
a first processing unit having a function of acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of the subject performing the certain exercise;
The terminal device
a second processing unit having a function of causing an output unit to output abnormal state information indicating that the motion state of the person being measured is abnormal;
The first processing unit or the second processing unit
determining whether the motion state of the person being measured is normal or abnormal based on whether or not a certain condition including that the value of the index data acquired by the first processing unit is within a normal range is satisfied;
During a certain period of time while the certain exercise is being performed, the normal range is set to an expanded range larger than the certain range, and during periods other than the certain period of time while the certain exercise is being performed, the normal range is set to the certain range;
the second processing unit outputs the abnormal state information to an output unit when the first processing unit or the second processing unit determines that the motion state of the person being measured is the abnormal state.
An exercise support system characterized by:

1 Exercise support system 10 Exercise support device 11 CPU
12 Operation unit 13 RAM
14 Sensor unit 15 Display unit 16 Storage unit 17 Communication unit 20 Terminal device 21 CPU
22 Operation unit 23 RAM
24 Display unit 25 Storage unit 26 Communication unit 27 Speaker unit

Claims (12)

a first acquisition step of acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
a determining step of determining whether the value of the index data acquired in the first acquiring step is within a normal range;
a second acquisition step of acquiring, as a stable period number, a period of the certain exercise for which the index data included in history data relating to the certain exercise performed in the past is determined to be within the normal range in the determination step, if the period satisfies a first condition;
a step of identifying a timing derived based on the number of stable periods as a stable timing at which the motion of the subject is stable when the number of stable periods satisfies a second condition different from the first condition;
a setting step of switching and setting the normal range set by a first upper limit value and a first lower limit value included in the history data to a first expanded range set by a second upper limit value different from the first upper limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined to be outside the normal range in the determining step, and a second lower limit value different from the first lower limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined to be outside the normal range in the determining step, during a certain period from the start of the certain exercise to the stabilization timing;
An exercise support method comprising: the determining step determines whether or not the value of the index data is within the first enlargement range set in the setting step;
The exercise support method according to claim 1 . the first condition is whether the index data is determined to be within the normal range a predetermined number of times in succession;
3. The exercise support method according to claim 1 or 2. the second condition is whether the value of the stable period number is equal to or less than a predetermined period number;
The exercise support method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the specifying step specifies, as the stable timing, an average of a plurality of stable cycle numbers in history data obtained when the subject performs the certain exercise a plurality of times;
The exercise support method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The setting step includes:
based on the index data included in the history data, deriving an average value and a maximum value of the index data values that exceed the first upper limit value of the normal range, and setting an intermediate value between the average value and the maximum value as the second upper limit value of the first expanded range;
deriving an average value and a minimum value of the index data values that are below the first lower limit value of the normal range, and setting an intermediate value between the average value and the minimum value as the second lower limit value of the first expanded range;
6. The exercise support method according to claim 1, wherein : the specifying step specifies the stable timing as undetermined when the number of stable periods does not satisfy the second condition;
the setting step, when the stabilization timing is undetermined, switches and sets the normal range to a second expanded range different from the first expanded range set by a third upper limit value that is a predetermined number times larger than the first upper limit value in the normal range and a third lower limit value that is a predetermined number times larger than the first lower limit value in the normal range;
The exercise support method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the setting step, when the cycle of the certain exercise is not within the certain period, switches and sets a range for determining the value of the index data to the normal range set by the first upper limit value and the first lower limit value;
The exercise support method according to any one of claims 3 to 7. 9. The exercise support method according to claim 1, wherein the certain exercise is running performed by the subject. The cycle is a period from when one foot touches the ground during running until the one foot touches the ground again.
The exercise support method according to claim 9 . acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
determining whether the acquired index data value is within a normal range;
If a period of the certain exercise, for which the index data included in history data relating to the certain exercise performed in the past is determined to be within the normal range, satisfies a first condition, the period is acquired as a stable period number;
identifying a timing derived based on the number of stable periods when the number of stable periods satisfies a second condition different from the first condition as a stable timing when the motion of the subject is stable;
During a certain period from the start of the certain exercise to the stabilization timing, the normal range set by the first upper limit value and the first lower limit value included in the history data is switched to a first expanded range set by a second upper limit value different from the first upper limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined to be outside the normal range, and a second lower limit value different from the first lower limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined to be outside the normal range.
An exercise support device comprising a processing unit. Computer,
a first acquisition means for acquiring index data representing an index of a movement of a subject performing a certain exercise;
a determination means for determining whether the value of the index data acquired by the first acquisition means is within a normal range;
a second acquisition means for acquiring a period of the certain exercise, for which the determination means has determined that the index data included in the history data relating to the certain exercise performed in the past is within the normal range, as a stable period number when the period satisfies a first condition;
an identification means for identifying a timing derived based on the number of stable periods as a stable timing at which the motion of the subject is stable when the number of stable periods satisfies a second condition different from the first condition;
a setting means for switching and setting the normal range, which is set by a first upper limit value and a first lower limit value included in the history data, to a first expanded range, which is set by a second upper limit value different from the first upper limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined by the determination means to be outside the normal range, and a second lower limit value different from the first lower limit value derived based on the value of the index data determined by the determination means to be outside the normal range, during a certain period from the start of the certain exercise to the stabilization timing;
An exercise support program characterized by functioning as a