Exercise support system and exercise support program

Abstract

To maintain a user's motivation for his or her foot exercise with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An exercise support system 100 for supporting improvement in a physical function by exercise of a pedaling action of a pedal 63 by a user U includes: an acceleration sensor 2 provided at a position where a circular motion is made according to the pedaling action of the pedal 63 for detecting an acceleration; exercise amount calculation means 12 for calculating a rotation speed of a rotation shaft that rotates by the pedaling action of the pedal 63 as an exercise amount on the basis of an output value of the acceleration sensor 2; and display control means 15 for controlling an image displayed on an operation panel 3 according to the exercise amount calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise support system and an exercise support program that have a simple configuration and that can maintain a user's motivation for leg exercise. [Background technology]

[0002] Cardiac rehabilitation has been attracting attention in recent years. The Japanese Society of Cardiac Rehabilitation defines cardiac rehabilitation as "a long-term, multifaceted, comprehensive program implemented by a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with each patient, including 'medical evaluation, exercise therapy based on exercise prescription, coronary risk factor correction, patient education and counseling, and optimal drug therapy,' with the aim of improving the physical, psychological, social, and occupational status of patients with cardiovascular disease, slowing or mitigating the progression of underlying arteriosclerosis and heart failure, reducing recurrence, rehospitalization, and death, and enabling a comfortable and active lifestyle." The goal is for patients to regain an appropriate place in social life and lead an active life.

[0003] In order for heart disease patients and those who have undergone cardiac surgery to improve cardiac function and maintain a healthy lifestyle, they undergo cardiac rehabilitation, for example, under the guidance of a doctor or specialist, to implement a program (hereinafter referred to as a "recovery promotion program") that promotes physical and psychological recovery through exercise, nutrition, stress management, etc. This program includes exercise therapy, learning activities, lifestyle guidance, and consultation.

[0004] As part of the recovery promotion program, ergometers, treadmills, steppers, and other devices are used as a means of "exercise therapy," with ergometers being the most commonly used. An ergometer is a type of exercise equipment with a bicycle-like structure that allows a person to ride and pedal or push with their feet, measuring the intensity and load of exercise.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a rotation speed detection device that includes a rotation speed calculation unit that calculates the number of rotations of a pedal in a riding device having pedals that rotate when the user pedals, based on sensor information from an acceleration sensor, and a display control unit that displays the number of rotations calculated by the rotation speed calculation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-200508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Currently, there are several issues with the "exercise therapy" part of the recovery promotion program, but one of the most important issues is maintaining the motivation of the patient (hereafter referred to as "user"). The user exercises using an ergometer while applying an appropriate load set by a doctor or physical therapist according to their own condition, but the monotonous nature of the exercise required to operate the ergometer makes it difficult to maintain motivation.

[0008] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 calculates the number of rotations of the pedals on the riding device based on sensor information from an acceleration sensor and displays the calculated number of rotations, but it goes beyond simply displaying the number of rotations. Even if this technology were applied to an ergometer, it would be difficult to maintain the user's motivation to exercise their legs.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an exercise support system and an exercise support program that have a simple configuration and that can maintain a user's motivation for leg exercise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of the exercise support system according to the present invention is to An exercise support system that supports improvement of a user's physical function through leg exercise, an acceleration sensor provided at a position where the exercise is performed; an exercise amount calculation means for calculating an exercise amount of the foot within a predetermined time based on an output value of the acceleration sensor; a display control means for controlling an image to be displayed on a display panel in accordance with the exercise amount calculated by the exercise amount calculation means; The reason is that it is equipped with the following.

[0011] A second feature of the exercise support system according to the present invention is that the exercise is a pedaling motion by a user; the acceleration sensor is provided at a position where it makes a circular motion in response to the pedaling action, The momentum calculation means calculates, as the momentum, a rotation speed of a rotation shaft that rotates due to pedaling of the pedals, based on the output value of the acceleration sensor. The reason is that.

[0012] A third feature of the exercise support system according to the present invention is that The display control means At least one of the display area of ​​the game image displayed on the display panel, the brightness of the game image, the game progress speed in the game image, the available game time, and the game points is controlled according to the amount of exercise calculated by the exercise amount calculation means. The reason is that.

[0013] A fourth feature of the exercise support system according to the present invention is that a storage means for storing the amount of exercise and the date and time of the exercise as exercise history information in association with each other; an improvement calculation means for calculating an exercise state when a game image is displayed on the display panel and when a game image is not displayed on the display panel based on the exercise history information, and for calculating an improvement degree based on the calculated exercise state; The key point is that it further features:

[0014] A fifth feature of the exercise support system according to the present invention is that The improvement calculation means As the motion state of the rowing motion, at least one of the average value, standard deviation, and speed distribution of the rotation speed of the rotation shaft is calculated. The feature is that

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of the exercise support program according to the present invention is to An exercise support program applied to an exercise support system that supports improvement of a user's physical function through leg exercise, an acceleration acquisition step of acquiring acceleration from an acceleration sensor provided at a position where the exercise is performed; an exercise amount calculation step of calculating the foot exercise amount within a predetermined time based on the acceleration acquired in the acceleration acquisition step; a display control step of controlling an image to be displayed on a display panel in accordance with the exercise amount calculated in the exercise amount calculation step; The object of the present invention is to have the exercise support system execute the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the exercise support system and the exercise support program of the present invention, it is possible to maintain the motivation of the user for leg exercise with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of an exercise support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing output values ​​(acceleration information) of an acceleration sensor included in the exercise support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a time series. [Figure 3]1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a game screen displayed on an operation panel included in an exercise support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows an example of the game screen displayed on the operation panel, and (b) shows an example of a cadence meter displayed on a part of the game screen shown in (a). [Figure 4] 1 shows an example of a launcher screen displayed on an operation panel included in the exercise support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 shows an example of a setting screen displayed superimposed on a launcher screen on an operation panel included in the exercise support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows an example of a difficulty level selection screen displayed superimposed on a launcher screen on an operation panel included in the exercise support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1(a) to 1(d) are diagrams showing example screens illustrating image control by a display control means included in the exercise support system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing output values ​​(acceleration information) of an acceleration sensor included in an exercise support system according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a time series. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing output values ​​(acceleration information) of an acceleration sensor included in an exercise support system according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a time series. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0019] Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of devices that embody the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention does not limit the arrangement of each component to that shown below. Various modifications can be made to the technical concept of the present invention within the scope of the claims.

[0020] First Embodiment An exercise support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of an exercise support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the exercise support system 100 includes an exercise support device 1, an acceleration sensor 2, an operation panel 3, and an ergometer 6, and the exercise support device 1 and the acceleration sensor 2, and the exercise support device 1 and the operation panel 3 are electrically connected to each other using wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0022] The ergometer 6 is a stationary bicycle-type exercise support device in which a user U sits on a saddle 61, grips handlebars 62, and pedals 63, and the device monitors and diagnoses the physical condition of the user U as a result of this exercise (pedaling).

[0023] The operation panel 3 is disposed between the two handles 62 of the ergometer 6 so that it is easily visible to the user U performing the rowing motion. Here, the operation panel 3 is fixed to the ergometer 6, but this is not limiting and the operation panel 3 may be detachable.

[0024] The acceleration sensor 2 is attached to a band 21. By wrapping the band 21 around the ankle of the user U, the acceleration sensor 2 can be fixed to the ankle of the user U. As a result, when the user U pedals the pedals 63 while gripping the handlebars 62, the acceleration sensor 2 moves in a substantially circular motion in response to the pedaling of the pedals 63. The acceleration sensor 2 then associates the acceleration along each of the X, Y and Z axes with the date and time at which the acceleration was detected, and outputs the result as acceleration information.

[0025] Here, the acceleration sensor 2 is fixed near the ankle of the user U, but this is not limiting, and the acceleration sensor 2 may be fixed to the pedal 63 itself, or the acceleration sensor 2 may be fixed to a crank portion having one end to which the pedal 63 is attached and the other end to a rotation shaft that rotates when the pedal 63 is pressed down. In other words, it is sufficient that the acceleration sensor 2 is provided in a position that performs a substantially circular motion in response to the pedaling of the pedal 63.

[0026] The exercise support device 1 is a device that supports the improvement of a user's physical function through leg exercise, and its functions include a receiving means 11, an exercise amount calculation means 12, a memory means 13, a setting means 14, a display control means 15, an improvement degree calculation means 16, and a panel interface 17. The receiving means 11 receives the acceleration information output from the acceleration sensor 2 and supplies it to the exercise amount calculating means 12 . The momentum calculation means 12 calculates the rotation speed of the rotation shaft that rotates due to the pedaling action of the pedals 63 as the momentum, based on the output value (acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a time series diagram showing output values ​​(acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2 provided in the exercise support system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the output value (acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2 includes an acceleration DX01 in the X-axis direction, an acceleration DY01 in the Y-axis direction, and an acceleration DZ01 in the Z-axis direction. The accelerations DX01, DY01, and DZ01 all take on positive and negative acceleration values ​​during the motion cycle of the user U's rowing motion.

[0028] Therefore, for example, when the value of the acceleration DX01 transitions from a negative value to a positive value, the momentum calculation means 12 estimates that the pedal 63 has made one rotation due to the pedaling action of the user U. The momentum calculation means 12 calculates the rotation speed, which is the number of rotations of the pedal 63 in the most recent minute, as the momentum.

[0029] As a result, the momentum calculation means 12 can calculate, as the momentum, the rotation speed of the rotation shaft that rotates due to the pedaling action of the pedal 63, based on the acceleration DX01.

[0030] Here, the exercise amount calculation means 12 calculates the exercise amount based on the acceleration DX01, but is not limited to this, and may calculate the exercise amount based on the acceleration DY01 or the acceleration DZ01.

[0031] The storage means 13 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory, and stores, for each user, acceleration information, the amount of momentum (rotational speed) calculated by the momentum calculation means 12, the date and time when the acceleration was detected, and exercise history information that associates whether or not a game image described below is displayed, as well as setting information described below. The setting means 14 performs various settings based on operation information input from the operation panel 3.

[0032] The display control means 15 causes the operation panel 3 to display, via the panel interface 17, various screens such as a setting screen for setting by the setting means 14 and game images.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows an example of a game image displayed on the operation panel 3. Fig. 3(a) shows an example of a game image displayed on the operation panel 3, and Fig. 3(b) shows an example of a cadence meter displayed in a part of the game image shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3(a), a game image G101 is displayed on the operation panel 3, and the user U can enjoy the game while pedaling the pedals 63 by, for example, directly touching the game image G101 or by giving game operation instructions by voice input from a microphone (not shown). A cadence meter shown in FIG. 3(b) is displayed on the left edge of the game image G101. The cadence meter G102 is displayed so as to reflect the rotation speed calculated by the momentum calculation means 12.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the cadence meter G102 has a target cadence line L101 that indicates the target cadence (rotation speed), an upper limit allowable cadence line L102 that indicates the upper limit allowable when there is a difference between the target cadence and the actual cadence, and a lower limit allowable cadence line L103 that indicates the lower limit allowable when there is a difference between the target cadence and the actual cadence.

[0036] The current cadence gauge R101 is a gauge that fluctuates according to the current cadence, i.e., the rotation speed calculated by the momentum calculation means 12. In the example shown here, the current cadence gauge R101 is below the target cadence line L101 but above the allowable cadence lower limit line L103, so it can be seen that the pedaling action of the user U is within the allowable range.

[0037] Here, the current cadence gauge R101 is displayed so as to vary in accordance with the rotation speed calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12, but this is not limited thereto. The display control means 15 may calculate a moving average of the rotation speeds of the most recent multiple times (for example, 10 times) based on the exercise history information stored in the storage means 13, and display the current cadence gauge R101 so as to vary in accordance with the moving average of the calculated rotation speed.

[0038] In this case, if the rotation speed for the most recent multiple times (for example, 10 times) exceeds a predetermined range that has been set in advance, the rotation speed is deemed to be a deviation, and the deviating rotation speed may be deleted before calculating the moving average of the rotation speed.

[0039] Next, the setting operation by the setting means 14 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the launcher screen displayed on the operation panel 3. 4, a launcher screen G102 displaying a comprehensive menu is displayed on the operation panel 3. This launcher screen G102 is displayed without the user U performing a rowing motion.

[0040] The launcher screen G102 has a title list display area A101 that displays a list of game titles, a game description area A102 that displays a description of the selected game, score rankings, etc. when a game displayed in the title list display area A101 is selected, a setting button display area A103 for displaying a setting screen, and a game start button display area A104 for launching the selected game. When the user U presses the setting button display area A103, a setting screen is displayed superimposed on the launcher screen G102.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows an example of a setting screen G103 displayed on the operation panel 3 so as to be superimposed on the launcher screen G102. The setting screen G103 is a screen for making various settings of the exercise support system 100, and has a setting item display area A201 that displays setting items, a rotation detection confirmation screen A202 for checking whether the rotation speed has been calculated appropriately, a close button display area A203 for closing the setting screen G103, and an initial setting button display area A204 for resetting various settings of the exercise support system 100 to their initial settings.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the setting item display area A201 has a background music volume item for adjusting the volume of background music, a sound effect volume item for adjusting the volume of game sound effects, a target cadence item for setting the target cadence (rotation speed), an allowable cadence upper limit value item for setting the allowable cadence upper limit value, an allowable cadence lower limit value item for setting the allowable cadence lower limit value, and a rotation detection sensitivity setting item for setting the detection sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 2.

[0043] If the detection sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 2 is too low, it becomes difficult to detect, reducing false detections but increasing missed detections. If the detection sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 2 is too high, it becomes easy to detect, reducing missed detections but increasing false detections.

[0044] Therefore, the user U can set the rotation detection sensitivity setting item while checking whether the rotation speed has been calculated appropriately on the rotation detection confirmation screen A202.

[0045] Furthermore, when the user U presses the game start button display area A104 on the launcher screen G102, a difficulty level selection screen is displayed superimposed on the launcher screen G102 before the game starts.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows an example of a difficulty level selection screen G104 displayed on the operation panel 3, superimposed on the launcher screen G102. As shown in Figure 6, the difficulty level selection screen G104 displays three selectable difficulty levels: "Beginner," "Intermediate," and "Advanced." The user U can set the difficulty level of the selected game by pressing one of the three levels.

[0047] Furthermore, the display control means 15 not only displays various screens but also controls the images displayed on the operation panel 3 in accordance with the rotation speed, which is the amount of exercise calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12.

[0048] When the user U selects any game from the launcher screen G102, the display control means 15 causes the screen to transition to a game image, and also displays a message "Please pedal" on the game image.

[0049] Then, while the user U is rowing at a predetermined speed, that is, when the current cadence gauge R101 is at a value between the upper limit line L102 of the allowable cadence and the lower limit line L103 of the allowable cadence, the display control means 15 displays the game screen G101 as shown in Figure 3(a).

[0050] However, if the rowing action deviates from the specified speed, i.e., if the current cadence gauge R101 exceeds the upper limit line L102 of the allowable cadence or falls below the lower limit line L103 of the allowable cadence, the display control means 15 controls the game image to become darker.

[0051] 7(a) to 7(d) are diagrams showing examples of screens for explaining image control by the display control means 15. FIG. When the current cadence gauge R101 exceeds the upper limit line L102 of the allowable cadence or falls below the lower limit line L103 of the allowable cadence, the display control means 15 displays the central part of the game screen at normal brightness and the periphery of the game screen in a darker state, as shown in FIG. 7(a), for example.

[0052] 7(a) to 7(d), the display control means 15 displays the current cadence gauge R101 so that the further it is from the target cadence line L101, the darker it becomes from the periphery to the center of the game screen. Here, the game screen shown in Fig. 7(b) is farther from the target cadence line L101 than the game screen shown in Fig. 7(a), the game screen shown in Fig. 7(c) is farther from the target cadence line L101 than the game screen shown in Fig. 7(b), and the game screen shown in Fig. 7(c) is farther from the target cadence line L101 than the game screen shown in Fig. 7(d).

[0053] In other words, the display control means 15 displays the game screen so that the further the current cadence gauge R101 is from the target cadence line L101, the darker it becomes from the periphery toward the center. Therefore, as the user U performs appropriate pedaling movements, the closer the current cadence gauge R101 is to the target cadence line L101, the brighter the display control means 15 controls the game screen.

[0054] In this way, the display control means 15 controls the brightness of the game image displayed on the operation panel 3 in accordance with the momentum (rotation speed) calculated by the momentum calculation means 12. Furthermore, as described above, a cadence meter is displayed on the left edge of the game screen.

[0055] This allows the user U to visually determine whether or not he or she is rowing at an appropriate speed, thereby maintaining the user's motivation to exercise his or her legs.

[0056] Furthermore, since the acceleration sensor 2 is fixed near the ankle of the user U by the band 21, it does not need to be installed inside the ergometer 6, and the exercise amount calculation means 12 can calculate the exercise amount with a simple configuration.

[0057] Here, the display control means 15 controls the brightness of the game image displayed on the operation panel 3 in accordance with the momentum (rotation speed) calculated by the momentum calculation means 12, but this is not limiting. At least one of the display area of ​​the game image displayed on the operation panel 3, the brightness of the display area of ​​the game image, the game progress speed in the game image, the available game time, and the game points may be controlled in accordance with the momentum calculated by the momentum calculation means 12.

[0058] When controlling the display area of ​​the game image, the display control means 15 may control the display area of ​​the game image to be wider, for example, as the current cadence gauge R101 approaches the target cadence line L101, depending on the amount of exercise calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12.

[0059] When controlling the game progress speed in the game image, the display control means 15 may control the speed of the character's movements in the game to slow down depending on the momentum calculated by the momentum calculation means 12, for example, as the current cadence gauge R101 moves further away from the target cadence line L101.

[0060] When controlling the available game time, the display control means 15 may perform control so that the available time for displaying the game screen becomes shorter, for example, as the current cadence gauge R101 deviates from the target cadence line L101, depending on the amount of exercise calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12. Specifically, the available time for the game being played or the available time for playing the game next time may be shortened as the current cadence gauge R101 deviates from the target cadence line L101.

[0061] When controlling game points, the display control means 15 may be configured to deduct game points for the target game according to the amount of exercise calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12, for example, as the current cadence gauge R101 deviates from the target cadence line L101, and to award game points when the current cadence gauge R101 is at a value between the upper limit line L102 of the allowable cadence and the lower limit line L103 of the allowable cadence.

[0062] The improvement degree calculation means 16 calculates the exercise state when a game image is displayed on the operation panel 3 and when a game image is not displayed, based on the exercise history information stored in the storage means 13, and calculates an improvement degree based on the calculated exercise state. The calculated improvement degree is stored in the storage means 13 and supplied to the display control means 15. The display control means 15 may display the improvement degree calculated by the improvement degree calculation means 16, or may transmit it to another device (not shown) via the panel interface 17.

[0063] Specifically, the improvement degree calculation means 16 calculates at least one of the average number of rotations, standard deviation, and rotation speed distribution when the game image is displayed and when the game image is not displayed as the movement state, and calculates the improvement degree as the degree of improvement in the movement state when the game image is displayed compared to the movement state when the game image is displayed.

[0064] When comparing the average rotation speeds, the improvement calculation means 16 calculates the average rotation speed for a predetermined period when game images are displayed on the operation panel 3, based on the exercise history information stored in the storage means 13, and calculates the difference between the calculated average and the target cadence line L101 as the first average distance. The improvement calculation means 16 also calculates the average rotation speed for a predetermined period when game images are not displayed on the operation panel 3, and calculates the difference between the calculated average and the target cadence line L101 as the second average distance. The improvement calculation means 16 then calculates the ratio of the first average distance to the second average distance as the degree of improvement. In this case, an improvement is observed when the value is less than "1."

[0065] When comparing standard deviations, the improvement calculation means 16 calculates, based on the exercise history information stored in the storage means 13, the standard deviation for a predetermined period when a game image is displayed on the operation panel 3, as the first standard deviation. The improvement calculation means 16 also calculates, as the second standard deviation, the standard deviation of the number of rotations for a predetermined period when no game image is displayed on the operation panel 3. Then, the improvement calculation means 16 calculates the ratio of the first average distance to the second average distance as the degree of improvement. In this case, if the value is smaller than "1", the variation is small and improvement is observed.

[0066] When comparing rotation speed distributions, improvement degree calculation means 16 creates a first histogram, which is a histogram of rotation speeds when a game image is displayed on operation panel 3, based on the exercise history information stored in storage means 13. Improvement degree calculation means 16 also creates a second histogram, which is a histogram of the number of rotations for a predetermined period when no game image is displayed on operation panel 3. Then, improvement degree calculation means 16 calculates the degree of concentration of the distribution of the first histogram around a constant speed compared to the distribution of the second histogram as the degree of improvement, and determines that there has been an improvement if the distribution of the first histogram is more concentrated around a constant speed than the distribution of the second histogram.

[0067] <Second embodiment> An exercise support system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the first embodiment of the present invention, an ergometer 6 is provided, and the user U straddles the ergometer 6 and performs a rowing motion, and the amount of exercise is calculated based on this rowing motion.

[0068] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a treadmill is provided, and an exercise amount is calculated based on a user U's walking motion on the treadmill. Here, the treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking indoors, and the device is a device that monitors and diagnoses the physical condition of the user U as they walk on a movable belt provided on the treadmill.

[0069] The components of exercise support system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of exercise support system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for ergometer 6, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] In the second embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the first embodiment of the present invention, the band 21 is wrapped around the ankle of the user U, thereby fixing the acceleration sensor 2 to the ankle of the user U. As a result, when the user U walks on the treadmill, the acceleration sensor 2 performs a substantially semicircular motion in response to this walking motion.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a time series diagram showing output values ​​(acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2 provided in the exercise support system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the output value (acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2 includes an acceleration DX01 in the X-axis direction, an acceleration DY01 in the Y-axis direction, and an acceleration DZ01 in the Z-axis direction. The accelerations DX01, DY01, and DZ01 all take on positive and negative acceleration values ​​during the motion cycle of the user U's walking motion.

[0072] Therefore, when the value of the acceleration DY01 changes from a positive value to a negative value, the exercise amount calculation means 12 estimates that the user U's feet have landed on the treadmill belt due to the user U's walking motion. The exercise amount calculation means 12 calculates the walking speed for the most recent minute as the exercise amount.

[0073] In the example shown in Figure 8, the value of acceleration DY01 changes from a positive value to a negative value at time t11 and time t12, so the momentum calculation means 12 estimates that user U's feet landed on the treadmill belt at time t11 and time t12. As a result, the exercise amount calculation means 12 can calculate the walking speed, which is the number of steps taken in a predetermined time by walking, as the exercise amount based on the acceleration DY01.

[0074] Then, the display control means 15 controls at least one of the display area of ​​the game image displayed on the operation panel 3, the brightness of the display area of ​​the game image, the game progress speed in the game image, the available game time, and the game points, depending on the amount of exercise (walking speed) calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12.

[0075] In this way, according to the exercise support system 100 of the second embodiment of the present invention, even when the ergometer 6 is equipped with a spare treadmill, the user U can visually determine whether he or she is walking at an appropriate speed, thereby maintaining the user's motivation for walking exercise.

[0076] As described above, the cadence meter G102 includes the target cadence line L101, the upper limit line L102 of the allowable cadence, and the lower limit line L103 of the allowable cadence, but each of these values ​​may be changeable for each user.

[0077] For example, the relationship between the Borg scale, walking speed (steps / min), walking time, and load for each user is stored in advance as a setting table in the storage means 13. Here, the Borg scale is also known as subjective exercise intensity, and is an index that expresses the degree of fatigue or "hardness" felt by the person exercising with a numerical value between 6 and 20.

[0078] For example, when the user U or a doctor or the like sets the Borg scale to (11 to 13) along with the user U's identification ID via the operation panel 3, the setting means 14 may refer to the setting table stored in the storage means 13 and set the walking speed corresponding to the Borg scale of (11 to 13) as the target cadence line L101.

[0079] The relationship between the Borg scale and the target cadence line L101 may change dynamically due to changes in the cardiac function, mental state, and physical function including exercise endurance of the user U. Therefore, the storage means 13 may acquire information on changes in cardiac function, mental state, and physical function including exercise endurance based on an external input or a value detected by a sensor, and update the setting table based on at least one of this acquired information.

[0080] <Third embodiment> An exercise support system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the first embodiment of the present invention, an ergometer 6 is provided, and the user U straddles the ergometer 6 and performs a rowing motion, and the amount of exercise is calculated based on this rowing motion.

[0081] In a third embodiment of the present invention, a stepper is provided, and when a user U performs a stepping motion on the stepper, the amount of exercise based on this stepping motion is calculated. Here, the stepper is an exercise machine mainly for training the lower body, and the device is a device that monitors and diagnoses the physical condition of the user U due to the stepping motion of the user U by placing their feet on step boards provided on the stepper and stepping alternately on the left and right.

[0082] The components of exercise support system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of exercise support system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for ergometer 6, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] In the third embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the first embodiment of the present invention, the acceleration sensor 2 is fixed to the vicinity of the ankle of the user U by wrapping the band 21 around the ankle of the user U. As a result, when the user U steps on the stepper, the acceleration sensor 2 moves back and forth in response to this stepping motion.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a time series diagram showing output values ​​(acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2 provided in the exercise support system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the output value (acceleration information) of the acceleration sensor 2 includes an acceleration DX01 in the X-axis direction, an acceleration DY01 in the Y-axis direction, and an acceleration DZ01 in the Z-axis direction. The accelerations DX01, DY01, and DZ01 all take on positive and negative acceleration values ​​in the motion cycle of the user U's stepping motion.

[0085] Therefore, when the value of the acceleration DY01 transitions from a negative value to a positive value, the momentum calculation means 12 estimates that the step board on which the user U's feet are placed has reached the lowest point due to the user U's walking motion. The momentum calculation means 12 calculates the stepping speed for the most recent minute as the momentum.

[0086] In the example shown in Figure 9, the value of acceleration DY01 changes from a negative value to a positive value at time t21 and time t22, so the momentum calculation means 12 estimates that the step board on which user U's feet are placed reaches its lowest point at time t21 and time t22.

[0087] As a result, the exercise amount calculation means 12 can calculate the stepping speed, which is the number of steps in a predetermined time by a stepping motion, as the exercise amount based on the acceleration DY01.

[0088] Then, the display control means 15 controls at least one of the display area of ​​the game image displayed on the operation panel 3, the brightness of the display area of ​​the game image, the game progress speed in the game image, the available game time, and the game points, depending on the amount of exercise (stepping speed) calculated by the exercise amount calculation means 12.

[0089] Thus, according to the exercise support system 100 of the third embodiment of the present invention, even when the ergometer 6 is equipped with an interchangeable stepper, the user U can visually determine whether the stepping motion is being performed at an appropriate speed, thereby maintaining the user's motivation for the stepping motion.

[0090] As in the second embodiment, the values ​​of the target cadence line L101, the upper limit line L102 of the allowable cadence, and the lower limit line L103 of the allowable cadence may be made changeable for each user.

[0091] Also, similar to the second embodiment, the memory means 13 may acquire information on changes in cardiac function, changes in mental state, and changes in physical function including exercise tolerance based on external input or values ​​detected by some sensor, and update the setting table based on at least one of this acquired information.

[0092] The above-described embodiment can also be realized by executing an exercise support program installed on a computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Exercise support device 2. Acceleration sensor 3 Operation panel 6. Ergometer 11 Receiving means 12 Momentum calculation means 13 Memory means 14 Setting Method 15 Display control means 16 Improvement level calculation method 17 Panel Interface 21 bands 61 Saddle 62 Handle 63 Pedals 100 Exercise Support System

Claims

1. An exercise support system that supports improvement of a user's physical function through leg exercise, an acceleration sensor provided at a position where the exercise is performed; an exercise amount calculation means for calculating the exercise amount of the foot movement within a predetermined time based on the output value of the acceleration sensor; a display control means for controlling an image to be displayed on a display panel in accordance with the exercise amount calculated by the exercise amount calculation means; An exercise support system comprising:

2. the exercise is a pedaling motion by a user; the acceleration sensor is provided at a position where it makes a circular motion in response to the pedaling action, The momentum calculation means calculates, as the momentum, a rotation speed of a rotation shaft that rotates due to pedaling of the pedals, based on the output value of the acceleration sensor.

2. The exercise support system according to claim 1.

3. The display control means At least one of the display area of ​​the game image displayed on the display panel, the brightness of the game image, the game progress speed in the game image, the available game time, and the game points is controlled according to the amount of exercise calculated by the exercise amount calculation means.

2. The exercise support system according to claim 1.

4. a storage means for storing the amount of exercise and the date and time of the exercise as exercise history information in association with each other; an improvement calculation means for calculating an exercise state when a game image is displayed on the display panel and when a game image is not displayed on the display panel based on the exercise history information, and for calculating an improvement degree based on the calculated exercise state; 4. The exercise support system according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. The improvement calculation means As the motion state of the rowing motion, at least one of the average value, standard deviation, and speed distribution of the rotation speed of the rotation shaft is calculated.

5. The exercise support system according to claim 4.

6. An exercise support program applied to an exercise support system that supports improvement of a user's physical function through leg exercise, an acceleration acquisition step of acquiring acceleration from an acceleration sensor provided at a position where the exercise is performed; an exercise amount calculation step of calculating the foot exercise amount within a predetermined time based on the acceleration acquired in the acceleration acquisition step; a display control step of controlling an image to be displayed on a display panel in accordance with the exercise amount calculated in the exercise amount calculation step; An exercise support program causing the exercise support system to execute the above steps.

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