Muscle strength measuring device

Abstract

This invention provides a muscle strength measuring device that can measure the muscle strength of lower limb flexion and extension in various limb positions (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, adduction, etc.). [Solution] The muscle strength measuring device 10 comprises a seating section 20 on which a subject 1 sits with their knees at a right angle, a load sensor 70A, and a connecting section 100A that connects the lower part of the lower leg of the subject seated on the seating section to the load sensor, such that when the subject seated on the seating section flexes or extends their lower limbs, force is applied to the load sensor. The load sensor is provided so as to be able to swing about the X-axis, with the front-to-back direction of the subject seated on the seating section being the X-axis, the vertical direction being the Z-axis, and the axis perpendicular to the XZ plane being the Y-axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a muscle strength measuring device.

Background Art

[0002] A muscle strength measuring device for measuring the muscle strength of a subject sitting on a seating portion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, there is no description at all about measuring the muscle strength of flexion and extension of the lower limbs in various limb positions (external rotation position, abduction position, internal rotation position, adduction position, etc.), and there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and provides a muscle strength measuring device capable of measuring the muscle strength of flexion and extension of the lower limbs in various limb positions (external rotation position, abduction position, internal rotation position, adduction position, etc.).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The muscle strength measuring device according to the present disclosure includes a seating portion on which a subject sits with the knees at a right angle, a load sensor, and a connecting portion that connects the lower part of the lower leg of the subject sitting on the seating portion and the load sensor so that a force is applied to the load sensor when the subject sitting on the seating portion flexes or extends the lower limbs. When the front-rear direction of the subject sitting on the seating portion is the X-axis, the vertical direction is the Z-axis, and the axis orthogonal to the X-Z plane is the Y-axis, the load sensor is provided so as to be swingable about the X-axis.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure provides a muscle strength measuring device that can measure the muscle strength of lower limb flexion and extension in various limb positions (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, adduction, etc.). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view (schematic diagram) of the muscle strength measuring device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an example flowchart for measuring extension muscle strength using the load sensor (front) 70A. [Figure 3] (a) An example of the knee position (origin P0 (hip joint neutral position)) of subject 1 seated on the seating section 20, and (b) an example of connecting the lower leg of the person to be measured with the load sensor (front) 70A using a connecting device 90 such as a belt. [Figure 4] (a) An example of external rotation position P1, (b) An example of internal rotation position. [Figure 5] (a) An example of abduction P3, and (b) An example of adduction P4. [Figure 6] (a) An example in which subject 1, seated on the seating portion 20, extends his lower leg in the extension direction (see arrow Ar7 in Figure 6), and (b) a modified example of the contact portion 100. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The muscle strength measuring device according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In each figure, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] Figure 1 is a side view (schematic diagram) of the muscle strength measuring device according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the muscle strength measuring device 10 is capable of measuring the muscle strength of lower limb flexion and extension while changing the position of the lower limb (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, adduction, etc.). The muscle strength measuring device 10 allows for the measurement of muscle strength in lower limb movements that affect athletic performance in a short time and at low cost, without the need for specialized knowledge.

[0012] For the sake of explanation, the XYZ axes are defined below. The X-axis (roll axis) extends in the front-to-back direction of the subject 1 seated on the seating area 20. The Z-axis (yaw axis) extends in the vertical direction. The Y-axis (pitch axis) extends in a direction perpendicular to the XZ plane.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the muscle strength measuring device 10 comprises a seating section 20, a height adjustment mechanism 30 for adjusting the height of the seating section 20, a fixed frame 40, a first movable frame 50 attached to the fixed frame 40 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction, a second movable frame 60 (60A, 60B) attached to the first movable frame 50 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction, load sensors 70 (70A, 70B) which are contact parts attached to the second movable frame 60 so as to be pivotable around the X and Y axes, and a display unit 80.

[0014] The seating section 20 is the seat on which Subject 1 sits. A known seating section 20 may be used. Note that the backrest section on which Subject 1 leans back is omitted.

[0015] The height adjustment mechanism 30 is a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seating area 20 (height from the floor). A known type of height adjustment mechanism 30 may be used.

[0016] The first movable frame 50 is attached to the fixed frame 40 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. The fixed frame 40 is installed on the floor surface. Specifically, by inserting the guide frames 41 and 42, which make up the fixed frame 40 and extend in the Y-axis direction, into the cylindrical brackets 51 and 52 attached to the first movable frame 50, the first movable frame 50 becomes slidable in the Y-axis direction along the guide frames 41 and 42. The first movable frame 50 is fixed to the fixed frame 40 (guide frames 41 and 42) by tightening a screw N1 provided on the bracket 51.

[0017] The second movable frame (front) 60A is attached to the first movable frame 50 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. Specifically, by inserting the guide frames 53 and 54, which extend in the X-axis direction and constitute the first movable frame 50, into the cylindrical brackets 61A and 62A attached to the second movable frame (front) 60A, the second movable frame (front) 60A becomes slidable in the X-axis direction along the guide frames 53 and 54. The second movable frame (front) 60A is fixed to the first movable frame 50 (guide frames 53 and 54) by tightening the screws N2 and N3 provided on the brackets 61A and 62A. The brackets 61A and 62A, the guide frames 53 and 54 that extend in the X-axis direction inserted into the brackets 61A and 62A, and the screws N2 and N3 provided on the brackets 61A and 62A constitute the first position adjustment mechanism of this disclosure.

[0018] Similarly, the second movable frame (rear) 60B is attached to the first movable frame 50 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. Specifically, by inserting the guide frames 53 and 54 extending in the X-axis direction that constitute the first movable frame 50 into the cylindrical brackets 61B and 62B attached to the second movable frame (rear) 60B, the second movable frame (rear) 60B can be slidable in the X-axis direction along the guide frames 53 and 54. The second movable frame (rear) 60B is fixed to the first movable frame 50 (guide frames 53 and 54) by tightening the screws N4 and N5 provided on the brackets 61B and 62B. The brackets 61B and 62B, the guide frames 53 and 54 extending in the X-axis direction inserted into the brackets 61B and 62B, and the screws N4 and N5 provided on the brackets 61B and 62B constitute the first position adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure.

[0019] The load sensor (front) 70A is a load sensor that measures the force applied to the load sensor (front) 70A. The load sensor (front) 70A may be a load sensor that holds (and outputs) the peak value of the load. As the load sensor (front) 70A, a known load sensor, for example, a muscle strength measuring device Myutras may be used.

[0020] The load sensor (front) 70A is attached to a cylindrical bracket 71A so as to be swingable about a swing axis AX1 (see FIG. 3) extending in the X-axis direction and a swing axis AX2 (see FIG. 1) extending in the Y-axis direction via a known mechanism. By inserting the second movable frame (front) 60A extending in the Y-axis direction into this bracket 71A, the load sensor (front) 70A (and the bracket 71A to which it is attached) can be slidable in the Y-axis direction along the second movable frame (front) 60A. The load sensor (front) 70A (and the bracket 71A to which it is attached) is fixed to the second movable frame (front) 60A by tightening the screw N6 provided on the bracket 71A. The bracket 71A, the second movable frame (front) 60A extending in the Y-axis direction inserted into the bracket 71A, and the screw N6 provided on the bracket 71A constitute the second position adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure.

[0021] The load sensor (front) 70A is provided with a connection part 100A (contact part). When the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 extends the lower limbs, this connection part 100A connects the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 and the load sensor (front) 70A so that a force is applied to the load sensor (front) 70A. This connection part 100A includes a recess 70A1 (see FIG. 1) into which the front of the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 fits.

[0022] Similarly, the load sensor (rear) 70B is a load sensor that measures the force applied to the load sensor (rear) 70B when the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 flexes the knees (leg curl). The load sensor (rear) 70B may be a load sensor that holds (and outputs) the peak value of the load. As the load sensor (rear) 70B, a known load sensor, for example, a muscle strength measuring device Myutras may be used.

[0023] The load sensor (rear) 70B is attached to a cylindrical bracket 71B so as to be swingable about a swing axis AX3 (see FIG. 3) extending in the X-axis direction and a swing axis AX4 (see FIG. 1) extending in the Y-axis direction via a known mechanism. By inserting a second movable frame (rear) 60B extending in the Y-axis direction into this bracket 71B, the load sensor (rear) 70B (and the bracket 71B to which it is attached) can slide in the Y-axis direction along the second movable frame (rear) 60B. The load sensor (rear) 70B (and the bracket 71B to which it is attached) is fixed to the second movable frame (rear) 60B by tightening a screw N7 provided on the bracket 71B.

[0024] Although not shown, similar to the load sensor (front) 70A, the load sensor (rear) 70B is provided with a connection part (contact part). When the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 flexes the lower limbs, this connection part connects the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 and the load sensor (rear) 70B so that a force is applied to the load sensor (rear) 70B. This connection part includes a recess into which the rear of the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating part 20 fits.

[0025] The measured values ​​from the load sensor (front) 70A and the load sensor (rear) 70B are processed by an information processing device (not shown), such as a personal computer, and then displayed on the display unit 80. The display unit 80 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. Although not shown, the load sensor (front) 70A, the load sensor (rear) 70B, and the display unit 80 are electrically connected to the information processing device.

[0026] Next, as an example of using the muscle strength measuring device 10 with the above configuration, an example of measuring extension muscle strength using the load sensor (front) 70A will be described. Figure 2 is an example of a flowchart for measuring extension muscle strength using the load sensor (front) 70A. Figure 3(a) is an example of the knee position (origin P0 (hip joint neutral position)) of subject 1 seated on the seating section 20.

[0027] First, the height of the seating area 20 is adjusted (step S10). Specifically, the height adjustment mechanism 30 is used to adjust the height of the seating area 20 so that the soles of the feet of the subject 1 seated on the seating area 20 are in contact with the floor and the knees are at a 90-degree angle (see Figure 1). In addition, as shown in Figure 3(a), the knee position (lower limb position) of the subject 1 seated on the seating area 20 is adjusted so that, in a front view, it is positioned at the origin P0 (intermediate position of the hip joint).

[0028] Next, the load sensor (front) 70A is moved to a position corresponding to the lower limb being measured (step S11). Specifically, the load sensor (front) 70A is moved to a position corresponding to the lower limb being measured by moving the first movable frame 50 along the guide frames 41 and 42 that extend in the Y-axis direction. Then, at the position after the movement, the first movable frame 50 is fixed to the fixed frame 40 (guide frames 41 and 42) by tightening screw N1. Furthermore, if necessary (for example, if fine adjustment is required), the load sensor (front) 70A (bracket 71A) is moved along the second movable frame 60A that extends in the Y-axis direction to a position corresponding to the lower limb being measured. Then, at the position after the movement, the load sensor (front) 70A is fixed to the second movable frame 60A by tightening screw N6.

[0029] Next, the load sensor (front) 70A (contact portion 100A) is brought into contact (surface contact) with the front of the lower part of the lower leg of the person to be measured (step S12). Specifically, the second movable frame 60A is moved in the X-axis direction along the guide frames 53 and 54 that extend in the X-axis direction, thereby bringing the load sensor (front) 70A (contact portion 100A) into contact (surface contact) with the front of the lower part of the lower limb of the person to be measured. At this time, the front of the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating portion 20 is fitted into the recess 70A1 of the load sensor (front) 70A (contact portion 100A) and is in contact (surface contact) with the load sensor (front) 70A (recess 70A1). Then, in the position after the movement, the second movable frame 60A is fixed to the first movable frame 50 (guide frames 53 and 54) by tightening screws N2 and N3. In addition, as shown in Figure 3(b), the lower leg of the person being measured and the load sensor (front) 70A may be connected using a connecting device 90 such as a belt. Figure 3(b) shows an example in which the lower leg of the person being measured and the load sensor (front) 70A are connected using a connecting device 90 such as a belt.

[0030] At this stage, the load sensor (front) 70A is constrained to move in the X, Y, and Z axes, but can swing around the swing axis AX1 extending in the X direction and the swing axis AX2 extending in the Y direction.

[0031] Next, the subject 1, seated on the seating area 20, moves their lower limbs to an externally rotated, abducted, internally rotated, or adduction position (step S13).

[0032] Figure 4(a) shows an example of an externally rotated position P1. When moving the lower limb from the origin P0 to the externally rotated position P1, the lower leg is moved outward from the origin P0 (externally rotated) (see arrow Ar1 in Figure 4(a)), causing the load sensor (front) 70A (contact part 100A) to rotate (oscillate) around the pivot axis AX1 extending in the X-axis direction (see arrow Ar2 in Figure 4(a)).

[0033] Figure 4(b) shows an example of internal rotation. When moving the lower limb from the origin P0 to the internal rotation position P2, the lower leg is moved inward (internally rotated) from the origin P0 (see arrow Ar3 in Figure 4(b)), causing the load sensor (front) 70A (contact part 100A) to rotate (oscillate) around the pivot axis AX1 extending in the X-axis direction (see arrow Ar4 in Figure 4(b)).

[0034] As described above, when the lower limb is moved from the origin P0 to an externally rotated position P1 or an internally rotated position P2, the load sensor (front) 70A (contact portion 100A) swings around a pivot axis AX1 extending in the X-axis direction, following the movement of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating portion 20 (see arrow Ar2 in Figure 4(a) and arrow Ar4 in Figure 4(b)). Therefore, during the process of moving the lower leg from the origin P0 to an externally rotated position P1 or an internally rotated position P2, contact (surface contact) is maintained between the front of the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating portion 20 and the load sensor (front) 70A (recess 70A1 of the contact portion 100A). Figure 5(a) shows an example of the abduction position P3. To move the lower limb from the origin P0 to the abduction position P3, loosen screw N6. This allows the load sensor (front) 70A (and the bracket 71A to which it is attached) to slide along the second movable frame (front) 60A in the Y-axis direction, thereby allowing the lower limb (and the load sensor (front) 70A in contact with it) to move outward from the origin P0 to the abduction position P3 (see arrow Ar5 in Figure 5(a)).

[0035] Figure 5(b) shows an example of adduction position P4. To move the lower limb from the origin P0 to adduction position P4, loosen screw N6. This allows the load sensor (front) 70A (and the bracket 71A to which it is attached) to slide along the second movable frame (front) 60A in the Y-axis direction, so that the lower limb (and the load sensor (front) 70A in contact with it) can be slid inward from the origin P0 to adduction position P4 (see arrow Ar6 in Figure 5(b)).

[0036] Next, the subject 1, seated on the seating unit 20, extends their lower leg in the extension direction (see arrow Ar7 in Figure 6(a)) in the leg position after movement (external rotation P1, abduction P3, internal rotation P2, or adduction P4) (step S14). Figure 6(a) shows an example in which the subject 1, seated on the seating unit 20, extends their lower leg in the extension direction (see arrow Ar7 in Figure 6(a)). At that time, the load sensor (front) 70A (contact part 100A) swings around a pivot axis AX2 that extends in the Y-axis direction, following the movement of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating unit 20 (see arrow Ar8 in Figure 6(a)). Therefore, contact (surface contact) between the front of the lower part of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating unit 20 and the load sensor (front) 70A (recess 70A1 of the contact part 100A) is maintained during the knee extension process.

[0037] Next, the load sensor (front) 70A measures the force applied to the load sensor (front) 70A when the subject 1, seated on the seating area 20, extends their knees (leg extension) (step S15).

[0038] The measured values ​​obtained by the load sensor (front) 70A are processed by an information processing device (not shown), such as a personal computer, and then displayed on the display unit 80 (step S16).

[0039] As described above, during the process of measuring extension muscle strength using the load sensor (front) 70A, contact (surface contact) between the front of the lower leg of the subject 1 seated on the seating section 20 and the load sensor (front) 70A (the recess 70A1 of the contact section 100A) is maintained (the contact area increases), thus enabling accurate measurement of extension muscle strength. This is because the load sensor (front) 70A (contact section 100A) is mounted on the bracket 71A so as to be able to pivot around a pivot axis AX1 extending in the X direction and a pivot axis AX2 extending in the Y direction, and pivots around the pivot axis AX1 extending in the X direction and the pivot axis AX2 extending in the Y direction in accordance with the movement of the lower limbs of the subject 1 seated on the seating section 20.

[0040] As explained above, the load sensor (anterior) 70A can measure extension muscle strength at various positions of the lower leg (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, and adduction). Furthermore, the load sensor (anterior) 70A can also measure extension muscle strength in the neutral position of the lower leg.

[0041] The above describes an example of measuring extension muscle strength using the load sensor (anterior) 70A. Similarly, flexion muscle strength can be measured using the load sensor (posterior) 70B. That is, flexion muscle strength can be measured at various positions of the lower leg (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, and adduction) using the load sensor (posterior) 70B. Furthermore, flexion muscle strength can also be measured in the neutral position of the lower leg using the load sensor (posterior) 70B.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, a muscle strength measuring device 10 can be provided that can measure the muscle strength of lower limb flexion and extension in various limb positions (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, adduction, etc.).

[0043] Furthermore, this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0044] (1) Because there is no backrest, it is possible to prevent inaccurate lower limb muscle strength measurements that would result from using the reaction force of the backrest.

[0045] (2) When seated on the seating area 20, the knees can be measured at a 90-degree angle. This prevents the muscle groups used from changing due to differences in knee angle. In other words, the knees naturally become at a right angle during measurement, so measurement results that meet the measurement conditions can be obtained.

[0046] (3) Lower limb extension force or lower limb flexion force can be measured (evaluated) simply by bending and straightening the knees while seated on the seating area 20.

[0047] (4) Lower limb extension strength and lower limb flexion strength can be compared and evaluated in the same limb position (internal rotation, neutral position, external rotation).

[0048] (5) The height of the seating area 20 can be adjusted according to the difference in height, so measurements can be taken with the knees at a 90-degree angle for people of a wide range of heights.

[0049] Next, I will explain some variations.

[0050] In the upper limb embodiment, an example was described in which the load sensor (front) 70A (load sensor (rear) 70B) is mounted on a cylindrical bracket 71A (bracket 71B) so as to be pivotable around the X and Y axes, but the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the load sensor (front) 70A (load sensor (rear) 70B) only needs to be mounted on a cylindrical bracket 71A (bracket 71B) so as to be pivotable around the X axis (a pivot axis AX1 extending in the direction of the X axis (see Figure 3)), and does not need to be mounted on a cylindrical bracket 71A (bracket 71B) so as to be pivotable around the Y axis (a pivot axis AX2 extending in the direction of the Y axis (see Figure 1)).

[0051] Figure 6(b) shows a modified example of the contact portion 100.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6(b), the load sensor (front) 70A (and the bracket 71A to which it is attached) may be rotated 180 degrees around the second movable frame (front) 60A, and the rotated load sensor (front) 70A and the lower part of the lower limb of subject 1 may be connected (linked) with a belt-shaped connector 100. In this way, muscle strength during flexion can be measured at various positions of the lower leg (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, and adduction). The load sensor (front) 70A (and the bracket 71A to which it is attached) can be rotated 180 degrees around the second movable frame (front) 60A by loosening the screw N6 provided on the bracket 71A.

[0053] Although not shown in the diagram, similarly, the load sensor (rear) 70B (and the bracket 71B to which it is attached) may be rotated 180 degrees around the second movable frame (rear) 60B, and the load sensor (rear) 70B after this rotation may be connected to the lower part of the lower limb of subject 1 with a belt-like connector. In this way, extension muscle strength can be measured at various positions of the lower leg (external rotation, abduction, internal rotation, and adduction).

[0054] All numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments are illustrative, and it goes without saying that other appropriate numerical values ​​can be used. The above embodiments are merely illustrative in every respect. The present invention is not to be interpreted as being limited by the above descriptions of embodiments. The present invention can be carried out in various other ways without departing from its spirit or main features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1…Subject, 10…Muscle strength measuring device, 20…Seating section, 30…Height adjustment mechanism, 40…Fixed frame, 41…Guide frame, 42…Guide frame, 50…First movable frame, 51…Bracket, 52…Bracket, 53, 54…Guide frame, 60, 60A…Second movable frame, 61A, 61B, 62A, 62B…Bracket, 70…Load sensor, 70A1…Recess, 71A, 71B…Bracket, 80…Display unit, 90…Connector, N1~N7…Screw

Claims

1. The seating area in which the subject sits with their knees at a right angle, Load sensor and, The system includes a connecting part that connects the lower part of the lower leg of the subject seated on the seat to the load sensor, such that when the subject seated on the seat flexes or extends their lower limbs, force is applied to the load sensor. If the X-axis is defined as the front-to-back direction of the subject seated on the aforementioned seating portion, the Z-axis as the vertical direction, and the Y-axis as the axis perpendicular to the X-Z plane, The load sensor is a muscle strength measuring device that is mounted so as to be able to swing around the X-axis.

2. The load sensor is positioned in front of or behind the lower part of the lower limbs of the subject seated on the seating portion. The muscle strength measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is provided on the load sensor and includes a recess into which the front or rear of the lower part of the lower leg of the subject seated on the seating portion fits.

3. The muscle strength measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is a belt-shaped connecting portion that connects the lower part of the lower limbs of the subject seated on the seating portion to the load sensor.

4. The muscle strength measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the load sensor is provided so as to be able to swing about the Y axis.

5. A first position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the load sensor in the X-axis direction, The muscle strength measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a second position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the load sensor in the Y-axis direction.

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