Metabolic system estimation system

Abstract

This invention relates to a technology that can easily estimate and provide information on the energy metabolism system during exercise. [Solution] A metabolic system estimation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit stores metabolic system information relating to the relationship between the lactic acid level in sweat during exercise and the energy metabolic system, including the aerobic and anaerobic systems. The control unit receives lactic acid information indicating the lactic acid level in sweat during exercise of the subject, estimates the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise based on the metabolic system information and the received lactic acid information, and transmits metabolic system estimation information indicating the estimated energy metabolic system to the user terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a metabolic system estimation system for estimating an energy metabolic system from the lactic acid level in the sweat of a subject during exercise.

Background Art

[0002] The energy metabolic system in the body during exercise is classified into an aerobic system that uses oxygen and an anaerobic system that does not use oxygen. Aerobic exercise that performs aerobic energy metabolism is effective in improving cardiopulmonary function and burning fat, and anaerobic exercise that performs anaerobic energy metabolism is said to be effective in increasing muscle strength and muscle mass. When the exercise intensity is gradually increased, the energy metabolism switches from the aerobic system to the anaerobic system. The exercise intensity at which this energy metabolism switches is called the anaerobic threshold (AT), and is regarded as important as an index for endurance training and athletic performance.

[0003] As a technique for providing information on energy metabolism during exercise, for example, in Patent Document 1, a step of obtaining a measured value of blood oxygen concentration (SpO2) within a range including at least a part of 96 to 100% for each different exercise load amount while applying a Ramp load to a subject, and a step of determining a descent start point at which the measured value of blood oxygen concentration starts to show a downward trend as the exercise load amount increases, and estimating the exercise load amount at the descent start point as the optimal exercise intensity of the subject are described.

[0004] Also, for example, in Patent Document 2, a biological analysis apparatus is described that acquires a change over time in the lactic acid value in sweat obtained from a subject as a biological signal, calculates a change amount for each predetermined time of the acquired biological signal, detects a time when the calculated change amount becomes a predetermined value or more, and outputs the detected time as a transition point (for example, AT).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6990333 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2023 / 063220 [Overview of the initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Patent documents 1 and 2 both describe techniques for estimating transition points for energy metabolism, such as AT, but they do not describe techniques for estimating the energy metabolic system (aerobic or anaerobic) during exercise.

[0007] The object of this invention is a technology that can easily estimate and provide the energy metabolism system during exercise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A metabolic system estimation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit stores metabolic information relating to the relationship between the lactic acid level in sweat during exercise and the energy metabolism system, including the aerobic and anaerobic systems. The control unit, The system receives lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise. Based on the metabolic system information and the received lactate information, the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise is estimated. Metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, is sent to the user's terminal.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a metabolic system estimation device comprising a storage unit and a control unit. The memory unit stores metabolic information relating to the relationship between the lactic acid level in sweat during exercise and the energy metabolism system, including the aerobic and anaerobic systems. The control unit, The system receives lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise. Based on the metabolic system information and the received lactate information, the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise is estimated. Metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, is sent to the user's terminal.

[0010] A metabolic system estimation method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is a metabolic system estimation method performed by an information processing device, A step of receiving lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise, A step of estimating the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise based on metabolic system information relating to the relationship between the lactate level in sweat during exercise and the energy metabolic system including the aerobic and anaerobic systems, and the received lactate information, The process includes the step of transmitting metabolic estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, to the user terminal.

[0011] A program according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is provided for an information processing device. A step of receiving lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise, A step of estimating the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise based on metabolic system information relating to the relationship between the lactate level in sweat during exercise and the energy metabolic system including the aerobic and anaerobic systems, and the received lactate information, The steps include: transmitting metabolic estimation information indicating the estimated energy metabolic system to the user terminal; Make it run. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to estimate and easily provide the energy metabolic system during exercise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the metabolic system estimation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the hardware configuration of the metabolic system estimation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a lactic acid sensor in sweat according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a diagram schematically showing the lactic acid sensor in sweat worn on the arm of a subject, and (B) is a diagram showing the external configuration of the lactic acid sensor in sweat. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the sensor body of the lactic acid sensor in sweat. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the database possessed by the metabolic system estimation device. [Figure 6] It is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the metabolic system information generation process of the metabolic system estimation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a graph exemplifying the relationship between time or exercise intensity and lactic acid concentration in sweat obtained when the lactic acid sensor in sweat is worn and the exercise intensity is gradually increased. [Figure 8] It is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the metabolic system estimation process of the metabolic system estimation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the metabolic system estimation process of the metabolic system estimation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the metabolic system estimation process of the metabolic system estimation system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, a "system" shall include one or more information processing devices. For example, a single information processing device can also constitute a system, and when a plurality of information processing devices cooperate to perform functions such as a web server, these information processing devices can also constitute a system. Also, as described in the following embodiments, a "system" may include one or more information processing devices that function as a web server and one or more terminal devices.

[0015] [First Embodiment] [Configuration of System] This system provides information about the subject's energy metabolism system during exercise, estimated based on the subject's lactate levels in sweat during exercise. The subject is a person who exercises (trains), and in this embodiment, is an athlete (hereinafter referred to as "athlete").

[0016] The metabolic system estimation device 100 provides a metabolic system estimation service to athletes who are users of the subject terminal 200. The metabolic system estimation device 100 is an information processing device and is configured, for example, as a web server. In this embodiment, the metabolic system estimation device 100 is connected via the Internet 50 to multiple subject terminals 200, a facility terminal 300, and a trainer terminal 400 owned by a sports trainer (hereinafter referred to as "trainer"). In this embodiment, the trainer terminal 400 functions as the first user terminal, and the subject terminal 200 functions as the second user terminal.

[0017] The metabolic system estimation device 100 transmits metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the energy metabolic system of the athlete during exercise, to the subject terminal 200, based on lactic acid information obtained from the sweat lactic acid sensor 500, which indicates the level of lactic acid in the athlete's sweat.

[0018] The subject terminals 200 (200A, 200B, 200C, etc.) are terminals used by the athletes mentioned above. The subject terminals 200 transmit information indicating the sweat lactate level received from the sweat lactate sensor 500 (described later) as lactate information to the metabolic system estimation device 100, and receive metabolic system estimation information from the metabolic system estimation device 100 and display it on the screen using a browser or the like. Alternatively, the subject terminals 200 may have an application program (hereinafter also referred to as "application") that corresponds to the metabolic system estimation service installed, and the subject terminals 200 may transmit lactate information to the metabolic system estimation device 100 and display the metabolic system estimation information using this application. The subject terminals 200 can be, for example, smartphones, mobile phones, tablet PCs (personal computers), notebook PCs, desktop PCs, etc., with the necessary application programs installed.

[0019] The facility terminal 300 is, for example, a terminal placed in a training facility. The facility terminal 300 transmits exercise intensity information acquired from training equipment installed in the training facility to the metabolic system estimation device 100, associating it with time information and subject information. The facility terminal 300 can be, for example, a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet PC, notebook PC, desktop PC, etc., with the necessary application programs installed.

[0020] The trainer terminal 400 is a terminal used by the trainer. The trainer is someone who supports the training of the athletes and may also be the athletes' coach. When the metabolic system estimation device 100 transmits metabolic system estimation information to the subject terminal 200, the trainer terminal 400 transmits comment information generated by the trainer to the metabolic system estimation device 100 as needed. The trainer terminal 400 can be, for example, a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet PC, notebook PC, desktop PC, etc., with the necessary application programs installed.

[0021] The sweat lactate sensor 500 (500A, 500B, 500C, etc.) is a sensor capable of detecting the level of lactate in sweat. In the example shown in Figure 1, the sweat lactate sensor 500 is wirelessly connected to the subject terminal 200, but it may also be connected to the subject terminal 200 by a wire, for example, or to the metabolic system estimation device 100 via the Internet 50. In this embodiment, "sweat lactate level" refers to the lactate concentration in sweat or an indicator value thereof.

[0022] During exercise, the body's energy metabolism systems are classified into aerobic and anaerobic systems. The aerobic system is an energy metabolism system that produces ATP through oxygen-based energy metabolism. The anaerobic system is an energy metabolism system that does not require oxygen, such as glycolysis and the creatine phosphate system. When exercise intensity is gradually increased, the energy metabolism system switches from the aerobic to the anaerobic system, and the exercise intensity at which this switch occurs is called the anaerobic threshold (AT).

[0023] On the other hand, when exercise intensity is gradually increased, blood lactate concentration rises gradually, but beyond a certain exercise intensity, blood lactate concentration rises sharply. This exercise intensity is called the lactate threshold (LT). LT is the exercise intensity at which the energy supply from glycolysis (anaerobic system), which produces lactate, increases, and it is known that LT and AT are correlated (see Patent Document 2).

[0024] Since the sweat lactate level reflects the lactate concentration in the blood, the lactate threshold (LT) and athletic threshold (AT) can be estimated by measuring the sweat lactate level while gradually increasing the exercise intensity. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the metabolic system estimation device 100 can estimate the range of sweat lactate levels corresponding to the aerobic and anaerobic systems, respectively, from the sweat lactate level corresponding to each subject's AT (LT). Based on this information, the energy metabolic system can be estimated from the sweat lactate level during subsequent exercise sessions.

[0025] [Hardware configuration of the metabolic system estimation device] Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the metabolic system estimation device 100. As shown in the figure, the metabolic system estimation device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface 15, and a bus 14 that connects these components to each other.

[0026] The CPU 11 is a control unit that comprehensively controls all blocks of the metabolic system estimation device 100 while performing various calculations by appropriately accessing RAM 13 and other memory as needed. Multiple CPUs 11 may be provided depending on the processing. ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory in which the OS, programs, and firmware such as various parameters to be executed by the CPU 11 are permanently stored. RAM 13 is used as a working area for the CPU 11 and temporarily holds the OS, various applications currently running, and various data being processed.

[0027] The input / output interface 15 is connected to a display unit 16, an operation reception unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like.

[0028] The display unit 16 is a display device that uses, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display), or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

[0029] The operation reception unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other input device. If the operation reception unit 17 is a touch panel, the touch panel may be integrated with the display unit 16.

[0030] The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory (SSD; Solid State Drive), or other solid-state memory. The OS, various applications, and various data are stored in this storage unit 18.

[0031] As will be described later, in this embodiment, the storage unit 18 has programs such as applications necessary for processing by the metabolic system estimation device 100, as well as a user information database, a metabolic system information database, and a metabolic system estimation information database.

[0032] The communication unit 19 consists of various modules for wireless communication, such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for Ethernet or a wireless LAN, and is responsible for communication processing between the subject terminal 200, the facility terminal 300, and the trainer terminal 400.

[0033] Although not shown in the diagram, the basic hardware configuration of the subject terminal 200, the facility terminal 300, and the trainer terminal 400 is substantially the same as the hardware configuration of the metabolic system estimation device 100 described above.

[0034] [Hardware configuration of the sweat lactate sensor] As illustrated in Figure 3, the sweat lactate sensor 500 comprises an electrode section 510 and a sensor body 520. The sweat lactate sensor 500 is an electrochemical sensor capable of measuring the sweat lactate level by, for example, an electrochemical method. As illustrated in Figure 3(A), the sweat lactate sensor 500 is attached so that the electrode section 510 is in contact with the skin of athlete H, such as the arm, which is prone to sweating. The sweat lactate sensor 500 measures the sweat lactate level and transmits the measurement result to the subject terminal 200. The sweat lactate sensor 500 can be attached to any location that is prone to sweating and does not interfere with exercise, such as the forehead, back, or wrist, in addition to the arm.

[0035] As illustrated in Figure 3(B), the electrode section 510 includes a base material 511, a working electrode 512, a counter electrode 513, and a reference electrode 514. The base material 511 is a plate-shaped member formed of an insulating resin or the like, on which the working electrode 512, counter electrode 513, and reference electrode 514 are formed.

[0036] The working electrode 512 includes an enzyme-modified electrode 515 modified with an enzyme capable of reacting with lactic acid. The enzyme-modified electrode 515 is configured, for example, as a circular electrode formed at the end of the working electrode 512. Examples of enzymes placed on the enzyme-modified electrode 515 include lactate oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase. By using lactate oxidase or lactate dehydrogenase, it is possible to electrochemically measure the lactic acid concentration in sweat. The counter electrode 513 is the electrode paired with the working electrode 512. The reference electrode 514 is the electrode that serves as the reference for the potential of the working electrode 512. The working electrode 512, counter electrode 513, and reference electrode 514 are formed on the substrate 511 in a predetermined pattern by printing, sputtering, or the like, and are made of electrochemically stable conductive materials such as gold, platinum, palladium, their alloys, or carbon.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 4, the sensor body 520 includes a CPU 521, a ROM 522, a RAM 523, a bus 524, an input / output interface 525, an electrochemical measurement circuit 526, a storage unit 527, and a communication unit 528. The sensor body 520 can be configured, for example, as a sensor module connected to an electrode unit 510.

[0038] The configuration of CPU 521, ROM 522, and RAM 523 is substantially the same as that of CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 of the metabolic system estimation device 100. CPU 521 may consist of one CPU or multiple CPUs.

[0039] The electrochemical measurement circuit 526 applies a voltage to the working electrode 512 such that the potential of the working electrode 512 relative to the reference electrode 514 remains constant, and detects the current value flowing through the working electrode 512 and the counter electrode 513. In this embodiment, the electrochemical measurement circuit 526 is configured, for example, as a potentiostat circuit. In this embodiment, the electrochemical measurement circuit 526 causes no current to flow through the reference electrode 514, while a current corresponding to the lactic acid concentration in sweat flows through the working electrode 512 and the counter electrode 513, so this current value can be used as an indicator of lactic acid concentration.

[0040] The memory unit 527 may be a non-volatile memory that stores various applications and data. In this embodiment, the memory unit 527 stores measurement data and the like.

[0041] The communication unit 528 may be a module for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark) or NFC (Near field communication). The communication unit 528 transmits to the subject terminal 200 the current value (electrical signal) corresponding to the measured lactate concentration and time information in association with each other.

[0042] [Database configuration of the metabolic estimation system] As shown in Figure 5, the metabolic system estimation device 100 has a user information database 31, a metabolic system information database 32, and a metabolic system estimation information database 33 in its storage unit 18. Note that these databases may be stored in a storage device or metabolic system estimation device externally connected to the metabolic system estimation device 100, rather than in the storage unit 18.

[0043] The user information database 31 stores attribute information for each athlete who is a member of the metabolic system estimation service. This attribute information includes general information such as name, user ID to identify the athlete, date of birth, address, gender, and email address, as well as information such as the athlete's specialty sport, the name and ID of their trainer, the name and ID of the training facility they use, and their affiliation.

[0044] Furthermore, the user information database 31 may store attribute information for each trainer if the trainer is registered as a member of the metabolic system estimation service. Trainer attribute information may include general information such as name, user ID to identify the trainer, date of birth, address, gender, and email address, as well as information such as the names and IDs of the athletes they train, their specialized sports, and their affiliations.

[0045] The metabolic system information database 32 stores metabolic system information for each subject (athlete) regarding the relationship between the sweat lactate level during exercise and the energy metabolic system, including the aerobic and anaerobic systems. For example, the metabolic system information database 32 stores for each athlete the range of sweat lactate levels corresponding to the aerobic system and the range of sweat lactate levels corresponding to the anaerobic system.

[0046] The metabolic system estimation information database 33 stores metabolic system estimation information for each subject (athlete), which includes the sweat lactate level transmitted from the subject terminal 200 and the energy metabolic system estimated based on that level. The metabolic system estimation information database 33 may also store trainer comment information received from the trainer terminal 400 in conjunction with the metabolic system estimation information.

[0047] In addition, the memory unit 18 also stores information about training facilities (facility name, facility ID, address, telephone number, email address, etc.). These databases are referenced and used as needed in the processing performed by the metabolic system estimation device 100, which will be described later.

[0048] [Example of system operation] Next, an example of the operation of the system configured as described above will be explained. The operation of the metabolic system estimation device 100 is performed through the cooperation of the hardware, such as the CPU 11 and communication unit 19 of the metabolic system estimation device 100, and the software, including the program stored in the memory unit 18. For convenience, in the following explanation, the CPU 11 will be considered the main operator. The same applies to the operation of the subject terminal 200, the facility terminal 300, and the trainer terminal.

[0049] As a prerequisite for the processing in this example, it is assumed that the subject is a cyclist, and that the lactate concentration in the sweat of the subject is measured by a lactate sensor 500 wirelessly connected to the subject terminal 200. In this example, first, the subject measures the lactate concentration in the sweat using the lactate sensor 500 while measuring exercise intensity at a training facility, and the metabolic system estimation device 100 performs metabolic system information generation processing to generate metabolic system information regarding the relationship between the measured lactate concentration in the sweat and the energy metabolic system. Subsequently, the metabolic system estimation device 100 performs metabolic system estimation processing to generate metabolic system estimation information indicating the energy metabolic system during exercise, based on the lactate concentration in the sweat measured again during the subject's exercise and the generated metabolic system information.

[0050] (Metabolic system information generation processing) As a prerequisite for this process, at a training facility, athletes will wear a sweat lactate sensor 500 to measure the lactate concentration in their sweat, while gradually increasing the exercise intensity of the training equipment to acquire data.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 6, the CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives an electrical signal (current value) corresponding to the sweat lactate concentration from the sweat lactate sensor 500, associated with time information (S21). Preferably, the CPU receives the electrical signal about once every 10 seconds. The CPU converts the electrical signal data into sweat lactate concentration data (S22). The CPU transmits the converted sweat lactate concentration, associated with time information and user ID, to the metabolic system estimation device 100 (S23). The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 receives the sweat lactate concentration associated with time information and user ID (S11) and stores it in the storage unit 18 (not shown).

[0052] Meanwhile, the CPU of the facility terminal 300 at the training facility receives exercise intensity information from training equipment (e.g., exercise bikes®) associated with the user ID and time information (S31). The CPU of the facility terminal 300 transmits the exercise intensity information associated with the user ID and time information to the metabolic system estimation device 100 (S32). The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 receives the exercise intensity information associated with the time information and user ID (S12) and stores it in the storage unit 18 (not shown).

[0053] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 generates metabolic system information relating to the relationship between the athlete's sweat lactate level during exercise and the energy metabolic systems, including the aerobic and anaerobic systems, based on the received sweat lactate concentration and exercise intensity (S13).

[0054] As illustrated in Figure 7, when a graph is generated with time or exercise intensity on the horizontal axis and sweat lactate concentration on the vertical axis, sweat lactate concentration shows a positive correlation with exercise intensity, but the sweat lactate concentration increases sharply from a certain exercise intensity. This point corresponds to the inflection point P on the curve of the sweat lactate concentration graph, and the exercise intensity corresponding to this inflection point P is AT(LT). In other words, for the energy metabolism system, exercise intensities lower than AT(LT) correspond to the aerobic system, and exercise intensities higher than AT(LT) correspond to the anaerobic system. From this, a sweat lactate concentration below LP, which corresponds to the sweat lactate concentration P on the sweat lactate concentration graph, corresponds to the aerobic system, and a sweat lactate concentration of LP or higher corresponds to the anaerobic system. Note that the sweat lactate concentration LP may be associated with either the aerobic or anaerobic system, or it may be a value that does not correspond to either the aerobic or anaerobic system.

[0055] Therefore, the CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 calculates the inflection point P in the graph of sweat lactate concentration against exercise intensity (time), and generates metabolic system information that, for example, associates sweat lactate concentrations below the sweat lactate concentration LP corresponding to this inflection point P with the aerobic system, and sweat lactate concentrations of LP or higher with the anaerobic system.

[0056] The CPU 11 stores the generated metabolic information in the metabolic information database 32, associating it with the user ID (S14). The CPU 11 may, if necessary, transmit the generated metabolic information to the subject terminal 200 and / or the trainer terminal 400.

[0057] (Metabolic system estimation process) As a prerequisite for metabolic system estimation processing, after the metabolic system information generation processing, the athlete will wear a sweat lactate sensor 500 to measure the lactate concentration in their sweat while exercising. The exercise menu performed by the athlete may be instructed by the trainer, who has previously acquired the metabolic system information, via the trainer terminal 400.

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 8, similar to the metabolic system information generation process, the CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives an electrical signal (current value) corresponding to the sweat lactate concentration from the sweat lactate sensor 500, associated with time information (S51). The CPU converts the electrical signal data into sweat lactate concentration data (S52). The CPU transmits the converted lactate information indicating the sweat lactate concentration to the metabolic system estimation device 100, associated with time information and user ID (S53). The CPU may transmit the lactate information at predetermined time intervals, for example, or after a measurement has been completed.

[0059] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 receives time information and lactate information indicating the lactate concentration in sweat, which is associated with the user ID (S41). Subsequently, the CPU 11 estimates the athlete's energy metabolic system during exercise based on the metabolic system information and the received lactate information (S42).

[0060] Specifically, the CPU 11 determines, based on metabolic system information, whether the sweat lactate concentration at a given time is less than the sweat lactate concentration corresponding to the inflection point. If it determines that the sweat lactate concentration is less than the inflection point, it determines that the energy metabolism system at that time is aerobic. Alternatively, if the CPU 11 determines that the sweat lactate concentration at a given time is equal to or greater than the inflection point, it determines that the energy metabolism system at that time is anaerobic. The CPU 11 repeats the above process, for example, at predetermined intervals.

[0061] Next, the CPU 11 transmits metabolic system estimation information indicating the estimated energy metabolism system to the trainer terminal 400 (S43). Preferably, the metabolic system estimation information includes estimated details such as, "It is estimated that the system is aerobic throughout this measurement," "It is estimated that the system is anaerobic throughout this measurement," or "It is estimated that the system is aerobic up to ○ seconds of this measurement, and anaerobic thereafter." Furthermore, in this example of operation, the CPU 11 may also transmit a comment input form along with the metabolic system estimation information. In this example of operation, the "first user terminal to which the metabolic system estimation information is transmitted" corresponds to the trainer terminal 400.

[0062] The CPU of the trainer terminal 400 receives metabolic system estimation information and an input form (S61), displays the metabolic system estimation information and the input form (not shown), and accepts comments via the input form (S62). The CPU of the trainer terminal 400 transmits the entered comment information to the metabolic system estimation device 100 (S63). The content of the comment information is not particularly limited, but examples include advice on training and the next training menu.

[0063] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 receives comment information from the trainer terminal 400 (S44) and transmits the metabolic system estimation information and the received comment information to the subject terminal 200 (S45). In this example of operation, the "second user terminal to which the metabolic system estimation information and comment information are transmitted" corresponds to the subject terminal 200.

[0064] The CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives metabolic system estimation information and comment information (S54), and displays the metabolic system estimation information and comment information on the display unit (S55).

[0065] Thus, the metabolic system estimation system of this embodiment can easily estimate and provide the energy metabolic system of an athlete (subject) during exercise. Therefore, athletes and / or trainers can clearly understand not only the exercise intensity corresponding to the AT (LT), but also the energy metabolic system (aerobic and / or anaerobic) during exercise, and can effectively utilize the acquired information in training.

[0066] Furthermore, the metabolic system estimation system of this embodiment can provide metabolic system estimation information along with comment information from the trainer. This allows trainers to obtain appropriate comments on training from trainers who have an understanding of the energy metabolic system during exercise, thereby improving the efficiency of training.

[0067] <Second Embodiment> In the example of operation of the first embodiment described above, comment information and metabolic system estimation information acquired from the trainer terminal 400 were transmitted to the subject terminal 200, but the system is not limited to this, and it is not necessary to transmit comment information. In the following embodiments, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0068] Referring to Figure 9, an example of the operation of the metabolic system estimation process of the metabolic system estimation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, similar to the operation example described above, the CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives an electrical signal (current value) corresponding to the sweat lactate concentration from the sweat lactate sensor 500, associated with time information (S81). The CPU of the subject terminal 200 converts the electrical signal data into sweat lactate concentration data (S82). The CPU then transmits the converted lactate information indicating the sweat lactate concentration to the metabolic system estimation device 100, associated with time information and user ID (S83).

[0069] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 receives time information and lactate information associated with the user ID (S71). Subsequently, the CPU 11 estimates the athlete's energy metabolic system during exercise based on the metabolic system information and the received lactate information (S72).

[0070] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 transmits the estimated metabolic system information to the subject terminal 200 (S73). The CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives the metabolic system estimation information (S84) and displays the metabolic system estimation information on the display unit (S85).

[0071] Thus, the metabolic system estimation system of this embodiment can also easily estimate and provide the energy metabolic system of an athlete (subject) during exercise.

[0072] As a variation of this embodiment, in S73, the CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 may transmit the metabolic system estimation information to the trainer terminal 400 instead of the subject terminal 200, or in addition to the subject terminal 200.

[0073] <Third Embodiment> Furthermore, the metabolic system estimation system of the third embodiment of the present invention can transmit training-related information associated with the estimated energy metabolic system to the subject terminal 200, in addition to the metabolic system estimation information.

[0074] In this embodiment, the memory unit 18 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 may also store a training-related information database. However, this database may be stored not in the memory unit 18, but in a storage device or server externally connected to the metabolic system estimation device 100.

[0075] The training-related information database stores training-related information associated with each energy metabolic system. For example, the database stores training menus associated with aerobic systems (walking, jogging, cycling, jump rope, etc.) and anaerobic systems (squats, deadlifts, push-ups, bench press, etc.) for each sport. In addition to training menus, the database may also store information such as training advice associated with each energy metabolic system.

[0076] An example of the operation of the metabolic system estimation process in this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 10. First, similar to the operation example described above, the CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives an electrical signal (current value) corresponding to the sweat lactate concentration from the sweat lactate sensor 500, associated with time information (S101). The CPU of the subject terminal 200 converts the electrical signal data into sweat lactate concentration data (S102). The CPU then transmits the converted lactate information indicating the sweat lactate concentration to the metabolic system estimation device 100, associated with time information and user ID (S103).

[0077] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 receives lactic acid information indicating the concentration of lactic acid in sweat, which is associated with time information and user ID (S91). Subsequently, the CPU 11 estimates the athlete's energy metabolic system during exercise based on the received lactic acid information and metabolic system information (S92).

[0078] The CPU 11 of the metabolic system estimation device 100 transmits metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, and the corresponding training-related information to the subject terminal 200 (S93). The CPU of the subject terminal 200 receives the metabolic system estimation information and the training-related information (S104) and displays the metabolic system estimation information and the training-related information on the display unit (S105).

[0079] Thus, the metabolic system estimation system of this embodiment can also easily estimate and provide the energy metabolic system of an athlete (subject) during exercise. Furthermore, by providing training-related information associated with the metabolic system, the metabolic system estimation system of this embodiment can provide athletes with useful training information without the need for a trainer terminal 400.

[0080] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0081] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the subject terminal 200 converts the electrical signal received from the sweat lactate sensor 500 into sweat lactate concentration and transmits lactate information indicating sweat lactate concentration to the metabolic system estimation device 100, but the embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the subject terminal 200 may transmit the electrical signal to the metabolic system estimation device 100 as lactate information indicating the sweat lactate level, and the metabolic system estimation device 100 may convert the electrical signal into sweat lactate concentration. Alternatively, the metabolic system estimation device 100 may use the electrical signal itself as the sweat lactate level, which is an indicator of sweat lactate concentration, in the energy metabolism estimation process.

[0082] Furthermore, if the sweat lactate sensor 500 has a communication unit 528 that can connect to the Internet 50, the sweat lactate sensor 500 may directly transmit lactate information indicating the sweat lactate level (e.g., an electrical signal) to the metabolic system estimation device 100.

[0083] The sweat lactate sensor 500 may have a temperature sensor and be configured to transmit an electrical signal associated with time information and temperature information. Since sweat lactate concentration is known to fluctuate with body temperature, transmitting the electrical signal together with temperature information allows for a more accurate calculation of the sweat lactate level by correcting it for temperature.

[0084] In the embodiments described above, metabolic system information was generated for each athlete (subject), but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the energy metabolic system may be estimated based on the metabolic system information of other athletes in the same sport.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, only one metabolic system estimation device 100 is shown, but the processing performed by the metabolic system estimation device 100 may be distributed and executed by multiple information processing devices.

[0086] The functions realized by the components described in embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs, conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, which are programmed to realize the described functions and which may function as control units. A processor is considered to be a circuitry or processing circuitry, and may include transistors and other circuits. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In embodiments of the present invention, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware programmed to realize or execute the described functions. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed in embodiments of the present invention, or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or execute the described functions. If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuitry, then the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute the hardware and / or processor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100 Metabolic System Estimation Device (Information Processing Device) 200 Subject terminals (second user terminals) 300 facility terminals 400 Trainer terminals (first user terminals) 500 Sweat Lactate Sensor 11. CPU (Control Unit) 18 Memory section 19 Communications Department

Claims

1. A memory unit that stores metabolic information regarding the relationship between lactic acid levels in sweat during exercise and energy metabolic systems, including aerobic and anaerobic systems, The system receives lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise. Based on the metabolic system information and the received lactate information, the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise is estimated. Metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, is transmitted to the user terminal. Control unit and A metabolic system estimation system equipped with the following features.

2. The memory unit stores training-related information associated with each of the energy metabolic systems. The control unit transmits the metabolic system estimation information and the training-related information associated with the estimated energy metabolic system to the user terminal. The metabolic system estimation system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, The metabolic system estimation information is transmitted to the first user terminal, which is the user terminal owned by the sports trainer. The first user terminal receives the sports trainer's comment information regarding the estimated energy metabolism system. The metabolic system information and the comment information are transmitted to the second user terminal, which is the user terminal owned by the subject. A metabolic system estimation system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A memory unit that stores metabolic information regarding the relationship between lactic acid levels in sweat during exercise and energy metabolic systems, including aerobic and anaerobic systems, The system receives lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise. Based on the metabolic system information and the received lactate information, the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise is estimated. Metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, is transmitted to the user terminal. Control unit and A metabolic system estimation device equipped with the following features.

5. The memory unit stores training-related information associated with each of the energy metabolic systems. The control unit transmits the metabolic system estimation information and the training-related information associated with the estimated energy metabolic system to the user terminal. The metabolic system estimation device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit, The metabolic system estimation information is transmitted to the first user terminal, which is the user terminal owned by the sports trainer. The first user terminal receives the sports trainer's comment information regarding the estimated energy metabolism system. The metabolic system information and the comment information are transmitted to the second user terminal, which is the user terminal owned by the subject. Metabolic system estimation device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. A metabolic system estimation method performed by an information processing device, The system receives lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise. Based on metabolic information regarding the relationship between lactate levels in sweat during exercise and energy metabolic systems including aerobic and anaerobic systems, and the received lactate information, the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise is estimated. Metabolic system estimation information, which indicates the estimated energy metabolic system, is transmitted to the user terminal. Metabolic system estimation method.

8. In an information processing device, A step of receiving lactate information indicating the lactate level in the subject's sweat during exercise, A step of estimating the subject's energy metabolic system during exercise based on metabolic system information relating to the relationship between the lactate level in sweat during exercise and the energy metabolic system including the aerobic and anaerobic systems, and the received lactate information, The steps include: transmitting metabolic estimation information indicating the estimated energy metabolic system to the user terminal; A program that executes the command.

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