Exercise assistance system, exercise assistance method, and program

Abstract

To provide an exercise assistance system, exercise assistance method, and program that notify users of the timing for exerting force when exercising on an exercise machine used for isokinetic exercise. [Solution] The exercise assist system in this disclosure comprises an exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when a user applies force, and an assist device that assists the user's exercise using the exercise machine. The assist device includes a storage device that stores reference information including information representing the relationship between the displacement of the action member from the first position to the second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the action member, a calculation device that determines a recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process of the action member displacing from the first position to the second position, based on the reference information, and an output processing device that processes outputting the recommended timing to the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an exercise assistance system, an exercise assistance method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] When a user performs an exercise of displacing an acting member such as a pad or a grip to which a load of a certain magnitude is applied, in order to improve the effect of the exercise, an exercise machine that displays the target displacement state and the current displacement state to the user is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-328926 (Patent Document 1). By using this exercise machine, the user can easily recognize the displacement state of the target acting member, so that even a user who is unaccustomed to exercise can displace the acting member so as to approach the target displacement state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Exercise machines can be categorized into those used for isotonic muscle contractions (exercises that apply a constant resistance load), those used for isokinetic muscle contractions (exercises that contract muscles at a constant speed), and those used for isometric muscle contractions (exercises that contract muscles in a static state without joint movement). As disclosed in Patent Document 1, showing the target displacement state to the user is applicable to exercise machines used for isotonic exercises, but it is difficult to apply to exercise machines used for isokinetic exercises. Therefore, there is a need for technology to assist exercises using exercise machines that perform isokinetic movements.

[0005] This disclosure is made to solve the aforementioned problem and aims to provide an exercise assistance system, exercise assistance method, and program that notify a user of the timing of force exertion when exercising on an exercise machine used for isokinetic exercise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An exercise assist system according to a certain aspect of this disclosure comprises an exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when a user applies force, and an assist device that assists the user's exercise using the exercise machine. The assist device includes a storage device that stores reference information including information representing the relationship between the displacement of the action member from the first position to the second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the action member, a calculation device that determines a recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process of the action member displacing from the first position to the second position, based on the reference information, and an output processing device that processes outputting the recommended timing to the user.

[0007] An exercise assistance method according to a certain aspect of this disclosure is an exercise assistance method that assists a user's movement using an exercise assistance system comprising: an exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when a force is applied by the user; and an assist device that assists the user's movement using the exercise machine. The exercise assistance method includes the steps of: obtaining reference information from the storage device of the assist device, which includes information showing the relationship between the displacement of the action member from a first position to a second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the action member; determining a recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process in which the action member displaces from a first position to a second position, using the calculation device of the assist device based on the reference information; and outputting the recommended timing to the user from the output processing device of the assist device.

[0008] A program that follows a certain aspect of this disclosure is a program that is executed by a processor installed in a computer and causes the computer to execute the above-described motor assistance method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, users exercising on exercise machines used for isokinetic movements can recognize the timing of exerting the greatest force during exercise. Therefore, the effectiveness of the exercise can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the exercise assist system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates how the working members of the exercise machine in this embodiment are displaced. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the displacement of the working member of the exercise machine in the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a control block diagram of the exercise assist system in the embodiment. [Figure 5]This figure shows an example of a display screen that an assist device displays on the display unit when a user is exercising on an exercise machine. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of the exercise assistance method performed by the assist device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This graph shows the relationship between displacement and the magnitude of the force that must be exerted. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the displacement corresponding to the timing at which the greatest force is exerted. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the figures. In the following, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will not be repeated.

[0012] Isokinetic exercise is a type of exercise in which muscles are contracted at a constant velocity. In isokinetic exercise, a load is applied to the user in proportion to the force exerted on the working members (e.g., pads and grips) that are displaced at a constant velocity. With isokinetic exercise, the load can be increased by the user's effort, so it can be expected to be an effective exercise for people of all levels, regardless of their exercise experience or age. In addition, the load will not exceed the force exerted by the user, and resistance will disappear if the muscle tension is released midway through muscle output, so the risk of injury is low. Therefore, it can be expected that even users unfamiliar with exercise or the elderly can exercise safely.

[0013] When exercising using an exercise machine designed for isokinetic movement, the user's posture changes in accordance with the displacement of the working member. It is known that the effectiveness of the exercise changes depending on the relationship between the user's posture and the magnitude of the force exerted. For example, in the process of the working member displacing from the first position to the second position, the timing at which the user exerts the greatest force can be determined based on ergonomics. By exerting the greatest force at that timing during the process of the working member displacing from the first position to the second position, the effectiveness of the exercise can be improved. Thus, the user's posture and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member at that posture can be determined based on ergonomics. In other words, the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force the user should apply to the working member can be determined to improve the effectiveness of the exercise. Note that the "magnitude of force" in the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force the user should apply to the working member refers to the magnitude of the force relative to the user's maximum muscle strength.

[0014] As mentioned above, the effectiveness of exercise can be improved by applying force according to the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force the user should apply to the working member. However, in isokinetic exercise, the user applies force to a working member that is displaced at a constant velocity. Therefore, it can be difficult for the user to understand how much force to apply in relation to the displacement of the working member. If the magnitude of the force applied in relation to the displacement of the working member deviates from the magnitude of the force that should be applied, the effectiveness of the exercise may decrease.

[0015] This disclosure describes an exercise assist system, an exercise assist method, and an embodiment of a program for executing the exercise assist method, which assist exercise in order to improve the effectiveness of exercise when using an exercise machine for performing isokinetic exercises. Here, the effectiveness of exercise includes improvements in muscle strength, muscle mass, endurance, and basal metabolism, and includes the observation that improvements in muscle strength, muscle mass, endurance, and basal metabolism are observed in the user by continuously repeating the exercise. Furthermore, assisting exercise includes notifying the user of the timing to exert the greatest force before and during exercise, notifying the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force that the user should apply to the working member before and during exercise, and notifying the magnitude of the force applied to the working member by the user during and after exercise.

[0016] In the following embodiments, an exercise machine for performing abduction will be used as an example of an exercise machine for performing isokinetic exercises. In these embodiments, an exercise machine for performing abduction will be described as an example of an exercise machine, but the exercise machine is not limited to this. The exercise machine may be, for example, an exercise machine for performing at least one of the following: chest press, rowing, leg extension, leg curl, adduction, shoulder press, lat pulldown, leg press, crunch, back extension, right rotation, left rotation, triceps extension, bicep curl, calf raise, and toe raise. In the case of abduction, the working member rotates around a pivot point, but the working member may also perform linear motion. If the working member performs linear motion, the exercise machine does not need to have a pivot point.

[0017] [Exercise Assist System] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a motion assist system 100 including an assist device 10 according to an embodiment. The motion assist system 100 includes an assist device 10, an exercise machine 20, and a support bar 30.

[0018] The assist device 10 presents information regarding the recommended timing, which is the timing when the user P exerts the greatest force before and / or during exercise, so as to improve the effect of the exercise. In addition to the information regarding the recommended timing, the assist device 10 presents a standard curve representing the relationship between the displacement of the acting member 21 and the magnitude of the force that the user P should apply to the acting member 21, a measured value of the magnitude of the force applied by the user P to the acting member 21, an actual measurement curve representing the relationship between the displacement of the acting member 21 and the magnitude of the force applied by the user P to the acting member 21, and an evaluation result of the user P's motion based on the standard curve and the actual measurement curve. The assist device 10 is, for example, a tablet computer. The assist device 10 outputs a displacement operation instruction to the exercise machine 20 based on an input from the user P. The displacement operation instruction includes an instruction to start the motion, an instruction to end the motion, and an instruction to interrupt the motion.

[0019] The exercise machine 20 includes an acting member 21 to which the user P applies a force, and a fulcrum 22 that serves as an axis when the acting member 21 is displaced. The exercise machine 20 includes a sensor for measuring the magnitude of the force applied to the acting member 21 by the user, and a sensor for measuring the displacement of the acting member 21. Measuring the displacement of the acting member 21 includes measuring the amount of displacement from the first position and measuring the position of the acting member 21 when the acting member 21 is displaced from the first position to the second position. The user operates the assist device 10 and transmits an instruction to start the motion to the exercise machine 20. In response to the sensor detecting that the user P has applied a force to the acting member 21, the exercise machine 20 that has received the instruction to start the motion displaces the acting member 21 at a constant speed about the fulcrum 22. The exercise machine 20 transmits the measured value of the magnitude of the force applied to the acting member 21 by the user P and the measured value of the displacement of the acting member 21 to the assist device 10.

[0020] The support rod 30 is arranged so that the user P can recognize the display unit 131 of the assist device 10 during exercise on the exercise machine 20. Note that if the user P can recognize the display unit 131 of the assist device 10, the form and arrangement of the support rod 30 are not limited, and it may be configured independently of the exercise machine 20.

[0021] Next, the exercise machine 20 will be described. The exercise machine 20 displaces the acting member 21 at a constant speed in response to the user P applying a force to the acting member 21. As a result, the user P can perform an isokinetic exercise. The exercise machine 20 in the embodiment displaces the acting member 21 in response to a force being applied to the acting member 21, but the acting member 21 may be displaced at a constant speed regardless of whether a force is being applied to the acting member 21.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the displacement mode of the acting member 21 of the exercise machine 20 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the acting member 21 rotates at a constant speed about the fulcrum 22 in response to the user P's action of opening the legs.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the displacement of the exercise machine 20 in the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the acting member 21 is displaced at a constant speed from the first position SP to the second position EP. When the acting member 21 moves a distance X from the first position SP and the acting member 21 is at the position CP, the angle formed by the first position SP, the fulcrum 22, and the position CP can be represented as the displaced angle Y. In this specification, the displacement amount of the acting member 21 may be the distance X or the displaced angle Y. Also, in this specification, the displacement of the acting member 21 may be represented by the distance X or the angle Y based on the first position SP. In the following description, the displacement of the acting member 21 will be described by taking as an example the case where it is represented using the displaced angle Y. Note that, for example, when the displacement of the acting member 21 is the angle Z, it indicates that the acting member 21 is at a position rotated by the angle Z from the first position SP.

[0024] Figure 4 is a control block diagram of the motor assist system 100 in an embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the assist device 10 includes a storage device 11, an arithmetic unit 12, an output processing unit 13, an input device 14, and a communication device 15. Each of these components is connected via a processor bus.

[0025] The storage device 11 consists of volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), or non-volatile storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 11 stores reference information 111 and an exercise support program 112. The reference information 111 includes information representing the relationship between the displacement of the working member 21 from a first position to a second position, which is displaced when user P performs exercises on the exercise machine 20, and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member 21, as well as a standard curve. The displacement of the working member 21 may be represented by the distance X of displacement of the working member 21, or by the angle Y of displacement of the working member 21. The exercise support program 112 is a program for determining the recommended timing, which is the timing at which user P should exert the greatest force during the process in which the working member 21 is displaced from the first position to the second position, based on the reference information 111. Furthermore, the exercise support program 112 is also a program for determining an actual curve based on the measurement results received from the exercise machine 20, and for determining the evaluation result of user P based on the standard curve and the actual curve. The actual curve is, for example, the average value of the force applied to the working member 21 at each displacement in the measurement results obtained during a 3-minute exercise.

[0026] Information representing the relationship between the displacement of the working member 21 from a first position to a second position, which is displaced when user P performs exercises on the exercise machine 20, and the magnitude of the force that should be applied to the working member 21, as well as the standard curve, are determined based on ergonomics and / or experiment. Specifically, for example, when flexing the elbow, if full extension is 180 degrees, it is known that the force required to flex the elbow peaks at approximately 110 degrees of flexion, and the force decreases further when the elbow is extended or bent beyond that point. Applying this to the exercise machine 20, it is possible to determine the displacement of the working member 21 of the exercise machine 20 and the magnitude of the force that user P can exert at that displacement. Furthermore, it is known that the effectiveness of the exercise can be improved when user P exercises according to the determined relationship between the displacement of the working member 21 and the magnitude of the force that user P can exert.

[0027] The arithmetic unit 12 is a computer that reads a program (for example, a motor support program 112) stored in the memory device 11, expands the read program into the memory device 11, and executes it. The arithmetic unit 12 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an MPU (Multi Processing Unit). The arithmetic unit 12 may also be composed of processing circuits.

[0028] The output processing unit 13 outputs recommended timing, standard curve, measured curve, evaluation results, and measurement results received from the exercise machine 20 to the user P. The output processing unit 13 has a display unit 131 and a sound output unit 132. The display unit 131 notifies the user P by showing them the timing at which they exert the greatest force. The display unit 131 also shows the standard curve, measured curve, evaluation results, and measurement results to the user P. The display screen of the display unit 131 will be described later. The display unit is, for example, a display. The sound output unit 132 notifies the user P of the timing at which they exert the greatest force by emitting a sound. By notifying the user P of the timing at which they exert the greatest force by sound, the user P can recognize the timing without looking at the display unit 131. The sound output unit 132 is, for example, a speaker.

[0029] The input device 14 receives information from user P and the exercise machine 20. Information received from user P includes, for example, user information and displacement motion instructions. User information includes information about the user, such as the user's name, age, gender, physical characteristics (e.g., height and weight), maximum muscle strength, exercise proficiency, and information about the exercise machine 20 usage history. Displacement motion instructions include instructions to start the exercise, instructions to end the exercise, instructions to stop the exercise, the velocity of displacement of the working member 21, and the duration (exercise time) during which the working member 21 repeats the displacement. Information received from the exercise machine 20 is the measurement result of the displacement of the working member 21 and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 when user P performs exercises on the exercise machine 20. The input device 14 receives the measurement results via the communication device 15. The input device 14 includes a keyboard, mouse, and touch device.

[0030] The communication device 15 transmits commands to the exercise machine 20 and receives measurement results from the exercise machine 20 via wired or wireless communication. The communication device 15 may also communicate with devices other than the exercise machine 20.

[0031] In the embodiment described above, the reference information 111 and the exercise support program 112 were stored in the storage device 11 of the assist device 10, but are not limited to this. The reference information 111 and the exercise support program 112 may also be stored in an external storage device accessible by the arithmetic unit 12. In addition, in the embodiment described above, the user information was input by the user P via the input device 14, but the user information may also be stored in the storage device 11 or an external storage device accessible by the arithmetic unit 12.

[0032] The exercise machine 20 includes, in addition to the working member 21 and the fulcrum 22, a drive unit 23, a control unit 24, a measuring unit 25, and a communication unit 26. Each component is connected to the others.

[0033] The drive unit 23 receives commands from the control unit 24 and displaces the working member 21 at a constant velocity. The drive unit 23 includes, for example, a hydraulic cylinder and / or an electronic cylinder.

[0034] The control unit 24 controls the operation of the drive unit 23. Specifically, the control unit 24 includes a processor and memory, and drives the drive unit 23 based on displacement operation instructions received by the communication unit 26. The control unit 24 controls, for example, the start and end of the displacement of the working member 21, the speed of the displacement of the working member 21, and the motion time.

[0035] The measuring unit 25 measures the magnitude of the force applied by the user P to the working member 21 and the displacement of the working member 21, and generates measurement results. The measuring unit 25 includes, for example, a pressure sensor and an optical sensor.

[0036] The communication unit 26 receives commands from the assist device 10 via wired or wireless communication and transmits the measurement results generated by the measurement unit 25 to the assist device 10.

[0037] [Display screen of the assist device] Next, the display screen that the assist device 10 displays to user P will be described. Figure 5 shows an example of the display screen that the assist device 10 displays on the display unit 131 when user P is exercising on the exercise machine 20. The display screen 40 includes an exercise support window 41, a user information window 42, an exercise machine information window 43, a start button 44, an end button 45, and a return button 46.

[0038] The exercise support window 41 presents the user P with recommended timing, a standard curve, and measurement results.

[0039] The motion support window 41 includes a time tab 411, a curve tab 412, and a displacement tab 413.

[0040] The time tab 411 shows the elapsed time since user P started exercising and / or the remaining time of the exercise. In one embodiment, the exercise is performed for 3 minutes. In Figure 5, bar 411a indicates that 2 minutes have elapsed since the start of the exercise, and that 1 minute remains. The duration of the exercise is not particularly limited and is, for example, 3 minutes. The exercise time, which is the duration of the exercise, may also be determined, for example, based on user information.

[0041] The curve tab 412 shows the standard curve, the measured magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21, and the displacement of the working member 21 to user P. In the curve tab 412, the standard curve and the measured magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 are represented by multiple circles aligned along the direction of displacement of the working member 21. The number of circles indicates the magnitude of the force that user P should apply to the working member 21 at the corresponding displacement of the working member 21, or the magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 by user P. Here, the number of circles indicates the relative level of the force, with level 7 being the maximum force that user P should exert during the displacement from the first position SP to the second position EP. The level corresponds to the number of circles, with a higher level indicating a greater force. Furthermore, the maximum force that user P should exert during the displacement from the first position SP to the second position EP is not limited to maximum muscle strength. If the exercise is performed for 3 minutes, for example, the magnitude of the "maximum force that user P should exert" is 60% of the maximum muscle strength, and level 7 corresponds to 60% of user P's maximum muscle strength. Maximum muscle strength is, for example, the measurement taken when user P exerts full force against the working member 21. Note that the numerical value of the maximum force that user P should exert may be other than 7.

[0042] In the curve tab 412, the standard curve is represented using white circles. The displacement from the first position SP to the second position EP is divided into 11 sections, and 11 columns of white circles are displayed along the direction of displacement. The number of white circles in each column corresponds to the magnitude of the force applied by the user when the working member 21 is at the position corresponding to each divided displacement. For example, referring to Figure 7, the graph shown as "abduction" is an example of a standard curve for abduction motion. Also, as shown in Figure 8, in the "abduction" motion, the user P exerts the largest force when the displacement angle is 18.1 degrees. Therefore, in the curve tab 412 of Figure 5, for example, the horizontal axis of the graph shown as "abduction" in Figure 7 is divided into 11 sections, and multiple white circles are displayed according to the average value of the vertical axis value in each section when the displacement angle of 18.1 degrees is set to level 7. In addition, in the curve tab 412, the measured value of the magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 is represented using black circles. As the working member 21 is displaced, the row of white circles representing the standard curve is replaced by a row of black circles corresponding to the magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21. Therefore, the working member 21 is located at the position corresponding to the row that was most recently replaced by a row of black circles. For example, in Figure 5, the displacement from the first position SP to the second position EP is divided into 11 parts, and it is shown that the working member 21 is located at the second position along the direction of displacement. Note that the absolute value of the force magnitude represented by one black circle differs depending on the user's maximum muscle strength. For example, if a user with a maximum muscle strength of 60 Nm applies a force of 12 Nm to the working member 21, two black circles will be displayed. If a user with a maximum muscle strength of 30 Nm similarly applies a force of 12 Nm to the working member 21, four black circles will be displayed.

[0043] In the curve tab 412 of Figure 5, region 412a shows the standard curve corresponding to user P's left leg and the magnitude of the force exerted by the user, while region 412b shows the standard curve corresponding to user P's right leg and the magnitude of the force exerted by user P. The third column from the right in region 412a and the third column from the left in region 412b have seven circles, which is the largest number of circles among the standard curves shown in regions 412a and 412b. Therefore, user P, after checking the curve tab 412, can recognize that they should exert the largest force when they begin to open their legs from the first closed position and the working member 21 is displaced to the position corresponding to the third row of circles (when the displacement angle is approximately 20 degrees). In addition, for example, if user P recognizes that the 5th and 6th columns from the right in region 412a, and the 5th and 6th columns from the left in region 412b, then user P can understand that when the working member 21 is in a position corresponding to the 5th and 6th columns from the right in region 412a, and the 5th and 6th columns from the left in region 412b, it should exert a similar amount of force.

[0044] Furthermore, the curve tab 412 shows the measured magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 received from the exercise machine 20, as indicated by the black circles. Therefore, as the working member 21 is displaced from the first position SP to the second position EP, user P can recognize whether the magnitude of the force he / she exerted is appropriate to the standard curve. For example, in region 412a of Figure 5, the second column from the right, and in region 412b, the second column from the left, there are six white circles compared to two black circles. This indicates that the force exerted by user P is small compared to the standard curve. Recognizing this, user P can then apply a larger force to the working member 21.

[0045] The displacement tab 413 displays an avatar 413a representing the user P, an icon 413b of the working member 21, and an arrow 413c indicating the direction in which the working member 21 is displaced. The display of the avatar 413a and icon 413b changes based on the measurement results. Specifically, the legs of the avatar 413a are spread apart and the icon 413b moves in accordance with the displacement of the working member 21. This allows the user P to recognize the current position of the working member 21 during the movement. The arrow 413c also indicates the direction in which the working member 21 is displaced by the intensity of its color. The arrow 413c indicates that the user P is applying force from the lighter colored direction to the darker colored direction. By recognizing the arrow 413c, the user P can understand the direction in which force is applied to the working member 21.

[0046] Furthermore, if, after the working member has been displaced from the first position to the second position in the first movement, the exercise machine displaces the working member from the second position of the first movement back to the first position of the first movement in the second movement, the content of the exercise support window 41 is changed to match the mode of the second movement after the working member has reached the second position in the first movement. For example, when performing adduction, the exercise machine 20 displaces the working member 21 from the second position of abduction to the first position of abduction. First, user P sits on the exercise machine 20 with their legs together and performs abduction according to the content of the exercise support window 41 shown in Figure 5. When the working member 21 reaches the second position EP of adduction, the assist device 10 changes the display content of the exercise support window 41 to match the adduction. Specifically, the standard curve for adduction is represented using white circles in the curve tab 412. For example, the curve tab 412 displays multiple white circles arranged according to the average value of the vertical axis in each section, with the horizontal axis of the standard adduction curve divided into 11 sections, as shown in Figure 8, where the vertical axis value for a displacement angle of 53.3 degrees is set to level 7. In addition, the direction of the force applied, indicated by the intensity of the color in arrow 413c, changes to the opposite direction. After the display change, the actuating member 21 is displaced from the second abduction position to the first abduction position.

[0047] The user information window 42 displays information based on user information of user P. User information may be entered by user P, stored in the storage device 11, or read from a storage device other than the assist device 10 via the communication device 15. User information includes, for example, the user's name, age, gender, physical characteristics (e.g., height and weight), maximum muscle strength, exercise proficiency, and information regarding the usage history of the exercise machine 20. The user information window 42 displays user P's name and user P's proficiency. In Figure 5, user P's proficiency is represented by the number of symbols H consisting of star marks, with a higher number of symbols H indicating that user P has used the exercise machine 20 more times. Note that symbols H may be represented by marks of any shape other than star marks.

[0048] The exercise machine information window 43 displays information about exercise machine 20. This information includes, for example, the name of exercise machine 20 (LSW03), the name of the exercise performed on exercise machine 20 (hip abduction / abduction), the expected effects of the exercise performed on exercise machine 20, and the body parts that are affected by the exercise performed on exercise machine 20. The expected effects of the exercise performed on exercise machine 20 include, for example, hip lifting, correction of bowlegs, and prevention of urinary incontinence. The body parts that are affected by the exercise performed on exercise machine 20 include, for example, the tensor fasciae latae, adductor and abductor muscles, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus.

[0049] When user P presses the start button 44 and the end button 45, instructions to start and end exercise are sent to the exercise machine 20 via the communication device 15. Upon receiving the instruction to start exercise, the exercise machine 20 begins to displace the working member 21, and upon receiving the instruction to end exercise, the exercise machine 20 ends the displacement of the working member 21. Also, when the return button 46 is pressed, the output processing device 13 ends the display on the display screen 40 by the display unit 131. In this embodiment, the display unit 131 is a touch panel and also functions as an input device 14. User P touching the start button 44, the end button 45, and the return button 46 is an example of inputting to the input device 14.

[0050] Furthermore, the display unit 131 may change the display mode of the display screen at the timing when it exerts the greatest force. Changing the display mode means, for example, changing the color of the display or displaying a warning.

[0051] [Exercise Assistance Methods] Next, the process related to the exercise assistance method performed by the assist device 10 will be explained with reference to the figures. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the exercise assistance process performed by the assist device 10 according to the embodiment. Each step shown in Figure 6 is realized by the arithmetic unit 12 of the assist device 10 executing the exercise assistance program 112. The process shown in Figure 6 is started in response to an operation by user P to start exercise assistance by the assist device 10.

[0052] The assist device 10 acquires user information of user P who is performing the exercise (step S12). User information may be entered by user P via the input device 14 or stored in the storage device 11. User information may include, for example, the user's name, age, gender, physical characteristics (e.g., height and weight), maximum muscle strength, exercise proficiency, and information regarding the use history of the exercise machine 20.

[0053] The assist device 10 determines the recommended timing for user P to exert the greatest force during exercise using the exercise machine 20, based on the reference information 111 and user information stored in the storage device 11 (step S14). Determining the recommended timing during exercise using the exercise machine 20 includes determining the absolute value of the force to exert at that timing according to user P's maximum muscle strength. The absolute value of the force to exert at that timing is, for example, 60% of user P's maximum muscle strength. Here, the position of the working member 21 at the recommended timing is defined as the third position. The assist device 10 outputs the recommended timing determined in step S14 and the standard curve included in the reference information 111 to the output processing device 13 and notifies user P (step S16).

[0054] When the assist device 10 receives confirmation that user P has pressed the start button 44, it sends an instruction to the exercise machine 20 to begin exercise (step S18). Upon receiving the instruction to begin exercise, the exercise machine 20 displaces the working member 21 from the first position to the second position at a constant velocity in response to the force detected by the measuring unit 25. At this time, the measuring unit 25 measures the magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 and the displacement of the working member 21 and generates a measurement result. The assist device 10 receives the generated measurement result from the exercise machine 20 (step S20).

[0055] The assist device 10 displays the measurement results on the display unit 131 (step S22). At this time, the magnitude of the force applied to the working member 21 measured by the measurement unit 25 is displayed as a relative value to the magnitude of the force exerted at the recommended timing according to the user P's maximum muscle strength. If the working member 21 included in the measurement results received from the exercise machine 20 is in the third position (YES in step S24), the assist device 10 changes the display mode of the display unit 131 and emits a sound from the sound output unit 132 (step S26). From the change in the display mode of the display unit 131 and the sound emitted from the sound output unit 132, user P can recognize that this is the timing to exert the greatest force during exercise using the exercise machine 20.

[0056] Three minutes have elapsed since the start of the exercise (YES in step S28), the exercise machine 20 has finished displacing the working member 21, and the assist device 10 creates a measured curve based on the measurement results (step S30). The measured curve may be created based on the measurement results of the magnitude of the force during the process in which the working member 21 is displaced once from the first position SP to the second position EP, or it may be created based on the measurement results of the magnitude of the force during the process in which the working member 21 is displaced multiple times from the first position SP to the second position EP.

[0057] The assist device 10 evaluates the user P's motion based on the standard curve and the measured curve (step S32). When evaluating the motion, for example, the assist device 10 calculates the similarity between the standard curve and the measured curve, and calculates a higher score the more similar the standard curve and the measured curve are. The assist device 10 may also calculate the degree of agreement between the recommended timing and the timing at which user P exerted the greatest force, and evaluate user P's motion based on this degree of agreement. The assist device 10 displays the measured curve and the evaluation result of user P's motion, including the score, on the display unit 131 (step S34), and ends the process shown in Figure 6.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment of the motion assist system 100, the measuring unit 25 had a sensor to measure the displacement of the working member 21. However, the displacement of the working member 21 may be determined based on the time it takes to displace the working member 21. Since the working member 21 is displaced at a constant velocity from the first position SP to the second position EP, the measuring unit 25 can estimate the displacement of the working member 21 based on the elapsed time from the time the displacement started from the first position SP and the velocity of the displacement.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the exercise assist system 100, the assist device 10 on which the display screen 40 is displayed was attached to the support rod 30, but the system is not limited to this. For example, the assist device 10 may be configured to be attached to a part of the user P's body. In this case, it is preferable that the assist device 10 be attached to a part of the body that does not interfere with the user P's movement and is easily visible to the user P during exercise. The body parts to which the assist device 10 is attached are, for example, the arms and legs. In addition, the output processing device 13 of the assist device 10 may be configured to be attached to the user P's head. For example, the display unit 131 may be of the type of glasses (goggles). This allows the user P to recognize the display screen without looking at it. Also, if the display unit 131 is of the type of glasses, the recommended timing and standard curve can be presented in a way that is superimposed on the user P's movement, making it easier to understand the recommended timing and the magnitude of the force exerted during exercise.

[0060] [Example of derivation of standard curve] In this embodiment, it was explained that the recommended timing for the greatest force exerted when the working member is displaced from the first position to the second position, and the standard curve showing the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force that the user should apply to the working member, are determined based on ergonomics. However, when there is little ergonomic knowledge, it may be difficult to determine them based on ergonomics. In such cases, the recommended timing and standard curve may be determined based on measurement data obtained from having multiple users use the exercise machine. Below, an example of determining the recommended timing and standard curve based on measurement data obtained from having multiple users use the exercise machine is described.

[0061] Figure 7 shows the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member in measurement data obtained from multiple users using an exercise machine. In Figure 7, the displacement angle of the working member and the magnitude of the force exerted are shown for exercises such as chest press, rowing, leg extension, leg curl, abduction, and shoulder press on the exercise machine. Each of the multiple users is an experienced exerciser and is able to exert appropriate force according to their posture without using any assist devices.

[0062] First, multiple users are asked to apply maximum force to a working member while displacing it from a first position to a second position, and the magnitude of the force is measured. Three measurements are taken, and the average of the largest force measurements in each movement is taken as the maximum muscle strength.

[0063] Next, multiple users were instructed to repeatedly apply force to an action member that displaced at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position over a period of three minutes, and the displacement of the action member and the magnitude of the force applied to the action member were measured. Figure 7 is a graph plotting the measured values ​​of multiple users, with the displacement of the action member on the horizontal axis and the relative magnitude of the force exerted relative to the maximum muscle force on the vertical axis. Arrows are placed at the positions corresponding to the displacement at which the maximum muscle force was exerted. In other words, the timing at which the corresponding displacement is reached corresponds to the timing at which the greatest force was exerted.

[0064] Figure 8 shows the displacement corresponding to the timing of maximum force exertion, calculated based on measurement data obtained from multiple users using the exercise machines. In Figure 8, in addition to chest press, rowing, leg extension, leg curl, abduction, and shoulder press, the displacement corresponding to the timing of maximum force exertion is shown for exercise machines performing adduction, lat pull down, leg press, crunch, back extension, left rotation, and right rotation.

[0065] As described above, even with limited ergonomic knowledge, it is possible to determine the optimal timing for exerting maximum force and the standard curve based on measurement data obtained from multiple users using the exercise machine.

[0066] [Differentiation] In the above-described embodiment of the exercise assist system 100, an example was described in which the assist device 10 supports exercise using one corresponding exercise machine. However, one assist device may support exercise using multiple types of exercise machines.

[0067] Specifically, in the modified example, when changing exercise machines, the user moves with the assist device. The user inputs machine information into the assist device to identify the exercise machine being used. This machine information is, for example, the name of the exercise machine. Alternatively, the assist device may obtain machine information by having the user read an identifier (for example, a QR code®) provided on the exercise machine. Next, the assist device obtains exercise information corresponding to the exercise machine the user is using. This exercise information may be stored in a storage device within the assist device, or it may be stored on a server accessible to the assist device via a network. The assist device and the exercise machine are connected wirelessly or via a wire to transmit displacement motion instructions and to receive measurement results from the exercise machine the user is using. This allows the assist device and the exercise machine to operate in conjunction.

[0068] In the modified example, since one assist device is used by one user, the assist device does not need to acquire user information every time the user changes exercise machines, once it has acquired the user information.

[0069] In the modified example, the assist device 10 is realized, for example, by a smartphone owned by user P running a specific application program.

[0070] [Pattern] (1) The exercise assist system relating to this disclosure is An exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when force is applied by the user, It includes an assist device that assists the user's exercise using an exercise machine, The assist device is A memory device that stores reference information including information representing the relationship between the displacement of the working member from a first position to a second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member, A calculation device that determines the recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process in which the working member is displaced from the first position to the second position, based on reference information, It includes an output processing device that performs a process of outputting a recommended timing to the user.

[0071] As a result, the exercise assist system according to this disclosure outputs to the user the timing at which the greatest force should be exerted when exercising using an exercise machine for isokinetic exercise, so that the user can recognize that timing during exercise. By exercising in a way that exerts the greatest force at that timing, the effectiveness of the exercise can be improved.

[0072] (2) The exercise assist system described in (1), The reference information includes a standard curve that shows the relationship between the displacement of the working member from the first position to the second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member.

[0073] (3)(2) The exercise assist system described above, The standard curve represents the relationship between the angle of displacement of an operating member from a first position to a second position, and the magnitude of the force that the user should apply to the operating member, when the operating member rotates around a pivot point and displaces from a first position to a second position.

[0074] (4)(2) or (3) an exercise assist system, The output processing unit has a display unit, and displays the standard curve on the display unit.

[0075] (5)(4) The exercise assist system described above, The assist device further includes an input device, The input device receives measurement results, which include the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member, when the user performs exercises on the exercise machine. The computing unit is Based on the measurement results, we obtain a measured curve that represents the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member. Based on the standard curve and the measured curve, it generates an evaluation result of the movements performed by the user. The output processing unit performs the process of displaying the evaluation results on the display unit.

[0076] (6)(5) The exercise assist system described above, The evaluation results include a score. The score value is higher the greater the similarity between the standard curve and the measured curve.

[0077] (7) An exercise assist system described in any one of items (1) to (6), The assist device further includes an input device, The input device receives measurement results, which include the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member, when the user performs exercises on the exercise machine. The output processing device has a display unit and, when a user performs exercises on the exercise machine, processes the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member to display on the display unit.

[0078] (8)(7) The exercise assist system described above, The output processing unit performs a process to display a user avatar and icons of working components on the display unit, the display mode of which changes based on the measurement results.

[0079] (9) An exercise assist system described in any one of items (1) to (8), The output processing unit has a sound output unit and performs a process to emit sound from the sound output unit at a recommended timing.

[0080] (10) An exercise assist system described in any one of items (1) to (9), An exercise machine is an exercise machine used to perform at least one of the following exercises: chest press, rowing, leg extension, leg curl, abduction, adduction, shoulder press, lat pulldown, leg press, crunch, back extension, right rotation, left rotation, triceps extension, bicep curl, calf raise, and toe raise.

[0081] (11) The exercise assistance method relating to this disclosure is An exercise assist method for assisting a user's movement using an exercise assist system, comprising: an exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when force is applied by the user; and an assist device that assists the user's movement using the exercise machine, The steps include obtaining reference information from the assist device's storage device, which includes information showing the relationship between the displacement of the working member from a first position to a second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member, Based on reference information, the assist device's calculation unit determines the recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process in which the working member is displaced from the first position to the second position. The process includes the step of outputting a recommended timing to the user from the output processing unit of the assist device.

[0082] (12) The program relating to this disclosure is A program executed by a processor installed in a computer, which causes the computer to execute the exercise assistance method described in (11).

[0083] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 10 Assist device, 11 Memory device, 12 Processing unit, 13 Output processing unit, 14 Input device, 15 Communication device, 20 Exercise machine, 21 Working member, 22 Pivot point, 23 Drive unit, 24 Control unit, 25 Measurement unit, 26 Communication unit, 30 Support rod, 100 Exercise assist system.

Claims

1. An exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when force is applied by the user, The system includes an assist device that assists the user's exercise using the exercise machine, The aforementioned assist device, A storage device that stores reference information including information representing the relationship between the displacement of the working member from the first position to the second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member, A calculation device that determines a recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process in which the working member is displaced from the first position to the second position, based on the aforementioned reference information, An exercise assist system including an output processing device that performs a process of outputting the recommended timing to the user.

2. The motion assist system according to claim 1, wherein the reference information includes a standard curve representing the relationship between the displacement of the working member from the first position to the second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member.

3. The motion assist system according to claim 2, wherein the standard curve represents the relationship between the angle by which the working member is displaced from the first position to the second position when the working member rotates around a pivot point and is displaced from the first position to the second position, and the magnitude of the force that the user should apply to the working member.

4. The motion assist system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the output processing device has a display unit and displays the standard curve on the display unit.

5. The assist device further includes an input device, The input device receives measurement results, which include the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member, when the user performs exercise on the exercise machine. The aforementioned computing device is Based on the above measurement results, a measured curve representing the relationship between the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member is obtained. Based on the standard curve and the measured curve, an evaluation result of the movement performed by the user is generated. The motor assist system according to claim 4, wherein the output processing device performs a process of displaying the evaluation result on the display unit.

6. The aforementioned evaluation results include a score, The exercise assist system according to claim 5, wherein the value of the score is larger the higher the similarity between the standard curve and the measured curve.

7. The assist device further includes an input device, The input device receives measurement results, which include the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member, when the user performs exercise on the exercise machine. The exercise assist system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output processing device has a display unit, and when the user performs exercise on the exercise machine, it performs a process of displaying on the display unit the displacement of the working member and the magnitude of the force applied to the working member.

8. The exercise assist system according to claim 7, wherein the output processing device performs a process of displaying the user's avatar and the icons of the operating members on the display unit, the display mode of which changes based on the measurement results.

9. The motor assist system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output processing device has a sound output unit and performs a process of emitting sound from the sound output unit in accordance with the recommended timing.

10. The exercise assist system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exercise machine is an exercise machine for performing at least one of the following exercises: chest press, rowing, leg extension, leg curl, abduction, adduction, shoulder press, lat pulldown, leg press, crunch, back extension, right rotation, left rotation, triceps extension, bicep curl, calf raise, and toe raise.

11. An exercise assist method for assisting a user's movement using an exercise assist system, comprising: an exercise machine equipped with an action member that displaces at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position when force is applied by the user; and an assist device that assists the user's movement using the exercise machine, The steps include obtaining reference information from the storage device of the assist device, which includes information showing the relationship between the displacement of the working member from the first position to the second position and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the working member, Based on the aforementioned reference information, the assist device's calculation unit determines a recommended timing, which is the timing at which the user should exert the greatest force during the process in which the working member is displaced from the first position to the second position. A method for assisting movement, comprising the step of outputting the recommended timing to the user from the output processing device of the assisting device.

12. A program executed by a processor installed in a computer, which causes the computer to execute the exercise assistance method described in claim 11.

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