Health support device

Abstract

To provide a technology to support continuous and healthy walking by giving advice on walking in consideration of not only an amount of walking but also other elements.SOLUTION: A health support instrument includes: measuring means for measuring an amount of walking and quality of walking of a user; determination means for determining a walking level of the user using the information on the measured amount of walking and quality of walking; and advice presenting means for presenting advice to the user according to the determined walking level. The walking level includes a plurality of walking levels. The advice presenting means presents advice to the effect that the user increase the amount of walking rather than improving the quality of walking if the walking level is a first level at which the amount of walking and the quality of walking do not reach criteria.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a health support device technology that continuously analyzes the state of daily walking and presents advice according to changes in the user's walking ability.

Background Art

[0002] There is a high interest in walking as one of the methods for living a healthy life. As a health support device that utilizes walking, there are some that have both the function of determining the level of the number of steps taken over a certain period and providing advice corresponding to the level, and the function of providing advice based on the amount of change in the long-term number of steps (for example, Patent Document 1). Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 will be described later.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] It is known that it is important to walk continuously, and since increasing the amount of walking is considered to lead to good health, for example, as in Patent Document 1, there are devices that provide advice based on the amount of steps taken over a certain period and the change in the amount of steps over the long term. However, in the process of further research, simply giving advice focusing only on the amount of walking may impose too much load on the body and there is a risk that it cannot be continued, and there was room for improvement as a health support device for continuous and healthy walking.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and relates to a technology that can support continuous and healthy walking by giving advice on walking considering not only the amount of walking but also other factors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes a measurement means for measuring the amount and quality of a user's walking, a determination means for determining the walking level of the user using information on the measured amount and quality of the walking, and an advice presentation means for presenting advice to the user according to the determined walking level. When the walking level is at a first level where the amount and quality of walking do not reach given walking amount criteria and walking quality criteria respectively, the advice presentation means presents advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improve the quality of walking. The present invention relates to a health support device characterized by this.

[0008] Further, the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring the amount and quality of a user's walking, a determination step of determining the walking level of the user using information on the acquired amount and quality of the walking in multiple levels, and an advice presentation step of presenting advice to the user according to the determined walking level. When the walking level is less than a predetermined level where the amount and quality of walking do not reach given walking quality criteria and walking amount criteria respectively, the advice presentation step presents advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improve the quality of walking. The present invention relates to a health support method characterized by this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the technology provided by the present invention, the amount and quality of a user's walking are measured, the walking level of the user is determined based on the measurement results, and when the walking level is at the first level (less than a predetermined level) where the amount and quality of walking do not reach the given walking amount standard and walking quality standard respectively, in order to present advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improve the quality of walking, it becomes advice that takes into account not only the amount of walking but also the quality of walking, and it is possible to support continuous and healthy walking.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The main users of the health support device 100 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "this device") in the present embodiment are people in the so-called "pre-frail" stage, which is an intermediate stage between a healthy state and a care-required state. People in the pre-frail stage have a high possibility of returning to a healthy state by reviewing their walking habits in daily life. Conversely, if they do not review their walking habits, they tend to have a high possibility of transitioning to a care-required state. Therefore, the health support device 100 is a device that supports users in objectively grasping their walking habits in their daily life and reviewing their walking habits by checking appropriate advice.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the health support device 100 is a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal is a computer device small enough for a user to carry. The mobile terminal used in the implementation of the present invention needs to be a mobile terminal equipped with at least an attitude sensor. In addition to what is generally called a mobile terminal (such as a mobile phone, tablet terminal, PDA, mobile personal computer, etc.), a device specialized for measuring the amount and quality of walking, for example, a pedometer or a physical activity meter, may also be applicable. The health support device 100 (computer device) includes a measurement means 110, a determination means 120, a storage means 130, a calculation means 140, an evaluation means 150, and an advice presentation means 160. Further, it is preferable to include a display means 190 for displaying the advice by the advice presentation means. Although not shown in the figure, it is equipped with an input device such as a keyboard (including a touch keyboard), a pointing device, and an arithmetic processing device.

[0013] The measurement means 110 is a means for measuring the amount and quality of the user's walking. "The amount of walking" refers to the number of steps taken during walking, or the time spent walking at a moderate exercise intensity, which is a brisk walk that causes a slight sweat. Here, walking at a moderate exercise intensity means walking at 3 to 4 Mets, which is 3 to 4 times the exercise intensity when the resting state is 1 Mets. Also, walking on flat ground at a walking speed of about 67 m / min to 85 m / min is also considered walking at a moderate walking intensity. "The quality of walking" refers to the way of walking, that is, the gait, which is a concept contrasted with the amount of walking. Specifically, it can include walking speed, Mets which is the unit of the intensity of exercise and physical activity, step width which is the length from the toe of one foot when taking a step during walking to the toe of the same foot, walking ratio which is the value obtained by dividing the step width by the walking rate, walking symmetry which indicates the degree to which the lengths of the walking cycles of the left and right feet match each other, Harmonic ratio, or the sway of the center of gravity as the quality of walking. In addition to these, as the quality of walking, there can also be stride which is the length in the direction of progress from the landing of a predetermined foot to the landing of the same predetermined foot, the lateral width formed between the left and right feet, walking angle which is the angle between the direction of progress and the stepped foot, toe angle (valgus·medial thigh) which is the angle between the inclination of the foot and the direction of progress, walking cycle which is the time from the landing of a predetermined foot to the landing of the same foot, stance phase·swing phase which are the times when the foot is in contact with and off the ground during the walking cycle, double support phase which is the period when both feet are in contact with the ground during the walking period, etc. In order to measure these, the measurement means 110 is a known sensor such as an acceleration sensor (not shown) that senses the vibration when the foot touches the ground, a three-axis acceleration sensor (not shown) that captures the movement in three-dimensional space, a three-axis gyro (not shown) that captures the rotation of the mobile terminal in three-dimensional space, a motion sensor (not shown) that senses the movement of a person walking, etc., and it may be provided in the mobile terminal.

[0014] The determination means 120 is a means for determining the walking level of the user by using the measured amount and quality of walking. In the present embodiment, the walking level is determined using the amount and quality of walking in one day (24 hours), but it is not limited to this. Since this device is intended to continuously analyze the daily walking state of the user, the amount and quality of walking in one day are used as a period that is easy for the user to grasp and be aware of in daily life.

[0015] The "walking level" is obtained by setting given criteria for each of the amount and quality of walking, and classifying them using both the amount and quality of walking. In the present embodiment, four levels shown in FIG. 2 are used. · Level 1: The amount of walking is lower than the walking amount criterion, and the quality of walking is lower than the walking quality criterion · Level 2: The amount of walking is equal to or more than the walking amount criterion, and the quality of walking is lower than the walking quality criterion · Level 3: The amount of walking is lower than the walking amount criterion, and the quality of walking is equal to or more than the walking quality criterion · Level 4: The amount of walking is equal to or more than the walking amount criterion, and the quality of walking is equal to or more than the walking quality criterion Here, the given walking amount criterion and walking quality criterion of the present embodiment will be described. Since the main users of the present embodiment are assumed to be people in the pre-frail stage, the walking amount criterion and walking quality criterion are determined based on the reference values for frailty or not.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows data used as the walking amount criterion, and is a figure citing the data described in Non-Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the number of steps per day effective for preventing dementia in a frail state is 5000 steps or more, or the moderate-intensity activity time per day is 7.5 minutes or more, and the number of steps per day effective for preventing osteoporosis in a frail state is 7000 steps or more, or the moderate-intensity activity time per day is 15 minutes or less. In the present embodiment, due to factors such as ease of measurement and ease of habituation in daily life, the amount of walking is defined as the "number of steps", and the walking amount criterion is set as "5000 steps to 7000 steps", specifically 6000 steps.

[0017] Figure 4 shows data based on walking quality criteria and is a figure citing the data described in Non-Patent Document 2. As shown in Figure 4, the walking speed at which a person is diagnosed as being in a state of declining physical function is less than 0.8 [m / s], the walking speed at which a person is diagnosed as being in a frail state is less than 1.0 [m / s], and the walking speed at which a person is diagnosed as being in a healthy state is faster than 1.3 [m / s]. In this embodiment, due to factors such as ease of measurement and ease of habituation in daily life, the quality of walking is defined as "walking speed", and the walking quality criteria are set as "0.8 to 1.3 [m / s]".

[0018] The storage means 130 is means for storing the walking level determined by the determination means 120. Since this device aims to continuously support walking in daily life, it is advisable to store the determined walking level in the storage means 130. In this embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit (not shown) of the health support device 100 (computer device) stores the walking level and the measurement results (amount of walking and quality of walking) in the storage means 130 in association with the measured or determined date. Also, the arithmetic processing unit of the health support device 100 (computer device) may store the walking level and the measurement results determined by the determination means 120 not only in the storage means 130 provided in the health support device 100 but also in an external system (not shown) and allow access to it. Moreover, it is not necessary to store both the walking level and the measurement results in association with the date in the storage means 130 or the external system. It is also possible to store only the measurement results (amount of walking and quality of walking) and determine the walking level by the determination means 120 as needed, or to store only the walking level. Considering that analyses other than the walking level can also be performed, it is preferable to store at least the measurement results in association with the date. When storing in the storage means 130 provided in the health support device 100, from the perspective of saving storage capacity, it is preferable to store only the walking level.

[0019] The calculation means 140 is a means for calculating an index of the change over time of the walking level based on the stored walking level. The "index of change over time" is an index for evaluating how the walking level changes on a daily basis. Although details will be described later, it is a general statistical index such as the average value, variance, coefficient of variation, etc. The calculation means 140 calculates these indices of change over time. The index of change over time may be calculated every week, or may be calculated over an even longer period. Since this device aims to continuously analyze the state of daily walking, it was decided to calculate it every week, which is easy for the user to grasp and be aware of in daily life.

[0020] The evaluation means 150 is a means for evaluating the change over time of the walking level based on the calculated index of change over time. Although details will be described later, since this device aims to continuously support walking in daily life, it is important to evaluate the change over time not only in the short term but also in the long term and reflect it in the advice.

[0021] The advice presentation means 160 is a means for presenting advice according to the walking level. Although the details of the content of the advice to be presented will be described later, it may be determined only from the walking level, or may be the content that adds the evaluation result of the index of change over time in addition to the walking level. Considering the purpose of this device, it is preferable to use the content that adds the evaluation result of the index of change over time. Also, although details will be described later, in this device, when presenting advice, depending on the walking level, it is decided whether to give advice to improve the amount of walking or advice to improve the quality of walking, and weighting is performed. By performing weighting, more appropriate advice can be given, and it becomes possible to support the improvement of a reasonable walking habit.

[0022] The display means 190 is a means for displaying the advice by the advice presentation means 160, and is a display device provided on the mobile terminal.

[0023] Here, the advice content according to the walking level presented by the advice presentation means 160 will be described. When the walking level is at the first level (less than the predetermined level), which is when the given amount and quality of walking do not reach the standard, the advice presenting means 160 presents advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improve the quality of walking. The walking level being at the first level (less than the predetermined level) means that first, it is necessary to acquire walking habits and going-out habits. In other words, it is a walking level where it is necessary to acquire walking habits. The advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improve the quality of walking does not prohibit presenting advice regarding the improvement of the quality of walking. It is merely content that enables the user to be more conscious of improving the amount of walking than improving the quality of walking. Therefore, the advice to increase the amount of walking may include content that improves the quality of walking. By presenting such advice, it becomes easier for the user to grasp what the most important item to be conscious of at the current time is, and it becomes possible to acquire reasonable walking habits.

[0024] When the walking level is at the second level or above (predetermined level or above), where the amount of walking has reached the standard but the quality of walking has not reached the standard, advice is given to allow reducing the amount of walking and to improve the quality of walking. When the walking level is at the second level or above (predetermined level or above), it is considered that walking habits and going-out habits have been acquired. However, the quality of walking is considered to be in a state close to frailty. If advice is given to users at such a walking level to improve the quality of walking (walking speed) while maintaining the current amount of walking, it may impose a burden on the body and may harm the physical condition such as the knees. Also, even if the physical condition is not harmed, there is a risk that the user may feel burdened even to go out when receiving advice to improve the quality of walking while maintaining the amount of walking. Therefore, advice is given to users of this score to allow reducing the amount of walking and to improve the quality of walking. This is because allowing the reduction of the amount of walking can lead to continuous and healthy support for walking by improving the quality of walking. Allowing the reduction of the amount of walking does not mean advising to reduce the amount of walking, but rather means advising that the improvement of the quality of walking is the top priority, and if the amount of walking decreases in order to improve the quality of walking, it is okay to reduce the amount of walking. Thus, it is effective to give advice at this stage that can improve the quality of walking by acquiring a correct walking posture.

[0025] When the walking level is at the third level, where the amount of walking has not reached the walking amount standard and the quality of walking is above the walking quality standard, advice is given to increase the amount of walking and to maintain the quality of walking. When the walking level is at the third level, it is considered that walking habits and going-out habits have been acquired, and the quality of walking (walking speed) has also been acquired. Although the user has the strength to walk in a good manner in terms of the quality of walking (walking speed), the amount of walking (number of steps) is considered insufficient. Since the user has sufficient quality of walking, it is considered that increasing the amount of walking is less likely to impose a burden on the body compared to the second level. Therefore, aiming for further physical improvement, advice is given to increase the amount of walking and to maintain the quality of walking.

[0026] Next, the change index over time and the advice content by the advice presenting means 160 will be described. As described above, the advice presenting means 160 presents advice according to the determined walking level. However, by reflecting the evaluation result of the change index over time in the advice content, it is possible to present advice that can further support a continuous and healthy walking habit. In the present embodiment, the average score per week is calculated from the walking level determined by fitting the amount of walking per day and the quality of walking to the walking amount standard and the walking quality standard shown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, a calendar display is performed so that the user can easily grasp the walking level per day and the average score per week. FIG. 5 shows an example of the display on the display means 190. In FIG. 5, A indicates that the walking level is the 4th level, B indicates that the walking level is the 3rd level, C indicates that the walking level is the 2nd level, and D indicates that the walking level is the 1st level. Also, the score for the 4th level is 4 points, the score for the 3rd level is 3 points, the score for the 2nd level is 2 points, and the score for the 1st level is 1 point, and the average score is calculated. For example, in the week from August 2nd to August 8th shown in FIG. 5, since D with a walking level of the 1st level is 6 days and A with a walking level of the 4th level is 1 day, the average score is 1.4 (rounded off at the second decimal place).

[0027] In addition to the walking level per day, the number of steps per day (amount of walking) and the average speed (quality of walking) represented in units of one week are shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6(a) shows the period from August 2nd to August 8th, and FIG. 6(b) shows the period from August 23rd to August 28th. At the lower part of the display area of the display means 190, advice by the advice presenting means 160 is displayed. The advice content by the advice presenting means 160 is to perform different weightings according to the walking level for the quality of walking and the amount of walking. An example of the advice content is shown below. When the score <1.5 "First, without worrying about the walking posture (quality of walking), acquire the habit of going out and increase the amount of walking." That is, aiming at improving the amount of walking rather than the quality of walking, advice to achieve that is presented. When 1.5 ≤ score < 2.5 "Since it is okay to reduce the amount of walking, let's acquire the correct walking posture and habit of walking fast." That is, aiming at improving the quality of walking rather than the amount of walking, advice to achieve this is presented. When 2.5 ≤ score < 3.5 "While maintaining the current speed, let's increase the amount of walking." That is, assuming the quality of walking is maintained at the current level (and no further improvement is required), aiming at improving the amount of walking, advice to achieve this is presented. When 3.5 ≤ score "Let's maintain the current walking posture and amount of walking." That is, aiming at maintaining or further improving both the amount of walking and the quality of walking, advice to achieve this is presented.

[0028] An explanation will be given for each piece of advice content. When "score < 1.5", the user's walking level is approximately at the first level for one week. For such a user, both the amount of walking is small and the quality of walking (walking speed) is slow. As a problem for such a user, it is considered that the habit of going out (walking habit) is lacking. For such a user, rather than advising excessive improvement in the amount of walking or the quality of walking, it is effective to first present advice on acquiring the habit of going out (walking habit). Therefore, advice such as "Acquire the habit of going out and increase the amount of walking" as advice to encourage going out or walking is good. Also, for example, advice such as "Let's go out" can be presented at the beginning of the day, or when there is almost no amount of walking at noon, advice such as "Let's go for a walk in the afternoon" can be presented. When "1.5 ≤ score < 2.5", the user's walking level was at the first and second levels for one week. For such users, since the amount of walking is above the walking amount standard, it is considered that they have an outdoor habit (walking habit). As a problem for such users, although they have an outdoor habit and an amount of walking, it is considered that the quality of walking (walking speed) is poor (slow). And as factors for poor walking quality, weak leg strength, not having learned the correct way of walking, etc. can be considered. For such users, if they are advised to improve the quality of walking (walking speed) while maintaining the current amount of walking, it may impose a load on the body and there is a risk of harming the physical condition such as the knees. Also, even if the physical condition is not harmed, there is also a risk that they will feel burdened even when going out when receiving advice to improve the quality of walking while maintaining the amount of walking. Therefore, it is effective to give advice to such users of this score to prioritize improving the quality of walking. Therefore, advice such as "It's okay to reduce the amount of walking, so let's acquire the correct walking habit of walking fast" is good. Also, for example, specific ways of walking that affect the improvement of the quality of walking, such as "Let's try walking with big steps", may be advised. When "2.5 ≤ score < 3.5", the user's walking level was at the second and third levels for one week. For such users, since the quality of walking is above the walking quality standard, it is considered that they have a walking habit with the correct walking posture. However, since they are improving their walking based on advice that emphasizes improving the quality of walking, there may be a slight shortage in the amount of walking required to maintain health. Also, since they meet the walking quality standard, it is considered that they have sufficient muscle strength, etc. Therefore, it is effective to give advice to increase the amount of walking while maintaining the walking speed so that the walking amount standard and walking quality standard required to maintain and improve health can be achieved. Therefore, advice such as "Let's increase the amount of walking while maintaining the current speed" is good. When the score is "3.5 ≤ score", the user is at the third and fourth levels per week. For such users, since the amount of walking is above the walking amount standard and the quality of walking is above the walking quality standard almost every day, it is effective to advise maintaining this state. Therefore, advice such as "Let's maintain the current walking posture and amount of walking" is good. Also, for example, at the end of the day, advice such as "You made it again today!" may be displayed to encourage the continuation of a good state.

[0029] Here, as described above, when conducting an evaluation using the average value as an index of change over time, in addition to using the average value over one week for evaluation, for example, the evaluation may also be carried out by comparing with the average values of half a year ago or one year ago. Specifically, compare the average value of half a year ago with the current average value. For example, when the average value over one week half a year ago was at the first level and the average value over one week at the current time is at the second level, and when the average value over one week half a year ago was at the second level and the average value over one week at the current time is at the second level, the advice presented may be different. Users whose walking level was at the first level half a year ago are likely to have a walking level of the second level where the walking habit has just been acquired, but users whose walking level was at the second level half a year ago may be at the second level where the quality of walking has not improved despite already having acquired the walking habit (half a year ago). Thus, even if the average value over one week at the current time is the same, the implications may be different. Therefore, the score may be evaluated by comparing with the index of change over time in the past (for example, half a year ago).

[0030] Also, as described above, when using the average value as the change-over-time indicator, there are also the following problems. For example, when the average for one week is 2, the same advice will be given for one week with the first level for 5 days, the third level for 1 day, and the fourth level for 1 day, and for one week with the second level for 7 days. However, it is highly likely that the former user had a week that happened to include a high-level day, and originally, it is highly likely that the user does not have the walking habit. In order to avoid such a situation, in addition to the average value, the variance and coefficient of variation may be calculated as the change-over-time indicator.

[0031] Fig. 7 shows an example of a calendar display of the walking level for each day and the average score per week. Also, Fig. 8 shows the average, variance, and coefficient of variation calculated from the walking levels shown in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b), and the advice content. The level shown in Fig. 8 is the current walking level determined by rounding the average score. The variance is calculated to obtain the degree of variation in the walking level over one week, and further, the coefficient of variation is calculated to obtain the relationship between the average value and the variation. In this embodiment, when the coefficient of variation is 0.5 or more, since there is variation in the included walking levels, advice to maintain the current level is presented. This is because, for example, there may be a possibility that the walking level is due to a high-level day that happened to be included, and it is determined that it is highly likely that the actual walking level of the user is not that level, and it is more appropriate to give advice to maintain the current level. On the other hand, when the coefficient of variation is less than 0.5, since there is little variation in the included walking levels, it is highly likely that there is no problem in judging it as the actual walking level of the user. In such cases, it is appropriate to present advice aiming for the next walking level. In this way, as the change-over-time indicator, not only the average value but also the variance, coefficient of variation, etc. may be used to evaluate the change-over-time, or it is preferable to evaluate the change-over-time by combining a plurality of change-over-time indicators as shown in Fig. 8.

[0032] Also, as an index of change over time, the median value calculated from the histogram for each week may be used. By evaluating the change over time using the median value calculated from the histogram, even if there are outliers in the data for one week, for example, if there happens to be a high-level day included in the data for one week, an evaluation that is not affected by the data can be performed, and thus appropriate advice can be displayed. Also, as an index of change over time, the time-series data of the walking level may be graphically displayed on the display means 190, the moving average for one week may be calculated from the time-series data, and the evaluation may be performed based on the moving average. Since irregular fluctuations are removed by connecting the values of the moving average, even if there happens to be a high-level day included in the data for one week, an evaluation that is not affected by the data can be performed, and thus appropriate advice can be displayed. Also, as an index of change over time, the time-series correlation coefficient may be calculated and evaluated. For example, if the correlation coefficient is a positive value, it can be understood that a good walking habit has been acquired and the trend is favorable. Also, since it is possible to predict the future trend from the correlation coefficient, it is possible to predict when and at what level it will be if continued at the current pace. For the user to grasp the future trend also serves as an incentive for improving the walking habit, and thus it becomes possible to acquire a continuous walking habit. On the other hand, if the correlation coefficient is a negative value, it can be understood that there is a problem with the current walking habit, and thus it becomes possible to present advice for reviewing the walking habit. In this way, by calculating an index effective for smoothing the variation and an index effective for capturing and predicting the trend, the change over time can be evaluated and reflected in the advice.

[0033] <Health support method> Next, a health support method (hereinafter, may also be referred to as this method) will be described. This method includes an acquisition step, a determination step, and an advice presentation step. The acquisition step is a step of acquiring the amount and quality of the user's walking, and is a step of acquiring values measured by known sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a three-axis acceleration sensor, a three-axis gyroscope, and a motion sensor. Also, in the acquisition step, instead of data measuring the quality of walking using a sensor, the walking state may be photographed, and the photographed image may be analyzed to obtain data calculating the quality of walking such as walking speed, stride, walking rate, head sway, and trunk sway. The acquisition step acquires the measured values via a network or through a predetermined medium. The determination step is a step of determining the user's walking level in multiple levels using the information on the acquired amount and quality of walking. The advice presentation step is a step of presenting advice to the user according to the determined walking level. When the walking level is less than a predetermined level where the amount and quality of walking do not reach given walking quality criteria and walking amount criteria respectively, it is a step of presenting advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improving the quality of walking. Further, this method may further include a storage step, a calculation step, and an evaluation step. The storage step is a step of storing the walking level. The calculation step is a step of calculating an index of the change over time of the walking level based on the stored walking level. The evaluation step is a step of evaluating the change over time of the walking level based on the index of the change over time. And in the advice presentation step, advice according to the evaluation content in the evaluation step may be presented. Note that in the determination step, the processing content of the determination means of this device can be performed, similarly, in the advice presentation step, the processing content of the advice presentation means, in the storage step, the processing content of the storage means, in the calculation step, the processing content of the calculation means, and in the evaluation step, the processing content of the evaluation means.

[0034] <Modification Example> The implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, etc. are possible.

[0035] In this embodiment, the walking speed is used as the walking quality standard, but it is not limited to this. For example, an acceleration sensor (mobile terminal) may be precisely installed near the user's navel area to measure the movement of the user's center of gravity. When the movement of the center of gravity is slow, the walking quality is low (the walking level is low), and when the movement of the center of gravity is fast, the walking quality is high (the walking level is high). A standard may be provided to make such a determination. Similarly, the movement (swing) of the center of gravity may be measured and used for the determination. When the walking quality is low, the vertical swing is large and the horizontal swing is small. On the other hand, as the walking quality increases, the vertical swing tends to decrease and the horizontal swing tends to increase. Therefore, it may also be used as a walking quality standard for this. Note that the reason for installing the acceleration sensor near the user's navel area is that the human center of gravity is within the pelvis, slightly in front of the sacrum, and slightly below the navel. By installing the acceleration sensor at this position, it becomes possible to measure the movement of the center of gravity. In this way, by determining the movement of the center of gravity, in addition to being able to make the same determination as the walking speed, the way of walking can also be used for the determination, and more appropriate advice can be presented.

[0036] Also, the Harmonic ratio may be used as the walking quality standard. The Harmonic ratio is an index representing the symmetry of the acceleration waveform in each of the walking cycles of the left and right feet. In the case of an ideal walking posture, the width and swing of the step taken by the right foot and the step taken by the left foot are equal (a symmetric way of walking). However, for example, when there is pain in one of the legs and walking while limping, the balance between the left and right is poor. Therefore, the balance between the left and right may be used as the walking quality standard and included in the advice to be presented. The Harmonic ratio can be calculated, for example, by attaching a three-axis acceleration sensor (mobile terminal) to the third lumbar vertebra of the user's back and measuring the acceleration in the front-back, left-right, and vertical directions and the walking speed during walking. By doing so, it becomes possible to advise on problems caused by the left-right difference in the way of walking that the user usually does not pay much attention to, and support the acquisition of appropriate walking habits.

[0037] In this embodiment, the walking level is divided into four levels from the first level to the fourth level, but the number of levels is not limited to this. For example, the amount of walking and the quality of walking may each be divided into three levels, resulting in a total of nine walking levels. Or the amount of walking may be divided into five levels and the quality of walking into three levels, resulting in a total of fifteen walking levels. Increasing the number of levels of the walking level allows for more detailed advice content to be presented, enabling the provision of fine-grained advice. It is possible to identify users whose walking quality level exceeds their walking amount level, and the walking level can be determined so as to be able to give advice to such users to maintain or reduce the quality and improve the amount.

[0038] In this embodiment, only one type of walking amount criterion and one type of walking quality criterion are used, but this is not limiting. For example, the walking amount criterion and the walking quality criterion may be changed according to the age and gender of the user. A plurality of walking amount criteria and walking quality criteria may be stored in advance, and when the user inputs age and gender data, the walking level may be determined based on the walking amount criterion and walking quality criterion corresponding to the data. Also, when there are multiple types of walking amount criteria and walking quality criteria, the corresponding criteria may be applied to the criterion of "when the walking level is less than a predetermined level where the amount and quality of walking do not reach the criteria". For example, if the walking amount criteria are the first criterion and the second criterion, either the first criterion or the second criterion may be applied to the walking amount criterion. If the walking quality criteria are the first criterion and the second criterion, either the first criterion or the second criterion may be applied to the walking quality criterion. The same applies to "when the walking level is at or above a predetermined level where the amount of walking reaches the criteria but the quality of walking does not reach the criteria".

[0039] In this embodiment, the content displayed on the display means 190 is not limited to the above. For example, a graph showing the daily walking level may be displayed on a coordinate with the first axis being the day and the second axis being the walking level. By displaying such a graph, it becomes possible for the user to easily grasp the daily achievement status and changes. Also, a line graph showing the daily number of steps and walking speed (average) may be displayed on coordinates with the first axis being the date and the second axis being the number of steps and walking speed. By displaying such a graph, it becomes possible for the user to easily grasp the daily achievement status and changes. Also, when the display means 190 displays a calendar as shown in FIG. 5, it is not limited to displaying the average value per week. For example, in the case of per week from Monday to Sunday, at the time of Wednesday, using the walking levels from Monday to Wednesday, the predicted average value for the week may be displayed, and when the walking level on Sunday is determined, the confirmed average value per week may be displayed. In this way, by displaying the predicted average value until the confirmed average value is calculated, the user can easily grasp the daily achievement status and can easily grasp to what extent of walking can maintain (or improve) the average value.

[0040] In this embodiment, the advice content displayed on the display means 190 is not limited to the above-mentioned. Also, the advice content may be registered in a database, and according to the walking level and evaluation result, the target advice content may be displayed on the display means 190. Also, attributes such as the user's gender and the presence or absence of occupation, and lifestyle patterns (such as having commuting on weekdays and no commuting on weekends) may be registered in advance, and may be considered when extracting the advice content from the database. For example, in the case of women, since it is considered possible to increase the amount of walking when shopping for daily necessities, it is possible to support the improvement of walking habits by adding "You may go to a store a little farther away" to the advice to increase the amount of walking. Also, the advice content may include content considering the season. For example, in summer, it is possible to support the improvement of walking habits by adding "Let's walk while taking sufficient water".

[0041] In this embodiment, the evaluation means 150 performed time-dependent evaluation based on the calculated time-dependent change index. In addition to this, for example, the tendency for each day of the week may be calculated and the tendency for each day of the week may be included in the evaluation. For example, for users who can maintain a certain amount and quality of walking through commuting on weekdays but tend to have a decrease in the amount and quality of walking on holidays, an evaluation considering this may be performed. By doing so, it becomes possible to present more appropriate advice. Also, the tendency for each month may be calculated and the comparison result with the same period of the previous year may be included in the evaluation. By doing so, for example, an evaluation can be performed considering factors such as the season like the rainy season when the walking level decreases.

[0042] In this embodiment, the evaluation means 150 performed evaluation by comparing the calculated average value with the average value in the past (for example, six months ago), but the time-dependent change index to be compared is not limited to the average value and may be other indices. It is preferable to determine the time-dependent change index to be compared according to the content to be compared.

[0043] In this embodiment, assuming users in the pre-frail state, the walking amount standard, the walking quality standard, and the content of the advice to be presented were determined, but it is not limited to this. For example, when assuming users in the metabolic state, the walking amount standard and the walking quality standard necessary for improvement of people in the metabolic state may be determined from data such as FIG. 3, and advice may be presented. Also in this case, it is preferable to present advice with weighting on the quality and amount of walking. Further, according to what kind of improvement in health state is desired for the health support device 100, users may be able to select (for example, whether to use it for improvement of pre-frailty or for improvement of metabolism). By doing so, for example, users who have improved the pre-frail state can use the health support device 100 for improvement of the metabolic state next.

Explanation of Signs

[0044] 100 Health support device (computer device) 110 Measurement means 120 Judgment means 130 Storage means 140 Calculation means 150 Evaluation means 160 Advice presentation means 190 Display means

Claims

1. Measuring means for measuring the amount and quality of a user's walking; Determining means for determining the user's walking level using information on the measured amount and quality of the walking; Advice presenting means for presenting advice to the user according to the determined walking level, wherein the advice presenting means when the walking level is a first level where the amount and quality of the walking do not reach given walking amount criteria and walking quality criteria respectively, presents advice to increase the amount of the walking rather than improve the quality of the walking; when the walking level is a second level where the amount of the walking reaches the walking amount criteria and the quality of the walking does not reach the walking quality criteria, presents advice to allow reducing the amount of the walking and to improve the quality of the walking, a health support device characterized by this.

2. The advice presenting means when the amount of the walking does not reach the walking amount criteria and the quality of the walking is above the walking quality criteria at a third level, presents advice to increase the amount of the walking and to maintain the quality of the walking, the health support device according to Claim 1.

3. There is another walking level determined by the determining means using information on the amount and quality of the user's walking measured at a timing different from the information on the amount and quality of the walking used to determine the walking level, wherein the advice presenting means compares the other walking level with the walking level and presents different advice, the health support device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The amount of the walking is the number of steps or the time walked at a moderate exercise intensity, wherein the quality of the walking is any one of walking speed, Mets, step width, walking ratio, walking symmetry, Harmonic ratio, or sway of the center of gravity, the health support device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. An acquisition step of acquiring the amount and quality of a user's walking; A determination step of determining the user's walking level in multiple levels using information on the acquired amount and quality of the walking; An advice presenting step of presenting advice to the user according to the determined walking level, wherein the advice presenting step When the walking level is less than a predetermined level where the amount and quality of walking do not reach given walking quality criteria and walking amount criteria respectively, advice to increase the amount of walking rather than improve the quality of walking is presented. A health support method characterized in that when the walking level is at a second level where the amount of walking reaches the walking amount criteria and the quality of walking does not reach the walking quality criteria, advice to allow reducing the amount of walking and to improve the quality of walking is presented.

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