Exercise load device

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an exercise load device that allows small animals to easily and stably perform anaerobic exercise. [Solution] The exercise stress device is a device for conducting medical experiments by applying an exercise stress to small animals, and includes a treadmill that moves a conveyor-type running surface backward to make the small animal run forward, a cage that surrounds the treadmill and prevents the small animal from leaving the treadmill, a stimulation device that stimulates the small animal when it reaches the rear end of the running surface, and an angle adjustment mechanism that supports a base on which the treadmill and cage are mounted and can adjust the inclination angle of the running surface by tilting it so that the front end of the running surface is positioned higher than the rear end.The running surface is provided with a number of protrusions according to the size of the small animal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise stress device for carrying out medical experiments by applying an exercise stress to small animals. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, exercise stress devices for conducting medical experiments by applying exercise stress to small animals such as mice or rats have mainly been exercise stress devices that cause small animals to perform aerobic exercise, such as treadmills or running wheels as shown in Patent Document 1.

[0003] There are almost no exercise stress devices that allow small animals to perform anaerobic exercise such as resistance exercise, and only a few examples of exercise stress devices have been created in laboratories. Examples of exercise stress devices that allow small animals to perform anaerobic exercise include a device that semi-immobilizes a small animal and makes it lift weights, as in Non-Patent Document 1, a device that attaches weights to a small animal and makes it climb a ladder, as in Non-Patent Document 2, and a tail suspension training device, as in Non-Patent Document 3. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-13363 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Tamaki, T., Uchiyama, S., & Nakano, S. (1992). A weight-lifting exercise model for inducing hypertrophy in the hindlimb muscles of rats. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 24(1), 881-886. [Non-patent document 2] Hornberger, TA, & Farrar, RP (2004). Physiological hypertrophy of the FHL muscle following 8 weeks of progressive resistance exercise in the rat. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 29(1), 16-31. [Non-patent document 3] Deschenes, MR, & Wilson, MH (2003). Age-related differences in synaptic plasticity following muscle unloading. Journal of Neurophysiology, 90(5), 3064-3070. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the devices disclosed in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is difficult to make a small animal perform anaerobic exercise easily and stably because the small animal must be restrained and there is little flexibility in the exercise intensity that can be given to the small animal.Furthermore, with the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is also difficult to make a small animal perform anaerobic exercise easily and stably, and there is room for improvement.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an exercise load device that allows small animals to perform anaerobic exercise easily and stably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the exercise stress device of the present invention is an exercise stress device for conducting medical experiments by applying an exercise stress to small animals, and includes a treadmill that moves a conveyor-type running surface backward to cause the small animal to run forward, a cage that surrounds the treadmill and prevents the small animal from leaving the treadmill, a stimulation device that stimulates the small animal when it reaches the rear end of the running surface, and an angle adjustment mechanism that supports a base on which the treadmill and the cage are mounted and that can adjust the inclination angle of the running surface by tilting the running surface so that the front end of the running surface is positioned higher than the rear end. a tilt table that supports the angle adjustment mechanism in a state in which the angle adjustment mechanism is tilted in a direction in which the inclination angle of the road surface increases; The running surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the size of the small animal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an exercise load device that allows small animals to easily and stably perform anaerobic exercise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an exercise load device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exercise load device, in which the treadmill device, angle adjustment mechanism, and inclined platform shown in FIG. 1 are disassembled. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure and angle adjustment mechanism of the treadmill apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the treadmill apparatus and angle adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the treadmill apparatus and angle adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front view of the treadmill apparatus and angle adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] Side view of the ramp. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a top view of the ramp shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise load device showing the treadmill device and the angle adjustment mechanism placed on the inclined platform. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation control of the exercise load device. [Figure 11] Figure 1 shows a behavioral protocol for performing resistance exercise in small animals. [Figure 12] Figure 1 shows the operating protocol for performing HIIT exercise in small animals. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an exercise load device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the buffer material shown in FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components with the same reference numerals in each embodiment have similar components in each embodiment unless otherwise specified, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. First, the overall configuration of an exercise load apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the exercise load apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exercise load apparatus 100, in which the treadmill apparatus 1, angle adjustment mechanism 40, and inclined platform 50 shown in Figure 1 are disassembled.

[0013] The exercise stress device 100 is a device for conducting medical experiments by applying an exercise stress to a small animal S such as a mouse or a rat. In particular, the exercise stress device 100 is an exercise stress device that can easily and stably cause the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise such as resistance exercise. Furthermore, the exercise stress device 100 can easily and stably cause the small animal S to perform exercise including anaerobic exercise such as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) exercise.

[0014] Exercise is the most important measure for reducing mortality rates, as recommended by the WHO. While aerobic exercise has traditionally been the primary focus, resistance exercise is now crucial not only for preventing diseases such as cancer, but also for its anti-cancer effects in patients with the disease. It is also an important method for anti-aging research. However, the lack of research using model animals is primarily due to the difficulty of engaging small animals in resistance exercise. Diseases for which resistance exercise is thought to be effective in improving and preventing symptoms include cancer, metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever, and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. These are the diseases and anti-aging research fields that currently require the most medical resources. For this reason, the exercise load device 100 of this embodiment is expected to be used in a wide variety of disease and aging research studies.

[0015] The exercise load device 100 includes a treadmill device 1 that applies an exercise load to the small animal S, an angle adjustment mechanism 40 that adjusts the inclination angle of the treadmill device 1, and an inclined platform 50 that increases the inclination angle of the treadmill device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the inclined platform 50 increases the inclination angle when the treadmill device 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 are placed on it.

[0016] Next, the detailed configuration of the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a side view showing the internal structure of the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40. Figure 4 is a top view of the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a rear view of the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a front view of the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 shown in Figure 3.

[0017] The treadmill device 1 comprises a treadmill 10 that moves a conveyor-type running surface 12 backward to make a small animal S run forward, a cage 5 that prevents the small animal S from leaving the treadmill 10, and a base 2 on which the treadmill 10 and the cage 5 are mounted.

[0018] The base 2 is formed in a table or box shape, and the treadmill 10 is mounted on its upper surface. The base 2 is formed from a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The cage 5 is formed in a box shape and surrounds the periphery of the treadmill 10. The cage 5 is formed from a transparent resin material such as acrylic. A portion of the ceiling 5a of the cage 5 is configured to be openable and closable so that the small animal S can be introduced into the cage 5. The internal space of the cage 5 is divided by a plurality of partition plates 6 extending in the front-to-rear direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the treadmill 10 has a drive pulley 14 disposed at the rear of the treadmill 10 and a driven pulley 15 disposed at the front of the treadmill 10. A running belt 11, which is an endless belt, is stretched across the drive pulley 14 and the driven pulley 15. The upper surface of the running belt 11 forms a running surface 12 on which the small animals S run. The running belt 11 is made of a resin material such as rubber that makes it difficult for the small animals S to slip. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of partition plates 6 are arranged on the running surface 12, which define a plurality of running lanes on which a plurality of small animals S can run simultaneously.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the running surface 12 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 13 corresponding to the size of the small animal S. Each of the plurality of protrusions 13 is formed from a resin material such as rubber that provides a low slippage rate for the small animal S. Each of the plurality of protrusions 13 protrudes upward from the running surface 12 and extends in the width direction (left-right direction) of the running surface 12. For example, each of the plurality of protrusions 13 is formed in the shape of a long, narrow block whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the running surface 12. Each of the plurality of protrusions 13 is arranged at a predetermined pitch in the front-rear direction of the running surface 12 corresponding to the size of the small animal S. For example, if the small animal S is a mouse, the predetermined pitch may be approximately 25 mm. If the small animal S is a rat, which is larger than a mouse, the predetermined pitch may be greater than 25 mm.

[0021] The drive pulley 14 is driven to rotate by a drive unit 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 16 includes a motor 17, which is a power source, and a transmission belt 18 that transmits the power of the motor 17 to the drive pulley 14. The motor 17 and the transmission belt 18 rotate the drive pulley 14, causing the road surface 12 to move backward. The rotation of the motor 17 is controlled by a control unit 31, which will be described later.

[0022] The treadmill apparatus 1 also includes a stimulating device 20 that applies a stimulus to the small animal S that has reached the rear end 12a of the running surface 12. The stimulating device 20 of the first embodiment includes an electrode 21 that comes into contact with the small animal S to apply an electrical stimulus to the small animal S, a grid 22 that supplies current to the electrode 21, and a grid box 23 that houses the grid 22. The electrode 21 is disposed at the rear end 12a of the running surface 12 inside the cage 5. The grid box 23 is provided on the rear surface 2a of the base 2 outside the cage 5. The current supplied from the grid 22 to the electrode 21 is controlled by a control device 31, which will be described later.

[0023] When conducting a medical experiment using the exercise load device 100, the user introduces a small animal S into the cage 5 and places the small animal S on the running surface 12 of the treadmill 10. The user then drives the treadmill 10 to move the running surface 12 backward. As the running surface 12 moves backward, the small animal S runs forward. When the small animal S is energetic, such as immediately after the start of the experiment, the small animal S runs on the running surface 12 at a relatively fast speed. As the experiment progresses and the small animal S becomes fatigued, the running speed of the small animal S gradually slows. When the running speed of the small animal S becomes slower than the moving speed of the running surface 12, the small animal S reaches the rear end 12a of the running surface 12 and comes into contact with the electrode 21 of the stimulation device 20. The small animal S that has come into contact with the electrode 21 receives electrical stimulation from the electrode 21, increases its running speed again, and continues running on the running surface 12.

[0024] The angle adjustment mechanism 40 supports the base 2 of the treadmill apparatus 1 and adjusts the inclination angle of the running surface 12 in the front-to-rear direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "inclination angle of the running surface 12") by tilting the running surface 12 so that the front end 12b of the running surface 12 is positioned higher than the rear end 12a. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the angle adjustment mechanism 40 includes a base plate 41 and a pair of first support columns 42 and a pair of second support columns 44 that support the base 2 of the treadmill apparatus 1.

[0025] The base plate 41 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is provided with a handle 46 that can be held by a user to make it easier for the user to carry the angle adjustment mechanism 40.

[0026] The pair of first support pillars 42 are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend upward from the rear portion 41a of the base plate 41. The pair of first support pillars 42 support the base 2 that is spaced apart. Specifically, the pair of first support pillars 42 rotatably support the support shafts 3 that protrude in the left-right direction from the rear portions of the side surfaces 2b of the base 2 via bearings 43 formed on the upper ends of the pair of first support pillars 42.

[0027] The pair of second support columns 44 are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend upward from a portion 41b of the base plate 41 that is located further forward than the pair of first support columns 42. The pair of second support columns 44 support the base 2 that is spaced apart. Specifically, the pair of second support columns 44 support the support bars 4 that are provided on the underside 2c of the base 2 and protrude from the side surfaces 2b in the left-right direction by inserting them into notches 45 formed in the pair of second support columns 44.

[0028] A plurality of notches 45 are formed in the pair of second support columns 44 along the vertical direction. The notches 45, into which the support bars 4 of the base 2 are inserted, determine the support positions of the base 2 on the pair of second support columns 44. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 adjusts the support positions of the base 2 on the pair of second support columns 44 in the vertical direction by changing the notches 45 into which the support bars 4 of the base 2 are inserted. In this way, the angle adjustment mechanism 40 can adjust the inclination angle of the running surface 12. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 can adjust the inclination angle of the running surface 12, for example, within a range of -5 degrees to 20 degrees. Note that a positive value for the inclination angle of the running surface 12 is a value when the front end 12b of the running surface 12 is located above the rear end 12a, and a negative value for the inclination angle of the running surface 12 is a value when the front end 12b of the running surface 12 is located below the rear end 12a.

[0029] Next, the detailed configuration of the inclined platform 50 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a side view of the inclined platform 50. Figure 8 is a top view of the inclined platform 50 shown in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a side view of the exercise load device 100 showing the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 placed on the inclined platform 50.

[0030] The tilting platform 50 is a platform that supports the angle adjustment mechanism 40 while tilting the angle adjustment mechanism 40 in a direction that increases the inclination angle of the running surface 12. The tilting platform 50 detachably supports the angle adjustment mechanism 40. The tilting platform 50 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tilting platform 50 includes a bottom plate 51, a seat plate 52 on which the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 is placed, a block 53 that supports the rear end portion 41c of the base plate 41 placed on the seat plate 52, a front wall plate 54 and a middle wall plate 55 that support the seat plate 52, and outriggers 56 and 57 that improve the installation stability of the tilting platform 50.

[0031] The bottom plate 51 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. A handle 58 is provided on the bottom plate 51 to be gripped by a user so that the user can easily carry the ramp 50. Outriggers 56, 57 are provided on the bottom plate 51. The outriggers 56, 57 include a rear outrigger 56 provided at a rear end 51a of the bottom plate 51 and a front outrigger 57 provided at a front end 51b of the bottom plate 51. Each outrigger 56, 57 is configured to be extendable and contractible in the left-right direction. When each outrigger 56, 57 is extended, the outriggers 56, 57 extend in the left-right direction beyond the left end 51c and the right end 51d of the bottom plate 51. When each outrigger 56, 57 is retracted, the outriggers 56, 57 are retracted to a position inward in the left-right direction relative to the left end 51c and the right end 51d of the bottom plate 51.

[0032] The seat plate 52 is inclined relative to the bottom plate 51 so that the front end 52b is positioned higher than the rear end 52a. The upper surface 52c of the seat plate 52 forms a mounting surface on which the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 is placed. The lower surface 52d of the seat plate 52 is supported by the front wall plate 54 and the middle wall plate 55. With the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 placed on the upper surface 52c, the seat plate 52 is fastened together with the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 by bolts or the like.

[0033] The block 53 protrudes upward from a portion 51e of the bottom plate 51 that is located rearward of the seat plate 52. The length of the upward protrusion of the block 53, i.e., the height of the block 53 from the bottom plate 51, is greater than the thickness of the rear end 41c of the base plate 41. The block 53 is formed with a stopper 53a that restricts the upward movement of the rear end 41c of the base plate 41 placed on the seat plate 52. The stopper 53a is formed by a protrusion that protrudes forward from the upper end of the front surface of the block 53.

[0034] The front wall plate 54 extends upward from the front end portion 51b of the bottom plate 51 and expands in the left-right direction, supporting the underside 52d of the seat plate 52. The middle wall plate 55 extends upward from a portion 51f of the bottom plate 51 that is located rearward of the front wall plate 54 and forward of the block 53 and expands in the front-rear direction, supporting the underside 52d of the seat plate 52. The middle wall plate 55 is provided connected to the rear surface of the front wall plate 54. The middle wall plate 55 is provided so that its height from the bottom plate 51 is lower than that of the front wall plate 54. The middle wall plate 55 is provided so that its height from the bottom plate 51 gradually decreases toward the rear.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9 , the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 is the sum of the inclination angle θ1 of the running surface 12 relative to the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 and the inclination angle θ2 of the seat plate 52 relative to the bottom plate 51 of the tilt table 50. As described above, the inclination angle θ1 of the running surface 12 relative to the base plate 41 can be adjusted, for example, within a range of −5 degrees to 20 degrees. The inclination angle θ2 of the seat plate 52 relative to the bottom plate 51 is, for example, 25 degrees. Therefore, when the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 is placed on the seat plate 52, the tilt table 50 can tilt the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 in a direction that increases the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12. For example, if the inclination angle θ1 of the running surface 12 relative to the base plate 41 is 20 degrees, the tilt table 50 can tilt the treadmill apparatus 1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 40 so that the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 is 45 degrees.

[0036] Next, the operation control of the exercise load apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation control of the exercise load apparatus 100. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an operation protocol for making the small animal S perform resistance exercise. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an operation protocol for making the small animal S perform HIIT exercise.

[0037] The exercise load apparatus 100 includes an operation terminal 30. The operation terminal 30 includes a control device 31 that controls the operation of the treadmill apparatus 1, an input device 32 that accepts input operations by the user to set the operating conditions of the treadmill apparatus 1, and a display device 33 that displays the operating status and measurement results of the treadmill apparatus 1 to the user.

[0038] The control device 31 includes a processor such as a CPU and memories such as ROM and RAM, and the processor executes programs stored in the memory to realize the various functions of the operation terminal 30. The input device 32 and the display device 33 may be configured as touchscreen displays or as separate devices. The operation terminal 30 may be configured as a dedicated terminal for the treadmill apparatus 1, or may be configured by installing dedicated software on a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

[0039] The operation terminal 30 can set various operating conditions for the treadmill apparatus 1, such as the timing when the movement of the running surface 12 starts and ends, the speed V of the running surface 12, and the strength and timing of the electrical stimulation by the electrodes 21. The control device 31 controls the motor 17 of the drive device 16 and the grid 22 of the stimulation device 20 in accordance with the set operating conditions. The treadmill apparatus 1 is also equipped with various sensors, which can measure various items such as the total distance traveled by the small animal S, the number of times the small animal S contacts the electrodes 21, and the total time that electrical stimulation is applied to the small animal S. The operation terminal 30 can calculate and process these measurement results based on the detection signals of the sensors and display them on the display device 33.

[0040] Furthermore, the operation terminal 30 pre-stores in the control device 31 a plurality of operation protocols representing sets of various operating conditions for the treadmill apparatus 1 as described above. The operation terminal 30 displays these operation protocols on the display device 33 and sets the operation protocol selected by the user's input operation in the control device 31. The control device 31 controls the motor 17 of the drive device 16 and the grid 22 of the stimulator 20 in accordance with the set operation protocol. In particular, the operation terminal 30 pre-stores an operation protocol for causing the small animal S to perform resistance exercise (hereinafter also referred to as the "resistance exercise protocol") and an operation protocol for the treadmill apparatus 1 for causing the small animal S to perform HIIT exercise (hereinafter also referred to as the "HIIT protocol").

[0041] When a resistance exercise protocol is set, the control device 31 controls the movement of the small animal S so that the movement speed V of the running surface 12 is maintained for a certain period of time at the maximum speed at which the small animal S can run when a load according to the weight of the small animal S is applied. In this way, the control device 31 can cause the small animal S to perform resistance exercise.

[0042] FIG. 12 shows an example of a resistance exercise protocol. FIG. 12 shows how the movement speed V of the running surface 12 is controlled over time, assuming that the maximum speed (MRC) at which the small animal S can run when given a load (e.g., a weight) according to the body weight of the small animal S is 100%. In the example shown in FIG. 12, for one minute after the start of movement on the running surface 12, as a warm-up, the running surface 12 is moved at a speed V of 40% of the maximum speed (MRC). Thereafter, in the example shown in FIG. 12, a speed V of 100% of the maximum speed (MRC) is maintained for 20 minutes. Thereafter, in the example shown in FIG. 12, as a cool-down, the running surface 12 is moved at a speed V of 40% of the maximum speed (MRC) for one minute.

[0043] Furthermore, when a HIIT protocol is set, the control device 31 controls the movement of the running surface 12 so that the movement speed V of the running surface 12 alternates between a first movement speed V1 corresponding to the maximum speed that the small animal S can maintain for a predetermined period of time and a second movement speed V2 slower than the first movement speed V1. In this way, the control device 31 can cause the small animal S to perform HIIT exercise.

[0044] FIG. 13 shows an example of a HIIT protocol. FIG. 13 illustrates how the movement speed V of the running surface 12 is controlled over time, assuming that the maximum speed (MRC) that the small animal S can maintain while running for 60 seconds is 100%. In the example shown in FIG. 13, for three minutes after the start of movement on the running surface 12, the running surface 12 is moved at a speed V of 40% of the maximum speed (MRC) as a warm-up. Then, in the example shown in FIG. 13, a first movement speed V1, which is 90% of the maximum speed (MRC), is maintained as the movement speed V of the running surface 12 for one minute. Then, in the example shown in FIG. 13, a second movement speed V2, which is 40% of the maximum speed (MRC), is maintained as the movement speed V of the running surface 12 for 20 seconds. The first movement speed V1 and the second movement speed V2 are alternately repeated to subject the small animal S to a high-intensity exercise load. After a total of six movements at the first movement speed V1 and a total of five movements at the second movement speed V2, in the example shown in Figure 13, as a cool-down, the vehicle is moved on the road surface 12 for three minutes at a movement speed V of 40% of the maximum speed (MRC).

[0045] In this way, the control device 31 can cause the small animal S to perform resistance exercise or HIIT exercise by controlling the movement of the running surface 12 in accordance with the resistance exercise protocol or HIIT protocol.

[0046] As described above, the exercise load device 100 of the first embodiment is an exercise load device for conducting medical experiments by applying an exercise load to a small animal S, and includes a treadmill 10 that moves the conveyor-type running surface 12 backward to cause the small animal S to run forward, a cage 5 that surrounds the treadmill 10 and prevents the small animal S from leaving the treadmill 10, a stimulation device 20 that stimulates the small animal S when it reaches the rear end 12a of the running surface 12, and an angle adjustment mechanism 40 that supports the base 2 on which the treadmill 10 and cage 5 are mounted and that can adjust the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 by tilting the running surface 12 so that the front end 12b of the running surface 12 is positioned higher than the rear end 12a. The running surface 12 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 13 corresponding to the size of the small animal S.

[0047] As a result, even when the small animal S runs on a steeply inclined running surface 12, such as when the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 is 45 degrees, the protrusions 13 provided on the running surface 12 prevent the small animal S from slipping and being unable to run properly. Therefore, the exercise stress device 100 can easily and stably apply a high-intensity exercise stress to the small animal S simply by steeply inclining the running surface 12 of the treadmill 10. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an exercise stress device 100 can be provided that allows the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise easily and stably.

[0048] Furthermore, the exercise load device 100 of the first embodiment further includes a control device 31 that controls the movement of the running surface 12. The control device 31 controls the movement of the running surface 12 so that the movement speed V of the running surface 12 is maintained for a certain period of time at the maximum running speed (MRC) at which the small animal S can run when a load corresponding to the weight of the small animal S is applied, thereby causing the small animal S to perform resistance exercise.

[0049] As a result, the exercise stress device 100 can reliably cause the small animal S to perform resistance exercise, which is a typical anaerobic exercise. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise stress device 100 that can cause the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise easily and more stably.

[0050] Furthermore, in the exercise load device 100 of the first embodiment, the control device 31 controls the movement of the running surface 12 so that the movement speed V of the running surface 12 alternates between a first movement speed V1 corresponding to the maximum speed (MRC) that the small animal S can maintain while running for a predetermined period of time, and a second movement speed V2 slower than the first movement speed V1, thereby causing the small animal S to perform HIIT exercise.

[0051] As a result, the exercise stress device 100 can reliably cause the small animal S to perform HIIT exercise, which is a typical exercise that includes anaerobic exercise. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise stress device 100 that can cause the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise easily and more stably.

[0052] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the exercise load device 100, each of the multiple protrusions 13 is formed to protrude upward from the running surface 12 and extend in the width direction of the running surface 12, and is arranged at a predetermined pitch in the front-to-back direction of the running surface 12 according to the size of the small animal S.

[0053] As a result, the exercise stress device 100 can allow the small animal S to run reliably and smoothly even if the running surface 12 is steeply inclined, and can more stably apply a high-intensity exercise stress to the small animal S. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise stress device 100 that can allow the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise easily and more stably.

[0054] Furthermore, the exercise load device 100 of the first embodiment further includes a tilting base 50 that supports the angle adjustment mechanism 40 in a state in which the angle adjustment mechanism 40 is tilted in a direction in which the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 increases.

[0055] As a result, the exercise stress device 100 can steeply incline the running surface 12 using the inclined platform 50 provided separately from the angle adjustment mechanism 40. Therefore, the exercise stress device 100 does not need to newly design an angle adjustment mechanism 40, and can utilize the existing treadmill device 1 and angle adjustment mechanism 40. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise stress device 100 that can allow the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise more easily and stably.

[0056] Furthermore, in the exercise load device 100 of the first embodiment, the angle adjustment mechanism 40 includes a base plate 41, a pair of first support pillars 42 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend upward from a rear portion 41a of the base plate 41 to support the base 2 that is spaced apart at that distance, and a pair of second support pillars 44 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend upward from a portion 41b of the base plate 41 that is located forward of the pair of first support pillars 42 to support the base 2 that is spaced apart at that distance. The angle adjustment mechanism 40 can adjust the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 by vertically adjusting the support positions of the pair of second support pillars 44 for the base 2.

[0057] This allows the exercise load device 100 to more easily and stably adjust the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 than when using a component such as a jack or air cylinder as the angle adjustment mechanism 40, thereby ensuring stable installation of the treadmill apparatus 1 in an inclined state. Furthermore, even when using the exercise load device 100 with the running surface 12 tilted at an inclination angle θ within a predefined angle range, it is sufficient to simply remove the inclined platform 50. To steeply incline the running surface 12 without using the inclined platform 50, for example, it is necessary to increase the height of the pair of second support columns 44 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 from the base plate 41 to a greater height than the predefined height. In this case, when using the running surface 12 tilted at an inclination angle θ within a predefined angle range, the pair of second support columns 44 would cover the sides of the cage 5, significantly reducing the visibility of the running surface 12 and the small animal S. By employing the angle adjustment mechanism 40 and inclined platform 50 configured as described above, the exercise stress apparatus 100 of this embodiment can easily adjust the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 from a conventional angle range to a steeper angle while ensuring stable installation of the inclined treadmill apparatus 1 at a low cost. Therefore, this embodiment can provide a highly convenient exercise stress apparatus 100 that can easily and stably cause small animals S to perform anaerobic exercise and can be used in various medical experiments.

[0058] Furthermore, in the exercise load device 100 of the first embodiment, the tilting platform 50 includes a bottom plate 51, a seat plate 52 on which the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 is placed and which is inclined relative to the bottom plate 51 so that the front end 52b is positioned higher than the rear end 52a, and a block 53 which protrudes upward from a portion 51e of the bottom plate 51 positioned rearward of the seat plate 52 and supports the rear end 41c of the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 placed on the seat plate 52. When the base plate 41 of the angle adjustment mechanism 40 is placed on the seat plate 52, the tilting platform 50 tilts the angle adjustment mechanism 40 in a direction that increases the tilt angle θ of the running surface 12.

[0059] As a result, the exercise load apparatus 100 can realize the inclined platform 50 with a relatively simple configuration, which makes it easier to ensure the stability of the inclined treadmill apparatus 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise load apparatus 100 that allows the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise more easily and stably.

[0060] Furthermore, in the exercise load apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the inclined platform 50 further includes outriggers 56 and 57 that extend beyond the left and right ends 51c and 51d of the bottom plate 51 in the left-right direction.

[0061] This further improves the installation stability of the inclined platform 50 in the exercise load apparatus 100, thereby more easily and reliably ensuring the installation stability of the inclined treadmill apparatus 1. Therefore, this embodiment provides an exercise load apparatus 100 that allows the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise more easily and more reliably.

[0062] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In the second embodiment, the description of the same components as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the exercise load apparatus 100 of the second embodiment.

[0064] In the exercise load apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, the configuration of the stimulation device 20 is different from that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13 , the stimulation device 20 of the second embodiment is configured with a buffer material 60 arranged at the rear end 12a of the running surface 12. The stimulation device 20 of the second embodiment applies a mechanical stimulus to the small animal S when the small animal S reaches the rear end 12a of the running surface 12 and comes into contact with the buffer material 60. The stimulation device 20 of the second embodiment catches the small animal S with the buffer material 60 when the small animal S falls toward the rear end 12a of the running surface 12.

[0065] As a result, the exercise load apparatus 100 of the second embodiment can realize the stimulation device 20 with a simpler configuration than the first embodiment, which applies electrical stimulation, and can apply a gentler stimulation to the small animal S that has reached the rear end 12a of the running surface 12 than the first embodiment. Moreover, the exercise load apparatus 100 of the second embodiment can safely catch the small animal S even if the small animal S falls toward the rear end 12a of the running surface 12 due to a steep slope of the running surface 12. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise load apparatus 100 that can allow the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise more easily and stably, and can easily ensure the safety of the small animal S.

[0066] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the cushioning material 60 shown in Fig. 13. The upper part of Fig. 14 shows a side view of the cushioning material 60, and the lower part of Fig. 14 shows a bottom view of the cushioning material 60.

[0067] The buffer material 60 is made of a foam material such as sponge or urethane. The buffer material 60 is formed to a size that fills the space formed by the rear end 12a of the running surface 12, the cage 5, and the partition plate 6. As shown in FIG. 14 , the buffer material 60 has an upper surface 61 that contacts the ceiling 5a of the cage 5, a lower surface 62 that contacts the rear end 12a of the running surface 12, a left surface 63 and a right surface 64 that contact the side surface of the cage 5 or the partition plate 6, a rear surface 65 that contacts the rear surface of the cage 5, and an inclined surface 66 that is inclined relative to the running surface 12 and extends in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0068] The slope 66 slopes away from the running surface 12 as it moves forward from the rear end 12a of the running surface 12. The angle φ that the slope 66 of the buffer material 60 makes with the running surface 12 decreases as the inclination angle θ of the running surface 12 increases.

[0069] As a result, the exercise load device 100 of the second embodiment can reliably provide mechanical stimulation to the back or buttocks of the small animal S that has reached the rear end 12a of the running surface 12, and can also reliably catch the small animal S that has fallen. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an exercise load device 100 that can allow the small animal S to perform anaerobic exercise more easily and stably, and can also easily and reliably ensure the safety of the small animal S.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the present invention, elements of one embodiment can be added to elements of another embodiment, elements of one embodiment can be replaced with elements of another embodiment, or some of the elements of one embodiment can be deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1...treadmill device, 2...base, 2a...rear surface, 2b...side surface, 2c...underside, 3...support shaft, 4...support bar, 5...cage, 5a...ceiling portion, 6...partition plate, 10...treadmill, 11...running belt, 12...running surface, 12a...rear end, 12b...front end, 13...projection piece, 14...drive side pulley, 15...driven side pulley, 16...drive device, 17...motor, 18...transmission belt, 20...stimulation device, 21...electrode, 22...grid, 23...grid box, 30...operation terminal, 31...control device, 32...input device, 33...display device, 40...angle adjustment mechanism, 41...board, 41a...rear portion, 41b...portion of board 41, 41c ...rear end portion, 42...pair of first support columns, 43...bearing, 44...pair of second support columns, 45...notch, 46...handle, 50...inclined platform, 51...bottom plate, 51a...rear end portion, 51b...front end portion, 51c...left end portion, 51d...right end portion, 51e...portion of bottom plate 51, 51f...portion of bottom plate 51, 52...seat plate, 52a...rear end portion, 52b...front end portion, 52c...upper surface, 52d...lower surface, 53...block, 53a...stopper, 54...front wall plate, 55...middle wall plate, 56...rear outrigger, 57...front outrigger, 58...handle, 60...buffer material, 61...upper surface, 62...lower surface, 63...left surface, 64...right surface, 65...rear, 66...inclined surface, 100...exercise load device

Claims

1. An exercise stress device for performing medical experiments by applying an exercise stress to small animals, a treadmill that allows small animals to run forward by moving a conveyor-type running surface backward; a cage surrounding the treadmill to prevent the small animal from escaping from the treadmill; a stimulation device that stimulates the small animal when it reaches the rear end of the running surface; an angle adjustment mechanism that supports a base on which the treadmill and the cage are mounted, and that is capable of adjusting the inclination angle of the running surface by tilting the running surface so that the front end of the running surface is positioned higher than the rear end; a tilting base that supports the angle adjustment mechanism in a state in which the angle adjustment mechanism is tilted in a direction in which the inclination angle of the road surface increases, The running surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the size of the small animal. An exercise load device characterized by:

2. Further provided is a control device for controlling the movement of the road surface, The control device controls the movement of the running surface so that the speed of movement of the running surface is maintained for a certain period of time at the maximum speed at which the small animal can run when a load corresponding to the weight of the small animal is applied, thereby causing the small animal to perform resistance exercise.

2. The exercise load device according to claim 1 .

3. The control device controls the movement of the running surface so that the moving speed of the running surface alternates between a first moving speed corresponding to a maximum speed that the small animal can maintain for a predetermined period of time and a second moving speed that is slower than the first moving speed, thereby causing the small animal to perform HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) exercise.

3. The exercise load device according to claim 2.

4. Each of the plurality of protruding pieces is The road surface is formed so as to protrude upward and extend in the width direction of the road surface, The small animals are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the running surface according to the size of the small animals.

2. The exercise load device according to claim 1 .

5. The angle adjustment mechanism is A substrate; a pair of first support columns arranged at a distance in the left-right direction, extending upward from a rear portion of the base plate and supporting the bases arranged at the distance; a pair of second support columns that are arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction, extend upward from a portion of the substrate that is located forward of the pair of first support columns, and support the base platform that is arranged at the distance from each other; The tilt angle of the road surface can be adjusted by adjusting the support positions of the base on the pair of second support columns in the vertical direction.

2. The exercise load device according to claim 1 .

6. The tilt table is The bottom plate and a seat plate on which the base plate of the angle adjustment mechanism is placed, the seat plate being inclined relative to the bottom plate so that the front end portion thereof is positioned higher than the rear end portion thereof; a block that protrudes upward from a portion of the bottom plate that is positioned rearward of the seat plate and supports a rear end of the base plate of the angle adjustment mechanism that is placed on the seat plate, The base plate of the angle adjustment mechanism is placed on the seat plate, thereby tilting the angle adjustment mechanism in a direction in which the inclination angle of the running surface increases.

6. The exercise load device according to claim 5.

7. The ramp further includes outriggers extending in the left and right directions beyond the left and right ends of the bottom plate.

7. The exercise load device according to claim 6.

8. An exercise stress device for performing medical experiments by applying an exercise stress to small animals, a treadmill that allows small animals to run forward by moving a conveyor-type running surface backward; a cage surrounding the treadmill to prevent the small animal from escaping from the treadmill; a stimulation device that stimulates the small animal when it reaches the rear end of the running surface; an angle adjustment mechanism that supports a base on which the treadmill and the cage are mounted, and that is capable of adjusting the inclination angle of the running surface by tilting the running surface so that the front end of the running surface is positioned higher than the rear end, The running surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the size of the small animal, The stimulation device comprises: The road surface is configured by a buffer material disposed at the rear end thereof, a mechanical stimulus is applied to the small animal when the small animal reaches the rear end of the running surface and comes into contact with the buffer material; When the small animal falls onto the rear end side of the road surface, the small animal is received by the buffer material. An exercise load device characterized by:

9. The buffer material has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the road surface and extends in the front-rear direction, The inclined surface is inclined so as to move away from the road surface as it moves forward from the rear end portion of the road surface, The angle that the inclined surface of the buffer material forms with the road surface is smaller as the inclination angle of the road surface is larger.

9. The exercise load device according to claim 8.

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