JP6511605B2 - Strength measurement device and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring muscle strength.

  It is considered effective to appropriately evaluate their muscle strength for functional evaluation, recovery and treatment of trunk and limbs. In addition, in order to strengthen the muscle strength and to recover the muscle strength after injury, it is desirable to conduct appropriate and appropriate training in consideration of the evaluation of the muscle strength. From such a point of view, various devices and methods for measuring muscle strength have been proposed.

  For example, a device having an attachment with a pressure sensor and measuring a trunk muscle strength by pressing a subject's back or the like against the attachment has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Further, for example, a device has been proposed that includes an expansion and contraction body attached to a body trunk, and measures an extreme value of compression force applied to the body trunk by the expansion of the expansion and contraction body as a trunk muscle force (Patent Document 2) reference).

JP, 2001-87252, A JP, 2014-147649, A

  However, since the measurement method described in Patent Document 1 involves joint motion centered on a part of the body, it is difficult to apply to a subject suffering from joint pain such as knees and hips. In this respect, according to the measurement method described in Patent Document 2, measurement without joint motion is possible. However, since the point at which the muscle force can not counter the increase in the compression force by the expansion and contraction body is detected as the maximum muscle force, a subject with poor muscle strength may feel anxious about the increase in the compression force.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and one of its purposes is to provide a muscle strength measurement device that is kind to the subject's body.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a muscle force measurement device. The muscle force measuring device includes a squeezable body which can be squeezed and contracted by supplying and discharging a fluid, and a wearable band which can be worn as being wound around a specific region of a subject, and a pressure measuring unit for measuring the internal pressure of the squeezable body And a control unit that executes predetermined arithmetic processing based on measurement information by the pressure measurement unit, an input unit that receives an instruction input from a user, and an output unit that outputs a calculation result by the control unit.

  The control unit starts the process of measuring the muscle strength based on the user's instruction input, and the first pressure and the second pressure measured in the process of contraction of the muscle at the specific site from the relaxation state with the wearing band attached It acquires and outputs information based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure to the output unit as information indicating the muscle force corresponding to the specific part.

  According to this aspect, in a state in which the attachment zone is wound around the specific site, the muscle strength can be measured simply by causing the subject to contract the muscle of the specific site within a reasonable range. That is, muscle strength can be measured according to the condition of each subject without joint movement. In addition, since the muscle strength is evaluated paying attention to the difference in pressure measured in the process of changing the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body, it is not necessary to increase the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body to the limit of muscle strength. Therefore, it is possible to measure the muscle strength that is gentle to the subject's body.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a muscle force measuring method for measuring a muscle force at a specific site of a subject by wearing a mounting band including a squeezable body that can be expanded and contracted by supplying and discharging a fluid around the specific site of a subject. is there. This method of measuring muscle strength changes the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body when the subject contracts the muscle of a specific site from the relaxation state without involving the joint movement without supplying / discharging the fluid to the expansion / contraction body. The method includes the steps of measuring and outputting information based on the magnitude of change in internal pressure as information indicating a muscle force of a specific site.

  According to this aspect, during measurement of muscle strength, there is no supply and discharge of fluid to the expansion and contraction body, and the muscle strength is measured based on the subject's own active action of contracting the muscle at a specific site from the relaxed state. That is, even if pressure is not supplied from the outside, the fact that the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body is increased by the subject's muscle contraction is used, and the muscle strength is evaluated based on the magnitude of the change in the internal pressure. For this reason, it is not necessary to involve joint motion in measuring the muscle force, and the subject is not subjected to unexpected compression force from the expansion and contraction body. Therefore, it is possible to measure the muscle strength that is gentle to the subject's body.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of measuring muscle strength of a trunk of a subject by wearing a mounting band including a squeezable body so as to wrap around the trunk of a subject. The method for measuring the muscle strength includes the steps of: detecting the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body as the trunk contraction pressure when the subject contracts the muscles of the trunk from the relaxed state and the trunk contraction pressure; Outputting the information based on the pressure as the information indicating the muscle strength of the trunk.

  According to this aspect, the muscle force is measured based on the subject's active movement to contract the muscles of the trunk from the relaxed state. At that time, a novel method is employed in which the muscle is contracted in the direction of reducing the circumferential diameter of the trunk, and the muscle strength is evaluated based on the trunk contraction pressure detected at that time. Also in this aspect, it is possible to measure the muscle force without involving the joint movement of the subject. In addition, the subject does not receive unexpected compression force from the expansion and contraction body. Therefore, it is possible to measure the muscle strength that is gentle to the subject's body.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a muscle strength measurement device that is kind to the subject's body.

It is a figure showing roughly composition of a muscular-strength measurement device concerning an example. It is a figure which represents roughly the structure of the expansion-contraction body which comprises a muscular-strength measurement apparatus. FIG. 2 schematically shows an electrical configuration and a connection structure of a control unit. It is a figure showing the example of a screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure showing the example of a screen displayed on a display part. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of pressure proof processing. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of pushing output measurement processing. It is a flowchart which shows the minimum pressure measurement process of S62 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the highest pressure measurement process of S64 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of training processing. It is a flowchart which shows the training control processing of S130 in FIG.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a muscle force measurement method for measuring the muscle strength of a specific site such as the trunk or limbs of a subject. As such a method of measuring the muscle strength, in addition to a method of measuring the muscle strength (pressure resistance) of the subject who resists it while pressurizing the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body, the subject self-contracts the muscle without pressing the expansion / contraction body It is conceivable to measure the pressure change of the expansion and contraction body due to Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these measurement methods may be distinguished from the pressure receiving aspect of the subject, the former may be referred to as a "passive measurement method", and the latter may be referred to as an "active measurement method". In addition, "exercise of muscular strength" means "contracting a muscle by exerting a resisting muscular strength" in detail.

  It is the fluid supply / discharge device that changes the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body in the passive measurement method, and it is the subject itself that changes the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body in the active measurement method. For this reason, it can be said that the active measurement method capable of adjusting the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body is more gentle to the subject's body. In the following embodiments, the apparatus to which the active measurement method is applied is mainly illustrated. However, even if it is a passive measurement method, it can be realized in a form friendly to the subject's body if the application method is devised.

  The muscle strength measurement device of the present embodiment includes a wearing band that can be worn so as to be wound around a specific site, a pressure measurement unit for measuring the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body, and predetermined arithmetic processing for muscle strength measurement. And a control unit to execute. The mounting band includes a squeezable body that can be squeezed by supplying and discharging a fluid. The expansion and contraction body itself may be used as the attachment band, or the expansion and contraction body may be attached to one side of the fixed band, or may be accommodated inside the storage bag to constitute the attachment band.

  In the case of using a fixing band, it is preferable to use a material that does not expand and contract, and that when the mounting band is wound around a specific part, the fixing band is disposed outside the expansion and contraction body. Since the peripheral diameter of the fixation zone does not change, it is possible to sensitively recognize the change in muscle state at a specific site as the change in internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body. That is, it becomes easy to detect the internal pressure change of the expansion and contraction body when the muscle of the specific part contracts. From the same point of view, when using a storage bag, use a non-stretchable material in the part disposed outside the expansion and contraction body, and use a highly elastic material in the part disposed inside the expansion and contraction body Is preferred.

  When the expansion and contraction body itself is used as a wearing band, it is preferable to use a single-piece structure which is disposed over the entire circumference of the specific part. Further, even when the expansion and contraction body is provided integrally with the fixing band and the storage bag, it is preferable to make the expansion and contraction body as a unitary structure which is long enough to cover the entire circumference of the specific part. That is, if the expansion / contraction body is provided only in a part of the outer periphery of the specific site, it is difficult to appropriately measure the muscle force if the arrangement of the muscle at the specific site and the expansion / contraction body arrangement do not correspond. On the other hand, if the expansion / contraction body of a single structure is arranged so as to extend over the entire circumference of a specific region, the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body can be uniformly changed regardless of the arrangement of muscles at that specific region. That is, it becomes possible to measure the muscle force of a specific site in a manner substantially independent of the arrangement of muscles. In addition, "all the circumference" here may contain the concept of all the circumferences (almost all the circumferences).

  The fluid supplied to and discharged from the expansion and contraction body may be a liquid such as water or hydraulic oil, but it is preferable to use a gas such as air in consideration of pressure detection sensitivity and ease of handling. In the passive measurement method, the supply and discharge of the fluid is performed during the measurement of muscle strength. In the active measurement method, the fluid supply is completed before the start of muscle force measurement. In addition, it is desirable that the supply of the fluid is an amount by which the pressure is clearly applied to the specific site. In the case of employing the active measurement method, once the expansion and contraction body is inflated, the fluid may not be discharged thereafter. That is, after the expansion and contraction body is configured as the attachment zone, an “expansion body” may be used in which supply and discharge of fluid are not performed.

  The “pressure measurement unit” may be a pressure sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pressure. In addition, it may be a measuring device or device that calculates a pressure value based on a detection value of a pressure sensor. The “control unit” may be a control unit configured to be connectable to each other separately from the mounting belt. Alternatively, the control module may be integrated with the mounting band. The “input unit” may be an input device such as a keyboard or a touch panel. Alternatively, the communication device may be a communication device that receives information input by a user terminal (such as a portable terminal) by communication. The “output unit” may be a display device that displays information indicating muscle strength on a screen, or may be a device that outputs voice. Alternatively, it may be a device that transmits information indicating the muscle strength to the user's terminal.

  After the wearing band is attached to the specific site of the subject, if there is a user's instruction input, the process of measuring the muscle strength is started. At this time, the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body is sampled in the process of contraction of the muscle at a specific site from the relaxation state. Information based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure obtained at that time is output as information indicating the muscle force corresponding to the specific part. As described above, the "specific part" may be a trunk or an extremity. In particular, when the abdomen is taken as a measurement target as a trunk, the test subject contracts the abdominal muscle and expands or retracts the abdomen, whereby the internal pressure change of the expansion / contraction body can be increased and the measurement of muscle strength becomes easy. . However, contraction of not only the abdomen but also, for example, muscles of the chest and the like increases the diameter of the circumference. The same is true for the four limbs. The change of the circumference diameter can be regarded as the volume change of the specific part by the muscle force, and this can be detected as the inner pressure change of the expansion and contraction body. For this reason, the pressure measurement method of the present embodiment is widely applicable to the trunk and limbs.

  Here, the “first pressure” may be the lowest pressure, and the “second pressure” may be the highest pressure. As a result, it is possible to evaluate the muscle force of a specific site in association with the amount of change in internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body. In that case, the detection sensitivity by the pressure measurement unit may be set so as not to be affected by noise when detecting the maximum pressure and the minimum pressure. If the difference between the previous detection value and the current detection value by the pressure measurement unit exceeds a predetermined reference value, processing may be performed such that the current detection value is regarded as an error and invalidated. Alternatively, the detection value sequentially detected may be smoothed by the least square method or the like to obtain a measurement value, and the maximum pressure and the minimum pressure may be calculated based on the measurement value.

  Alternatively, the "first pressure" may be a predetermined low pressure, and the "second pressure" may be a predetermined high pressure. For example, when the amount of change in the internal pressure changing to the low pressure side converges to a predetermined pressure range, the pressure when the convergence is determined may be set as the “first pressure”. Alternatively, the average value of the plurality of sampling pressures that are targets of the convergence determination may be set as the “first pressure”. Similarly, when the amount of change in the internal pressure changing to the high pressure side converges to a predetermined pressure range, the pressure at which the convergence is determined may be set as the “second pressure”. Alternatively, the average value of the plurality of sampling pressures that are targets of the convergence determination may be set as the “second pressure”. The “information based on difference” may be a difference value itself, or may be muscle force information calculated based on the difference value. In the latter case, a coefficient may be set to convert the difference value into muscle force information.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to measure the muscle strength only by causing the subject to contract the muscle of the specific site from the relaxed state in a state where the wearing band is wound around the specific site. That is, it becomes possible to measure muscle strength without joint movement. In particular, in the case of adopting an active measurement method, it is possible to measure muscle strength simply by causing the subject to contract the muscle of the specific site within a reasonable range. That is, the subject itself changes the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body without supplying / discharging the fluid to the expansion / contraction body, and the control unit processes information based on the change in the internal pressure, thereby substantially putting a burden on the subject's body. Measurement of muscle strength is possible without putting

  Also, a "reference pressure" may be set to determine the first pressure and the second pressure. For example, the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body in the relaxed state of the muscle strength of a specific site may be set as the “reference pressure”. Then, a predetermined pressure when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body becomes lower than the reference pressure is acquired as the “first pressure”, and the predetermined pressure when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body becomes higher than the reference pressure is “second It may be obtained as "pressure".

  For example, when the subject reduces the trunk diameter by contracting the muscles of the trunk from the relaxed state, the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body becomes lower than the reference pressure. The internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body at this time may be detected as a trunk contraction pressure (first pressure). In addition, when the subject expands the circumferential diameter of the trunk by contracting the muscles of the trunk, the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body becomes higher than the reference pressure. The internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body at this time may be detected as a trunk expansion pressure (second pressure). Then, information based on the trunk inflation pressure and the trunk contraction pressure may be output as information indicating the muscular strength of the trunk. For example, the information based on the trunk inflation pressure may be a muscle force that inflates a trunk (for example, a muscle that inflates the abdomen). In addition, the information based on the torso contraction pressure may be used as a muscle force for reducing the trunk (for example, a muscle force for retracting the abdomen). Alternatively, information based on the difference between the trunk inflation pressure and the trunk contraction pressure may be used as the trunk muscle strength (trunk muscle strength, abdominal muscle strength). In addition, when retracting the abdomen, the abdominal transverse muscle contracts mainly to exert muscular strength, and when the abdomen is inflated, the diaphragm, rectus abdominis muscle, internal oblique muscle and external oblique muscle contract mainly to strengthen the muscle Demonstrate.

  Furthermore, information based on the rate of change of the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body may be used as muscle force information. Information based on time change of pressure from the first pressure to the second pressure may be output as muscle force information of a specific part. That is, the muscle strength may be evaluated based on the responsiveness when the subject tries to contract the muscle. If the time change rate of pressure (the speed at which the muscle acts) is high, it may be evaluated that the strength of the muscle is high, and if the time change rate is low, it may be evaluated that the strength of the muscle is low. The “time change rate of pressure” may be calculated based on the sampled pressure value and the sampling time interval, or may be a derivative value of a function obtained by smoothing the pressure change.

  In that case, while the “first pressure” is the trunk contraction pressure, the “second pressure” is the trunk expansion pressure, and the time change rate of the internal pressure from the state of reducing the circumferential diameter of the trunk to the expansion Muscle force information may be determined based on it. Alternatively, based on the time change rate of the internal pressure from the relaxed state of the muscle to the expansion of the trunk diameter of the trunk with the “first pressure” as the reference pressure and the “second pressure” as the trunk inflation pressure Information may be determined. Alternatively, the muscle pressure is based on the time change rate of the internal pressure from the relaxed state of the muscle to the reduction of the core diameter of the trunk while the “second pressure” is the trunk contraction pressure while the “first pressure” is the reference pressure. Information may be determined. By configuring in this way, it is possible to evaluate muscle strength from the viewpoint of muscle responsiveness.

  In addition, a training device including the muscle strength measuring device described above can also be configured. The training apparatus sets a pressure value obtained by multiplying a muscle force value by a predetermined ratio based on the muscle force information. The control unit may set a training schedule whose upper limit is the pressure, and may apply pressure to a specific part of the user according to the schedule.

  In addition, it is also effective as the present embodiment to realize the components of the above-described muscle force measurement device and method (steps) by a computer program, a recording medium storing a computer program, a data structure, or the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Example]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a muscle force measurement device according to an embodiment. (A) shows the whole structure of a muscular-strength measurement apparatus, (B) shows a control unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the expansion and contraction body that constitutes the muscle force measurement device. (A) shows the state before inflating the expansion and contraction body, and (B) shows the state after expanding the expansion and contraction body.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the muscle strength measurement device 1 comprises a wearing band 2 wound around the trunk (abdomen) of a subject, and a control unit 4 for executing predetermined arithmetic processing and control for muscle strength measurement. Prepare. The mounting band 2 and the control unit 4 are connected via an air tube 6. The mounting band 2 is configured by housing the expansion and contraction body 5 in a band-shaped storage belt 3. The air tube 6 is provided integrally with the expansion and contraction body 5, and is drawn to the outside from a hole 7 provided at the center of the storage belt 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the expansion and contraction body 5 is made of an air bag made of a resin such as urethane, and has a belt-like main body 10 substantially along the entire length of the storage belt 3. An air tube 6 extends from the center of the main body 10. The periphery of the expansion and contraction body 5 is sealed, and air can be supplied and discharged only through the air tube 6. When air is supplied to the expansion and contraction body 5, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the main body 10 is expanded leaving both end portions, and is configured to be able to apply pressure. Both end portions of the main body 10 correspond to connection portions provided at both end portions of the storage belt 3. The connection band 2 can be attached to the trunk by connecting those connection parts with a surface fastener or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the control unit 4 is configured by housing a control unit, a pressure measurement unit, and the like described later inside the case 12. A display unit 14 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the case 12, and various buttons as operation units described later are disposed around the display unit 14. In the illustrated example, a power button 20, an upper button 22, a lower button 24, a determination button 26, a start button 28, and an emergency stop button 30 are provided. Each button constitutes an input unit that receives a user's instruction input.

  The power button 20 is operated to turn on / off the power to the control unit 4. The upper button 22 and the lower button 24 are operated not only when selecting an option displayed on the display unit 14 but also when adjusting the pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5. The decision button 26 is operated to decide the selected option. The start button 28 is operated when starting the muscle strength measurement. The emergency stop button 30 is operated when the pressure rise of the expansion and contraction body 5 is to be urgently stopped. In the side portion of the case 12, a connection port for connecting the tip of the air tube 6 and a connection port for connecting a power cord are provided.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the electrical configuration and connection structure of control unit 4. The control unit 4 is configured around the control unit 40. The control unit 40 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and executes control and arithmetic processing of various devices for measuring muscle strength by using these hardware and software. In addition to the display unit 14 and the operation unit 42 described above, the power supply unit 44, the pressure measurement unit 46, the pump 48, and the pressure release valve 50 are connected to the control unit 40. The power supply unit 44 includes a circuit for supplying power to each unit. The pressure measurement unit 46 includes a pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5. The pump 48 is an air pump that is driven when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is increased. The pressure release valve 50 is a normally closed electromagnetic valve connected to the downstream side of the pump 48 and opened when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is lowered.

  The control unit 40 drives the pump 48 based on the user's operation input via the operation unit 42 to open and close the pressure release valve 50. The control unit 40 also executes arithmetic processing based on the detection information of the pressure measurement unit 46 and causes the display unit 14 to display muscle strength measurement information.

  FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show examples of screens displayed on the display unit 14. FIG. 4A shows a mode selection screen, and FIGS. 4B to 4D show display processes in the pressure resistance measurement mode. FIGS. 5A to 5G show the display process of the pressing force measurement mode.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of modes relating to muscle strength measurement can be selected by the user performing operation input according to the screen. That is, when the power is turned on by pressing the power button 20, first, the mode selection screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed. In the illustrated example, five modes of muscle force measurement 1, muscle force measurement 2, training 1, training 2, and setting can be selected.

  The “muscle measurement 1” is a muscle strength measurement mode by a passive measurement method, and is a pressure resistance measurement mode in which the muscle strength is measured based on a passive action in which the subject bears (antagonizes) the pressure applied to the trunk. The “muscle measurement 2” is a muscle force measurement mode by an active measurement method, and is a push output measurement mode in which the subject measures the muscle force based on an active action of changing the circumference diameter of the trunk. "Training 1" is a mode in which the subject exercises with a constant rhythm while maintaining a moderate pressure on the trunk. "Training 2" is a mode in which pressurization and depressurization to the trunk are repeated at a constant rhythm, and in accordance with the pressurization, the subject exercises training by applying strength. "Setting" is a mode for the user to change the setting of the sensitivity of the pressure sensor and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the mode selection screen, one of five modes is highlighted. The user can shift the highlight display to any mode by pressing the up button 22 and the down button 24. Then, pressing the decision button 26 shifts to the highlighted mode.

  In this manner, when “Strength measurement 1” is selected, the mode is shifted to the pressure resistance measurement mode, and the screen shown in FIG. 4 (B) is displayed. In the upper part of the screen, the measured internal pressure value of the expansion and contraction body 5 is displayed. "Measure" indicates a real time measurement value, and "Max" indicates a maximum pressure. Before the measurement is started, a display such as “Push Start Button” for prompting the user to press the start button 28 is displayed. In the lower half of the screen, a graph showing the time change of the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is displayed. The horizontal axis of this graph indicates the time lapse from the start of measurement, and the vertical axis indicates the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5.

  When the start button 28 is pressed, the pump 48 is driven in a state where the pressure release valve 50 is closed, and the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is gradually and gradually increased as shown in FIG. 4C. . At this time, the subject receives compression force by the expansion and contraction body 5 to contract the muscles of the trunk (abdomen). While the muscle contraction is maintained, the drive of the pump 48 is continued.

  Then, when the subject can not bear the compression force (cannot hold the antagonistic power) and the muscle strength of the trunk relaxes, the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 drops temporarily. When this pressure drop is detected, the drive of the pump 48 is stopped and the pressure release valve 50 is opened, whereby the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is reduced. FIG. 4D shows that a pressure resistance of 25.1 kPa was detected 12 seconds after the start of measurement. In this embodiment, the pressure resistance is evaluated as the muscle strength of the subject based on the passive measurement method.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), when “muscle measurement 2” is selected, the mode is shifted to the pressing force measurement mode, and the screen shown in FIG. 5 (B) is displayed. In the upper part of the screen, the measured internal pressure value of the expansion and contraction body 5 is displayed. "Pumpup" indicates a real-time measurement value, and "Max (diff)" indicates the difference between the maximum pressure and the minimum pressure. In the lower half of the screen, a graph showing the time change of the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is displayed. The horizontal axis indicates the time lapse from the start of measurement, and the vertical axis indicates the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5.

  By pressing the upper button 22 and the lower button 24 in this state, the user can adjust the pressure (referred to as the “reference pressure”) of the expansion and contraction body 5 that balances with the relaxed state of the trunk muscles. Pressing the upper button 22 applies pressure, and pressing the lower button 24 applies pressure reduction. In the example shown in FIG. 5 (B), the reference pressure is adjusted to 9.8 kPa.

  When the start button 28 is pressed in this state, muscle strength measurement processing is started. During this measurement, the pressure release valve 50 is closed and the pump 48 is stopped. In this measurement, the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 (referred to as “body trunk contraction pressure”) when the subject reduced the circumference diameter of the body trunk most and the expansion and contraction body when the circumference diameter of the trunk body was expanded the most The difference with the internal pressure of 5 (referred to as “body trunk inflation pressure”) is measured as muscle strength. The former is the pressure detected when the subject withdraws the abdomen to the maximum, and indicates the lowest pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5. The latter is the pressure detected when the subject fully inflates the abdomen, and indicates the maximum pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5.

  That is, the subject first contracts the muscles in a direction to withdraw the abdomen, and then contracts the muscles in a direction to inflate the abdomen via the relaxed state. In the illustrated example, the lowest pressure (9.0 kPa) is detected 2 seconds after the start of measurement (FIG. 5 (C)). Thereafter, the pressure turns to rise (FIG. 5 (D)), and the maximum pressure (31.6 kPa) is detected 4 seconds after the start of measurement (FIG. 5 (E)). Thus, until the highest pressure is detected after the lowest pressure is detected, the difference between those pressures is displayed as the calculation result. When the highest pressure is detected, the measurement is ended and the display of the difference value is fixed. In the illustrated example, 22.6 kPa is calculated as the pressure difference. In this embodiment, this pressure difference is evaluated as the muscle strength (pressure force) of the subject based on the active measurement method.

  The main items calculated in the measurement process can be displayed as necessary after the measurement. FIG. 5F shows a state in which the pressure difference (Max (diff)) is displayed immediately after the measurement. When the determination button 26 is pressed in this state, the minimum pressure (Min) is displayed as shown in FIG. 5 (G). When the determination button 26 is further pressed, the maximum pressure (Max) is displayed as shown in FIG. 5 (H). When the determination button 26 is further pressed from that state, the display returns to the display of the pressure difference (Max (diff)) in FIG. 5 (F). Thus, the display contents can be switched sequentially.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, if "training 1" is selected, it will transfer to continuous pressurization training mode. In this mode, the training process is started by pressing the start button 28 while the subject wraps the wearing band 2 around the abdomen. At this time, the pressure is set based on the muscle strength information measured as described above. The control unit 40 reads the muscle strength data obtained by the muscle strength measurement 1 or the muscle strength measurement 2, sets a pressure based on the muscle strength data, and continues the pump 48 until the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 becomes the pressure value. To drive. The pressure is continuously maintained during training unless the user operates the upper button 22 or the lower button 24.

  The pressure can be set in advance as a ratio to the pressure resistance, for example, 70% of the pressure resistance measured in the muscle strength measurement 1. Alternatively, for example, a value obtained by adding 50% of the pressure difference to the reference pressure measured in the muscle force measurement 2 can be set in advance as a ratio to the pressing force of the subject. The pressing force can be increased or decreased by pressing the upper button 22 or the lower button 24 after the pressing force is automatically set in this manner.

  When training is started, the control unit 40 outputs a buzzer sound at constant time intervals. The subject can perform appropriate training without stress by putting pressure on the abdominal muscles in accordance with the buzzer sound. In addition, although the initial value is set about the on time and off time of this buzzer sound, a setting can be changed suitably. When the power button 20 is pressed, a training end process is performed. That is, the pressure release valve 50 is opened, and the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is reduced.

  On the other hand, when "training 2" is selected, the mode is shifted to the intermittent pressure training mode. Also in this mode, the training process is started by pressing the start button 28 while the subject wraps the wearing band 2 around the abdomen. Also in this case, the pressurizing force is set based on the previously measured muscle force information. The control unit 40 reads the muscle power data obtained by the muscle strength measurement 1 or 2 and sets the reference pressure and the pressing force based on the muscle power data, and until the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 becomes the reference pressure. The pump 48 is driven.

  This pressurizing force is set as a pressure that is pressurized with respect to the reference pressure. For example, 70% of a value obtained by subtracting the reference pressure from the pressure resistance measured in the muscle strength measurement 1 can be set in advance as a ratio to the difference between the pressure resistance and the reference pressure. Alternatively, it can be set in advance as a ratio to the pressing force of the subject, for example, 50% of the pressure difference measured in the muscle strength measurement 2. The pressing force can be increased or decreased by pressing the upper button 22 or the lower button 24 after the pressing force is automatically set in this manner.

  When the training is started, the control unit 40 controls to repeat pressurization and depressurization at constant time intervals. That is, the pressure is increased from the reference pressure by a pressure corresponding to the pressurizing force, held for a predetermined time (pressure maintenance time), and thereafter reduced to the reference pressure. Then, after holding for a fixed time (pressure reduction time) at the reference pressure, the pressure is raised again. Such control is repeatedly continued until a preset training time has elapsed. The subject can perform appropriate training without stress by putting pressure on the abdominal muscles at the time of the pressurization. Although initial values are set for the pressurization maintaining time, the depressurizing time, and the training time, the setting can be changed as appropriate.

  When "setting" is selected, the setting mode is entered. In this setting mode, it is possible to appropriately change the setting of the sensitivity of the pressure sensor in the muscle force measurement mode, turn on / off the buzzer in the training mode, change the setting of the contrast of the liquid crystal screen, and the like. The sensitivity of the pressure sensor can be set, for example, in the range of sensitivity values 1-9. Pressing the upper button 22 can increase the sensitivity value, and pressing the lower button 24 can decrease the sensitivity value. The larger the sensitivity value, the higher the sensitivity, and the smaller the sensitivity value, the lower the sensitivity. The higher the sensitivity, the easier it is to detect the peak value of the muscle force (the change from contraction to relaxation of the muscle), and the lower the sensitivity, the harder the peak value is to be detected.

  For example, when the difference between the previous detection value by the pressure sensor and the current detection value is the sensitivity that can be detected with a scale of 0.1 kPa, the extreme value (upper limit / lower limit) of the pressure can be detected sensitively. It becomes easy to catch the state change. With such a setting, for example, it becomes easy to apply the present measurement method to a subject with small muscle strength. On the other hand, when the sensitivity is a sensitivity that can be detected with a scale of 2 kPa, even if there is some pressure fluctuation (the fluctuation of the detected value), it can be set not to determine as the extreme value. Such a setting can suppress false detection due to noise. Especially suitable for subjects with high muscle strength. In addition, if the time period (sampling interval) to monitor the pressure is too short, the influence of noise becomes large, and conversely, if it is too long, it may take a long time to determine the end of measurement. For this reason, it is preferable to appropriately set the sampling interval to, for example, about 100 msec.

  The buzzer sound can be turned on or off according to the preference of the user. It can be turned on by pressing the upper button 22 and can be turned off by pressing the lower button 24. The contrast of the liquid crystal screen can be set, for example, in the range of contrast values 1 to 9. Pressing the upper button 22 can increase the contrast value, and pressing the lower button 24 can decrease the contrast value. The larger the contrast value, the brighter the screen, and the smaller the contrast value, the darker the screen.

Next, the flow of specific processing performed by the control unit 40 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of pressure resistance measurement processing performed by the control unit 40. This process is performed in the muscle force measurement 1 mode.

  When the start button 28 is pressed in the pressure resistance measurement mode (Y in S10), the control unit 40 clears the measurement result stored in the predetermined area of the RAM (S12) and drives the pump 48 to pressurize. It starts (S14). Then, the internal pressure (currently detected value) Pa of the expansion and contraction body 5 detected this time is acquired (S16), and displayed on the screen (S18: see FIG. 4C). Subsequently, the internal pressure (previous detection value) Pb of the expansion / contraction body 5 detected last time is read (S20) and compared with the current detection value Pa. At this time, if the current detection value Pa is greater than or equal to the previous detection value Pb (Y in S22), the previous detection value Pb is updated to the current detection value Pa (S24), and the process returns to S16. That is, pressure application is continued on the assumption that the pressure resistance of the subject has not yet been reached.

  Thus, when the processing of S16 to S24 is repeated, and the current detection value Pa falls below the previous detection value Pb (N in S22), it is considered that the pressure resistance of the subject is reached, and the previous detection value Pb is regarded as the maximum pressure resistance Pmax. It memorizes (S26) and displays as a muscle force (S28: refer to FIG. 4 (D)). Then, the pump 48 is stopped and the pressure release valve 50 is opened to start depressurization (S30).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the push output measurement process executed by the control unit 40. This process is performed in the muscle force measurement 2 mode.

  In the push output measurement mode, first, the reference pressure is adjusted by the user. When a pressure instruction is issued by pressing the upper button 22 (Y in S40), the control unit 40 drives the pump 48 to pressurize the pressure release valve 50 in a closed state (S42). If there is no pressure instruction (N at S40), the pressure application is stopped (S43). That is, the driving of the pump 48 is continued while the upper button 22 is pressed, and is stopped when the pressing is released. When a pressure reduction instruction is issued by pressing the lower button 24 (Y in S44), the pressure release valve 50 is opened in a state in which the pump 48 is stopped to reduce the pressure (S46). If there is no pressure reduction instruction (N in S44), the pressure reduction is stopped (S47). That is, the pressure release valve 50 is opened while the lower button 24 is pressed, and is closed when the press is released. Then, the pressure value detected by the pressure measurement unit 46 is displayed on the screen and updated (S48). The processes of S40 to S48 are repeatedly executed until the start button 28 is pressed as a measurement start instruction (N of S50).

  When the start button 28 is pressed (Y in S50), the control unit 40 determines whether the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is within the appropriate range (for example, 5 to 20 kPa) as the reference pressure Pbs. It is to prevent the measurement processing from becoming an error due to the internal pressure being excessive or excessive. If the internal pressure is not appropriate as the reference pressure Pbs (N in S52), pressure adjustment is performed so that the preset reference pressure Pbs (for example, 10 kPa) is obtained (S54). If the internal pressure is appropriate (Y of S52), the process of S54 is skipped.

  Then, the measurement result stored in the predetermined area of the RAM is cleared (S56), the internal pressure (current detection value) Pa of the expansion / contraction body 5 detected this time is acquired (S58), and displayed on the screen (S60). Subsequently, the lowest pressure measurement process of measuring the lowest pressure Pmin is executed (S62), and the highest pressure measurement process of measuring the highest pressure Pmax is executed (S64) so as to match the active motion of the trunk by the subject. Then, a maximum pressure difference Pdiff (= Pmax−Pmin) which is a difference between the highest pressure Pmax and the lowest pressure Pmin is calculated (S66), and is displayed as a muscle force (S68: see FIG. 5F).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the minimum pressure measurement process of S62 in FIG. In the minimum pressure measurement process, the control unit 40 acquires the internal pressure (currently detected value) Pa of the expansion and contraction body 5 detected this time (S70), and causes the screen to be updated (S72). Subsequently, the internal pressure (previous detection value) Pb of the expansion / contraction body 5 detected last time is read (S 74), and compared with the current detection value Pa. At this time, if the current detection value Pa is less than the previous detection value Pb (Y in S76), the previous detection value Pb is updated to the current detection value Pa (S78), and the process returns to S70. That is, measurement is continued on the assumption that the minimum pressure has not yet been reached. Thus, the processing of S70 to S78 is repeated, and when the currently detected value Pa exceeds the previously detected value Pb (N at S76), it is considered that the lowest pressure is reached, and the previous detected value Pb is stored as the lowest pressure Pmin S80), this process is ended once.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the maximum pressure measurement process of S64 in FIG. In the highest pressure measurement process, the control unit 40 acquires the currently detected value Pa (S90) and causes the screen to be updated (S92). Subsequently, the previous detection value Pb is read (S94) and compared with the current detection value Pa. At this time, if the current detection value Pa is greater than or equal to the previous detection value Pb (Y in S96), the previous detection value Pb is updated to the current detection value Pa (S98), and the process returns to S90. That is, the measurement is continued on the assumption that the maximum pressure has not yet been reached. Thus, the processing of S90 to S98 is repeated, and when the currently detected value Pa falls below the previously detected value Pb (N in S96), it is considered that the maximum pressure is reached, and the previous detected value Pb is stored as the maximum pressure Pmax S100), this process is ended once.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of training processing executed by the control unit 40. Here, an intermittent pressurization training mode (corresponding to training 2) in which pressurization and depressurization are controlled is illustrated.

  In this training mode, first, the user adjusts the reference pressure. When a pressing instruction is issued by pressing the upper button 22 (Y in S110), the control unit 40 drives the pump 48 to pressurize it with the pressure release valve 50 closed (S112). If there is no pressurization instruction (N of S110), pressurization will be stopped (S113). That is, the driving of the pump 48 is continued while the upper button 22 is pressed, and is stopped when the pressing is released. When a pressure reduction instruction is issued by pressing the lower button 24 (Y in S114), the pressure release valve 50 is opened in a state in which the pump 48 is stopped to reduce the pressure (S116). If there is no pressure reduction instruction (N in S114), the pressure reduction is stopped (S117). That is, the pressure release valve 50 is opened while the lower button 24 is pressed, and is closed when the press is released. Then, the pressure value detected by the pressure measurement unit 46 is displayed on the screen and updated (S118). The processing of S110 to S118 is repeatedly executed until the start button 28 is pressed as a training start instruction (N of S120).

  When the start button 28 is pressed (Y in S120), the control unit 40 acquires measurement data stored in the pressure resistance measurement mode or the push output measurement mode (S122). Also, the training condition set in the setting mode is acquired (S124). The training conditions are set values such as a pressure maintenance time, a pressure reduction time, and a training time, and the initial value is read if the user does not make a setting. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 falls within a suitable range (for example, 5 to 20 kPa) as the reference pressure Pbs. It is to prevent that the training process can not be started by the internal pressure being excessive or excessive. If the internal pressure is not appropriate as the reference pressure Pbs (N in S126), pressure adjustment is performed so that the preset reference pressure Pbs (for example, 10 kPa) is obtained (S128). If the internal pressure is appropriate (Y of S126), the process of S128 is skipped. Then, training control processing described later is executed (S130), and the training result is displayed on the screen (S132). The training result can include, for example, information on the current training schedule, the user's past training history, and the like.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the training control process of S130 in FIG. In this training control process, the control unit 40 first sets an appropriate pressure corresponding to the muscle strength of the subject as the training pressure Ptr based on the measurement data (S140). Then, a training schedule is set based on the training pressure, the reference pressure, the training condition and the like acquired in S124 (S142), and training control is started (S144).

  Then, when the pressurization timing based on the training schedule comes (Y in S146), the pump 48 is driven in a state where the pressure release valve 50 is closed, and pressurization is started (S148). Then, when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 reaches the training pressure Ptr (Y in S150), the pump 48 is stopped and the pressurization is stopped (S152). If it is not a pressurization timing (N of S146), processing of S148-S152 will be skipped.

  When the pressure reduction timing based on the training schedule is reached (Y in S154), the pressure release valve 50 is opened while the pump 48 is stopped, and the pressure reduction is started (S156). When the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body 5 reaches the reference pressure Pbs (Y in S158), the pressure release valve 50 is closed to stop the pressure reduction (S160). If it is not pressure reduction timing (N of S154), processing of S156-S160 will be skipped.

  And processing of S146-S160 is repeatedly performed until training time passes (N of S162). When the training time has elapsed (Y in S162), a training end process is executed (S164), and this process is temporarily ended. In the training end process, the pressure release valve 50 is opened, and the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is reduced.

  In addition, although the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted about the training process of continuous pressurization training mode (corresponding to training 1), it can implement | achieve as follows roughly. That is, the on-time and the off-time of the buzzer sound are acquired as the training condition of S124 in FIG. If not set by the user, the initial value is read. Then, as a training schedule, pressure, buzzer on / off timing, training time, etc. are set.

  Then, the pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is increased to a set value. When training is started in S144 in FIG. 11, the stopped state of the pump 48 and the closed state of the pressure release valve 50 are maintained, and the pressurizing force is maintained. Then, on / off of the buzzer sound is controlled according to the training schedule. When the training time has passed, a training end process is executed. In the training end process, the pressure release valve 50 is opened, and the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5 is reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing the push output measurement mode in particular, it is possible to measure the muscle strength gentle to the subject's body. That is, in the pushing force measurement mode, there is no supply of air to the expansion and contraction body 5 during muscle strength measurement, and the muscle strength is measured based on the subject's own active action of contracting the trunk muscle from the relaxed state. Ru. Therefore, the subject does not receive an unexpected compression force from the expansion and contraction body 5. Since the measurement is carried out by winding the wearing belt 2 around the trunk, it is not necessary to involve joint movement when measuring the muscle strength. For this reason, for example, it is possible to target, for example, a patient whose force only enters a specific part of the body. In addition, the muscle contraction is performed in the direction of reducing the circumferential diameter of the body trunk, and the muscle strength is measured in consideration of the trunk contraction pressure detected at that time, which makes it possible to evaluate muscle strength unlike before.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Nor.

  In the above embodiment, an example is presented in which the detected pressure value (pressure difference) itself is presented as muscle force information, but a calculation process for converting the pressure information into muscle force information is provided, and the converted value is presented as muscle force It is also good. In that case, criteria for dividing the calculated values of muscle strength may be provided and presented as muscle strength levels. For example, a value obtained by dividing the pressure value (pressure difference) of a specific site by the circumferential diameter of the specific site may be presented as a muscle force. Alternatively, the muscle force level including the value may be presented. Also, the muscle strength may be calculated based on the pressure change rate per unit time. If the pressure change rate is large, the muscle strength is high (high muscle strength level), and if the pressure change rate is low, it may be evaluated that the muscle strength is low (low muscle strength level) and muscle strength information may be presented. In addition, when measurement data of muscle strength can be collected in this manner, a comparison (deviation value) with the average value of gender or age or the average value may be presented. Furthermore, the equivalent age index (what age the subject is equivalent to) may be presented.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the mounting band 2 is configured to store the expansion and contraction body 5 inside the storage belt 3 (storage bag) has been described. In a modification, the expansion band 5 may be fixed to the inside of the fixing belt (fixing band) to configure the mounting band. In addition, using a material that does not expand or contract on the outer periphery of the fixed band or storage bag (the surface that comes to the outside when the expansion and contraction body is arranged inside), the pressure due to expansion of the expansion and contraction body is Preferably to the mounting surface side of In that case, while the outer peripheral length of the fixed band attached to the specific site does not change, when the expansion / contraction body expands, the pressure (inner part) is displaced by pressure, and the displacement is changed It is easy to grasp as. When the expansion and contraction body is disposed only at a part of the periphery of the specific part, the displacement of the specific part can be detected only at the part where the expansion and contraction body is disposed. For this reason, if the arrangement of the muscle at the specific site and the arrangement of the expansion and contraction body do not correspond to each other, it may be difficult to measure the muscle force according to the present method. On the other hand, when the expansion and contraction body is disposed almost all around the specific site as in the above embodiment, at least any part of the expansion and contraction body corresponds to the arrangement of the muscle and the pressure change due to the contraction of the muscle It can be uniformly produced in a contraction. This means that measurements can be made that do not depend on the arrangement of muscles, and measurement of muscle strength by this method becomes easy.

  In the above embodiment, although an example in which the measurement target of muscle strength is a body trunk is shown, four limbs such as an upper arm and a thigh may be measurement targets. In that case, the shape and size of the mounting band 2 are suitable for the measurement object. When the above-described muscle strength measurement method is applied to the four limbs, the muscle strength may be measured based on the pressure difference (difference in internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body 5) detected when the subject contracts the muscle strength of the limb from the relaxed state. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure release valve 50 is exemplified as the on-off valve for opening and closing the air discharge passage. In a modification, it is good also as a proportional valve etc. which can control discharge amount of air. In addition, a proportional valve or the like capable of adjusting the amount of air supplied to the expansion and contraction body 5 may be separately provided.

  In the above embodiment, an air type using air as a medium is adopted as a configuration in which the expansion and contraction body is expanded to tighten the belt. In a modification, it may be hydraulic or hydraulic. Alternatively, a wire clamping mechanism using, for example, a pulley may be employed. In that case, a change in load applied to the wire by contraction or relaxation of a muscle may be detected, and information based on the change in load may be presented as muscle force information.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which the expansion and contraction body 5 has a unitary structure which is long enough to cover substantially the entire circumference of the trunk. In a modification, for example, the length may be set so as to correspond to a part of a trunk such as being limited to a portion corresponding to an abdominal muscle. Alternatively, a plurality of expansion and contraction bodies may be arranged side by side at a specific site of a subject, and the internal pressure of each expansion and contraction body may be measured to evaluate muscle strength.

  Although the control unit 4 is provided separately from the mounting band 2 and connected by the air tube 6 in the above embodiment, it may be provided integrally with the storage belt 3 if the control unit 4 can be miniaturized. In that case, the display unit 14 and the operation unit 42 may be provided on the storage belt 3, but they can be omitted by providing the control unit 4 with a wireless communication function. For example, a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal and the control unit 4 may be made communicable, and instruction input may be performed on the portable terminal. Alternatively, the measurement information calculated by the control unit 4 may be transmitted to the portable terminal, and the muscle strength information may be displayed on the display screen of the portable terminal. In that case, the supply and discharge device may be omitted. That is, a simple air bag and a pressure sensor for measuring the internal pressure may be assembled to form an inflatable body (swelling / shrinkage body). The bladder may have a manually openable and closable vent and may be easily inflated. Such a configuration makes it possible to inexpensively provide a muscle force measurement device in the form of a simple muscle force measurement device and a muscle force measurement application.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modification, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the scope of the invention. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiment and modifications. In addition, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 muscle strength measurement apparatus, 2 mounting | wearing bands, 3 storage belts, 4 control units, 5 expansion / contraction bodies, 6 air tubes, 14 display parts, 40 control parts, 42 operation parts, 44 power supply parts, 46 pressure measurement parts, 48 pumps, 50 pressure relief valve.

Claims (8)

A wearing band that can be worn so as to be wound around a specific part of a subject, including a squeezable body that can expand and contract by supplying and discharging a fluid;
A pressure measurement unit for measuring the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body;
A control unit that executes predetermined arithmetic processing based on measurement information by the pressure measurement unit;
An input unit that receives a user's instruction input;
An output unit that outputs an operation result by the control unit;
Equipped with
The control unit starts muscle strength measurement processing based on a user's instruction input, and the first pressure and the first pressure measured in the process of contraction of the muscle of the specific part from the relaxation state in a state where the wearing band is attached (2) A muscle force measuring device characterized by acquiring pressure and outputting information based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure as information indicating a muscle force corresponding to the specific part to the output unit. The control unit
Setting the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body in the relaxed state of the muscle strength of the specific site as a reference pressure
A predetermined pressure when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body becomes lower than the reference pressure is acquired as the first pressure,
The muscle force measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined pressure when the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body becomes higher than the reference pressure is acquired as the second pressure.   The control unit causes the output unit to output information based on a temporal change in pressure from the first pressure to the second pressure as information indicating a muscle force corresponding to the specific part. The muscle force measuring device according to 2.   The muscle strength measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the expansion and contraction body has a single-piece structure disposed around the entire circumference of either the trunk or the limb as the specific site. A muscle force measuring method for measuring a muscle force of a specific site by mounting a mounting band including a squeezable body that can be expanded and contracted by supplying and discharging a fluid around the specific site of a subject, comprising:
Measuring the change in internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body when the subject contracts the muscle of the specific site from the relaxation state without involving joint motion in a state where there is no fluid supply / discharge to the expansion / contraction body When,
Outputting information based on the magnitude of change in the internal pressure as information indicating the muscle force of the specific site;
A method of measuring muscle strength, comprising: A muscle strength measurement method for measuring the strength of a trunk of a subject by wearing a wearing band including a squeezed body so as to wrap around the trunk of a subject,
Detecting the internal pressure of the expansion / contraction body as the trunk contraction pressure when the subject contracts the muscles of the trunk from a relaxed state and thereby reduces the circumferential diameter of the trunk;
Outputting the information based on the trunk contraction pressure as the information indicating the muscle strength of the trunk;
A method of measuring muscle strength, comprising: The method further includes the step of detecting the internal pressure of the expansion and contraction body as the trunk inflation pressure when the subject contracts the muscles of the trunk from the relaxed state and thereby expands the circumferential diameter of the trunk.
The muscle strength measuring method according to claim 6, wherein the outputting step outputs information based on the trunk inflation pressure and the trunk contraction pressure as information indicating a muscle strength of the trunk.   The muscle strength measuring method according to claim 7, wherein the outputting step outputs information based on a difference between the trunk inflation pressure and the trunk contraction pressure as information indicating the muscle strength of the trunk.

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