JP7352242B2 - Physical fitness measurement method and device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining physical fitness (maximum oxygen uptake).

Patent Document 1 discloses that a test subject's endurance can be easily calculated without imposing a high load on the test subject. The endurance calculation device, which is detachably attached to the subject, includes an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration that acts on the subject, and a CPU that calculates the impulse that acts on the subject based on the acceleration value output by the acceleration sensor. , a display unit or a speaker that outputs walking information that is information that prompts the subject to walk from a slow speed to the maximum speed that the subject can achieve. After the walking information is output from the display unit or the speaker, the CPU calculates the subject's endurance based on the calculated maximum impulse value, which has a correlation with the maximum impulse value.

JP2006-238970A

The physical strength (endurance, maximum oxygen uptake) of humans peaks in their 20s, and after the age of 30, it declines by 5-10% for every 10 years of age. The main cause of this decline in physical strength is age-related muscle loss. This is considered to be the strongest risk factor for age-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, and dementia. In fact, there is a strong correlation between decreased physical strength and increased medical costs. Therefore, there is a need for an exercise prescription system that can be widely used by the public to improve physical fitness.

In response, the applicant is developing a "remote individual exercise prescription system" that combines "interval walking (registered trademark)" and IoT. An example of interval walking (registered trademark) is a training method in which fast walking at 70% or more of the individual's maximum oxygen uptake and slow walking at 40% of the individual's maximum oxygen intake are alternately repeated for 3 minutes each, for at least 30 minutes a day, 4 days or more a week. It is. This training method has a very high rate of continuation of exercise, and as a result, physical strength improves, and proportionately, symptoms of lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and hyperglycemia, symptoms of patients with mild cognitive impairment, joint pain, and depression symptoms. The results show that the results are improved. As a result, medical costs are suppressed. This training method is being offered as an app for mobile devices such as smartphones.

The applicant has already proposed a "three-stage step-up walking method" as a method for measuring an individual's physical strength. Conventionally, to measure an individual's endurance physical fitness, exercise load is gradually increased in a gym or other place equipped with equipment for measuring physical fitness, such as a bicycle ergometer or treadmill, and the individual's maximum exercise load is measured by increasing the exercise load gradually. Oxygen consumption is defined as the maximum (highest) oxygen uptake and is used as an indicator of endurance physical fitness.

On the other hand, since maximal exercise load is likely to cause accidents during measurement such as cardiac arrest, it has been found that when the load is increased to a sub-maximal load, the heart rate increases in proportion to the increase in oxygen consumption. Based on the finding that maximum heart rate is almost constant depending on age, we extrapolate the relationship between oxygen consumption up to submaximal load and heart rate to the line of the individual's maximum heart rate estimated from age, and calculate the intersecting oxygen A simple method is used in which consumption is taken as peak oxygen uptake. However, in either case, oxygen consumption (or exercise load: running speed for a treadmill, workload (watts) for a bicycle ergometer) must be measured in order to determine the amount of exercise load. Measurements must be taken in a physical education facility under the guidance of staff. This takes time and money.

In addition, the applicant has verified that the accuracy of the maximum oxygen intake amount determined from the maximum heart rate estimated from the age is insufficient, and the accuracy is particularly low for elderly people. Therefore, there is a need for a simple method for measuring physical strength that is suitable as a standard physical strength value in training methods.

The measurement of maximum oxygen uptake based on energy consumption during three-step step-up walking proposed by the applicant can be measured using a portable calorimeter, and is performed using exhaled gas analysis, which has traditionally been considered the gold standard. It has been reported that when compared with those measured separately, the two values agree. In the exhaled gas analysis method, exhaled gas is collected at rest and during exercise, the respiratory volume and gas composition of inhaled and exhaled air are measured, and oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production are calculated. Using these values, the amount of carbohydrate and fat burned is calculated from the combustion equation for each, and converted into energy consumption (calorie amount). This method, combined with a bicycle ergometer and treadmill load escalation method, is considered the gold standard for determining peak oxygen uptake, but requires a well-equipped environment.

The 3-step step-up walking method increases the load in steps of 3 minutes at rest, slow walking, medium walking, and fastest walking, and increases the energy consumption (oxygen consumption) during the last 3 minutes of the fastest walking by 3 minutes. This method is calculated from the output of the axis accelerometer and altimeter. Compared to the exhaled gas analysis method, the measurement of maximum oxygen uptake is significantly easier, and physical fitness can be measured with sufficient accuracy. However, since walking speed must be increased to the maximum, it must be carried out under the supervision of staff to ensure accuracy and safety.

In this way, for exercise training to effectively improve physical strength, it is desirable to be able to accurately and easily obtain the physical strength (maximum oxygen uptake, maximum oxygen uptake) of each person. Furthermore, it is possible to safely, accurately, and easily calculate endurance (physical strength), that is, maximum oxygen uptake, without placing a maximum load on the subject, such as when the subject walks from slow to maximum speed. is required.

One aspect of the invention is a method having the following steps.
- The amount of increase in heart rate of the subject in a second state in which the subject is performing exercise accompanied by an increase in heart rate compared to the first state, and the amount of increase in the second state relative to the energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the first state. and an increase in consumption, which is an increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption of the state.
- Determine the subject's maximum oxygen uptake by a linear combination that includes the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption (increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption) and the subject's age as variables.

The inventors have discovered that an individual's maximum oxygen uptake can be accurately estimated by measuring energy consumption or oxygen consumption and heart rate response during walking in daily life. In other words, as mentioned above, the relationship between oxygen consumption up to sub-maximal load and heart rate is extrapolated to the line of the individual's maximum heart rate estimated from age, and the intersecting oxygen consumption is defined as the maximum oxygen uptake. There are known ways to do this. However, upon verification by the inventors, it was found that the accuracy of the maximum oxygen uptake estimated from age using this method was insufficient. On the other hand, physical fitness (maximum oxygen uptake) estimated by a method using a linear combination of the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption and the age of the subject as variables is , physical fitness can be estimated with sufficiently high accuracy and by exercising to the extent that the heart rate increases. Therefore, if the subject simply walks at a medium altitude or sub-maximal level without walking at a slow to maximum speed, endurance (physical fitness), i.e. maximum oxygen uptake, can be improved. The amount can be calculated.

If physical fitness can be determined using this method, physical fitness can be easily measured regardless of location and time. For example, each individual can easily measure his or her physical fitness during a part of daily life such as commuting. can. Therefore, training that contributes to increasing physical strength can be disseminated even to people who are not good at exercise or who are not interested in exercise. Furthermore, in this physical fitness measurement method, for example, changes in energy consumption due to changes in walking speed can be measured using a portable calorie meter. The portable calorimeter has a built-in 3-axis semiconductor accelerometer and barometric pressure (altimeter), and is a device that can accurately measure energy consumption (oxygen consumption) even when walking at high speed on slopes. The functions of an accelerometer and a barometer are functions that modern mobile terminals such as smartphones usually have, either directly or through the GPS function, and it is easy to implement the functions as a portable calorie meter in a smartphone. . Furthermore, regarding changes in heart rate due to exercise load, for example changes in heart rate due to changes in walking speed, recent wearable devices such as smart watches and smart glasses have a function to measure heart rate (function as a heart rate monitor). When combined with a mobile terminal, changes in the subject's energy consumption and heart rate can be easily measured. In addition to measuring pulse rate, some wearable terminals have functions as mobile terminals such as GPS function and communication function, and it is possible to implement functions as a heart rate meter and a calorie meter.

Therefore, with this method, subjects can be provided with a measuring device that allows them to easily measure their own physical strength while walking in daily life without having to go through the trouble of measuring their physical strength, and it is possible to provide a measuring device that allows subjects to easily measure their own physical strength while walking in daily life. By promoting the spread of exercise prescription (interval walking (registered trademark)) to prevent age-related diseases, we can contribute to the realization of a healthy and long-lived society.

In this method, determining the maximum oxygen uptake may include determining the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak using the following equation (1).
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c0...(1)
However, ΔV is the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption (increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption), Age is the age of the subject, and c1, c2, and c0 are coefficients.

Determining the maximum oxygen uptake may include determining the subject's maximum oxygen uptake using a linear combination that further includes resting heart rate as a variable. The heart rate of the measurement target at the start of exercise may reflect the state before that. For example, the heart rate in the first state may fluctuate depending on when exercise is started from a resting state and when the exercise to be measured is performed after exercising at a certain level of intensity. By considering the resting heart rate estimated from the ratio of the increase in consumption to the increase in consumption, the accuracy of the estimated physical fitness can be further improved. Therefore, the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak may be calculated using the following equation (2).
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c3・HR0+c0...(2)
However, ΔV is the ratio between the amount of increase in heart rate and the amount of increase in consumption, Age is the age of the subject, HR0 is the resting heart rate, and c1, c2, c3, and c0 are coefficients. Coefficients c2 and c3 may be negative.

The ratio ΔV between the amount of increase in heart rate and the amount of increase in consumption may be expressed by the following formula (3) as the amount of increase in heart rate ΔHR relative to the amount of increase in energy consumption ΔEE or the amount of increase in oxygen consumption ΔVO2, In this case, the coefficient c1 may be negative.
ΔV=ΔHR/ΔEE (or ΔVO2)...(3)

Typically, the first state is rest or low-intensity walking and the second state is moderate-intensity walking. The type of exercise is not limited to walking, but may also be cycling. As described above, the energy consumption information and the heart rate information may be acquired by a wearable terminal of the subject or by a mobile terminal held by the subject.

Additionally, the method may include providing an exercise prescription designed to improve the subject's physical fitness and/or treat various diseases based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake. Moreover, this method may further include predicting the subject's age-related disease risk based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake.

Another aspect of the present invention is a system that includes a physical fitness measuring device that determines the maximum oxygen intake of a subject. The physical fitness measuring device measures the amount of increase in heart rate in a second state in which the subject is performing exercise accompanied by an increase in heart rate relative to the first state, and the amount of increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the first state. a data acquisition device that acquires the amount of energy consumption or the amount of increase in consumption that is the amount of increase in oxygen consumption in state 2, the ratio of the amount of increase in heart rate to the amount of increase in consumption, and the age of the subject as variables. and a calculation device that determines the subject's maximum oxygen intake through linear combination. This system may be implemented on a mobile terminal, a wearable terminal, or a system on a cloud, such as a server, that can communicate with these terminals via the Internet.

The calculation device may include a unit that calculates the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak using the above equation (1). The calculation device may include a unit that calculates the maximum oxygen uptake of the subject by a linear combination that further includes the resting heart rate as a variable, and this unit calculates the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak by the above formula (2). It's okay.

The data acquisition device of this system may include an acquisition device that acquires an increase in heart rate and an increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption from a subject's wearable terminal and/or mobile terminal. The system may further include a content providing device that provides an exercise prescription set for improving and/or treating the subject's physical fitness based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake. The system may further include a risk prediction device that provides a predicted age-related disease risk of the subject based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake.

Another aspect of the present invention is a program (program product) having instructions for causing a computer to function as the system described above. The program or program product may be recorded on a suitable recording medium and provided.

A block diagram showing an overview of a monitoring system. The figure which shows the method of calculating|requiring the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak by three step step-up walking. The figure which shows the correlation between the estimated value of the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak calculated|required by 3 step step-up walking, and the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak calculated|required by the bicycle ergometer load gradual increase method and the exhalation gas analyzer. A diagram illustrating the relationship between heart rate and energy consumption or oxygen consumption. A diagram showing the relationship between heart rate and energy consumption obtained in young and elderly people. A diagram illustrating the relationship between heart rate, energy consumption or oxygen consumption, and age. Estimated VO2peak obtained from the regression equation obtained for the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE or ΔHR/ΔVO2 of the increase in heart rate to the increase in energy consumption or oxygen consumption and age in young and elderly people A diagram showing (X axis, eVO2peak) versus actually measured VO2peak (Y axis, mVO2peak). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing changes in heart rate and changes in energy consumption during interval walking training. A diagram illustrating the relationship between heart rate, energy consumption or oxygen consumption, age, and resting heart rate. Actual measurement of the estimated VO2peak (X axis, eVO2peak) obtained from the regression equation obtained for the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE of the increase in heart rate and the increase in energy consumption and age for young and elderly people. The figure shown for VO2peak (Y axis, mVO2peak). The estimated VO2peak (obtained from the regression equation obtained for the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE of the increase in heart rate and the increase in energy consumption, age Age, and resting heart rate HR0 for young and elderly people) The figure which shows X axis, eVO2peak) with respect to the measured VO2peak (Y axis, mVO2peak). 5 is a flowchart showing a process for obtaining maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak by an application.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an example of a system for monitoring human activities. This system (monitoring system) 1 connects a portable or wearable terminal (user terminal) 10 worn by a user (subject, test subject, examinee) 2 to a cloud 9, for example, via a computer network such as the Internet. It includes a terminal 10 and a connected server system 50. The terminal 10 may be a wristwatch-type smart watch 10a that can be worn on the skin to measure the heart rate, or an eyeglass-type smart glass 10c that can measure the heart rate by monitoring blood vessels in the eyeballs. It may also be combined with the phone 10b. The system 1 for monitoring the amount of activity may be provided only by the terminal (terminal set) 10, and data is accumulated in the server system 50 via the cloud 9 and analyzed in more detail or using an updated method at a later date. It may also be provided as a system. The terminal 10 may be any mobile terminal that can be worn on the body of the user 2 or has a function of monitoring the movement of a part of the body, particularly the movement of blood vessels, and is not limited to a wristwatch or glasses type.

The terminal 10 includes a sensor group 11, a processor 12 that includes a function to process data obtained from the sensor group 11, a user interface 13 that performs input/output, and a communication device that can be connected to the cloud 9 via a mobile phone network or the like. It includes a unit 14 and a memory 15. The sensor group 11 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor 11a, an altimeter 11b, a pulse meter (heart rate meter) 11c, a thermometer 11d, and the like. An example of the sensor (first sensor) 11b that measures altitude is a barometer.

The processor 12 provides various functions by deploying software (a program including instructions for executing the processing described below) 15a downloaded to the memory 15. One of the functions provided by the processor 12 is a user application (training application) 29, which includes a function (monitoring unit) 20 for monitoring the activity status of the user 2 and a function for measuring physical fitness using the monitored data. (Physical fitness measurement device, maximum oxygen intake calculation unit, calculation device) 21.

The monitoring unit (monitor) 20 includes a measurement unit (data acquisition device, acquisition device, sensor interface) 25 that acquires predetermined measurement data 16 from the sensor group 11 and temporarily stores the measurement data 16 in the memory 15; A consumption estimation unit (consumption monitor) 27 that determines the type of activity of the user 2 and estimates energy consumption EE or oxygen consumption VO2 using a predetermined estimation formula based on the activity type; A unit 28 that provides measurement data 16 including the measured values of the sensors used to the server system 50 via the communication unit 14 and a unit 28 that provides the determined energy consumption, oxygen consumption, etc. via the user interface 13. and an output unit 26 that is provided to the user 2.

For example, the activity type (activity form) of the user 2 may be automatically determined based on the measurement results of the acceleration sensor 11a, may be selected or input by the user 2, or may be automatically determined based on the lifestyle habits of the user 2. You may. The activity types include, for example, walking 3a, cycling (bicycle upright) 3b, traveling by private car or other means of transportation, and resting, and depending on each activity type, energy consumption monitor (energy consumption monitor) , oxygen consumption monitor) 27 or the physical fitness measurement unit (maximum oxygen intake calculation unit) 21, an exercise element that affects the calculation, such as body position, may be selected.

The consumption monitor 27 estimates the oxygen consumption VO2 and/or the energy consumption EE from the sensor data obtained by the sensor interface 25. The estimation method is disclosed by the inventors of the present application in JP2008-220517A and JP2019-13731A. That is, the walking oxygen consumption amount eVO2W while the user 2 is moving on foot can be estimated by the following equation (4).
eVO2W=w11・VM+w12・Hu+w13・Hd...(4)
0.022≦w11≦0.070...(5)
0.770≦w12≦1.886...(6)
0.098≦w13≦1.082...(7)
However, the unit of oxygen consumption eVO2 is ml/kg/min, the unit of cumulative acceleration VM is G/min, which can be calculated from the data of the acceleration sensor 11a, the unit of ascending amount Hu is m/min, and the unit of descending amount Hd is The unit is m/min and can be calculated from the altimeter 11b. The unit of coefficient w11 is ml/kg/G, and the unit of coefficients w12 and w13 is ml/kg/m. An example of the coefficient w11 is 0.044, an example of the coefficient w12 is 1.365, and an example of the coefficient w13 is 0.553.

The oxygen consumption amount eVO2C during cycling can be estimated using the following equation (8).
eVO2C=w21・VM+w22・Hu+w23・Hd...(8)
0.048≦w21≦0.210...(9)
0.463≦w22≦2.605...(10)
0.020≦w23≦0.602...(11)
The unit of coefficient w21 is ml/kg/G, and the unit of coefficients w22 and w23 is ml/kg/m. An example of the coefficient w21 is 0.129, an example of the coefficient w22 is 1.534, and an example of the coefficient w23 is 0.311.

The energy consumption amount EE per unit time can be determined by the following equation (12) including these oxygen consumption amounts eVO2W and eVO2C and the subject's weight W.
EE=k1・W・(eVO2W+eVO2C)...(12)
However, the unit of energy consumption CAL is kcal/min, the unit of body weight W is kg, and the unit of calorie conversion coefficient k1 is kcal/ml. An example of the calorie conversion coefficient k1 is 4.825.

The physical fitness measurement unit (physical fitness measurement device) 21 has a function (data acquisition unit, data acquisition device) 22, and a function (VO2peak calculation unit) that calculates the maximum oxygen intake (maximum oxygen intake, maximum oxygen consumption, VO2peak) 19 of the user 2 based on the heart rate HR and energy consumption EE. , calculation device) 23. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 22 calculates the amount of increase ΔHR in the heart rate HR of the subject (user) 2 in a second state in which the subject (user) 2 is performing an exercise with an increase in heart rate HR compared to the first state; A consumption increase amount that is an increase amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the second state relative to the energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the first state is obtained. In the following, the increase amount ΔEE in the energy consumption amount EE will be explained as an example, but it may be calculated based on the increase amount in the oxygen consumption amount. The calculation unit 23 calculates the maximum oxygen intake of the subject 2 using a linear combination equation (1) or (2) that includes the ratio ΔV of the increase in heart rate ΔHR to the increase in consumption ΔEE and the subject's age Age as variables. Find VO2peak. The memory 15 records user attribute information 150 required for calculating maximum oxygen intake, energy consumption, etc., and is referenced in each calculation process. An example of the attribute information 150 is age and weight, and in this example, age Age is referenced in calculating maximum oxygen intake, and weight W is referenced in calculating energy consumption.

A server system 50 that can communicate with the terminal 10 via the cloud 9 includes an interface 51 that receives measurement data 16 via the cloud 9, a database 52 that stores the measurement data 16, etc., and information provided from the terminal 10. For example, a unit 54 that analyzes the activity of the user 2 based on the measured data 16, and a service provider (advisor) unit 53 that provides advice on the activity policy etc. to the user 2 based on the measured data 16 and the processing results of the analysis unit 54. include. The analysis unit 54 may have the functions of the monitoring unit 20 of the terminal 10 and the physical fitness measuring unit 21.

The advisor unit (advisor) 53 periodically refers to each user's physical strength (maximum oxygen intake) 19, energy consumption history 52a, etc. stored in the database, and determines the schedule and energy consumption planned by each user 2. This includes functions such as advising on energy consumption, providing alarms for excessive or insufficient energy consumption, and providing advice on living and activity environments. The advisor 53 may include a content providing device 53a that provides an exercise prescription set for improving and/or treating the physical strength of the user (subject) 2 based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake 19. Further, the advisor 53 may include a risk prediction device 53b that provides the predicted age-related disease risk of the user (subject) 2 based on the determined maximum oxygen intake amount 19.

It is said that physical strength peaks in one's 20s and declines by 10% for every 10 years of age thereafter, and it is known that there is a correlation between this decline in physical strength and medical costs. Therefore, if physical fitness improves by 10% through prescription exercise, medical costs can be reduced by 20%. To this end, it has been recommended to take 10,000 steps a day. However, this method does not provide an exercise prescription that suits the physical strength of the individual, and does not take exercise intensity into account. As a result, it has been pointed out that the problem is that physical strength does not improve.

On the other hand, the international standard for improving physical strength is to perform machine training at the gym. At this time, VO2peak is measured by exhaled gas analysis and the training intensity is determined. However, this is not a method that everyone can do, given the constraints of space and time, and the cost of training. In contrast, the inventors have proposed interval trot training (IWT®).

One of the challenges in implementing physical strength training such as IWT is to determine maximum physical strength (maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak). Conventionally, the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2peak) has been routinely determined from the amount of oxygen consumed when the individual uses an exercise stress device such as a bicycle ergometer or treadmill at the gym and gradually increases the load to reach the individual's maximum value. In contrast, the inventors of the present application first performed a three-step step-up walk in a field such as a gymnasium, and the amount of exercise measured at that time using a portable calorie meter matched the value measured using a conventional machine. It was revealed that maximum oxygen uptake (VO2peak) can be easily measured in the field without having to go to the gym.

FIG. 2 shows a method for determining the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak by a three-step step-up walk. In this method, subjects are asked to walk at a slow speed of 111, a medium speed of 112, and a high speed of 113, and the oxygen intake during the last minute of walking at maximum speed, 115, is estimated from the accelerometer and calculated as the maximum oxygen intake, VO2peak. do. Specifically, in a place where a flat floor can be secured, such as a gymnasium, subjects wear a portable calorie meter on their waist and walk at rest, slowly at 111, at a moderate pace of 112, and at maximum speed of 113 for 3 minutes each. The amount of energy consumed during the last minute of walking at the maximum speed is defined as the individual's maximum oxygen intake (maximum exercise intensity) VO2peak, and the heart rate of 116 at that time is defined as the maximum heart rate.

Figure 3 shows the estimated value of the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak determined by the three-step step-up walking method measured by the inventors of the present application, and the maximum oxygen uptake determined by the bicycle ergometer load gradual increase method and exhaled gas analyzer. The results are shown plotted against VO2peak. It can be seen that the two are very well correlated. According to the three-step step-up walking method, an exhaled gas analyzer is not required and the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak can be easily obtained. Therefore, from now on, the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak (hereinafter referred to as mVO2peak) determined by the three-step step-up walking is used as the actual measurement value, and the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak calculated based on the change in heart rate (hereinafter referred to as eVO2peak) is calculated based on the change in heart rate. (referenced as ).

The maximum oxygen intake (mVO2peak) determined by 3-step step-up walking is sufficiently accurate and simple compared to conventional methods, but it does not allow Subject 2 to go to a gymnasium or the like and push himself to a state where he can exert his maximum physical strength. There is a condition that it must be done. Considering that measuring physical fitness requires time, effort, and exercise up to the maximum heart rate, it is desirable to be able to easily reach the maximum oxygen intake (VO2peak) in daily life without straining.

Figure 4(a) shows heart rate HR1 and energy consumption EE1 in a state of light intensity (low intensity) exercise (first state) and a state of moderate intensity exercise (second state). The relationship between the respective increases ΔHR and ΔEE in heart rate HR2 and energy consumption EE2 is shown. An example of light-intensity exercise is slow walking (light-intensity exercise in the case of cycling), and an example of moderate-intensity exercise is moderate-speed walking (medium-intensity exercise in the case of cycling). As shown in this figure, it is predicted that the smaller ΔHR/ΔEE is, the higher the physical strength of the person. Further, it is believed that the maximum heart rate HRmax is obtained by the following equation (13).
HRmax=220-Age...(13)
Therefore, if the maximum heart rate HRmax is approximately constant regardless of the individual's maximum oxygen uptake, ΔHR/ΔEE will be inversely correlated with the maximum oxygen uptake, as shown in Figure 4(b). can be expected.

Figure 5 shows the values of ΔHR/ΔEE when 76 elderly people and 13 young people walked slowly for 3 minutes and then walked at a medium speed for 3 minutes, and separately, in 3 stages. The relationship with the maximum oxygen uptake mVO2peak measured during step-up walking is shown. In the case of young people, the relationship between the value of ΔHR/ΔEE when cycling at light or medium intensity and the maximum oxygen uptake measured separately using an exhaled gas analysis method is shown. Although a significant correlation is recognized between the two, the 95% prediction limit of the regression equation is wide and the estimation accuracy is low. In other words, if the maximum heart rate HRmax is approximately constant regardless of the individual's maximum oxygen uptake, a strong inverse correlation should appear in young people and elderly people who are close in age. is almost never seen. Therefore, the conventional simple method of extrapolating the relationship between oxygen consumption up to sub-maximal load and heart rate to the line of the individual's maximum heart rate estimated from age, and taking the intersecting oxygen consumption as the maximum oxygen uptake. It was found that these methods have low accuracy and are difficult to refer to as physical strength for determining training intensity or creating training menus.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), an individual's maximum heart rate HRmax decreases with age. Therefore, even if ΔHR/ΔEE or ΔHR/ΔVO2 is the same, the maximum oxygen uptake should decrease as age increases. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(b), age can be expected to have an inverse correlation with maximum oxygen uptake.

FIG. 7 shows the results of age correction using multiple regression analysis. Here, the ratio of the increase amount ΔV is the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE of the increase amount ΔHR in heart rate to the increase amount ΔEE in energy consumption, and Age (age) is used as an independent variable. A multiple regression equation was determined using the maximum oxygen uptake (mVO2peak) (for young people) measured by exhaled gas analysis during gradual load increases using a bicycle ergometer as the dependent variable. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the estimated maximum oxygen uptake (eVO2peak (L/min)) obtained using the multiple regression equation and the referenced maximum oxygen uptake mVO2peak. The 95% prediction limit of the regression equation was narrow, and its estimation accuracy was improved. The regression equation is expressed by the following equation (A). The maximum oxygen uptake (mVO2peak (L/min)) may be determined using the amount of increase in oxygen consumption ΔVO2 instead of the amount of increase in energy consumption ΔEE. The same applies to the following.
eVO2peak=-0.071・(ΔHR/ΔEE)-0.036・Age
+4.715...(A)
The coefficient of determination R ² of the correlation between the estimated eVO2peak and the measured mVO2peak obtained by regression equation (A) is 0.7638 (p<0.001), and the coefficient of determination R ² of the correlation shown in FIG. 5 is 0.7638 (p<0.001). 2145 (p<0.001), it can be seen that the accuracy is significantly improved. Therefore, it can be seen that the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak can be estimated with high accuracy using equation (1), which is a linear combination of the consumption increase ratio ΔV and the age Age.
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c0...(1)
The unit of maximum oxygen uptake (maximum oxygen consumption) VO2peak (hereinafter sometimes referred to as eVO2peak as an estimated value of maximum oxygen uptake) is L/min, and the unit of heart rate HR is beats/min (bpm). ), the unit of energy consumption is kcal/min, the unit of consumption increase ratio ΔV is bpm/kcal if ΔHR/ΔEE, the unit of coefficient c1 is L・kcal/bpm/min, the unit of coefficients c2 and c0 is L/min. Coefficients c1 and c2 are negative, and coefficient c0 is positive. Each coefficient shown in equation (A) is an example, and each of the coefficients may satisfy equations (1-1) to (1-3) below.
-0.11<c1<-0.02...(1-1)
-0.05<c2<-0.02...(1-2)
4.0<c0<6.0...(1-3)

Changes in heart rate HR can be obtained from the pulse meter 11c of the wearable terminal 10a, and energy consumption EE can be obtained from the values of the accelerometer 11a and altimeter (barometer) 11b of the mobile terminal or wearable terminal 10a. Therefore, by determining the maximum oxygen intake using equation (1) in the physical fitness measurement unit 21, it is possible to easily measure (estimate) the physical fitness of an individual through walking or other limited-intensity exercise in daily life. We can provide systems and methods for

An individual walks for about 2 to 3 minutes or more in a row that the individual subjectively feels is "somewhat strenuous," and measures the amount of oxygen and energy consumed per unit time during that time using a portable calorie meter on the mobile terminal or wearable terminal 10a. If the heart rate is measured using the function as a heart rate monitor, an individual's endurance physical strength (maximum oxygen uptake) can be estimated with high accuracy. Therefore, each person can easily and easily measure their physical fitness during a part of their daily life, such as while commuting. ``Medium-speed walking that an individual feels is somewhat strenuous'' in daily life may be expressed using the Borg index. The Borg index has a score of 0-1 for the most comfortable condition, and a score of 9-10 for the maximum value when you feel like you are no longer able to do it, and the exercise that feels a little strenuous is walking at a speed of about 6-7 points. There may be.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the relationship between heart rate HR and energy consumption EE during interval walking. EEbase and EEmax in the figure represent the energy consumption when walking slowly and walking at medium speed, respectively, HRbase and HRmax represent the heart rate when walking slowly and walking at medium speed, respectively, and base1, max3, etc. The appended numbers indicate the first and third trials, respectively. Note that interval walking is training using fast walking (interval walking training), and is walking training in which slow walking and medium-speed walking are alternately repeated for 3 minutes each. The goal for slow walking is about 40% of an individual's maximum oxygen intake, and the goal for medium-speed walking is 70% or more.

As shown in Fig. 8(b), in terms of energy consumption EE, when walking repeatedly, the energy consumption EEbase of slow walking increases slightly in the 5th time compared to the 1st time, and the energy consumption EEmax of medium-speed walking increases. remains the same for the first and fifth times. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the heart rate HRbase during slow walking and the heart rate HRmax during medium-speed walking both increase at the fifth time compared to the first time. Therefore, the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE of the difference ΔEE in energy consumption EE between slow walking and moderate walking and the difference ΔHR in heart rate HR decreases at the fifth time compared to the first time. That is, the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE decreases as the heart rate HR increases when walking slowly. This increase in heart rate HR during slow walking is due in part to a slight increase in energy expenditure EE, but rather, continued walking accelerates metabolism and accumulates body heat, which causes an increase in body temperature. This is thought to be because of this.

FIG. 9(a) shows the relationship between the resting heart rate HR0 and the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE. The resting heart rate HR0 is determined by the Y-intercept (extrapolated up to X=0) of a linear regression equation of the energy consumption EE and the heart rate HR during slow walking and medium-speed walking. The reason is that when walking slowly, energy consumption EE is not zero, which affects heart rate HR, but when energy consumption EE is zero, the effect can be ignored because the body is not moving. It is. That is, the heart rate HR0 at this time reflects only resting metabolism (body temperature). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the resting heart rate HR0 can be expected to have an inverse correlation with the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE.

Figure 10 shows the relationship between the measured maximum oxygen uptake mVO2peak shown in Figure 7 and the estimated maximum oxygen consumption eVO2peak from equation (A), and the estimated maximum oxygen consumption estimated from equation (A) from the fifth trial. The amount eVO2peak is indicated by a white mark. Note that the black mark indicates the first trial. It can be seen that the data points of the fifth trial are distributed slightly below the regression equation line compared to the first trial.

FIG. 11 shows the results of correcting the resting heart rate HR0 by multiple regression analysis. Here, the ratio ΔV of the increase amount is the ratio ΔHR/ΔEE of the increase amount ΔHR of the heart rate and the increase amount ΔEE of energy consumption, Age (age), and the resting heart rate HR0 are used as independent variables, and the step is performed in three steps. A multiple regression equation was determined using maximum oxygen uptake (mVO2peak) as the dependent variable, measured by exhaled gas analysis during up-walking (elderly people) or during gradual load increases using a bicycle ergometer (young people). The regression equation is expressed by the following equation (B).
eVO2peak=-0.09681・(ΔHR/ΔEE)-0.03878・Age
-0.01587・HR0+6.170...(B)
The coefficient of determination ^R2 of the correlation between the estimated maximum oxygen uptake eVO2peak obtained by regression equation (B) and the measured maximum oxygen uptake mVO2peak was 0.7979 (p<0.001), including the 5th trial. It can be seen that the accuracy is further improved than the coefficient of determination of the correlation shown in FIG. Therefore, it can be seen that the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak can be estimated with higher accuracy using equation (2), which is a linear combination of the consumption increase ratio ΔV, the age Age, and the resting heart rate HR0.
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c3・HR0+c0...(2)
The unit of the resting heart rate HR is beats/min (bpm), the unit of the coefficient c3 is L/bpm, the coefficients c1, c2, and c3 are negative, and the coefficient c0 is positive. Each coefficient shown in formula (B) is an example, and each of the coefficients may satisfy the following formulas (2-1) to (2-4).
-0.14<c1<-0.05...(2-1)
-0.05<c2<-0.02...(2-2)
-0.03<c3<0.00...(2-3)
4.6<c0<7.6...(2-4)

By estimating the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak using equation (2) that includes the resting heart rate HR0 as an independent variable, it is possible to estimate the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak not only from the data of the first trial but also from the data of subsequent slow walking and mid-trial. It is now possible to estimate the maximum oxygen intake (VO2peak) from the data during moderate walking.For example, if an individual decides to take a "slightly strenuous" moderate-speed walk for 2 minutes or more while commuting or taking a walk, In other words, by achieving a second state in which exercise is accompanied by an increase in heart rate HR compared to the first state, an individual's stamina can be improved regardless of the previous history of light movement (slow walking). You can measure your sexual strength (maximum oxygen uptake) with high accuracy.

The training application 29 implemented in the terminal 10 has an interval trot trainer function (interval trot trainer unit, IWT unit) 30 that guides the subject 2 to perform the interval trot training IWT in conjunction with the monitoring unit 20 and the physical fitness measurement unit 21. May include. The physical fitness measurement unit 21 can calculate the maximum oxygen uptake during IWT exercise, as described above, using data obtained from the acceleration sensor 11a, the altimeter 11b, and the heart rate monitor 11c. The IWT unit 30 may include a first unit 31 that guides normal walking, a second unit 32 that guides fast walking, and a management unit 33 that manages IWT history and energy consumption by IWT. The first unit 31 estimates the oxygen consumption VO2 at appropriate intervals of about tens of milliseconds, manages the duration of normal walking, and prompts a transition to brisk walking after a predetermined period of time, for example, 3 minutes. Output guide. When the determined oxygen consumption amount VO2 exceeds 70% of the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak determined by the physical fitness measurement unit 21, the second unit 32 guides the user to maintain that speed using voice or the like. After that, when a predetermined period of time, for example 3 minutes, has elapsed, a guide is output that prompts the user to transition to normal walking with a goal of 40% or less of the maximum oxygen intake VO2peak. In this terminal 10, the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak 19 of the subject (user) 2 can be measured by the physical fitness measurement unit 21 at any time, and the value can be updated. Therefore, it is possible to guide the IWT under conditions that match the condition of the subject 2 at that time, and it is possible to have the subject 2 perform the IWT without straining the subject 2 and at an intensity that is expected to increase physical strength.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of measuring physical strength by the physical strength measuring unit 21 and providing an exercise prescription etc. in the application 29 of this example. In step 71, the monitoring unit 20 acquires a first state, for example, heart rate HR1 of slow walking, and energy consumption EE1 or oxygen consumption VO2. If it is determined in step 72 that the heart rate has increased, in step 73, the heart rate HR2 and energy consumption EE2 or oxygen consumption in a second state of high exercise intensity, for example, moderate walking (slightly strenuous exercise), are determined. Obtain VO2. When the second state continues for an appropriate period of 2 to 3 minutes and data with a certain degree of accuracy can be obtained through averaging etc., in step 74 the physical fitness measurement unit 21 calculates the increase in heart rate ΔHR and the energy consumption. The amount of increase ΔEE in oxygen consumption or the amount of increase in oxygen consumption ΔVO2 is obtained, and in step 75, the ratio of these values ΔHR/ΔEE or ΔHR/ΔVO2 is linearly combined with the user's age Age as an independent variable using equation (1). If necessary, the physical strength (maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak) is calculated using equation (2), which is linearly combined by including the resting heart rate HR0 as an independent variable.

In step 76, if it is required to create or change an exercise prescription based on the calculated physical strength, an exercise prescription is provided in step 77. The exercise prescription may be provided by server 50. The content providing device 53a of the advisor 53 of the server 50 transmits an exercise prescription set for improving and/or treating the physical strength of the subject 2 to the terminal 10 of the user 2 based on the maximum oxygen intake VO2peak19 determined by the physical fitness measurement unit 21. may be provided via. A decrease in maximum oxygen consumption due to aging is considered to be the highest risk factor for the onset of age-related diseases including lifestyle-related diseases. The inventors have demonstrated that by providing the above-mentioned interval walking menu as an exercise prescription, physical strength can be improved by up to 20%, symptoms of lifestyle-related diseases can be improved by 20%, and medical costs can be reduced by 20%. .

Medical departments that can provide therapeutic exercise prescriptions include: There is a high possibility that it will be introduced as a treatment method for ``chronic phase outpatient treatment'' in these departments.
- As a means of chronic treatment for heart failure patients: Currently, there are 1.2 million heart failure patients, and it is said that this number will increase to 1.3 million over the next 20 years. The most effective treatment for patients with heart failure in the chronic stage is to prescribe moderate-intensity exercise, which can be perceived as ``slightly strenuous,'' but actual exercise training is performed at physical education facilities such as rehabilitation departments attached to hospitals. However, the current situation is that it is not able to cope with the increasing number of patients with heart failure. Therefore, the training application 29 implemented on the terminal 10 equipped with an electrocardiogram (heart rate) monitoring device (function) provides an exercise therapy based on a medium-intensity exercise prescription that feels "somewhat hard", typically interval walking training. can.
- As a means of chronic treatment for diabetic patients: Currently, there are 10 million diabetic patients, including pre-diabetic patients, and it is said that this number will further increase in the future. The most effective treatment for diabetes is to prescribe moderate-intensity exercise that can be felt as ``slightly strenuous,'' but medical institutions do not provide systematic medical services for this purpose. Similarly to the above, the exercise prescription by the training application 29 installed on the terminal 10 can be applied to treat this disease.

Clinical fields where it can be expected to be used as a treatment for other diseases include depression, mild cognitive impairment, chronic orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and patients with renal failure.

If presentation of the disease risk is requested in step 78, the disease risk is predicted in step 79. The disease risk may be provided by the server 50. The risk prediction device 53b of the advisor 53 of the server 50 may feed back the individual's future risk of developing an age-related disease to the individual. In this training application 29, the multiple regression equation (1) or (2) of the present invention can be used if the user walks for 2 to 3 consecutive minutes at a medium-speed walk that feels "hard", which corresponds to a trot in interval walking. This allows individuals to know their own physical strength without having to go through the trouble of doing three-step step-up walking. By linking the results with a database held by a medical information analysis company, it is possible to provide feedback to individuals about their future risk of developing age-related diseases. Currently, the common risk factor used by medical information analysis companies is "age," but with the present invention, if an individual's maximum oxygen intake can be determined, the relationship between age and maximum oxygen intake, which has already been published, will be improved. ``Physical age'' can be determined from this, and if age is replaced with physical age in a database held by a medical information analysis company, the accuracy of predicting an individual's future age-related diseases will be further improved. Furthermore, for the time being, we will be linking this to the database of a medical information analysis company to provide feedback to individuals about future predictions of the effects of interval walking, but as the number of people implementing this training increases, it will be possible to provide feedback based on our own database. becomes. This significantly improves the accuracy of predicting the interval walking effect.

In this way, the training application 29 can be used to improve exercise habits such as interval walking to improve physical fitness, and to be used by various local governments, corporate health insurance associations, life insurance companies, and hospital health checkup centers (specific health checkups and specified health care centers). It will be possible to develop your business by signing contracts with companies such as guidance.

10 User terminal, 21 Physical fitness measurement unit 29 Training application

Claims (19)

The amount of increase in heart rate of the subject in a second state in which the subject is performing exercise accompanied by an increase in heart rate compared to the first state, and the amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the second state relative to the first state. and a consumption increase amount that is an increase amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption of
A method comprising determining the maximum oxygen uptake of the subject by a linear combination including the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption and the age of the subject as variables. In claim 1,
The method, wherein determining the maximum oxygen uptake includes determining the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak by the following formula.
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c0
However, ΔV is the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption, Age is the age of the subject, and c1, c2, and c0 are coefficients. In claim 1 or 2,
Determining the maximum oxygen uptake involves determining the maximum oxygen uptake of the subject by a linear combination that further includes, as the variable, the resting heart rate estimated from the ratio of the increase in heart rate and the increase in consumption. A method, including asking. In claim 3,
The method, wherein determining the maximum oxygen uptake includes determining the maximum oxygen uptake VO2peak by the following formula.
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c3・HR0+c0
Here, ΔV is the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption, Age is the age of the subject, HR0 is the estimated resting heart rate, and c1, c2, c3, and c0 are coefficients. In claim 4,
The method, wherein said coefficients c2 and c3 are negative. In claim 2, 4 or 5,
The ratio ΔV between the increase in heart rate and the increase in consumption is the increase in heart rate ΔHR with respect to the increase in energy consumption ΔEE or the increase in oxygen consumption ΔVO2, and the coefficient c1 is negative. is, the method. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
The method, wherein the first state is rest or low-intensity walking, and the second state is moderate-intensity walking. In any one of claims 1 to 7,
The method, wherein the obtaining includes obtaining the heart rate increase amount and the consumption increase amount from a mobile terminal and/or a wearable terminal of the subject. A method for providing an exercise prescription by a system having a physical fitness measuring device that determines the maximum oxygen uptake of a subject, the system comprising:
The physical fitness measuring device measures the amount of increase in heart rate of the subject in a second state in which the subject is performing exercise accompanied by an increase in heart rate relative to the first state, and the amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the first state. a data acquisition device that acquires a consumption increase amount that is an increase amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the second state with respect to the amount;
a calculation device that calculates the maximum oxygen intake of the subject by a linear combination including the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption and the age of the subject as variables;
The method includes a content providing device of the system providing content including an exercise prescription set for improving and/or treating the subject's physical strength based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake. A system having a physical fitness measuring device for determining maximum oxygen uptake of a subject provides a risk of age-related diseases of the subject, the system comprising:
The physical fitness measuring device measures the amount of increase in heart rate of the subject in a second state in which the subject is performing exercise accompanied by an increase in heart rate relative to the first state, and the amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the first state. a data acquisition device that acquires a consumption increase amount that is an increase amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the second state with respect to the amount;
a calculation device that calculates the maximum oxygen intake of the subject by a linear combination including the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption and the age of the subject as variables;
The method comprises: the risk prediction device of the system providing the subject's age-related disease risk predicted based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake. A system having a physical fitness measuring device for determining the maximum oxygen intake of a subject,
The physical fitness measuring device measures the amount of increase in heart rate of the subject in a second state in which the subject is performing exercise accompanied by an increase in heart rate relative to the first state, and the amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the first state. a data acquisition device that acquires a consumption increase amount that is an increase amount of energy consumption or oxygen consumption in the second state with respect to the amount;
A system comprising: a calculation device that calculates the maximum oxygen intake of the subject by a linear combination including the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption and the age of the subject as variables. In claim 11,
A system in which the calculation device includes a unit that calculates the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak using the following formula.
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c0
However, ΔV is the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption, Age is the age of the subject, and c1, c2, and c0 are coefficients. In claim 11 or 12,
The calculation device includes a unit that calculates the maximum oxygen intake of the subject by a linear combination that further includes, as the variable, a resting heart rate estimated from the ratio of the increase in heart rate and the increase in consumption. system. In claim 13,
A system in which the calculation device includes a unit that calculates the maximum oxygen intake amount VO2peak using the following formula.
VO2peak=c1・ΔV+c2・Age+c3・HR0+c0
Here, ΔV is the ratio of the increase in heart rate to the increase in consumption, Age is the age of the subject, HR0 is the resting heart rate, and c1, c2, c3, and c0 are coefficients. In claim 12 or 14,
The ratio ΔV between the increase in heart rate and the increase in consumption is the increase in heart rate ΔHR with respect to the increase in energy consumption ΔEE or the increase in oxygen consumption ΔVO2, and the coefficient c1 is negative. A system. In any one of claims 11 to 15,
The data acquisition device includes an acquisition device that acquires the increase in heart rate and the increase in consumption from a wearable terminal and/or a mobile terminal of the subject. In any one of claims 11 to 16,
The system further comprises a content providing device that provides an exercise prescription set for improving and/or treating the subject's physical fitness based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake. In any one of claims 11 to 17,
A system further comprising a risk prediction device that provides a predicted age-related disease risk of the subject based on the determined maximum oxygen uptake. A program having instructions for causing a computer to function as the system according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

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