New measuring and training method of muscle power for senior age, that utilizes small 'electric generator' instead of 'spring force', is described in this paper. Our study clarifies that this method can measure not only the muscle power, but also the reflection time and the muscle strength without any physical stress on senior aged subject. Meanwhile, another advantage of employing electric generator is that generator can electrically produce regeneration resistance as the load for rehabilitation. This paper also describes whether the developed system can be applied for physical training. With a view of physiotherapist, various investigations were executed. The evidences show the efficiency of the developed training method and the developed system.
The ratio of aged senior in Omuta, that author's institute locates in, is increasing. Currently it is nearly 30%, one of the highest levels in Japan. Therefore to guarantee senior's healthy retired life is an important issue for the local government. Thus one of the important missions is to understand their physical health. Generally, in order to evaluate physical performance, Physical Measurement is adopted in Japan. According to "New Physical Measurement" (1) which is edited by Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology, Activity of Daily living (ADL) screening is utilized to evaluate the physical performance of senior who is over age-65. In this screening, grasping-force measurement is also utilized as a criteria to evaluate of muscle performance since muscle performances (Maximum Muscle Force) of a person's whole body is in proportion to his grasping-force statistically. Currently Smedley type measuring instrument is used to measure grasping-force. Because it is economy and easy to use. This instrument, however, is based on Hook's law to measure the grasping-force. Therefore in the case to apply it for senior, Senior can tend to do bearing-down action that a person tries to perform his maximum muscle-power with his extreme muscle-tension as possible. This can lead the subject to be under physically stressful and dangerous situation.
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