Development of a method for quantification and management of upper extremity joint loading using wearable devices

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K17681
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Kida Yoshikazu 京都府立医科大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (70737569)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 動作解析 / 上肢関節運動 / ウェアラブルデバイス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to develop a method for evaluating and managing a load of upper limb exercises with wearable devices. We measured and verified upper limb joint motion using the originally developed wearable device. We found the possibility of easily digitizing and managing the analyzing results. In addition, by quantitively evaluating the load on the medial elbow of baseball players, new findings were obtained that could prevent medial elbow disorders and return to competition.

Free Research Field

整形外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

上肢に対する適切な運動負荷の設定が明らかになっていないため、オーバーユースによるスポーツ傷害に陥る選手は決して少ないとはいえず、運動負荷の正確な評価法が求められている。本研究ではウェアラブルデバイスを用いて簡便かつ定量的に上肢の運動負荷を測定・評価し、上肢関節の障害予防や競技復帰のためのリハビリテーションに有用な知見を示した。