Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Elsevier BV  

One way to provide assistance in a dynamic lifting task is to pre-emptively move the exoskeleton based on a predicted reference trajectory. However, the level of aggressiveness in the prediction (i.e., how far ahead in time) and the exoskeleton's degree of adherence to the reference trajectory (stiffness) are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of stiffness and pre-emptive offset parameters in an impedance-controlled robotic arm on muscle activation and perceived exertion of the user. Thirteen participants were instructed to lift a load equivalent to 15% of their maximal voluntary contracted force in collaboration with a robotic arm with 40°–135° of elbow flexion in 1.12 s. Three levels of stiffness (lower: 0.1 N m deg−1, medium: 0.2 N m deg−1, and higher: 0.31 N m deg−1) and two levels of pre-emptive offsets (shorter: 0.1 s and longer: 0.4 s) were investigated. We found that (1) during 0–0.5 s (acceleration stage) of elbow flexion, a higher stiffness level and a longer pre-emptive offset decreased muscle activity; (2) during 0.5–1 s (deceleration stage) of elbow flexion, medium and higher stiffness with a shorter pre-emptive offset decreased muscle activity; (3) the perceived exertion and assistance of participants were improved with a higher stiffness and a longer pre-emptive offset, whereas cooperation was rated higher at a shorter pre-emptive offset under higher stiffness. This study reveals that the optimal parameters for stiffness and pre-emptive offsets for predictive impedance controls are different for different stages of elbow flexion.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103660

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Background: This scoping review summarizes the tasks and outcomes in dynamic and functional balance assessments of individuals with chronic ankle instability, focusing on the physiological and biomechanical characteristics. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases in September 2023 and revised in April 2024. Studies evaluating dynamic and functional balance in chronic ankle instability using clinical tests, as well as biomechanical and physiological outcomes, were included. Results: Out of 536 publications, 31 met the screening criteria. A history of ankle sprain was the main focus of the inclusion criteria (28 articles, 90%). The star excursion balance test, emphasizing maximum reach distance, was the most common quantitative task (12 articles, 66%). Physiological data mainly came from electromyography studies (7 articles, 23%), while biomechanical variables were often assessed through center of pressure studies using force plates (17 articles, 55%). Conclusions: The preferred quantitative clinical assessment was the star excursion balance test, focusing on normalized reach outcomes. Qualitative functional balance assessments emphasize landing activities and center of pressure displacement. Electromyography is commonly used to analyze the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles. However, there is a lack of qualitative data on dynamic balance control, including morphological characteristics and the center of mass adaptation.

DOI： 10.3390/sports12080224

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DOI： https://doi.org/10.5100/jje.60.1

Language：English   Publisher：Japan Human Factors and Ergonomics Society  

<p>Older adult consumers need easy access to packaging contents through their closure mechanisms. We propose design requirements to make a product more inclusive of older adult users by providing useful packaging design guidelines for easier usage by senior citizens. We examined packaging-versus-consumer interaction in opening procedures for 50 varied consumer products in the Japanese market. The experiment comprised observational analysis and objective and subjective assessments of 48 young and older adult users of both genders. Senior users preferred firm, compact, familiar, and light packaging with intuitive closure and an uncomplicated grip. These results may aid manufacturers in producing more universally friendly closure mechanisms.</p>

DOI： 10.5100/jje.60.1

CiNii Research

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing  

Motorized walkers are among assistive devices that are currently in development that aim to help older adults maintain their independence, which is of growing importance in today’s ageing world. However, motorized walkers attempt to combine two different modes of generating forward motion: the user’s bipedal gait and the motorized walker’s wheel-driven locomotion. In contrast to the uninterrupted propulsion and continuous motion of wheel-driven locomotion, bipedal gait is cyclical, whereas propulsion occurs mainly in the push-off phase and the velocity and position of its center of mass oscillate within each gait cycle. This study aimed to explore the consequence of combining these two incompatible modes by investigating the effects of different force magnitudes applied by the motorized walker on the within-stride fluctuations generated from interactions with its user. When a constant force is applied by a motorized walker, regardless of whether the force is assistive or resistive, the magnitudes of the within-stride speed and directional fluctuations during the steady-state use increase as the magnitude of the applied force increases. The increase in fluctuations may be attributed to the conflict between the cyclical nature of walking and the continuous force applied.

DOI： 10.1007/s12652-020-02343-x

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Power assistance on joint torque may not be beneficial to all the related muscles. We investigated the effects of power assistance on torque release during isokinetic elbow flexion. An isokinetic dynamometer system was used to simulate dynamic elbow flexion with power assistance, which altered the exercise conditions of baseline isometric torque (greater and lower) and rotation speed (faster and slower) of the lever arm. Ten male right-handed participants performed exercise tasks using the system. We measured (1) the electromyogram (EMG) amplitudes of the biceps brachii (BB), brachioradialis (BR), and triceps brachii (TB) muscles, (2) torque output and its variability, and (3) the perceived assistance level. Transient responses of the objective measurements were analyzed by observing three time epochs before and after power assistance. Greater variability and lower perceived assistance levels were observed when greater torque was released at a faster rotation speed. The torque output and EMG amplitudes of BB and BR muscles decreased over time. However, EMG amplitudes in the TB muscle were relatively constant until 200 ms after power assistance resulting in greater muscle co-contraction. This could be attributed to the increased postural stability of the human musculature system when the external perturbation on joint movement occurred by power assistance, independent of exercise conditions.

DOI： 10.5114/jhk/169368

Language：Others   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Leg prostheses specially adapted for cycling in patients with transtibial amputation can be advantageous for recreational practice; however, their required features are not fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of unilateral cycling with a transtibial prosthesis and the characteristics of different attachment positions (middle and tip of the foot) between the prosthetic foot and the pedal. The cycling practice was performed on an ergometer at 40 W and 60 W resistance levels while participants (n = 8) wore custom-made orthoses to simulate prosthesis conditions. Using surface electromyogram, motion tracking, and power meter pedals, biomechanical data were evaluated and compared with data obtained through regular cycling. The results showed that power delivery became more asymmetrical at lower workloads for both orthosis conditions, while hip flexion and muscle activity of the knee extensor muscles in the sound leg increased. While both pedal attachment positions showed altered hip and knee joint angles for the leg wearing the orthosis, the middle of the foot attachment presented more symmetric power delivery. In conclusion, the middle of the foot attachment position presented better symmetry between the intact and amputated limbs during cycling performed for rehabilitation or recreation.

DOI： 10.3390/prosthesis5030052

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Authorship：Last author   Language：English   Publishing type：Part of collection (book)   Publisher：Springer Nature Switzerland  

The study aimed to distinguish wrist movement characteristics when playing with different controllers. Five healthy university students played an esports game with three types of controllers/devices: a keyboard and mouse, a smartphone (iPhone 12), and a PS5 DualSense controller. Participants used the three controllers to play a first-person shooter (FPS) game for five minutes each. A 3D motion capture system was used to record and analyze variations in the wrist angle. Our results suggest that participants presented the highest wrist extension angles when using a PS5 DualSense controller for the left wrist and using a mouse for the right wrist. In contrast, for the ulnar deviation angle, both the keyboard and PS5 controllers yielded the highest angles for the left wrist. The PS5 controller yielded the highest ulnar deviation angles for the right wrist among the three devices. For all controller types, a combination of wrist extension and ulnar deviation angles was predominant.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-031-33986-8_23

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Language：Others   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Fuji Technology Press Ltd.  

<p>Technology advancement has enabled the development of robotic exoskeletons that are portable, powerful, and sufficiently smart to be of practical use in the real world. These devices provide partial assistive forces that increase their user’s physical strength to better meet the demands of everyday life and have potential applications in various settings. Examples include helping older adults maintain their independence and preventing musculoskeletal injuries among factory workers. Although great strides have been made to improve the performance and usability of these devices, human characteristics and the way humans adapt to the external assistive forces from these devices are rarely explicitly considered in their development. A common assumption is that if the provided assistive forces are aligned with the intent of users, users can easily “switch off” their muscles and effectively utilize this assistive force. In this review, we demonstrate that human adaptations to external assistive forces can lead to inefficiencies or conflicts that decrease the effectiveness of robotic exoskeletons. We then discuss the motor characteristics of human adaptations to external assistive forces.</p>

DOI： 10.20965/jrm.2023.p0547

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Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.5100/jje.59.3

Other Link： https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jje/59/1/59_3/_article/-char/ja

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.5100/jje.59.29

Other Link： https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jje/59/1/59_29/_article/-char/ja

Publisher：Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems  

Cycling is a low-impact exercise that is beneficial to the health of amputees, and also has the potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes. However, due to a lack of understanding how to design effective prostheses for recreational cycling, amputees often rely on regular walking models, which have unoptimized mechanical moving parts that lead to reductions in power and ineffective training. Hence, we aim to compose manufacturing guidelines for cycling prostheses by understanding the cycling movements of intact and amputee cyclists. For this study, specially made orthoses were employed to simulate the use of prostheses on healthy participants. Subjects cycled on an ergometer at two resistance and cadence levels, and at two different points of attachment of the prosthetic foot to the pedal: orthosis middle (OM) and orthosis tip (OT), while one condition encompassed regular cycling without the orthosis. The participants’ cycling techniques were compared by tracking markers attached to bony landmarks in the sagittal plane using cameras and OpenCV software. The effectiveness of the proposed attachment positions was evaluated by comparing the biomechanical data calculated for the different conditions. Preliminary results demonstrate that the OT position is more kinematically similar to regular cycling.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-031-37848-5_18

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Language：Others   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：MDPI AG  

Forward walking (FW) is a common balance assessment tool. However, its sensitivity is limited by the ceiling effect. Reverse gait, such as backward walking (BW), has been reported to have more advantages than FW for balance assessment. Three factors related to postural instability (i.e., increased speeds, restricted arm swing, and reduced visual feedback) during BW were investigated to determine BW conditions that have the potential to predict falls. Three-dimensional analyses were used to analyze seven walking conditions. FW and BW at self-selected and fast speeds were analyzed to identify the effects of speed. Walking with normal arm swings, crossed arms, and abducted arms during BW was tested to determine the effects of arm position. BW with closed and open eyes was compared to investigate the effects of visual feedback. BW had a significantly shorter step length than FW at high speeds. When the arms were abducted, the stance phase (%) was significantly lower compared to when arms were crossed during BW. Moreover, BW with closed eyes revealed significantly higher mediolateral center of mass (COM) displacements than with open eyes. We observed that BW with fast speeds, a crossed arm position, and closed eyes has the potential to help assess fall risk because it requires higher balance ability through spatiotemporal and COM adjustment.

DOI： 10.3390/healthcare10122487

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

Abstract

This study aimed to ascertain the appropriate test methods for the investigation of the effect of personal protective equipment on mobility of firefighters. Nine male volunteers performed a physical performance test (crawl, obstacle course, side-to-side jumps, heavy-object drag, and step-ups), functional balance test (functional reach, timed up and go, and wooden plank time), range of motion test, and subjective evaluation under four clothing conditions with different weights and combinations of personal protective equipment. The results showed that physical performance, functional balance ability, and joint angles significantly declined with increased weight of personal protective equipment. On subjective evaluation, wearing heavy personal protective equipment increased perceived exertion and discomfort on movement. Our results proved that some of our test methods, including the obstacle course, side-to-side jumps, functional reach, timed up and go, range of motion test, and subjective evaluation, can be used to examine the mobility of personal protective equipment wearers. The findings of this study provide an effective guide for researchers and firefighters regarding the evaluation of mobility with personal protective equipment, as well as for manufacturers in the development of enhanced, comfortable personal protective equipment.

DOI： 10.1186/s40691-022-00295-8

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Other Link： https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40691-022-00295-8/fulltext.html

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene  

The magnitude of hand- (HTV) and wrist- (WTV) transmitted vibration can negatively impact upper limb responses even during short-term exposure. This study aimed to establish the effects of various handle-grip designs on the harmful impacts of vibration, sustained grip exertion, and unnatural posture. The primary focus was to investigate how using a handle grip and how three shapes with two surface profiles affect HTV, WTV, and forearm muscle activities during exposure. The secondary goal was to evaluate the immediate effects on fundamental hand functions, perceived discomfort/comfort, and perceived vibration level after exposure. The final objective was to assess which of the handle designs had the least harmful effects. Fourteen young male adults were recruited and asked to consistently grip a vibrating handle structure for 2 min while the primary parameters were recorded. Pre- and post-task measurements of secondary parameters were recorded on the six design conditions and one control condition (no handle grip). The study found that implementing a regular circular-smooth handle resulted in lower transmitted vibrations, leading to lower upper-limb discomfort, higher grip comfort, and lower perceived vibration. Additionally, shape significantly affected HTV, resulting in grip strength reduction, while surface profile did not influence transmitted vibrations but significantly impacted ring and small finger sensitivity, finger and hand discomfort, and grip comfort. Finally, forearm muscle activities were unaffected, and no significant interaction effects were observed. Circular handles also had the least negative impacts, and elliptic handles had the most negative impacts on the upper extremity because of the level of hand-handle contact stress and hand-grip effort. Meanwhile, the uneven distribution of vibration on the fingers and palm imposed by the rounded spikes on the patterned surface led to decreased finger sensitivity, higher discomfort, and lower grip comfort. Therefore, when machine operation involves moderate grip exertion, pronated forearm posture, and short-term handle vibration exposure, implementing a hard-solid handle with less hand-handle contact area, less grip effort, and even texture is recommended.

DOI： 10.1080/15459624.2022.2063877

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This study aims to investigate the effects of the degree of freedom (DOF) and weight of the hand exoskeleton (HE) on hand joint mobility function (ease of movement, movement range) in fine hand use activities. A three-digit passive HE prototype was built to fit each of the 12 participants. Two DOF setups (three DOF, two DOF), two digits' weight levels (70 g, 140 g), and barehand conditions were tested. A productivity task (performed with Standardized-Nine Hole Peg Test) and motion tasks, both performing the tip pinch and tripod pinch, were conducted to measure the task completion time and the range of motion (ROM) of the digit joints, respectively, using a motion capture system. The perceived ease rating was also measured. The results showed that DOF reduction and weight addition caused a significant task completion time increase and rating drop (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the DOF reduction increased the ROM reduction of the proximal interphalangeal joints; however, the weight addition caused a correction of the ROM reduction of several joints (p < 0.05) at the tripod pinch. In conclusion, wearing an HE reduces hand joint mobility, especially in lower DOF. However, a certain weight addition may improve joint mobility in terms of the fingers' movement range.

DOI： 10.3390/robotics11020053

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Studies investigating the walking patterns of elderly men are well documented, however, there has been no investigation of the gait parameters that specifically reflect the walking motion of elderly men. This study aimed to identify reliable gait parameters to represent the walking motion of elderly Japanese men. 33 elderly men (65 to 74.9 years old) and 20 very elderly men (≥ 75 years old) participated. A 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic data and 52 gait parameters were analyzed namely; spatiotemporal gait, joint angle, and angular velocity parameters (peak value and peak timing at the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Our results showed that walking speed, cadence, walk ratio, gait cycle, peak joint angle timing, and angular velocity parameters significantly differ between elderly men and very elderly men. Delayed peak timing in the joint angle occurred during the terminal stance phase and pre-swing phase. The accurate parameters for walking motion in old Japanese men as they age may result from the peak timing of joint angle parameters and the peak value of angular velocity parameters.

DOI： 10.24042/jipfalbiruni.v11i1.11458

Language：Others   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Applied Ergonomics  

This study assessed the influence of different types of flooring on infants' crawling motion patterns and performance. Each participating infant (range: 8.7-12.4 months) was encouraged to crawl on a tatami mat made of woven straw as well as other flooring types such as hardwood, carpet, and joint mat. Material tests were conducted to quantify the friction and shock absorption of the flooring. A three-dimensional motion capture system was used to measure spatiotemporal and kinematic variables during hands-and-knees crawling. An increased crawling rate was associated with a faster cadence of cyclic arm movements, but not with crawling stride length. Hardwood flooring had a significantly lower crawling rate and longer duration of hand-floor contact than tatami, while the crawling stride length and range of motion of joint movements were hardly affected by flooring type. The results of this study suggest a drawback of hardwood flooring in terms of infants’ effective quadrupedal locomotion.

DOI： 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103553

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DOI： 10.1080/17483107.2021.2017031

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DOI： 10.1002/hfm.20935

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.9759/hppt.11.123

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.1589/rika.36.383

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.5100/jje.57.70

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.5100/jje.57.11

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

近年、開発が進んでいるパワースーツ（人間の関節動作をアシスト）が有効的に働くためには、人間の反応と外的な力が適切に協調する必要がある。本研究は両腕による等尺性肘関節屈曲運動を外的な力によりアシストする際、左右のアシスト比率を複数条件設け、主働筋（上腕二頭筋）と拮抗筋（上腕三頭筋）の筋活動（筋電図）、動作の安定性および主観的強度から望ましいアシスト条件を検討した。

DOI： https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245049

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.15063/rigaku.11759

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Influence of Wearable Walking Assistance on Gait and Subjective Evaluation of HealthyYoung Adults

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1016/j.ergon.2020.103056

Language：English  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Age-related changes in lower extremity motion during gait and its relationship to lower limbs muscle mass

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Increasingly, electric motors are being incorporated into wheeled walkers to implement various smart features to better assist their users physically. These modified walkers, known as Smart Walkers, use their electric motors to generate horizontal forces that can be used to reduce the physical load for walking, prevent falls and provide navigation support. However, these forces can also alter gait and may inadvertently increase the exertion of the users. This study aims to describe the effects of assistive and resistive horizontal forces (from -18.47 N to 27.70 N) from a Smart Walker on gait and perceived exertion of its users during steady-state walking. Self-selected comfortable walking speed, cadence, stride length, double support phase and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly affected and different effects were found for resistive force, relatively low assistive force and high assistive force. With increasing force from -18.47 N to 0 N, RPE decreased and the users walked with lower double support time. From 0 N to 9.23 N, RPE continued to decrease to its lowest point while gait parameters remained constant. Further increasing force up to 27.70 N increased RPE and led to the users to choose to walk at higher speeds. This study demonstrates that users adapt their gait significantly to the forces applied and relatively high constant forces, whether assistive or resistive, will increase perceived exertion. Hence, these need to be carefully considered when developing Smart Walkers in order to provide safe and effective support to its users.

DOI： 10.1080/10400435.2020.1744771

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

近年、動作アシストテクノロジーが普及しているが、人間にとって望ましいアシストを追究するためには、人間側がアシストを受ける際にどのように適応しているかを理解する必要がある。本研究では肘関節等尺性屈曲運動を対象とし、外的な力によりアシストした際の主働筋の筋活動および動作パフォーマンスの特徴を示した。

DOI： 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.102380

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Mechanical assistance on joint movement is generally beneficial; however, its effects on cooperative performance and muscle activity needs to be further explored. This study examined how motor performance and muscle activity are altered when mechanical assistance is provided during isometric force control of ramp-down and hold phases. Thirteen right-handed participants (age: 24.7 ± 1.8 years) performed trajectory tracking tasks. Participants were asked to maintain the reference magnitude of 47 N (REF) during isometric elbow flexion. The force was released to a step-down magnitude of either 75% REF or 50% REF and maintained, with and without mechanical assistance. The ramp-down durations of force release were set to 0.5, 2.5, or 5.0 s. Throughout the experiment, we measured the following: (1) the force output using load cells to compute force variability and overshoot ratio; (2) peak perturbation on the elbow movement using an accelerometer; (3) the surface electromyography (sEMG) from biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles; and (4) EMG oscillation from the biceps brachii muscle in the bandwidth of 15-45 Hz. Our results indicated that mechanical assistance, which involved greater peak perturbation, demonstrated lower force variability than non-assistance (p < 0.01), while EMG oscillation in the biceps brachii muscle from 15 to 45 Hz was increased (p < 0.05). These findings imply that if assistive force is provided during isometric force control, the central nervous system actively tries to stabilize motor performance by controlling specific motor unit activity in the agonist muscle.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.102380

Language：Japanese  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

【目的】本研究では，男性高齢者のフレイルと身体各部位筋量の関連性を明らかにすることを目的とした。【方法】対象は65 歳以上の地域在住男性高齢者42 名である。フレイルの評価には基本チェックリストを用い，その総合点から3 点以下を健常群，4 点以上のプレフレイルとフレイルをフレイル群に分類した。身体8 部位の筋厚に加え，身長，体重，BMI，握力および5 m 通常歩行速度を測定した。【結果】フレイル群は健常群よりも身体機能，口腔機能，認知機能，抑うつ度得点が高かった。筋量においては，上腕前部のみフレイル群が有意に小さかった。また，基本チェックリスト総合点と上腕前部の筋量は有意な負の相関を認めた。【結論】男性フレイル高齢群の筋量の低下は下肢・体幹には認められず，特定の部位，すなわち上腕前部に生じることが示された

DOI： https://doi.org/10.15063/rigaku.11627

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

本研究は, 車いすの段差乗り上げ時の介助操作の容易性向上, 介助負担の軽減を目的とし, ティッピングレバーの形状と位置を比較検討した. 介助者は高齢女性15名とした. 形状3条件, 位置6条件 (高さ2条件, 長さ3条件) のレバーを用いて, レバー踏み込み動作時の足底圧, 筋活動, 姿勢角および主観評価を計測し, 介助負担と操作の容易性を評価した. 形状条件では, 平坦型が円筒型にくらべ踏み込み面積の増加とともに踏み込みやすさが向上した. 位置条件では, 高さ2条件とも標準長さ＋40mm以上のレバー条件にて, 踏み込み位置が踵側で行われるとともに筋活動の減少傾向を示した. また, 高さが低い条件では, 股関節と膝関節が伸展する傾向があった. 一方で, 車いすの速度と乗車者の乗り心地には変化がみられなかった. 以上の結果から, 踏み込み面の平坦化と標準長さ＋40mm長さのレバーは, 乗車者の乗り心地を低下させることなく, 介助者の操作の容易性を高めることが示唆された.

DOI： https://doi.org/10.18892/jsnas.18.0_97

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DOI： https://doi.org/10.7232/iems.2019.18.4.591

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DOI： 10.3233/IES-193165

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DOI： 10.1080/00222895.2019.1670128

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DOI： 10.1186/s40101-019-0201-6

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DOI： ps://doi.org/10.20718/jjpa.24.1_9

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

Technology that assists and extends various functions of human beings will soon be available not only to medical and welfare but also to healthy individuals. This study aimed to characterize surface electromyography (EMG) signals in response to walking assistive equipment. Ten healthy male students walked on an 8-m uphill road (5.8% incline) using an assist walker (RT.2, RT.WORKS Co., Ltd) under assist and non-assist conditions. The EMG signals were recorded from four muscles (the rectus femoris [RF], biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and lateral gastrocnemius). During loading response and terminal stance, the percent maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVC) peak value for RF was achieved more quickly in the assist condition than in the non-assist condition. However, during loading response and mid-swing, the %MVC peak value of RF was significantly lower in the assist condition than in the non-assist condition. These results indicate that humans alter muscle exertion patterns in specific muscles to adapt to walking assistance; such a change in the muscle exertion pattern may be adapted for smoother walking.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-96089-0_80

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

The purpose of this study was to understand the influence of various information acquisition strategies on foot proprioception and obstacle avoidance in people with low vision. Ten adult males (41.0 ± 7.1 years) with pigmentary retinal degeneration were recruited for this study. Participants acquired obstacle information (obstacle height: 4 cm and 15 cm) through three different strategies, namely, front (A), downward (B), and tactile (C). Subsequently, the participants performed two different tasks; Task 1: After identification of the obstacles, the participants reproduced the obstacle height by lifting their foot while standing still (10 times). Task 2: Following the acquisition of the obstacle information through conditions B and C, participants performed obstacle step-over from a standing position. In task 1, condition B showed significantly higher toe-rise and coefficient of variance in toe-rise (p < 0.05) than in conditions A and C, which both displayed similar toe-rise. Likewise, in task 2, the highest points of the leading and trailing feet while stepping over the obstacle were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in condition B than in condition C. Additionally, the coefficient of effort in condition B was significantly larger (p < 0.05) than that of condition C. These results suggest that differences in information acquisition strategies have an impact on the foot trajectory during obstacle step-over. Out of the three methods used in this study, information acquisition through the tactile sense may be the best obstacle avoidance feedback method for people with low vision.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-96089-0_86

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

The increasing trend of development of assistive technology allows for the use of assistive robots such as power assist devices to be prevalent in various social domains. Such power assist devices usually provide incidental power to their users, requiring human-machine force interaction. If the power assist device requires users to release their muscular force without considering adaptive time, users might be confused to control the level of their manual performance in response to the external force. This study investigated adaptive time with varying release rates of isometric force during one-arm elbow flexion, focusing on muscle activity and force control. Eight participants conducted graphical force-tracking tasks designed to simulate power-assist condition. Electromyography signals and the tension forces of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii were measured. The results implied that sufficient adaptive time for muscular force release induced better performance level with a smaller difference between the target force and the actual force. However, higher subjective exertion was also accompanied during the longer time for muscular force release. This study suggests that in designing power assist devices, the duration for muscular force release and consequent characteristics should be considered to maintain the precise level of force control.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-96083-8_46

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

In the modern society, an assistive/powered suit has been developed to enhance the limb and trunk movements by mechanical force. The effective output of assistive products needs cooperation between the users, that is, human beings and the machine. The present study investigated the motor control of external forces that assist with physical exertion. Sixteen adult male participants performed isometric elbow flexion under two conditions of submaximal workload (20% and 40% of the maximal voluntary contraction) and four levels (0%, 33%, 67%, and 100%) of assistive force. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the agonist and antagonist muscles (biceps and triceps, respectively) and rating of perceived exertion decreased with increased levels of assistive force under both workload conditions. At the lower level of assistance (33%), the EMG amplitude of the biceps was near the expected amplitude, which denotes that the participants made good use of the assistive force. However, at the higher level of assistance (100%), it was far from the expected values at both workload levels. These results suggest that the effectiveness of assistive force changes according to the level of workload and assistive force, and that various human physiological regulations and motor control would be required during cooperative work with assistive force.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-96083-8_24

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

The main objective of this study was to examine how contact pressure on the dorsal surface of the foot changes with varying shapes. Ten healthy young men (22.1 ± 0.6 years) with independent walking ability were recruited in this study. We measured the anthropometric characteristics of the foot. Shoe size for the experiment was individually decided based on the obtained anthropometric data. Subsequently, FlexiForce® sensors were attached to the dorsal side of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (P1), intermediate cuneiform (P2), and pternion (P3) to measure the contact pressure during walking. In addition, foot switch sensors were used to determine the gait cycle. At P2, some participants with a higher foot height showed a lower increase in contact pressure during the loading response or pre-swing phases than did participants with a lower foot height. The observed distribution of the contact pressure on the dorsal foot might be caused by the change in the shape of the shoes and the foot joint movement during walking.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-96071-5_22

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a symptomatic compression neuropathy of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist. Several factors such as wrist angle and finger posture cause a change of the intra-carpal tunnel pressure. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most commonly reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Computer users are at higher risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, since time spent on the computer is associated with a higher incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: to investigate the impact of typing at two keyboard slopes (0° and +20°) on the median nerve deformation ratio. Fifteen healthy young men (24.8 ± 2.3 years) were recruited to type using both 0° and +20° inclined keyboards. The participants performed four 30-min blocks of computer typing at 0° and +20° keyboard inclinations. The left wrist median nerve was examined with an ultrasound machine after each 30-min typing block. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was performed to examine any differences in the deformation ratio of the median nerve cross-sectional area. The four time blocks and two keyboard slope conditions (0° and +20° inclination) were used as factors. Continuous typing activity causes a significant increase in the median nerve cross-sectional area deformation ratio (p < 0.05). Ultrasonography examination of the median nerve following computer typing can be used to generate absolute measurements and deformation ratios. These measurements help provide a better understanding of the impact of typing tasks on the median nerve.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-96083-8_33

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.2991/reka-18.2018.4

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： https://doi.org/10.20718/jjpa.24.1_9

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Background. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes of the median nerve cross-sectional area (MNCSA) and diameters of the median nerve at different finger postures and wrist angles. Methods. Twenty-five healthy male participants were recruited in this study. The median nerve at wrist crease was examined at six finger postures, and repeated with the wrist in 30° flexion, neutral (0°), and 30° extension. The six finger postures are relaxed, straight finger, hook, full fist, tabletop, and straight fist. Results. The main effects of both finger postures and wrist angles are significant (p < 0:05) on changes of the MNCSA. Different finger tendon gliding postures cause a change in the MNCSA. Furthermore, wrist flexion and extension cause higher deformation of the MNCSA at different finger postures. Discussion. The median nerve parameters such as MNCSA and diameter were altered by a change in wrist angle and finger posture. The results may help to understand the direct biomechanical stresses on the median nerve by different wrist-finger activities.

DOI： 10.7717/peerj.5406

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

独自に開発した超音波筋横断面計測システムにより成人男女800名の大腿および下腿の筋横断面積を計測した。加齢によってどの筋群が低下しやすいかを明らかにした。

DOI： https://doi.org/10.20718/jjpa.23.3_87

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.7717/peerj.2510

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1186/s40064-016-2739-7

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1186/s40064-016-2877-y

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The present study investigated the effects of touch button size on touchscreen operability and compared these effects between young adult and elderly participants. A total of 21 young adults (aged 22.3 ± 1.5 years) and 20 elderly adults (aged 68.1 ± 4.9 years) were recruited and asked to press square number buttons (from 0 to 9) on an experimental touchscreen with their right index finger. The buttons' size changed during the experiment with six conditions (6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 mm). It was found that a decrease of the button size to 10 mm or below tended to increase the operation time and error rate, whereas it decreased the subjective overall operability of the touchscreen. Such effects were greater in the elderly adults than in the young adults. In addition, the reaction positions on the buttons were found to be close to the right side of them, which led the fingertip to approach the right outline of the buttons. These findings suggest that the use of small touch buttons should be minimised on touchscreens, especially for elderly users.

DOI： doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2015.11.004

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0128843

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The effect of wrist flexion-extension on the median nerve appearance, namely the cross-sectional area (MNCSA) and the longitudinal (D1) and vertical (D2) diameters, was investigated among older adults (N = 34). Ultrasound examination was conducted to examine the median nerve at different wrist angles (neutral; and 15°, 30°, and 45° extension and flexion), in both the dominant and nondominant hand. Median nerve behavior were significantly associated with wrist angle changes. The MNCSA at wrist flexion and extension were significantly smaller (P < .001) compared with the neutral position in both the dominant and nondominant hand. The D1 and D2 were significantly reduced at flexion (P < .001) and extension (P < .001), respectively, in both the dominant and nondominant hand. Our results suggest that a larger flexion-extension angle causes higher compression stress on the median nerve, leading to increased deformation of the MNCSA, D1, and D2 among older adults.

DOI： 10.7717/peerj.928

Language：English  

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0117930

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Influence of slope gradients and wheelchair pushing techique on the user's postural change and physiological responses

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Effectiveness of the applying the wheelchair pushing techiques while starting and stopping with the step

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

The effects of stairs dimensions on movements during climbing up and down stairs

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Steps and helper's wheelchair pushing tecniques for passing steps that consider both the user's riding comfort and the helper's physical strain

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Other Link： http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/search/wrapper.jsp?arnumber=5334703

Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (other academic)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1007/s00421-003-0962-8

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

Language：English  

Language：English  

Language：Japanese   Book type：Scholarly book

Responsible for pages：第Ⅰ部生理学的，16.呼吸数（pp.109-113），17.換気量（pp.114-118），18.酸素摂取量（pp.119-124）   Language：Japanese   Book type：General book, introductory book for general audience

Event date： 2022.2

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Online   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2020.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：オンライン   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2020.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：オンライン   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2020.12

Language：Japanese  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Virtual Conference   Country：United States  

Event date： 2020.6

Language：Japanese  

Venue：現地口頭発表は中止   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.11

Language：Japanese  

Venue：福岡市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.11

Language：Japanese  

Venue：福岡市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.11

Language：English  

Venue：福岡市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.11

Language：Japanese  

Venue：福岡市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.11

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：Gyeonggi-do   Country：Korea, Republic of  

Event date： 2019.10

Language：English  

Venue：Berlin   Country：Germany  

Event date： 2019.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Singapore   Country：Singapore  

Event date： 2019.8

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Fukuoka   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：Yogyakarta   Country：Indonesia  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：English  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：English  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：Japanese  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：Japanese  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：Japanese  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2019.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：東京都   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.12

Language：Japanese  

Venue：広島市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.12

Language：English  

Venue：Bangkok   Country：Thailand  

Event date： 2018.12

Language：English  

Venue：Bangkok   Country：Thailand  

Event date： 2018.11

Language：Japanese  

Venue：長崎市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.11

Language：Japanese  

Venue：長崎市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：SURACARTA   Country：Indonesia  

Event date： 2018.9

Language：Japanese  

Venue：神戸   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：English  

Venue：Florence   Country：Italy  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：English  

Venue：Florence   Country：Italy  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：English  

Venue：Florence   Country：Italy  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：English  

Venue：Florence   Country：Italy  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：English  

Venue：Florence   Country：Italy  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：English  

Venue：Florence   Country：Italy  

Event date： 2018.8

Language：Japanese  

Venue：横浜（パシフィコ横浜）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：九州大学（福岡市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宮城学院女子大学（仙台市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.5

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：熊本市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2018.3

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Fukuoka   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：飯塚市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：飯塚市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：飯塚市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：福岡市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：福岡市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.10

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Universitas Muslim Indonesia(Makassar)   Country：Indonesia  

Event date： 2017.10

Language：Japanese  

Venue：京都市　同志社大学今出川校地   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Loughborough (UK)   Country：United Kingdom  

Event date： 2017.9

Language：English  

Venue：Loughborough (UK)   Country：United Kingdom  

Event date： 2017.9

Language：English  

Venue：Loughborough (UK)   Country：United Kingdom  

Event date： 2017.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Loughborough (UK)   Country：United Kingdom  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：English  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：English  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：日本大学（千葉市）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2017.5

Language：English  

Venue：Mahidol University (Bangkok)   Country：Thailand  

Event date： 2016.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宗像市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：宗像市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.11 - 2016.12

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：bandong   Country：Indonesia  

Event date： 2016.11 - 2016.12

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：bandong   Country：Indonesia  

Event date： 2016.11 - 2016.12

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：bandong   Country：Indonesia  

Event date： 2016.10

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：七尾市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.10

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.10

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.10

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Nice   Country：France  

Event date： 2016.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Ulsan   Country：Korea, Republic of  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：津市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：富山市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2016.6

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：大阪市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2014.12

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Singapore   Country：Singapore  

Event date： 2014.12

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Singapore   Country：Singapore  

Event date： 2014.12

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Singapore   Country：Singapore  

Event date： 2014.10

Language：English  

Venue：Bandung   Country：Indonesia  

In this research we analyze the mismatch between desk and chair key characteristics and the respective pupil’s anthropometric data. Sample is taken from11 public elementary schools in six regions in Central Java Indonesia. Mismatch comparisons are made among existing desk and chair, Indonesia National Standard (SNI) dimensions of desk and chair, and dimensions from pupil’s anthropometric data. From the results of the analysis, seat height and desk height have the highest mismatch, while seat width and under desk clearance have the lowest mismatch. In general, four key characteristics dimensions from pupil’s anthropometric data are considered to have better match compared to existing and SNI key characteristics dimensions. A redesign is needed due to the results of the analysis.

Event date： 2014.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Fukuoka   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2014.7

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2014.6

Language：English  

Venue：Taipei   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by repeated, awkward wrist postures during daily work. The objective of this study was to identify the changes of median nerve cross-sectional area at different wrist angles. Twelve right-handed males participated in this study. Ultrasound examinationwas performed on the right wrist.Atotal of seven angles were examined, namely, wrist neutral (0◦), wrist extension 15◦, 30◦, 45◦ and wrist flexion 15◦, 30◦, 45◦. The results showed that the reduction of median nerve cross-sectional area was significant when wrist neutral changed to wrist extension and wrist flexion (p<0.001). Our findings showed that the reduction of median nerve cross-sectional area was greater at wrist extension 45◦ and wrist flexion 45◦ than at wrist neutral and other wrist extension and flexion angles.

Event date： 2014.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Taipei   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2014.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Taipei   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2014.5

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Jeju Island   Country：Korea, Republic of  

Event date： 2014.5

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Jeju Island   Country：Korea, Republic of  

Event date： 2014.5

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Jeju Island   Country：Korea, Republic of  

Event date： 2014.5

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Jeju Island   Country：Korea, Republic of  

Event date： 2013.10

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Sapporo   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2013.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Taichung   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2013.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Taichung   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2013.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Taichung   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2013.9

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Kuala Lumpur   Country：Malaysia  

Event date： 2012.3

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：大阪市（大阪市立大学）   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2012.3

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：大阪市（大阪市立大学）   Country：Japan  

Thumb muscle fatigue in operating smart phone touch screens

Event date： 2011.11

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：下関市   Country：Japan  

Growth in the leg's muscle thickness in male and female children

Event date： 2011.11

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：下関市   Country：Japan  

Ease of use of button layout in small touch panel devices

Event date： 2011.11

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：下関市   Country：Japan  

Preferable height and angle of the handgrips on manual attendant-controlled wheelchair

Event date： 2011.10

Venue：山口市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2011.10

Language：English  

Venue：Hsinchu   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

The muscle cross-sectional area in the thigh decreases with aging, which lowers the capacity to carry out activities of daily living (ADL). In the present study, we tried to make a standard value for evaluating the muscle area of the thigh, considering sex, age and body size. Muscle cross-sectional areas of the thigh in 606 Japanese adults (257 males and 349 females) were measured using an ultrasound evaluation system. Because height and weight were related to age and muscle area, we proposed measured muscle area (cm ²) × height (m)/weight (kg) as an index for evaluating muscle area. In both sexes, this index decreased with aging, and especially in females, the reduction was accelerated beyond 50 years old. These standard values should be useful for middle-aged and elderly people to prevent them from exhibiting a decrease in capacity to carry out ADL and becoming bedridden.

Event date： 2011.10

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2011.10

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2011.10

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2011.10

Language：English  

Venue：Hsinchu   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

The purpose of this study is to clarify the changes in muscle hardness by three treatments (stretching, hot pack and massage) that are commonly used to relieve muscle fatigue. Ten young male adults received the treatments in their anterior thigh. The thickness and hardness of the subcutaneous fat and the muscles in the anterior thigh were measured using an elasticity-measuring instrument with an ultrasound signal. In the stretching and hot pack conditions, an index of muscle hardness significantly decreased without change in muscle thickness, which indicates softening of the muscles. In contrast, the massage condition failed to show significant changes in the muscle hardness. These findings suggested that the stretching and warming of the muscles soften them, which might reflect relief of muscle fatigue.

Event date： 2011.10

Language：English  

Venue：Hsinchu   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

The elderly have functional deterioration and pain in many parts of the body with aging, and have difficulty in putting on and taking off clothes. We analyzed the motion of 56 healthy elderly women (aged 59 to 85 years) and 26 young women (aged 20 to 34 years) putting on and taking off three kinds of short-sleeved shirts (T-shirt, a polo shirt, a tank top), and studied the influence of aging and maximal angles of the shoulder joints on the motion of putting on and taking off their shirts. The methods of taking off shirts were classified into four patterns, and there were significant differences in the pattern distribution among generations and different kinds of clothes. Meanwhile, the maximal angles of the shoulder joints failed to show any relationship with the motion of putting on and taking off shirts.

Event date： 2011.9

Venue：下関市   Country：Japan  

Event date： 2011.6

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：東京都（早稲田大学）   Country：Japan  

Relationship between the muscle area of the thigh and abilities to perform ADLs in subjects aged around65

Event date： 2011.6

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：東京都（早稲田大学）   Country：Japan  

Factors affecting the methods of putting on and taking off short-sleeved shirts

Event date： 2011.6

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：東京都（早稲田大学）   Country：Japan  

The effects of wearing slippers on the movement of climbing up and down stairs in homes

Event date： 2009.9

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Minneapolis   Country：United States  

Event date： 2009.9

Language：English  

Venue：Minneapolis, MN   Country：United States  

The quantification of muscle volume can be used to estimate muscular strength. Therefore, we developed a flexible measuring system for muscle volume using ultrasonography. In the measuring process, subjects are not required to perform any muscular contraction, so it is completely safe and particularly suitable for elderly people. The ultrasound probe is installed on a mechanical arm, and continuously scans fragmental images along the body surface. The measured images are then composed into a wide area cross-sectional image. However, the muscle area measured by our system was slightly smaller than that measured by MRI. because the ultrasound probe contacted the body surface with a little pressure during the measurement. The strain then decreases the total image size and its circumference. This paper introduces our developed system and proposes a new calibration method for the muscle area in the thigh based on its circumference.

Event date： 2009.9

Language：English  

Venue：Minneapolis, MN   Country：United States  

The balance between human body composition, e.g. bones, muscles, and fat, is a major and basic indicator of personal health. This paper proposes a new discrimination method for measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat and muscular layers based on tissue elasticity. The validity of the proposed method was evaluated in twenty-one subjects (twelve women, ten men; aged 20-70 yr) at three anatomical sites. Experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve considerably high discrimination performance.

Event date： 2009.9

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：Minneapolis   Country：United States  

Event date： 2009.8

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：北京   Country：China  

Event date： 2009.8

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：北京   Country：China  

Event date： 2009.8

Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Venue：北京   Country：China  

Event date： 2009.4

Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Venue：台中   Country：Taiwan, Province of China  

Event date： 2008.8

Language：English  

Venue：Vancouver, BC   Country：Canada  

This paper develops a portable measurement system for tissue strain distribution using ultrasonic pulse echo method. A single element ultrasonic transducer attached to a force sensor compresses biological tissue and observes the deformation process of the tissue. The center frequency of the ultrasound pulse is 3 MHz. The force applied to the tissue is kept at 10 N by an internal coil spring. Received echo signals are transferred to a personal computer via Universal Serial Bus. The developed measurement system was applied to measuring strain of subcutaneous fat for lymphedema patients and healthy subjects. The results quantified the fact that affected tissue becomes harder than unaffected tissue. Our experiment demonstrated that the system can be used for evaluating the condition of lymphedema with measurement of strain in subcutaneous tissue.

Event date： 2007.8

Language：English  

Venue：Lyon   Country：France  

We have developed a measuring system to visualize a complete cross-sectional image of the human extremity using ultrasonography. This system uses several ultrasound probes, and these probes measure fragmentary graphical images of one cross-sectional plane which are then transformed into a complete cross-sectional image. The developed system is superior to other Imaging devices in many respects because It is portable, safe, and Inexpensive. These advantages can be available in the field survey. This paper discusses the system components and the experiments to verify the proposed method.

Event date： 2007.8

Language：English  

Venue：Lyon   Country：France  

This paper proposes a compensation for a blurred image caused by misregistration in spatial compounding. The edge sharpening based on morphological operations is applied to the compounded image. A portable measuring system of a cross-sectional ultrasound image is designed for measuring body composition. The system is developed for non-medical applications, for example, measurement of the volume of muscle and subcutaneous fat in lower extremities, upper extremities and abdomen for health care and sports science. A number of partially overlapping images that have been obtained from multiple angles are combined into a single compounded image. In experiment on human abdomen, the image quality was improved in speckle suppression and edge enhancement by using ensemble averaging and morphological edge sharpening. Resulting wide fleld-of-view image was sufficiently deblurred without emphasizing noise.

Venue：福岡県田川市   Country：Japan  

Physical activity and physical fitness in wheelchair-dependent persons

Venue：大阪市   Country：Japan  

Venue：Nagasaki   Country：Japan  

Venue：Nagasaki   Country：Japan  

Venue：Nagasaki   Country：Japan  

Venue：Nagasaki   Country：Japan  

Venue：Miyagi   Country：Japan  

Venue：Kyoto   Country：Japan  

Venue：Kyoto   Country：Japan  

Venue：Kamakura   Country：Japan  

Venue：Lyon, France   Country：France  

Venue：Lyon, France   Country：France  

Venue：Fukuoka   Country：Japan  

Venue：Fukuoka   Country：Japan  

Venue：Hiroshima   Country：Japan  

Venue：Hiroshima   Country：Japan  

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (nominated)  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.60.2c2

CiNii Research

Language：Japanese  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.60.1f4-5

CiNii Research

Language：Japanese  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.60.1e1-6

CiNii Research

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.60.1d3-3

CiNii Research

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.60.1d3-1

CiNii Research

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper, summary (national, other academic conference)   Publisher：Japan Human Factors and Ergonomics Society  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.59.s1c7-01

CiNii Research

Authorship：Last author   Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Research paper, summary (national, other academic conference)   Publisher：Japan Human Factors and Ergonomics Society  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.59.p2e1-15

CiNii Research

Language：Japanese  

Why Not Write a ‘Research Issue’ Article?

DOI： 10.5100/jje.59.53

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Rapid communication, short report, research note, etc. (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japan Human Factors and Ergonomics Society  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.58.207

CiNii Research

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Internal/External technical report, pre-print, etc.  

Repository Public URL： http://hdl.handle.net/2324/4843905

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Rapid communication, short report, research note, etc. (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japan Ergonomics Society  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.58.51

CiNii Research

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Rapid communication, short report, research note, etc. (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japan Ergonomics Society  

DOI： 10.5100/jje.58.1

CiNii Research

researchmap

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Article, review, commentary, editorial, etc. (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Article, review, commentary, editorial, etc. (scientific journal)  

Language：Japanese   Publishing type：Article, review, commentary, editorial, etc. (scientific journal)  

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：40

Type：Peer review 

Number of peer-reviewed articles in foreign language journals：6

Number of peer-reviewed articles in Japanese journals：7

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Peer review 

Number of peer-reviewed articles in foreign language journals：9

Number of peer-reviewed articles in Japanese journals：8

Proceedings of International Conference Number of peer-reviewed papers：1

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Academic society, research group, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Peer review 

Number of peer-reviewed articles in foreign language journals：6

Number of peer-reviewed articles in Japanese journals：7

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：25

Type：Academic society, research group, etc. 

Type：Academic society, research group, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：25

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：150

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：500

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：60

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Academic society, research group, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：200

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：300

Type：Competition, symposium, etc. 

Number of participants：70