development of a gait training system that realizes

Journal of International Society of Life Information Science (ISLIS) J. Intl. Soc. Life Info. Sci. 　　 Vol.36, No.1, March 2018 The 45th Symposium on Life information Science

March 10-11, 2018, Toho University Omori Campus, Tokyo, Japan

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Development of a Gait Training System that Realizes Reduction of Lumbago by Improving Walking Posture and Correcting Bowlegs

Kazuhide UESUGI1, Yoshinori ADACHI2, Hirohito SHINTANI1, Kazuhiro KOUSHI1,

Isao TSUNODA1, and Kimiyasu KIYOTA1

1 National Institute of Technology, Kumamoto College (Kumamoto, Japan) 2 Chubu University (Kasugai, Japan)

Abstract: As workplaces have more and more person sitting at computers, the cases of bad posture are increasing, and with that, the risk of lumbago is increasing. In previous studies, it became clear that poor walking attitude, such as a leg power difference between the left foot and the right foot and the occurrence of bowlegs, is a cause of lumbago. When the posture is good, a person can walk efficiently and there will not be any low back pain. However, when a person suffers from bowlegs, the force is dispersed in the lateral direction, resulting in inefficient walking, and it is thought that the load derived from this is the cause of lumbago. This research was done from the viewpoint of walking training, and the development of a walking training system that improves walking posture and corrects for bowlegs, etc. and contributes to mitigation of lumbago was studied. Keywords: walking posture, bowlegs, lumbago, thrust, twist

1. Introduction

With the advancement of information technology into the workplace in recent years, overuse of the eyes by working at personal computers and using smart phones, etc., has led to worsening of the posture and the risk to lumbago is increasing. In our research on walking training, we found a relationship between walking posture and lumbago. We noticed that poor walking posture resulting from a leg power difference between the left foot and the right foot and the occurrence of bowlegs, etc., is causing lumbago.

When persons are walking, they kick the ground to the back, are propelled and move forward. It is normal for the foot to move straight back and forth, and in this ___________________________________________Kazuhide UESUGI, in1 2659-2, Suya, Koshi, Kumamoto 861-1102, JAPAN, Phone +81-96-242-6386, E-mail [email protected]

state, it is possible to efficiently exercise using the force of the foot so that sufficient power is exerted while the strength of the legs is preserved. Therefore, it is relatively unlikely that lumbago occurs. However, in persons with bowlegs, they do not kick backward, they walk by twisting their body by lifting the foot along their side. With this way of walking, persons can hardly kick backwards and they are not able to get propulsive power. Therefore, it is not possible to efficiently demonstrate the force of the legs, energy efficiency is poor, persons become tired quickly, and lumbago tends to occur. Compared to those who are constantly paying attention to walking attitude, people who are walking unconsciously with a bad posture are considered to be at more risk for contacting lumbago.

In this study, we aimed at developing a walking training system that can contribute to mitigation of lumbago by improving walking posture and correcting bowlegs as one of the walking exercises in the walking system.

9Journal of International Society of Life Information Science (ISLIS) J. Intl. Soc. Life Info. Sci. 　　 Vol.36, No.1, March 2018 The 45th Symposium on Life information Science


2. Experimental methods There were 5 subjects, 3 men in their teens, 1 male in his forties, and 1 male in his 60's. Their health conditions were good. Each had a characteristic way of walking, but now of them had bowlegs. So, in the experiment, we instructed them how to walk as if they were bowlegged. We compared three ways of walking: the normal way, walking with the left and right feet parallel, and walking as if bowlegged. Figure 1 shows a photo taken during a measurement. In advance of the experiment, we gave an adequate explanation to the subjects of the purpose of the experiment and got their informed consent. For publication of the results, we kept in mind the protection of personal information, such as identifying them simply as subjects A to E. The specific experimental procedure was as follows. (1) Before walking training a. Each subject’s physical condition was examined

using a questionnaire and a pulse monitor measurement.

b. The left and right toe muscle strength was measured with a toe muscle force measuring device.

(2) Walking training a. Walking training was performed for 5 minutes in the normal way of walking. The subject was allowed to choose a speed which was easy for him to walk at. A foot pressure measurement sheet was inserted into the shoes before walking and foot pressure distribution was checked after walking training. Also a sensor was attached to the waist for recording walking posture.

b. Similarly, walk training was carried out as it bowlegged.

c. Finally, walking training was performed in a manner in which both feet were parallel.

d. Steps a to c were then carried out with the knee supporters worn.

A five minute rest was taken after each walking training. (3) After walking training

a. The left and right toe muscle strength were measured with the toe muscle force measuring

device. b. The physical condition after training was examined using the questionnaire and a pulse monitor measurement.

c. Data analysis of walking posture was performed. Figure 2 shows the sensor. Figure 3 shows the sensor

axes.

3. Experimental results Figure 4 shows the measurement results of the usual way of walking for subject A. The pitch angle indicating the front and rear inclination of the body during walking is 70 degrees ± 10 degrees. The roll angle indicating the left and right twist is ± 20 degrees. The yaw angle indicating the vertical inclination of the left and right of the lumbar region is 50 degrees ± 5 degrees. Figure 5 shows the results when Subject A walked with supporters worn on both knees. The pitch angle is 70 degrees ± 5 degrees. The roll angle is ± 10 degrees. The yaw angle is 50 degrees ± 5 degrees.

Subject A was the male in his 60s, and it can be seen that the roll angle, which is the twist of the left and right sides of the body, is decreased due to wearing the supporters. The reasons why the pitch angle is larger than that of Subject B (Figs. 8 and 9) are the influence of age and that the walking posture is inclined forward. In the questionnaire, Subject A answered that it was easy to walk because the legs did not open by fixing both knees with the supporters.

Figures 6 and 7 show the results when subject A was walking as if bowlegged.

From these figures, it can be seen that the roll angle changes greatly. The opposite effect of the supporters is conceivable.

Figure 8 shows the measurement results of the

normal walking method for subject B. The pitch angle



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is in the range of 60 degrees to 70 degrees. Roll angle is in the range of ± 10 degrees. The yaw angle is in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees.

Figure 9 shows the results when Subject B walked with supporters worn on both knees. The pitch angle is in the range of 60 degrees to 70 degrees. The roll angle is in the range of ± 8 degrees. The yaw angle is in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees. Subject B was a teenage male student. No difference due to wearing supporters appears in the yaw angle and pitch angle, but since the roll angle decreases a little, it seems that there is a slight effect from the supporter. In the questionnaire, subject B answered that he could walk without any discomfort except for resistance at the time of bending the foot. Figures from 10 to 13 show results of Subject C (in his 40s) for normal walking and walking as if bowlegged.

In normal walking, the presence or absence of supporters has little influence on the result. The walking speed was also slow as 2 km/h, so supporters may not have any effect.

From Fig. 12, there are fluctuations in the pitch angle in walking as if bowlegged, and shaking back and forth of the body is observed.

From Fig. 13, as the roll angle is larger than other

angles, the waist is greatly swaying to the left and right. This may be affected oppositely by wearing supporters.

4. Discussion Taking the viewpoint of walking training, we studied the development of a walking training system that improves walking posture and corrects bowlegs and contributes to mitigation of lumbago. In order to prevent scissor gait, it is important to strengthen the muscles around the knees, and a walking experiment

was carried out by attaching supporters to both knees. However, in order to derive the effect of the supporters, it is necessary to judge the walking posture habit of each person well and to use the supporters correctly; otherwise the opposite effect will occur by using them poorly. Since muscle strength improvement around the knees cannot be easily done due to age and living environment, follow-up observation over a long period is necessary. Since we were able to study back pain in relation to walking posture this time, we would like to emphasize research in this direction. The walking posture being learned cannot be corrected immediately if it is pointed out only once. However, by consciously keeping the correct walking posture from day to day, we believe that not only can lumbago be mitigated, but also bruises can be prevented.

Acknowledgements We greatly thank the JSPS (JP17H00355) for financial support through Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research in 2017 (Encouraging research).



Fig.1 Photo of a Measurement scene.

Fig.2 Photo of the sensor.

x axis: roll angle, y axis: pitch angle, z axis: yaw angle

Fig.3 Axes of the sensor.

Fig. 4. Results of normal walking for Subject A.

Pitch angle Roll angle Yaw angle

Fig. 5. Results of normal walking of Subject A wearing supporters.


Fig. 6. Results of walking as it bowlegged for Subject A.


Fig. 7. Results of walking as if bowlegged for Subject A when wearing supporters.




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Fig. 8. Results of normal walking for Subject B.


Fig. 9. Results of normal walking for Subject B when wearing supporters.


Fig. 10. Results of normal walking for Subject C.


Fig. 11. Results of normal walking for Subject C when wearing supporters.


Fig. 12. Results of walking as if bowlegged for Subject C.


Fig. 13. Results of walking as if bowlegged for Subject C when wearing supporters.




正しい歩行姿勢とＯ脚改善が腰痛軽減につながる歩行訓練システムの開発

上杉一秀１、足達義則２、新谷洋人１、合志和洋 1、角田功１、清田公保１

1 熊本高等専門学校（熊本、日本） 2中部大学（春日井、日本）

要旨：職場環境の情報化に伴い悪い姿勢を継続することが増え、腰痛へのリスクが増している

と言われている。また、これまでの研究で、脚力の左右差や O脚等、歩行姿勢の悪さが腰痛の一因となっていることが分かってきた。姿勢が良い場合には、効率的に歩行することができる

ので比較的腰痛になりにくいが、O脚では横方向に力が分散して効率の悪い歩行となり、これから派生する負荷が腰痛の原因になっていると考えられる。本研究では歩行訓練の観点から歩行姿勢や O 脚等を改善し、腰痛改善に貢献する歩行訓練システムの開発を検討した。 Keyword: 歩行姿勢、Ｏ脚、腰痛、推進力、ひねり

１．はじめに

近年情報技術の進歩により、パソコンやスマート

フォン等 VDT 作業で眼を酷使したり、作業姿勢が悪くなったりと腰痛へのリスクが増えている。我々

は、これまで歩行訓練に関する研究を行ってきた。

その過程において、歩行姿勢と腰痛の関係が指摘さ

れていることを見出した。左足と右足の脚力差や O脚等に起因する歩行姿勢の悪さが腰痛の原因になっ

ていると指摘されている。人は歩くときは地面を後方へ蹴り出して推進力

を得て前方へ進む。足が前後に真っ直ぐ動くことが

普通であり、この状態では効率的に足の力を使って

運動することができるので足腰の力を温存しつつ十

分な力を発揮できる。よって、腰痛に比較的なりに

くくなる。しかし、こういった普通の歩き方に対し

て O脚では、後方を蹴り出さず真横に足を持ち上げて体を捻るようにして歩を進めている。この歩き方

は後方をほとんど蹴り出しておらず、推進力を得ら

れないので足腰の効率的な力を発揮できず、すぐに

疲れてしまい、エネルギー効率が悪く腰痛になりや _____________________________________________上杉一秀，熊本高等専門学校熊本キャンパス熊本県合志市須屋 2659-2 電話 096-242-6386 E-mail;[email protected]

すくなる。日頃から歩行姿勢に注意している人と比

べて漫然と歩いている人では腰痛になるリスクが多

くなると考えられる。そこで、本研究では歩行訓練の観点から、歩行姿

勢や O脚（ガニ股）改善により腰痛改善の一助に貢献できる歩行訓練システムの開発を目的とする。

２．実験方法被験者は 5名で、10代男性、40代男性、60代男性である。5 名とも健康状態は良好であるが、歩行姿勢に特徴のある 5名を選出した。ただし、極端にガニ股の被験者は見つからず、実験ではガニ股にな

るような歩き方を指示した。それと通常の歩き方と

左右両足が並行になる場合の３通りの歩き方の比較

を行なった。 Fig.1 に測定の概観図を示す。実験にあたっては被験者に対して事前に趣旨を十分に説明し、インフ

ォームド・コンセントを取り実施した。結果の公表

に際しては被験者 A,B,Cなど記号を用いて、匿名にするなど個人情報保護に留意した。（１）歩行訓練前 a. アンケートおよび脈拍計で体調を調べる。 b. 足指筋力測定器で左右の足指筋力測定を行なう。（２）歩行訓練



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a. 5分間、通常の歩き方で歩行訓練を行う。歩行速度は被験者に歩きやすい速度を選ばせて測定した。

靴には足圧測定シートを挿入し、歩行訓練後の足圧

分布を調べる。 b. 同様に、ガニ股にて歩行訓練を行う。 c. 最後に、両足が並行になる歩き方にて歩行訓練

をおこなう。 d. 同様に a～c を膝サポーターを装着して行なう。

それぞれの歩行訓練後は 5 分以上の休みを入れる。（３）歩行訓練後

a. 足指筋力測定器により左右の足指筋力測定を行なう。

b. アンケートおよび脈拍計で訓練後の体調を調べる。

c. 腰に取り付けたセンサーで歩行姿勢のデータ解析をおこなう。図 2に被験者に取り付けたセンサーを示す。図 3はセンサー軸の説明図である。

３．実験結果図 4に被験者Ａの通常の歩き方の測定結果を示す。

歩行時の体の前後の傾きを示すピッチ角が 70 度±10度である。左右のひねりを示すロール角が±20度である。腰部左右の上下の傾きを示すヨー角は 50度±5度である。次に、図 5に被験者Ａの両膝にサポーターを装着

して歩いた場合の結果を示す。ピッチ角は 70度±5度である。ロール角は±10 度である。ヨー角は 50度±5度である。

被験者Ａは 60 代男性でサポーター装着により体の左右のひねりであるロール角が減少しているの

がわかる。ピッチ角が被験者Ｂより大きくなってい

るのは、年齢の影響および歩行姿勢が前傾のためで

ある。それから、アンケートではサポーターで両膝を固

定していたので、足が開かず歩きやすかったと答え

ている。図 8に被験者Ｂの通常の歩き方による測定結果を

示す。ピッチ角は 60度～70度の範囲にある。ロール角±10度の範囲である。ヨー角は 40度～50度の範囲である。図 9に被験者Ｂの両膝にサポーター装着時の歩行

についてのデータを示す。ピッチ角は 60度～70度

の範囲である。ロール角は±8 度の範囲である。ヨー角は 40度～50度の範囲である。この被験者Ｂは 10 代男子学生で健常者であり、

ヨー角、ピッチ角にサポーター装着による差は現れ

ていないが、ロール角は少し減っているので、サポ

ーターの効果が少しあると思われる。アンケートで

は、足の曲げる時の抵抗以外は特に違和感なく歩け

たと答えている。次に、図 10から図 13に被験者Ｃ（40代、男性）

の通常時とガニ股での歩行結果を示す。通常歩行ではサポーターの有無でそれほど違いが

見られない。歩行速度も毎時 2kmとゆっくりであったので、サポーターの効果がなかったのかもしれな

い。図 12 からガニ股ではピッチ角の変動があり、体の前後への揺れが見られる。図 13 ではロール角が他より大きくなっており腰を左右に大きく振って歩

いていると見られる。サポーター装着が逆効果にな

っているとも考えられる。

４．考察今回の研究では歩行訓練の観点から歩行姿勢や O

脚（ガニ股）等を改善し、腰痛改善に貢献する歩行

訓練システムの開発を検討した。ガニ股になるのを

防ぐためには両膝周りの筋肉を強化することが重要

であると考え、今回の研究では両膝にサポーターを

装着して歩行実験を行なった。ただ、サポーターの

効果を引き出すためには、被験者それぞれの歩行姿

勢のクセを見極めて上手く使わないと逆効果になる

ことがわかった。ひざ周辺の筋力アップは年齢、生

活環境の違いで簡単にはいかないので、長期にわた

って経過観察が必要である。また、腰痛について歩

行姿勢と関係づけて別の観点から研究できたのでこ

の方面の研究にも力をいれていきたい。今までに身

についた歩行姿勢は指摘されてすぐに修正できるも

のではないが、日頃から意識的に正しい歩行姿勢を

保とうとする意識を持つ事で、腰痛改善だけでなく、

躓き予防につながると考えている。

謝辞

本研究は JSPS 科研費 JP17H00355 の助成を受けたものです。関係各位に深謝いたします。

development of a gait training system that realizes

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