A method for supporting at-home fitness exercise guidance and at-home nursing care for the elders, video-based simple measurement system

Penetration of the Internet has paved the way for the interactive video communication at home. Videos, which subjectively show entire views and give comprehensive overviews at a glance, serve as storable media and information contained in such excellently informative media has been increasingly stored as video image databases. Nevertheless, videos also have some disadvantages, for example, watching them takes time because information cannot be summarized, and consolidating videos with other types of information is difficult. Additionally, accurate human body measurement using videos and still images requires special equipment and facilities, making the application of such system to home use difficult. For that reason, we developed the simple video-based measurement system so that joint motion angles, numerical values of physical fitness measurement, time required to make certain motions, and indexes for motion smoothness can be measured using recorded videos. In Japan, home-visit exercise guidance programs and home care services are vigorously offered, but, few methods are available to objectively evaluate effects of such programs and services. When videos shot at individual homes are sent to an analysis center for the measurement by this measurement system, the outcomes provided as feedback give clear views about physical strength improvement and effects of rehabilitation and are expected to encourage elder people and reduce burdens on fitness instructors and nurses.