Estimating the consumed calories while walking using a non-restricted measurement system of the human gait

摘要

A qualitative estimation of consumed calories while walking is discussed. The consumed calorie is derived by referring to the relative metabolic rate (RMR) which shows the ratio of metabolism while working to basic metabolism while not working. The RMR can be determined using a non-restricted measurement system of the human gait that classifies the human moving pattern into three categories: walking on flat surfaces, going up stairs and going down stairs. The system utilizes an acceleromctcr and an air pressure sensor. A Kalman filter is constructed to amplify the change in the air pressure while ascending/descending and to reject the pressure caused by the weather. Comparison of the filter output with a threshold classifies the human gait into level walking, ascending, and descending. To confirm the validity of the qualitative estimation of the consumed calorie, several subjects are instructed to perform the walking exercises listed above. The Heart rate, which is proportional to the consumed calorie, is compared with the consumed calorie estimated. Experimental results show that the correlation coefficient between the heart rate and the consumed calorie estimated using the proposed method is higher than that using a pedometer. The qualitative estimation of the proposed method is confirmed.