Japanese Red Cross Hokkaido College of Nursing | Dr. Yamamoto

■ Research Overview

I am responsible for the field of health sciences in the School of Nursing, specializing in physical education, exercise physiology, and sports biomechanics. My research focuses on various physical movements and the effects of promoting muscle fatigue recovery.

■ Challenges Before Implementing SPLYZA Motion

Our university did not have a motion analysis system, so we had to rely on using Vicon at the neighboring Kitami Institute of Technology or motion analysis equipment available at local hospitals. However, Vicon required attaching over 30 reflective markers to the body, which was time-consuming. We were looking for a simpler, markerless, and cost-effective solution to quantify body movements.

■ Key Factors for Implementing SPLYZA Motion

The main reasons were its “simplicity” and “practicality.” Traditional motion analysis systems posed challenges due to their complexity and high costs. However, SPLYZA Motion allows for markerless motion analysis and can be operated with a single device, making it easy to obtain high-precision data effortlessly. Students also commented that “it could be useful in clinical settings.”

■ Specific Applications

We utilize it for analyzing various movements in nursing practice. For example, we conducted a gait analysis where students wore a “pregnancy suit.” Using SPLYZA Motion, we collected gait data before and after wearing the suit, visualizing changes in center of gravity, posture adjustments, and the strain placed on the lower back and body during walking.

■ Changes After Implementation

Previously, conducting dynamic research related to pregnancy was challenging, and our university primarily focused on static analyses, such as measuring postural sway in a standing position using center of gravity fluctuations. However, with the introduction of SPLYZA Motion, we are now able to perform dynamic motion analyses, visualizing physical strain during walking and detailed movement patterns. This has enabled us to advance more practical and specific research.

We can now offer concrete suggestions for pregnant women, such as:
・"What type of walking posture should be adopted to reduce lower back strain?"
・"Key points for improving weight distribution and posture."

■ Student Reactions

By experiencing the pregnancy suit and visualizing the analysis results, students gained a deeper understanding of the physical burden experienced by pregnant women. The real-time feedback and specificity of the analysis had a strong impact, with students expressing surprise, saying things like:
・"I didn’t realize the strain on the lower back was this significant!"

It also served as an opportunity for them to explore potential applications in clinical practice.