An action analysis method comprising: an image recording step for
continuously photographing a target; a movement locus measuring step for
obtaining a movement locus of the target; an action analysis step for
analyzing an action of the target from the movement locus; and an output
step. In the action analysis step, a speed v and a movement direction
displacement angle .theta. for each unit time is obtained from the
movement locus; an average value X of vcos .theta. for each unit time
within a predetermined time is obtained; and a predetermined extraction
target is distinguished by a statistic measure using the average value as
an operation element index.