WO2014125424A1

WO2014125424A1 - Suspension training tracking device

Info

Publication number: WO2014125424A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/058945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrej ŽIGON; Andrej MEGLIČ
Original assignee: Žigon Andrej; Meglič Andrej
Priority date: 2013-02-15
Filing date: 2014-02-12
Publication date: 2014-08-21

Abstract

This invention discloses a suspension training tracking system including at least one suspension training load tracking apparatus attached to the suspension training apparatus that interacts with the user or his trainer through audio or graphical interface. A method for measuring suspension training exercise loads is also disclosed.

Description

SUSPENSION TRAINING TRACKING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to suspension training exercise apparatus in general and in particular to apparatus and methods for tracking suspension training exercise loads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Suspension training US patent: US8469864 B2, US patent: US201 10124477 A1 is a form of resistance training in which the subject can manipulate total resistance by altering the position of the body in respect to anchor point. Different exercises are performed by manipulating body positioning and different loads are achieved by changing the angle of the body relative to the ground. Changing the length of the moment arm (levers) and positioning of the base of support relative to the center of gravity determines the stability. Multiple studies have shown that instability increases the core body strength (Beach, T.A.C., Howarth, S.J., & Callaghan, J. P., 2008) and sport performance (Kean, C, Behm, D., Young, W., 2006).

Instability and undefined weight in suspension training can be a cause of potential problems. There is a potential for muscular, skeletal and joint injuries, particularly hyperextensions of wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles and knees. Undertrained people are especially prone to injuries since they don't have sufficient single joint stabilisation ability and the necessary skill to stabilize their entire body. Suspension training specific, exercise monitoring systems which track a user's progress and performance on suspension training exercise equipment are not known. Traditional measurement devices, such as heart rate monitors, accelerometers, spirometers, electromyographic measurement systems (Snarr, & Esco, 2013) and motion-capture systems can all be applied to monitor the performance during the suspension training exercise, however they all have several limitations. These systems may provide information concerning muscle activity, overall fitness performance, calories, etc, but that information cannot include or be based upon load measurements and thus may not be as accurate as values derived from or taking into account loads during suspension training exercise.

Measuring heart rate provides useful information for monitoring performance of cardiovascular system and energy supplying systems for muscle function, however it is not as good as measuring loads in providing consistent and useful information regarding muscular force performance. For example, during rapid movements, heart rate lags behind the user's effort whereas information about load during exercise provides a nearly instantaneous reflection of the user's muscular force exertion. When a user is dehydrated, tired, injured and malnourished or otherwise not in optimal exercising condition, the user may conduct a workout at a typical heart rate but their load at that heart rate may be considerably less than typical. Thus, the user or his coach can identify and possibly rectify substantial deviations from the optimal suspension training performance if load measurements are available. Inertial tracking technology has attracted considerable interest since accelerometer technology has advanced significantly, making these devices small, light and portable enough to be placed on the body or device. Because of the nature of suspension training exercises the accelerations should be small, making accelerometers alone inadequate for measuring them.

Measuring oxygen consumption provides an estimation of aerobic capacity. There are number of factors that are influencing measurements: age, sex, fitness and training, changes in altitude, and activity of the respiratory muscles making them unsuitable to quantify muscular exertion during suspension training exercise.

The eletromyography (EMG) only provides an interferogram that represents the summated electrical activation pattern of the muscle near the electrode. As muscle force is highly dependent on length (due to the length-force property) and velocity (due to the force-velocity property), electrical activity alone cannot provide an accurate measurement of muscle force. One of the limitations of an interference EMG is the variability in the recording when the same task is performed by different subjects or by the same subject on different days. Two principal reasons for this variability are that the recording conditions change each time the electrodes are attached the skin over selected muscle(s) and that the volume recorded by the electrodes does not cover the whole volume of the muscle involved in the task.

The biggest drawback overall of motion capture systems is high cost and lack of portability. Measuring and comparing training loads over an extended period of training can help identify a user (or his coach) the most suitable exercises and thereby continually refine and improve a performer's training regimen. Furthermore the above mentioned systems are difficult to install and with some systems, in- depth knowledge is needed for proper usage. The main technical purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a method and a device for analysing and tracking exercise done by a user that can precisely and accurately record the suspension training exercises.

The following patent documents are believed to be representative of the art: PCT Patent WO2003049612 A1 , European patent EP1716805 B1 , US Patent US8265900 B2, European patent EP0196396 A1 . The disclosures of all publications mentioned in the specification and all of the publications cited therein are hereby incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays there is a growing tendency in the fitness sector to provide the user, or his trainer, with a complete information regarding all of the aspects of exercise during a training session, so as to be able to analyse and optimize the training process in the most precise and accurate way possible.

The present invention seeks to provide a novel apparatus and method for tracking exercise loads, specifically for use with suspension training exercise equipment. The present invention provides a novel system and a method which provides suspension training specific information and overcomes the known disadvantages of the prior methods discussed above. Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the suspension training exercise monitoring apparatus and method includes a force measurement sensor to determine a measurement of user caused load on suspension training exercise apparatus that interacts with a user or his trainer.

Additionally the tracking apparatus may include an accelerometer to determine a measurement of movement and vibrations and or additional external sensors such as ECG, EMG, heart rate.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tracking apparatus includes a unit that processes raw-measured data of exercise loads into user friendly results that are easy to interpret.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the processor can additionally be operative to determine a correlation between the measurement and at least one exercise characteristic.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the system may further include a computer, tablet or smart phone in communication with the processor.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparatus may include a display and audio output system.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the system may include user identification apparatus.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the system further includes internal non-volatile memory to log the measured data and working parameters. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the system provides the user or his trainer with information regarding the amount of exercise done: in this way, the user can deduce whether or not a set amount of exercise is sufficient to satisfy his training, weight loss or other programme, or whether he must increase or decrease it, and by how much.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a system for analysing and monitoring suspension training exercise done by a user designed to generate goal oriented training programmes which are highly individualised, that is to say, set according to the personal physical and psychological features of the user.

Another aim of the present invention is to devise a system for analysing and monitoring suspension training exercise done by a user which allows the user to be strongly motivated to do the greatest amount of exercise possible during a training session.

Yet another aim of the present invention is to provide a system for analysing and monitoring suspension training exercise done by a user designed to interact with other devices of various types, such as personal computers, tablets, mobile phones, computer networks, web servers, databases and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 . A simplified pictorial illustration of a load exercise tracking apparatus and its components constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention Fig 2. A simplified pictorial illustration of application and operation of suspension training load tracking device on a suspension training apparatus.

Fig 3. A simplified pictorial illustration of method suspension training load tracking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a suspension training load tracking apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system of Fig. 1 includes a force measuring unit comprising of power supply with voltage stabilizer, labelled 1 , voltage control circuit, labelled 2, force measurement sensor adapted amplifier, labelled 3, force measuring sensor, labelled 4, microcontroller, analogue to digital converter and adjustment of the data for sending via wireless module to the main program, labelled 5. Suspension training exercise tracking system is powered by an internal battery with charger, while other sources may be used (not shown). Finally, the device comprises suitable data communication means, labelled 6, which allow information about the exercise done by the user, that is to say, basically the data measured by the sensor 3, to be transferred to at least one processing unit of the substantially known type. In more detail, but by way of example only, the processing unit could be a personal computer, a tablet, smartphone or other similar processing devices. For the sake of simplicity, said processing means are not illustrated in Figure 1 , since they are of the known and conventional type. The whole device is placed in a durable housing, labelled 8 with appropriate bolts ensuring strong and easy connection to different suspension training apparatus, labelled 7.

In the following description several example embodiments are referred to which will allow a clear indication of the advantages of the various possible solutions.

Advantageously, the data communication means also comprise at least one connector of known type, which allows connection to an external processing unit consisting for example of a personal computer, a tablet or the like.

A suspension training exercise tracking system may include a display, audio output apparatus, such as a speaker, and user identification apparatus (not shown). Suspension training load tracking apparatus is typically in wired or wireless communication with a computer, tablet or smart phone for transfer and maintenance of information. Audio and graphical interfaces enable instructing of a user and warning a user when exercise parameters are exceeded.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which is a simplified pictorial illustration of a typical application of suspension training load tracking apparatus on a suspension training apparatus. The suspension training apparatus is typically attached on the force measurement sensor with carabineers or is attached directly using straps When the user performs suspension training exercise, the force measurement sensor included in the suspension training load tracking apparatus detect and measures the load as well as the change of load in time. Moreover accelerometers which may be a two or three axis accelerometers can be placed in the same housing, enabling supplementary measurements. An accelerometer may be used to provide vibration and movement measurements of suspension training apparatus. It provides information about explosivity of each movement - information very valuable for preventing excessive strains and to optimize the whole range of movement

Additional reference is now made to Fig. 3 which is a simplified illustration of an application and operation of the suspension training load tracking apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the method shown in Fig. 3 a subject preferably enters his/her identity and exercise parameters typically including the subject's weightlifting program and history. Once a load on suspension training apparatus has been detected and measured, different parameters may be derived in real time during suspension training using known techniques. These parameters are following but not limited to mentioned: real-time load assessment, maximum load, average load, number of repetitions, repetitions per minute, frequency and load trend, duration of exercise, long-term progress, exercise and rest time, detection of incorrect movements allowing the user and/or his trainer to display the measurements in the form of graphs, to carry out studies, calculations and planning of training based on past measurements and many other activities of this type, using specially designed and made software.

The load and frequency may be compared with the subject's exercise parameters, and alarms or other outputs may be provided via display or audio output apparatus to indicate the subject's progress and whether the subject's exercise parameters are being met.

It is appreciated that the steps of the methods described hereinabove need not necessarily be performed in a particular order, and that in fact, for reasons of implementation, a particular implementation of the methods may be performed in a different order than another particular implementation.

It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . A suspension training load tracker comprising:

a load measurement sensor;

a microcontroller,

an analogue to digital converter,

a power supply,

a processing unit of the substantially known type;

2. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker comprises accelerometer

3. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker comprises wired or wireless communication module

4. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker comprises internal or external memory unit

5. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker saves measured data on internal or external memory unit in raw format

6. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker pre-processes and saves measured data on internal or external memory unit

7. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker sends measured data through wired or wireless connection in a raw format

8. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker pre-processes and send measured data through wired or wireless connection

9. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker comprises a video display; and wherein the suspension training load tracker is programmed to process, analyse and deliver a video signal to provide video information to the user or his trainer via the video display that depicts how the user can change their current execution of exercises.

10. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , characterised in that at least one method for displaying the information on the display means consists of at least one graphic signal indicating the measurement of exercise done by the user

1 1 . The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the suspension training load tracker comprises a speaker; and wherein the suspension training load tracker is programmed to process, analyse and deliver an audio signal to provide audio information to the user or his trainer via the video display that depicts how the user can change their current execution of exercises.

12. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the external computer, tablet, smart phone, webserver or similar device is used to process the data collected from the sensor and provide the audio or video information that depicts how the user can change their current execution of exercises, to the user or his trainer via the internal or external video display or audio apparatus.

13. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the external computer, tablet, smart phone, webserver or similar device is used to further analyse, store and distribute data collected from the sensor

14. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , characterised in that the personal computer is designed to connect to at least one remote server having at least one database for saving the measurements of exercise done by the user.

15. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein it comprises one of: a differential amplifier, an accelerometer, an EMG detector, EEG detector, an ECG detector, an optical detector.

16. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein it comprises a microphone, a speaker, or a sound transducer to communicate audio.

17. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the appliance determines changes in fitness.

18. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , wherein the appliance determines real-time load assessment, maximum load, average load, number of repetitions, repetitions per minute, frequency and load trend, duration of exercise, long-term progress, exercise and rest time, detection of incorrect movements allowing the user and/or his trainer to display the measurements in the form of graphs, to carry out studies, calculations and planning of training based on past measurements and many other activities of this type.

19. The suspension training load tracker of claim 1 , comprising a housing that can be attached on or between the parts of suspension training apparatus, on or between the anchor and suspension training apparatus and on or between suspension training apparatus and user.

20. A method of tracking suspension training load, comprising at least one suspension training load tracking sensor.

21 . A method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, optionally comprising additional sensors such as accelerometer, an EMG detector, EEG detector, an ECG detector, an optical detector, providing additional information regarding the users fitness to the user or his trainer.

22. A method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, comprising: measuring the load on suspension training apparatus, while a user performing suspension training exercises; analysing the measured load with internal or external processing unit; providing the user or his trainer with information about the user's suspension training exercise performance based on the analysed data; providing the user with information on how the user can change their current suspension training exercise execution to improve suspension training efficiency and safety.

23. A method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, comprising an algorithm for calculating and comparing the current load on suspension training apparatus with the previously measured loads, target loads and evaluating improvement in the user's suspension training performance, efficiency and safety.

24. The method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, further comprising, providing a communication to the user with information on improving suspension training exercise technique.

25. The method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, further comprising, providing a communication to the user with information on improving posture.

26. The method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, wherein providing a visual display of the measured information.

27. The method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20, wherein providing an audio or video signal to warn the user in case of the faulty suspension training technique.

28. The method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20 wherein the measured data can be further analysed and processed on computer, tablet, smart phone, web server and similar devices.

29. The method of tracking suspension training load of claim 20 wherein performance level requirements for the exerciser are set by a third party.