Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Monitors exercise parameter
Patent
1997-09-25
1999-07-13
Richman, Glenn E.
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Monitors exercise parameter
482 1, 482 4, 482901, A63B 2100
Patent
active
059218916
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
The present invention relates to a system for the provision of an exercise regimen for users and particularly to a system which facilitates semi-automated monitoring of a user's progress in the exercise regimen. In particular, the present invention provides an improvement to a device for monitoring heartbeat which forms a component of such a system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the most important factors in maintaining good health is physical exercise. A number of major studies in recent years have demonstrated the health benefits of regular physical exercise, particularly in respect to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
The present inventor is also named as the inventor in commonly assigned PCT Application No PCT/AU93/00367 directed to an exercise system which is incorporated herein by reference.
This prior application describes a fitness monitoring system comprising a personal exercise monitoring device preprogrammed with data to guide the user in a desirable exercise regime, the monitoring device including communication means enabling connection to a central computer system for downloading data recorded during an exercise session to the central computer. The central computer has stored information enabling it to rate the user's performance and provide performance reports which enable feedback to the user via a personal trainer.
However, a problem has been found with this prior art system in that when a client reaches their final exercise prescription, it is sometimes found that the final prescription is incorrect and that a slight increase or decrease in exercise heart rate is required to achieve the optimum exercise prescription for that client. It is also sometimes found that the client is not able to keep up with the programmed rate of progression to the final prescription and that an adjustment to the programme is required. However. when clients are asked to alter their exercise prescription they feel that they have failed in some way, whereas in truth the original assessment process simply failed to predict the correct final prescription with sufficient accuracy.
This problem is addressed with an improvement to the exercise monitor, whereby the concept of final prescription has been abandoned and continual user feedback is used to adjust the prescription gradually such that the user always approaches a final heart rate band from below. Once in this final band, the prescription will tend to remain within the band over time depending upon various factors affecting the client.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention consists in an exercise monitor for facilitating monitoring of the progress of a user in an exercise regime, the exercise monitor being arranged to monitor a user exercise event and to store parameter values relating to the exercise event and including physical parameter measurement means arranged to measure physical parameter data during an exercise event, preset value storage means arranged to store preset values for the physical parameter, comparison means arranged to compare the preset value with the measured physical parameter data, indicator means arranged to indicate when the physical parameter data differs from the preset value by an amount greater than an allowable tolerance, to indicate to the user a required change in exercise intensity, exercise intensity input means arranged to enable input of data indicative of difficulty of a completed exercise, and preset value adjustment means arranged to enable alteration of the preset values in the preset value storage means in response to inputs operable by user.
In a preferred embodiment, the indicator means are arranged to display a preferred effort rating at the end of each exercise. The client can then alter the rating displayed to indicate the client's perception of the degree of difficulty experienced during the exercise by incrementing the rating up or down using buttons on the monitor face. In the preferred embodiment, the optimum index value is 12 while 9 is very light. 11 is "fairly l
REFERENCES:
patent: 4686624 (1987-08-01), Blum et al.
patent: 5213555 (1993-05-01), Hood et al.
patent: 5466200 (1995-11-01), Ulrich et al.
Derwent Abstract, Accession No. 94-164905/20 Class P31, SU 1799545, A(ALTAI MED INST) Mar. 7, 1993.
Hayle Brainpower Pty. Ltd.
Richman Glenn E.
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