Programmable adaptable resistance exercise system and method

Abstract

A programmable adaptive resistance exercise system and method. New type of resistance allows a user to maximize amount of muscle growth benefit while minimizing the effort to attain that level. Resistance level may be controlled by computer based on position or any derivate thereof with respect to time. Resistance is adaptive since force level used throughout exercise range is based on current and past performance data. Level of effort and force versus time profile combinations are unlimited. Rest calculated based on the current and past performance data. May utilize hardware having a motor, an exercise interface (such as an bar or handle for example), a position sensor, digital input device to identify someone, computer configured to control the motor and exercise interface using current and past personal training data, calculate an exercise program based on preference and a time for subsequent workout, optionally alert a user when time to workout.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of exercise equipment and the methods of use thereof. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention enable a programmable adaptive resistance system and method based on present and past training information for a particular user. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] There are many health benefits associated with exercise. The health and fitness industry offers a wide variety of products and services designed to improve these benefits. One theory of muscular development is that muscles must be contracted past their normal range of capability in order to improve the fitness gains afforded by general exercise. [0005] In order to stress a muscle, contraction is performed against some sort of resistance. Theoretically, by increasing the resistance against which the muscle is contracted, any desired amount of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] One or more embodiments of the invention enable a programmable adaptive resistance exercise system and method. This new type of resistance allows a user to maximize the amount of muscle growth or endurance or allows a user to perform fitness maintenance or injury recovery while minimizing the effort expended to attain the desired level of benefit. The resistance force level is programmable in that the force applied by the system can be adjusted dynamically under computer control. For example, the resistance force level may be controlled via a computer based on position or any derivate thereof with respect to time such as velocity, acceleration, jerk, etc. The resistance force level is adaptive since embodiments of the invention provide a resistive force level throughout the range of an exercise based on current and past historical performance data associated with a particular user. Past historical performance data is also known as past personal training information. The force versus displacement and / or time profiles used with embodiments of the invention are user specific and may be applied at different force levels to attain the type and quantity of resistance desired (growth, endurance, maintenance, injury recovery, etc.). Rest periods may be calculated based on the current and past personal training information to further optimize growth benefit while minimizing the effort expended. Embodiments of the invention may utilize hardware comprising a motor, an exercise interface, a position sensor, a force sensor, a digital input device, a computer configured to control the motor and hence the exercise interface (such as an bar or handle for example) using current and past historical personal training information and calculate an exercise program based on a user preference. Methods of embodiments of the invention may also include notifying the user of a rest time and optionally alerting a user when it is time to begin a subsequent workout.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of the invention the system measures a user's performance, for example the user force applied through a displacement and time, at the start of a training program. The system measures the initial performance using a standardized set of movements against a resistance force level and generates a profile of the resistance force level with respect to displacement of the exercise interface. The system adjusts the resistance level for each muscle movement to stress the muscles in a way that allows the system to measure and record the particular level of fitness (capacity) for that particular movement and that particular user. The system is configured to accurately measure the position and derive or measure force and obtain the force versus time and the force versus displacement curves of a particular exercise movement. The system measures force versus time and force versus displacement using a position sensor (that may be integrated with a motor) and measuring current used by a motor to deduce force, or optionally using a force sensor to directly measure force.

[0023] Subsequent workout sessions are designed by application of a profile using the baseline data stored during the initial and first workout sessions. For subsequent workouts, as the number of workout sessions increases, the system begins to accumulate a comprehensive performance history for the particular user. The system schedules a time for the next workout based upon the performance level, overload level and amount of recovery time suggested for maximum muscle growth (or other workout goal) while maintaining minimum expended exercise effort. Other algorithms may be utilized that optimize endurance, fitness or are designed for injury recovery as well. An exercise program comprising the various ratios of maximum performance and number of repetitions and number of sets may be selected. For example, the desired exercise program may be based on the user's fitness goals, age, time of day at which exercise occurs, or any other factor that is current or historical with respect to the user. As more workouts occur, the history database comprising past personal training information becomes more refined. The resistance force levels of programmable adaptive resistance as well as the rest period duration accuracy are adjusted to continuously advance the users fitness level while minimizing the number of workouts and duration of each workout.

Problems solved by technology

If the level of stress applied is greater than that which the muscle can readily tolerate then the muscle is said to be overloaded.

However, such exercises are very limited in scope and therefore overall effectiveness.

Excessive overload can cause failure of the muscle and injury to the body.

This feature becomes a limitation when an injured muscle is called upon to stabilize a free weight movement when exercising a desired muscle.

Thus, it is important to limit the use of free weights when working muscles near injured muscles.

For example, when performing bench press a shoulder injury may prevent a person from overloading the pectoral muscles since the injured shoulder may generate great pain and not allow stabilization to be provided for the exercise.

In many movements, the variation in resistance that is lower at the beginning of travel and ever increasing as the displacement is increased, imposes an additional limitation to the design of the exercise.

The particular profile of increasing resistance with displacement is not optimum for most normal body movements.

Unfortunately, because the actual resistance is difficult to control and quantify, the amount of actual stress (and therefore overload) is difficult to predict or measure.

Additionally, such motion that is resisted in proportion to velocity of travel is very unnatural.

Some users do not accept this type of resistance as an alternative to the more natural feel of free weights or spring systems.

Conventional systems require that a user follow preselected patterns of routines, including speed, force, and rates of variation therein, which may not be best suited for user training goals and performance history of a user.

The main problem with conventional exercise systems available today is that they do not provide a way to automate the process of providing customized exercise program and tracking individuals over time and adapting the workout program as a user's physical condition and / or strength changes.

No known strength training exercise system or method uses historical performance data from a user to adapt a workout session.

In addition, no known system or method automatically calculates rest times based on present and past personal training information.

As these manual techniques are applied, there are inevitable tradeoffs between efficiency and complexity of execution.

This apparatus does not contemplate use of historical and present performance data to adapt the exercise.

The system does not contemplate an automated process of recording a user's performance data and automatic analysis of the user's historical performance data for the design of subsequent workout sessions.

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