Method and apparatus for performance optimization through physical perturbation of task elements

• US 20060057549A1
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Original Assignee: Space Administration, The Government of The US As Represented By The Secretary of The Navy
• Inventors: Pope, Alan T., Prinzel, Lawrence J. III, Palsson, Olafur S., Turner, Marsha J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,628,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2067/025 with incorporated means acting on the track surface for varying its topography, e.g. slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and method of biofeedback training for attaining a physiological state optimally consistent with the successful performance of a task, wherein the probability of successfully completing the task is made is inversely proportional to a physiological difference value, computed as the absolute value of the difference between at least one physiological signal optimally consistent with the successful performance of the task and at least one corresponding measured physiological signal of a trainee performing the task. The probability of successfully completing the task is made inversely proportional to the physiological difference value by making one or more measurable physical attributes of the environment in which the task is performed, and upon which completion of the task depends, vary in inverse proportion to the physiological difference value.

Claims

1. An apparatus for training at least one trainee engaged in the performance of a task to attain a physiological state consistent with the optimal performance of said task, comprising a physiological difference value for said task and a capture probability for completing said task, said physiological difference value being computed as the absolute value of the difference between at least one target value and at least one corresponding measured physiological signal of said at least one trainee engaged in the performance of said task, and said capture probability being inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said task comprises a task performed in a task environment by said at least one trainee operatively connected to a biofeedback device and using a task device having variable accuracy to hit a target with a projectile, said biofeedback device being adapted to wirelessly transmit said physiological difference value, said exercise environment having a surface with a variable gradient and a variable stability, said target having a variable area, and said target being positioned within said environment at a variable distance from said at least one trainee.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said variable accuracy of said task device is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a reciprocal of said variable gradient of said surface is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a reciprocal of said variable stability of said surface is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said variable area of said target is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a reciprocal of said variable distance from said at least one trainee is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises putting, said task environment comprises a putting green, said task device comprises a golf club, said projectile comprises a golf ball, said target comprises a golf hole, said variable gradient of said surface of said putting green has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said putting green is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to an opening of said golf hole, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said golf hole.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises serving a tennis ball, said task environment comprises a tennis court or a portion thereof, said task device comprises a tennis racket, said projectile comprises a tennis ball, said target comprises a demarcated serve zone on said tennis court, said variable gradient of said surface of said tennis court or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said tennis court or a portion thereof is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises a surface area corresponding to said demarcated serve zone on said tennis court or a portion thereof, and, said variable distance comprises an invariant distance measured from said trainee to said demarcated serve zone.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises goal shooting in lacrosse, said task environment comprises a lacrosse field or a portion thereof, said task device comprises a lacrosse stick, said projectile comprises a lacrosse ball, said target comprises a lacrosse goal, said variable gradient of said surface of said lacrosse field or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said lacrosse field or a portion thereof is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to an opening of said lacrosse goal presented to said lacrosse ball, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said lacrosse goal.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises goal shooting in hockey, said task environment comprises a hockey rink or a portion thereof, said task device comprises a hockey stick, said projectile comprises a hockey puck, said target comprises a hockey goal, said variable gradient of said surface of said hockey rink or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said hockey rink or a portion thereof is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to an opening of said hockey goal presented to said hockey puck, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said hockey goal.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises field goal kicking in football, said task environment comprises a football field or a portion thereof, said task device comprises football footwear, said projectile comprises a football, said target comprises a football goal, said variable gradient of said surface of said football field or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said football field or a portion thereof is invariant, said variable area of said target corresponds to an area circumscribed by a horizontal bar of said football goal from below, the posts of said football goal from the right and the left, and an imaginary horizontal line connecting the tips of said posts of said football goal from above, and, said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said football goal.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises pitching a strike in baseball, said task environment comprises a baseball field or a portion thereof, said task device comprises a human hand, said projectile comprises a baseball, said target comprises a strike zone, said variable gradient of said surface of said baseball field or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said baseball field or a portion thereof is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area of said strike zone, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from home plate to a pitcher'"'"'s mound of said baseball field or a portion thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises using a bow to hit an archery target with an arrow, said task environment comprises an archery range, said task device comprises a bow, said projectile comprises an arrow, said target comprises an archery target, said variable gradient of said surface of said archery range has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said archery range is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to said archery target, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said archery target.

15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises hitting a target with a firearm, said task environment comprises a firearm firing range, said task device comprises a firearm, said projectile comprises a bullet, said target comprises a firearm target, said variable gradient of said surface of said firearm firing range has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said firearm firing range is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area of said firearm target, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said firearm target.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said firearm has a variable accuracy sighting device that is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a computer controlled mechanical apparatus adapted to decrease said variable accuracy of said sighting device as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical apparatus as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical apparatus by said biofeedback device.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises foul shooting in basketball, said task environment comprises a basketball court or a portion thereof, said task device comprises at least one human hand, said projectile comprises a basketball, said target comprises a basketball hoop, said variable gradient of said surface of said basketball court or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said basketball court or a portion thereof is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area of a circular opening of said basketball hoop presented to said basketball, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said basketball hoop.

18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said task comprises throwing darts, said task environment comprises a lane for throwing darts, said task device comprises at least one human hand, said projectile comprises a dart, said target comprises a bullseye, said variable gradient of said surface of said lane for throwing darts has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said lane for throwing darts is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area of said bullseye, and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said bullseye.

19. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said variable accuracy of said task device is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a computer-controlled mechanical apparatus adapted to impart a vibration to said task device, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency and a reciprocal amplitude that decrease as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical apparatus as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device.

20. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said reciprocal of said variable gradient of said surface is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said reciprocal of said variable gradient as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device.

21. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said variable stability of said surface of said task environment task is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration to said surface of said task environment task, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency and a reciprocal amplitude that decrease as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device.

22. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said variable area of said target is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said variable area as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device

23. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said reciprocal of said variable distance from said at least one trainee is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said reciprocal of said variable distance as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device.

24. A method for attaining a physiological state consistent with the optimal performance of a task comprising the steps of:

a. positioning a trainee within a task environment having a surface;

b. positioning a target, having a variable area for the receipt of a projectile, within said task environment at a distance from said trainee;

c. equipping said trainee with a biofeedback device that is worn by said trainee;

d. equipping said trainee with a task device with which to cast said projectile at said target;

e. connecting said trainee to at least one biosensing device that is an operative component of said biofeedback device worn by said trainee;

f. using said biosensing device to measure said trainee'"'"'s physiological state by measuring at least one physiological signal of said trainee;

g. outputting said measurement of said trainee'"'"'s physiological state obtained by said biosensing device as a signal encoding said at least one measured value of said physiological signal to a computing device that is an operative component of said biofeedback device;

h. comparing said measured value of said physiological signal output to said computing device by said biosensing device to a preprogrammed, wirelessly downloadable, or trainee-input corresponding value of a physiological signal that is optimally consistent with the successful performance of said task by said trainee;

i. computing a physiological difference value as the absolute value of a difference between said measured value of said physiological function and said corresponding value of a physiological signal that is optimally consistent with said successful performance of said task by said trainee;

j. graphically displaying said physiological difference value to said trainee by means of a display device that is an operative component of said biofeedback device;

k. wirelessly transmitting said physiological difference values as an encoded signal at least one computer-controlled mechanical system;

l. providing said task environment with a surface operationally connected to a first computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration to said surface, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency and a reciprocal amplitude that decrease as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device;

m. providing said task environment with a surface operationally connected to a second computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to vary a gradient of said surface in inverse proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease a reciprocal of said gradient as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device;

n. providing said target with a third computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said variable area as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device;

o. providing said task device used by said trainee to cast said projectile at said target with a fourth computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration to said task device, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency and a reciprocal amplitude that decrease as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device;

p. making said distance from said trainee to said target inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a fifth computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease a reciprocal of said distance as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is wirelessly transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said biofeedback device.

25. A method for modulating at least one physical feature of at least one task element associated with a task performed by at least one trainee, comprising the steps of:

a. measuring at least one physiological signal of said at least one trainee during the performance of said task to obtain a measured value;

b. assigning a target value to said task;

c. computing a difference value for said task;

d. displaying said measured value, said target value and said difference value to said trainee;

e. assigning a capture probability to said task;

f. modulating said at least one task element in a manner that decreases said capture probability as said difference value increases; and

g. modifying the ability of said trainee to successfully perform said task by said modulation of said at least one task element.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said task comprises a task performed in a task environment by said at least one trainee operatively connected to a biofeedback device and using a task device having variable accuracy to hit a target with a projectile, said biofeedback device being adapted to wirelessly transmit said physiological difference value, said exercise environment having a surface with a variable gradient and a variable stability upon which a task barrier may be disposed, said target having a variable area, and said target being positioned within said environment at a variable distance from said at least one trainee.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of computing said difference value occurs at a time coincident with a time of impact of said task device with said projectile.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of computing said difference value occurs at a time coincident with a time at which said projectile is of released to said trainee for hitting said target using said task device.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating said at least one task element begins at a time coincident with said step of computing said difference value and ends at a time coincident with the completion of said task by said trainee.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating said at least one task element begins at a time coincident with said step of computing said difference value and ends at a time determined by said trainee or an assistant to said trainee.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating said at least one task element begins at a time coincident with said step of computing said difference value and ends at a time determined by an algorithm.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of computing said physiological difference value is preceded by a step of incrementing or decrementing said target value by a percentage of a previously assigned target value, said percentage being selectable by said trainee or an assistant to said trainee.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of computing said difference value is preceded by the step of incrementing or decrementing said target value by a percentage of a previously assigned target value, said percentage being selectable by an algorithm.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of displaying comprises displaying and monitoring said measured value, said target value and said difference value to said trainee on a display device.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating said variable accuracy of said task device used by said trainee to perform said task.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said step modulating said accuracy of said task device comprises imparting a vibration to said task device by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, said vibration or undulation having a reciprocal frequency that decreases as said physiological difference value increases and a reciprocal amplitude that decreases as said physiological difference value increases.

37. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating said variable stability of said task surface.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said step of modulating said variable stability of said surface comprises making said variable stability inversely proportional to said difference value.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said step of modulating said variable stability of said surface comprises imparting a vibration to said surface by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency that decreases as said physiological difference value increases and a reciprocal amplitude that decreases as said physiological difference value increases.

40. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating said variable gradient of said task surface.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said step of modulating said variable gradient of said surface comprises making a reciprocal of said variable gradient inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said step of modulating said variable gradient of said surface comprises modulating said variable gradient of said surface by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, a reciprocal of the magnitude of said gradient being made to decrease as said difference value increases.

43. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating said variable area of said target.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of modulating said variable area of said target comprises making said variable area inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of modulating said variable area of a target comprises modulating said variable area of said target opening by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, said variable area of said target being made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of modulating said variable area of said target comprises modulating a variable demarcated zone on said task surface by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, the area of said zone being made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

47. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating said variable distance from said trainee to said target.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of modulating said variable distance from said trainee to said target comprises making a reciprocal of said variable distance inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of modulating said variable distance from said trainee to said target comprises moving said target to a distance from said trainee by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, a reciprocal of which distance is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of modulating said variable distance from said trainee to said target comprises moving said trainee to a distance from said target by instructions given to said trainee.

51. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of modulating said variable distance from said trainee to said target comprises moving said trainee to a distance from said target by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, a reciprocal of which distance is inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

52. The method of claim 26, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating a variable area of said task barrier

53. The method of claim 52, wherein said step of modulating said variable area of said task barrier comprises making a reciprocal of said variable area of said task barrier inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein said step of modulating said variable area of said task barrier comprises changing said variable area of said task barrier by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, a reciprocal of which area is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

55. The method of claim 26, wherein said task barrier is movable.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein said step of modulating comprises modulating a variable speed of said movable barrier.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said step of modulating said variable speed of said moveable barrier comprises making a reciprocal of the magnitude of said variable speed inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein said step of modulating said variable speed of said moveable barrier comprises changing a translational speed of said movable barrier by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, a reciprocal of the magnitude of which speed is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein said step of modulating said variable speed of said moveable barrier comprises changing a rotational speed of said moveable barrier by an operationally connected computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to do so, a reciprocal of the magnitude of which speed is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value.

60. An apparatus for modulating at least one physical feature of at least one task element associated with a task performed by at least one trainee, comprising:

means for measuring at least one physiological function of said trainee;

means for converting said at least one measured physiological function into at least one measured physiological signal having a value quantifying said at least one physiological function;

means for assigning a target value to said physiological function;

means for computing a physiological difference value for said task;

means for modifying at least one variable physical feature of the task environment in response to changes in the at least one physiological difference value; and

,

means for making a capture probability of said task inversely proportional to said physiological difference value, thereby modify the ability of said trainee to successfully perform said task.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said task elements comprise at least one of:

a task environment of variable dimensions;

a projectile;

a task device of variable accuracy;

a task surface of variable stability and having a variable gradient;

a movable barrier of variable area moving at a variable speed;

a target of variable area at a variable distance from said trainee;

a sighting device of variable accuracy.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for computing said physiological difference value for said task additionally comprises means for computing said difference value occurs at a time coincident with either a time of impact of said task device with said projectile or at a time of release of said projectile to said trainee.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for computing said physiological difference value for said task additionally comprises means for modulating said at least one task element for a time beginning with the computation of said difference value and ending at a time coincident with the completion of said task by said trainee.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for computing said physiological difference value for said task additionally comprises means for modulating said at least one task element for a time beginning with the computation of said difference value and ending at a time determined by said trainee or an assistant to said trainee.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for computing said physiological difference value for said task additionally comprises means for modulating said at least one task element for a time beginning with the computation of said difference value and ending at a time determined by an algorithm.

66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for measuring said at least one physiological function of said trainee comprises a biofeedback device operatively connected to said at least one trainee.

67. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for converting said at least one measured physiological function into at least one physiological signal having a value quantifying said at least one physiological function comprises a computing device operatively connected to said biofeedback device.

68. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for assigning said target value to said physiological function, comprises at least one input device that is an operative component of said computing device.

70. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for assigning said target value to said physiological function, comprises means for downloading said target value into said computing device.

71. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for computing said physiological difference value for said task comprises said computing device, an encoding device operationally connected to said computing device and a trainee transceiver operationally connected to said computing device.

72. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said computing device further comprises at least one display device, that is an operative component of said computing device, said display device having graphical, auditory or tactile means for communicating at least one of said measured physiological signal;

said target value; and

said physiological difference.

73. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said computing device further comprises an algorithm for incrementing or decrementing said target value by a percentage of a previously assigned target value prior to computing said physiological difference value.

74. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said computing device further comprises an input device for incrementing or decrementing said target value by a percentage of a previously assigned target value prior to computing said physiological difference value.

75. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said means for modifying comprises a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration to said task device, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency that increases as said physiological difference value increases and a reciprocal amplitude that increases as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

76. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said means for modifying comprises a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease a reciprocal of said variable gradient of said surface as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

77. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said means for modifying comprises a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to impart a vibration to said surface of said task environment task, said vibration having a reciprocal frequency that decreases as said physiological difference value increases and a reciprocal amplitude that decreases as said physiological difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

78. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said means for modifying comprises a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said variable area of said target as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

79. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said means for modifying comprises a computer-controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease a reciprocal of said variable distance from said trainee to said target as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

80. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said means for modifying comprises a computer controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said variable accuracy of said sighting device as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal transmitted to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

81. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises putting,

said task environment comprises a putting green,

said task device comprises a golf club,

said projectile comprises a golf ball,

said target comprises a golf hole,

said variable accuracy of said trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said golf club, said variable gradient of said surface of said putting green has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said putting green comprises a vibration imparted to said putting green, said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to an opening of said golf hole,

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said golf hole,

said variable speed of said movable barrier comprises an object of variable speed repeatedly crossing said task environment, and

said variable area of said obstruction comprises a barrier of variable cross-sectional area presented to said golf ball.

82. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises serving a tennis ball,

said task environment comprises a tennis court or a portion thereof,

said task device comprises a tennis racket,

said projectile comprises a tennis ball,

said target comprises a demarcated serve zone on said tennis court,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said tennis racket,

said variable gradient of said surface of said tennis court or a portion thereof has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said tennis court or a portion thereof is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises a surface area corresponding to said demarcated serve zone on said tennis court or a portion thereof, and,

said variable distance comprises an invariant distance measured from said trainee to said demarcated serve zone.

83. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises goal shooting in lacrosse,

said task environment comprises a lacrosse field or a portion thereof,

said task device comprises a lacrosse stick,

said projectile comprises a lacrosse ball,

said target comprises a lacrosse goal,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said lacrosse stick, said variable gradient of said surface of said lacrosse field or a portion thereof has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said lacrosse field or a portion thereof is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to an opening of said lacrosse goal presented to said lacrosse ball, and

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said lacrosse goal.

84. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein task comprises goal shooting in hockey,

said task environment comprises a hockey rink or a portion thereof,

said task device comprises a hockey stick,

said projectile comprises a hockey puck,

said target comprises a hockey goal,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said hockey stick,

said variable gradient of said surface of said hockey rink or a portion thereof has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said hockey rink or a portion thereof is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to an opening of said hockey goal presented to said hockey puck, and

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said hockey goal.

85. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises field goal kicking in football,

said task environment comprises a football field or a portion thereof,

said task device comprises football footwear,

said projectile comprises a football,

said target comprises a football goal,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said footwear,

said variable gradient of said surface of said football field or a portion thereof has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said football field or a portion thereof is invariant,

said variable area of said target corresponds to an area enclosed by a horizontal bar of said football goal from below, the posts of said football goal from the right and the left, and an imaginary horizontal line connecting the tips of said posts of said football goal from above, and,

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said football goal.

86. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises pitching a strike in baseball,

said task environment comprises a baseball field or a portion thereof,

said task device comprises a human hand, said projectile comprises a baseball,

said target comprises a strike zone,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said hand,

said variable gradient of said surface of said baseball field or a portion thereof has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said baseball field or a portion thereof is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises an area of said strike zone, and

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from home plate to a pitcher'"'"'s mound of

said baseball field or a portion thereof.

87. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises using a bow to hit an archery target with an arrow,

said task environment comprises an archery range,

said task device comprises a bow, said projectile comprises an arrow,

said target comprises an archery target, said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said bow,

said variable gradient of said surface of said archery range has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said archery range is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises an area corresponding to said archery target, and

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said archery target.

88. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein

said task comprises hitting a target with a firearm,

said task environment comprises a firearm firing range,

said task device comprises a firearm, said projectile comprises a bullet,

said target comprises a firearm target,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said firearm,

said variable gradient of said surface of said firearm firing range has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said firearm firing range is invariant, said variable area of said target comprises an area of said firearm target, and

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said firearm target.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein, wherein said firearm has a variable accuracy sighting device, the accuracy of which is made inversely proportional to said physiological difference value by means of a computer controlled mechanical system adapted to decrease said variable accuracy of said sighting device as said difference value increases, said physiological difference value being received by said computer-controlled mechanical system as encoded in a signal that is sent to said computer-controlled mechanical system by said trainee transceiver of said computing device.

90. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein,

said task comprises foul shooting in basketball,

said task environment comprises a basketball court or a portion thereof,

said task device comprises at least one human hand,

said projectile comprises a basketball,

said target comprises a basketball hoop,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said hand,

said variable gradient of said surface of said basketball court or a portion thereof has a value of zero, said variable stability of said surface of said basketball court or a portion thereof is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises an area of a circular opening of said basketball hoop presented to said basketball, and

said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said basketball hoop.

91. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein,

said task comprises throwing darts,

said task environment comprises a lane for throwing darts,

said task device comprises at least one human hand,

said projectile comprises a dart,

said target comprises a bullseye,

said variable accuracy of trainee-controlled task device comprises a vibration imparted to said hand,

said variable gradient of said surface of said lane for throwing darts has a value of zero,

said variable stability of said surface of said lane for throwing darts is invariant,

said variable area of said target comprises an area of said bullseye,

and said variable distance comprises a distance measured from said trainee to said bullseye.

69. The apparatus of 60, wherein said means for assigning said target value to said physiological function, comprises means for preprogramming said target value into said computing device.