Method and device for measuring exercise level during exercise and for measuring fatigue

• US 20060079800A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.), Myontec Oy
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.), Mega Elektroniikka Oy (Bittium Oyj)
• Inventors: Martikka, Mikko, Tolvanen, Pekka, Koivumaa, Veikko
• Granted Patent: US 7,764,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for measuring exercise level during exercise and for measuring fatigue, in which method electrical signals produced by active muscles are measured with a measuring device and feedback is given from an exercise with a perceivable signal from a feedback device. In addition, the invention relates to a device for measuring exercise level and fatigue during exercise, which device includes sensors for measuring electrical signals from active muscles and a feedback device for giving feedback. In the method in accordance with the invention a momentary exercise level and the level of fatigue of a person are measured or estimated by measuring besides electrical signals received from muscles also other quantities describing exercise and from measuring results one or several indexes are calculated by means of which exercises carried out at different times and under different circumstances are comparable with each other and by means of which the person may simultaneously monitor and optimize his/her exercise and/or after exercise analyze his/her performance. The device in accordance with the invention includes sensors for measuring other quantities describing exercise than electrical signals from muscles, and a means for processing of measuring results and calculating one or several indexes describing exercises.

Claims

1. A method for measuring exercise level during exercise and for measuring fatigue, in which method electrical signals produced by active muscles are measured with a measuring device and feedback is given from an exercise with a perceivable signal from a feedback device, characterized in that a momentary exercise level and the level of fatigue of a person are measured or estimated by measuring besides electrical signals received from muscles also other quantities describing exercise and from measuring results one or several indexes are calculated by means of which exercises carried out in different times and under different circumstances are comparable with each other and by means of which the person may simultaneously monitor and optimize his/her exercise and/or after exercise analyze his/her performance.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that in addition other biosignals and/or movements of a person are measured.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the progression velocity of a person is measured.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that external circumstances are measured.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that resistance due to exercise means is measured.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that from measuring results an index is calculated for describing the economy of exercise level and exercise techniques of a person.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that from measuring results an index is calculated for describing the level of fatigue of a person.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that from measuring results an index is calculated for simulating the level of lactate content of the blood of a person and changes in it during an exercise.

9. A device for measuring exercise level and fatigue during an exercise, which device comprises sensors for measuring electrical signals from active muscles and a feedback device for giving feedback, characterized in that the device comprises sensors for measuring other quantities describing exercise than electrical signals from muscles, and a means for processing of measuring results and calculating one or several indexes describing exercises.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises an outfit or similar, in which there are electrodes for measuring electrical biosignals, a module fastened to an outfit, in which there is electronics necessary for processing biosignals as well as one or several inertia-sensors.

11. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises sensors for measuring other biosignals of a person.

12. A device in accordance with claim 9, charaterized in that the device comprises sensors for measuring movements during exercise and variables affecting those.

13. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises sensors for measuring external circumstances.

14. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises speed sensor placed on the body, exercise means or outfit or similar.

15. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises a tracking sensor, advantageously a GPS-device.

16. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises sensory for measuring of one or several external factors such as altitude, temperature and/or current of air.

17. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises a strap or belt to be removably fastened on the body or limbs and which comprises electrodes for measuring electrical biosignals.