SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADMINISTERING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM

• US 20110015042A1
• Filed: 09/21/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Performance Health Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Performance Health Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Jaquish, Paul Edward, Jaquish, John Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

Systems and methods for facilitating an isometric contraction exercise regimen for many subjects across a network are provided. One or more exercise constraints are developed for a subject as a function of the medical health information of the subject. The subject performs a plurality of isometric contraction exercises using exercise equipment always in the presence of a personal fitness trainer thereby producing an exercise result. The exercise equipment has a strain gauge in order to impose exercise constraints in the one or more exercise constraints. A mandatory recovery period for the subject is then imposed. During this mandatory recovery period, the subject does not perform isometric contraction exercises. These steps are repeated using a new set of one or more exercise constraints that were refined based upon the exercise result of a previous isometric contraction exercise work out session.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating a fully contracted exercise regimen for a subject, the method comprising:

(A) developing one or more exercise constraints as a function of the medical health information of said subject;

(B) having the subject perform a plurality of fully contracted exercises using exercise equipment thereby producing an exercise result, wherein said exercise equipment has one or more strain gauges in order to impose or monitor exercise constraints in said one or more exercise constraints;

(C) imposing a mandatory recovery period for said subject after step (B) during which time said subject does not perform said plurality of fully contracted exercises; and

(D) having the subject repeat steps (B) and (C) using a new set of one or more exercise constraints that were refined based upon the exercise result of a previous instance of step (B).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum amount of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said exercise result is a length of time that said subject was able to exert a force during a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said exercise result is an amount of force that said subject was able to exert during a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (B) is accomplished by said subject in five minutes or less.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise equipment provides visual feedback of said exercise result.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups of said subject thereby accomplishing a full body stimulation resulting from said subjects force production.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating via a network all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner to a central system.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a length of time of the mandatory recovery period is a function of said exercise result and an experience trend measured among other subjects that use said fully contracted exercise regimen, wherein said other subjects have one or more characteristics in common with said subject.

14. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

sending accounting and billing information relating to said fully contracted exercise regimen for said subject to a central data store and to also electronically interact with a physician of the subject, an employer of the subject, or an insurance carrier of the subject.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises comprises one or more bench presses, one or more leg presses, one or more bent rows, and one or more deadlifts.

57. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise result comprises development of skeletal muscle in said subject.

58. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is in a fully contracted position during an entirety of a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

59. The method of claim 1, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum amount of force of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

13. (canceled)

16. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

(A) instructions for receiving medical health information of a subject enrolled in a fully contracted exercise regimen comprising a plurality of fully contracted exercises, wherein each fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises places stress on a fully contracted muscle group of the subject;

(B) instructions for developing one or more exercise constraints as a function of the medical health information of said subject;

(C) instructions for receiving an exercise result from the plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by said subject using solid state exercise equipment, wherein said solid state exercise equipment has a strain gauge in order to impose or monitor exercise constraints in said one or more exercise constraints and wherein data from the strain gauge is found in said exercise result;

(D) instructions for creating a mandatory recovery period for said subject during which time said subject does not perform said plurality of fully contracted exercises, wherein said mandatory recovery period is a function of the exercise result received in (C);

(E) instructions for developing a new set of one or more exercise constraints that are refined based upon the exercise result received in (C); and

(F) instructions for repeating said instructions for receiving (C) and said instructions for creating (D) using the new set of one or more exercise constraints.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum number of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

19. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein said mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein said exercise result is a length of time that said subject was able to exert a force during a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein said exercise result is an amount of force that said subject was able to exert during a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

22. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by said subject were accomplished in five minutes or less.

23. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein said fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups thereby accomplishing a full body workout.

24. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

25. The computer program product of claim 16, the computer program mechanism further comprising instructions for receiving all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner.

26. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein a length of time of the mandatory recovery period is a function of said exercise result and an experience trend measured among other subjects that use said fully contracted exercise regimen, wherein said other subjects have one or more characteristics in common with said subject.

28. The computer program product of claim 16, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

instructions for receiving accounting and billing information relating to said fully contracted exercise regimen for said subject.

29. The computer program product of claim 16, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

instructions for receiving, over a network, all encrypted medical data, exercise data, and administrative information relating to said subject.

31. The computer program product of claim 16, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

instructions for receiving said medical health information, said exercise result from any one or more of a plurality of remote sites.

27. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

32. A computer system for facilitating a fully contracted exercise regimen for a subject, the computer system comprising:

a central processing unit;

a memory, coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing a computer program mechanism, the computer program mechanism comprising;

(A) instructions for receiving medical health information of a subject enrolled in the fully contracted exercise regimen comprising a plurality of fully contracted exercises, wherein each fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises places stress on a fully contracted muscle group of the subject;

(B) instructions for developing one or more exercise constraints as a function of the medical health information of said subject;

(C) instructions for receiving an exercise result from the plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by said subject using solid-state exercise equipment, wherein said solid state exercise equipment has a strain gauge in order to impose or monitor exercise constraints in said one or more exercise constraints and wherein data from the strain gauge is found in said exercise result;

(D) instructions for creating a mandatory recovery period for said subject during which time said subject does not perform said plurality of fully contracted exercises, wherein said mandatory recovery period is a function of the exercise result received in (C);

(E) instructions for developing a new set of one or more exercise constraints that are refined based upon the exercise result received in (C); and

(F) instructions for repeating said instructions for receiving (C) and said instructions for creating (D) using the new set of one or more exercise constraints.

33. The computer system of claim 32, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

34. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum number of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

35. The computer system of claim 32, wherein said mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

36. The computer system of claim 35, wherein said exercise result is a length of time that said subject was able to exert a force during a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

37. The computer system of claim 35, wherein said exercise result is an amount of force that said subject was able to exert during a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

38. The computer system of claim 32, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by said subject were accomplished in five minutes or less.

39. The computer system of claim 32, wherein said fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups thereby accomplishing a full body workout.

40. The computer system of claim 32, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

41. The computer system of claim 32, the computer program mechanism further comprising instructions for receiving all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner.

42. The computer system of claim 32, wherein a length of time of the mandatory recovery period is a function of said exercise result and an experience trend measured among other subjects that use said fully contracted exercise regimen, wherein said other subjects have one or more characteristics in common with said subject.

43. The computer system of claim 41, wherein a characteristic in said one or more characteristics is a health condition, an age, or a gender.

44. The computer system of claim 32, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

instructions for receiving accounting and billing information relating to said fully contracted exercise regimen for said subject.

45. The computer system of claim 32, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

instructions for receiving, over a network, all encrypted medical data, exercise data, and administrative information relating to said subject.

46. The computer system of claim 32, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

one or more encrypted medical files associated with said subject.

47. The computer system of claim 32, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

instructions for receiving said medical health information, said exercise result from any one or more of a plurality of remote sites.

48. A solid state exercise apparatus for facilitating a fully contracted exercise regimen for a subject comprising:

a casing;

a strain gauge housed within said casing;

a central processing unit housed within said casing;

a memory housed within said casing, coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing a computer program mechanism, the computer program mechanism comprising;

(A) instructions for receiving one or more exercise constraints,

(B) instructions for computing an exercise result from a plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by said subject using said solid state exercise apparatus, wherein each fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises places stress on a fully contracted muscle group of the subject, and wherein said solid state exercise apparatus uses said strain gauge in order to impose or monitor an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints; and

(C) instructions for repeating (i) said instructions for receiving (A) and (ii) said instructions for computing (B) using a set of one or more exercise constraints, wherein

said set of one or more exercise constraints were refined based upon the exercise result of a previous instance of said instructions for computing (B); and

wherein

said instructions for repeating are performed after a mandatory recovery period for said subject that was determined by the exercise result of a previous instance of said instructions for computing (B).

60. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

61. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum amount of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

62. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein said mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

63. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

64. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein a length of time of the mandatory recovery period is a function of said exercise result and an experience trend measured among other subjects that use said fully contracted exercise regimen, wherein said other subjects have one or more characteristics in common with said subject.

65. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 64, wherein a characteristic in said one or more characteristics is a health condition, age, or gender.

66. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein the solid state exercise apparatus adjusts to accommodate an anatomical structure of the subject.\

67. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein the solid state exercise apparatus permits the subject to exercise in a fully contracted position.

68. The solid state exercise apparatus of claim 48, wherein only nominal movement due to compression of connective tissue within the body of the subject is incurred during a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

49-56. -56. (canceled)

69. A method of facilitating a fully contracted exercise regimen for a subject, the method comprising:

(A) receiving one or more exercise constraints at an exercise apparatus, the apparatus comprising a strain gauge;

(B) imposing or monitoring with the strain gauge the one or more exercise constraints during the subject'"'"'s performance of a plurality of fully contracted exercises using the exercise apparatus;

(C) computing an exercise result;

(D) based upon the exercise result, developing one or more refined exercise constraints; and

(E) repeating steps (B) and (C) based on the one or more refined exercise constraints.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum amount of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein a fitness trainer or health professional is present during the subject'"'"'s performance of the plurality of fully contracted exercises using the exercise apparatus.

73. The method of claim 69, the method further comprising determining a mandatory recovery period for said subject based on said exercise result during which time said subject is not to perform said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

74. The method of claim 69, wherein said exercise result comprises information about a force measured by the strain gauge during the subject'"'"'s performance of said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

75. The method of claim 69, wherein said fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups of said subject thereby accomplishing a full body stimulation resulting from said subject'"'"'s force production.

76. The method of claim 69, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

77. The method of claim 69, the method further comprising:

sending accounting and billing information relating to said fully contracted exercise regimen for said subject to a central data store and to also electronically interact with a physician of the subject, an employer of the subject, or an insurance carrier of the subject.

78. The method of claim 69, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises comprises one or more bench presses, one or more leg presses, one or more bent rows, and one or more deadlifts.

79. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism comprising:

(A) instructions for receiving one or more exercise constraints;

(B) instructions for receiving an exercise result from a fully contracted exercise regimen comprising a plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by a subject using a solid state exercise equipment, wherein said solid state exercise equipment has a strain gauge in order to impose or monitor an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints and wherein data from the strain gauge is found in said exercise result;

(C) instructions for developing a new set of one or more exercise constraints that are refined based upon the exercise result received in (B); and

(D) instructions for repeating said instructions for receiving (B) using the new set of one or more exercise constraints.

80. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

81. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum number of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

82. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein the plurality of full contracted exercises that were performed by said subject were accomplished in five minutes or less.

83. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein said fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups thereby accomplishing a full body workout.

84. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

85. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner.

86. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving accounting and billing information relating to said fully contracted exercise regimen for said subject.

87. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving, over a network, all encrypted medical data, exercise data, and administrative information relating to said subject.

88. The computer program product of claim 79, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving said exercise result from any one or more of a plurality of remote sites.

89. A computer system for facilitating a fully contracted exercise regimen for a subject, the computer system comprising:

a central processing unit;

a memory, coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing a computer program mechanism, the computer program mechanism comprising;

(A) instructions for receiving one or more exercise constraints;

(B) instructions for receiving an exercise result from a plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by a subject using solid state exercise equipment, wherein said solid state exercise equipment has a strain gauge in order to impose or monitor an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints and wherein data from the strain gauge is found in said exercise result;

(C) instructions for developing a new set of one or more exercise constraints that are refined based upon the exercise result received in (B); and

(D) instructions for repeating said instructions for receiving (B) using the new set of one or more exercise constraints.

90. The computer system of claim 89, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is an amount of force that can be used in a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

91. The computer system of claim 89, wherein an exercise constraint in said one or more exercise constraints is a maximum number of repetitions of a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises.

92. The computer system of claim 89, wherein the plurality of full contracted exercises that were performed by said subject were accomplished in five minutes or less.

93. The computer system of claim 89, wherein said fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups thereby accomplishing a full body workout.

94. The computer system of claim 89, wherein a fully contracted exercise in said plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

95. The computer system of claim 89, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner.

96. The computer system of claim 89, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving accounting and billing information relating to said fully contracted exercise regimen for said subject.

97. The computer system of claim 89, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving, over a network, all encrypted medical data, exercise data, and administrative information relating to said subject.

98. The computer system of claim 89, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for receiving said exercise result from any one or more of a plurality of remote sites.