Analyzing Physiological State for Fitness Exercise

• US 20120010478A1
• Filed: 07/07/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Kinnunen, Hannu, Haataja, Jarkko, Posio, Tero
• Granted Patent: US 10,507,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• 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 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and a computer program for monitoring a fitness exercise are described. A plurality of heart-rate variability values and a plurality of exertion parameter values are measured during an exercise measured. The heart rate variability values correlate with the exertion parameter values through a human physiological mechanism, and the exertion parameter values characterize the physical exertion of the exercise. A mathematical correspondence is then constructed from the plurality of measured heart rate variability values and associated exertion parameter values. The mathematical correspondence describes correlation between the heart rate variability values and the exertion parameter values and the user'"'"'s physiological state during the exercise. Then, the physical exertion of the exercise is monitored by applying the mathematical correspondence.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing exercise-related measurement data, comprising:

a processor configured to cause the apparatus to;

acquire a plurality of heart rate variability values and a plurality of exertion parameter values measured during an exercise, wherein the heart rate variability values correlate with the exertion parameter values through a human physiological mechanism, and wherein the exertion parameter values characterize the physical exertion of the exercise;

construct a mathematical correspondence from the plurality of measured heart rate variability values and associated exertion parameter values, the mathematical correspondence describing correlation between the heart rate variability values and the exertion parameter values and describing the user'"'"'s physiological state during the exercise; and

monitor the physical exertion of the exercise by applying the mathematical correspondence.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to monitor the physical exertion of the exercise by adapting ranges of a plurality of exertion level zones of the exercise to the mathematical correspondence, wherein the ranges of the exertion level zones are defined as exertion parameter values.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to adapt the ranges of the exertion level zones by acquiring an exertion parameter value associated with a predetermined heart rate variability value through the mathematical correspondence, and by setting the exertion parameter value as an upper limit or a lower limit of an exertion level zone.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to initialize an exercise profile comprising a plurality of said exertion level zones with different ranges defined as initial values of the exertion parameter values, and to change a range of at least one exertion level zone by changing at least one initial value of the exertion parameter value of said at least one exertion level zone on the basis of the constructed mathematical correspondence.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to determine for each exertion level zone a factor characterizing a training effect at that exertion level zone in the current physiological state of the user, wherein said factor for each exertion level zone is derived from said mathematical correspondence.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a user interface comprising a display unit, and wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to display at least one range of a plurality of exertion level zones to the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said exertion parameter level includes a level of at least one of the following exertion parameters:

heart rate, speed of motion, pedaling power, and motion intensity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to construct the mathematical correspondence by providing a plurality of different candidate mathematical correspondence models, by determining correlation between the acquired heart-rate variability values and said plurality of different candidate mathematical correspondence models, and by selecting a mathematical correspondence model having the highest correlation with the acquired heart-rate variability values.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a user interface comprising a display unit, and wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to input an exertion parameter value, and to display the exertion parameter value to the user along with a reference exertion parameter value obtained from the mathematical correspondence.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to monitor the physical exertion of the exercise by determining a target heart rate variability value or a target heart rate variability range for the exercise, by obtaining, from the mathematical correspondence, a target exertion parameter level or range corresponding to the target heart rate variability value or range, and by instructing the user to achieve the target exertion parameter level or range.

11. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory distribution medium and comprising a set of computer program instructions configuring, when executed in a processor, said processor to execute a computer process comprising:

acquiring a plurality of heart rate variability values and a plurality of exertion parameter values measured during an exercise, wherein the heart rate variability values correlate with the exertion parameter values through a human physiological mechanism, and wherein the exertion parameter values characterize the physical exertion of the exercise;

constructing a mathematical correspondence from the plurality of measured heart rate variability values and associated exertion parameter values, the mathematical correspondence describing correlation between the heart rate variability values and the exertion parameter values and describing the user'"'"'s physiological state during the exercise; and

monitoring the physical exertion of the exercise by applying the mathematical correspondence.

12. A method for processing exercise-related measurement data in an apparatus, the method comprising:

acquiring a plurality of heart rate variability values and a plurality of exertion parameter values measured during an exercise, wherein the heart rate variability values correlate with the exertion parameter values through a human physiological mechanism, and wherein the exertion parameter values characterize the physical exertion of the exercise;

constructing a mathematical correspondence from the plurality of measured heart rate variability values and associated exertion parameter values, the mathematical correspondence describing correlation between the heart rate variability values and the exertion parameter values and describing the user'"'"'s physiological state during the exercise; and

monitoring the physical exertion of the exercise by applying the mathematical correspondence.