SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADMINISTERING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM

• US 20120040799A1
• Filed: 04/20/2011
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Performance Health Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Performance Health Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Jaquish, John Paul, Jaquish, Paul Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,084,912 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 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/096 automatically adjusted according to anthropometric data of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03558 Compound apparatus having multiple stations allowing an user to exercise different limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• 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: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 : Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 : at the transport layer

Abstract

An exercise machine includes loading contact surfaces. An actuator is configured to adjust a position of the loading contact surface. A user controls the actuator through a user interface to adjust the loading contact surface'"'"'s position in a first exercise session. A processor is configured to automatically monitor the loading contact surface'"'"'s position as adjusted by the user in the first exercise session, and to automatically control the actuator to move the loading contact surface in a subsequent session to the same or a different position as in the previous session.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a loading contact surface;

an actuator configured to adjust a position of the loading contact surface;

a user interface through which a user controls the actuator to adjust of the loading contact surface'"'"'s position in a first exercise session; and

a processor configured to automatically monitor the loading contact surface'"'"'s position as adjusted by the user in the first exercise session, and to automatically control the actuator to move the loading contact surface in a subsequent second session to the same position as in the first session.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the sessions are between one and four weeks apart as dictated in part by the users progress over time.

3. The machine of claim 1 wherein the processor'"'"'s sensing of the loading contact surface position is done in terms of a parameter and units that are indicative of the loading contact surface'"'"'s position, and the user'"'"'s progress over time.

4. The machine of claim 3 wherein the processor is configured to, at the end of the first session, upload the parameter to a remote server and delete the parameter from a local memory of the processor, and to, at the second session, download the parameter from the remote server to control the actuator to adjust the loading contact surface to the same position as in the first session based on the downloaded parameter.

5. The machine of claim 1 wherein the loading contact surface is a first of three loading contact surfaces for a sitting exercise, and the machine further includes a second loading contact surface for a standing exercise, the first and second loading contact surfaces being adjoined to opposite ends of a load arm, and the actuator is configured to adjust the position of the first loading contact surface and then position the second and third loading contact surfaces by rotating the load arm about a pivot at the middle of the load arm.

6. The machine of claim 5 wherein the process is configured to control the actuator to move the second loading contact surface to the same position in the second session as in the first session.

7. An exercise machine comprising:

a base extending along an axis;

first seat and second standing loading contact surfaces that are both connected to and supported by the base and axially spaced apart from each other, and respectively configured for seated and standing exercises, and configured for a user when contacting each loading contact surface to face axially toward both loading contact surfaces;

first and second displays spaced axially apart from each other and facing axially away from each other and located axially between the seated and standing loading contact surfaces, the first display positioned for information it displays to be viewed by the user when the user is seated and grips the first loading contact surface to perform the first exercise, and the second display positioned for information it displays to be viewed by the user when the user grips the vertical lift loading contact surface to perform the second exercise; and

a third display positioned axially between the seated and standing loading contact surfaces and oriented for information it displays to be viewed by an operator of the machine when the operator is located axially between the first and second displays and spaced transversely from the first and second displays, such that the operator can glance at information displayed by the third display while viewing the user from a side/front viewpoint of the user when the user performs either the sitting exercise or the standing exercise and such that the user cannot see the information displayed by the third display.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7 wherein the seated and standing loading contact surfaces are adjoined to opposite ends of an axially-extending load arm that is rotatable about a pivot in the middle of the load arm.

9. The exercise machine of claim 7 wherein the information displayed by the first display is information relating to the user'"'"'s performance of the three seated exercises, and information displayed by the second display is information relating to the user'"'"'s performance of the standing exercise, and information displayed by the third display includes information other than the information displayed by the first and second screens.

10. A method of treating a disease or condition in a subject in need of treatment, the method comprising:

(A) developing one or more exercise constraints as a function of the medical health information of the subject, including a state of the disease or condition;

(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 the 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 the 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), thereby treating the disease.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is metabolic syndrome.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a deconditioned state.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is osteoporosis or osteopenia.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, and wherein the condition is susceptibility to injury.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is diabetes.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is pain.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is non-specific chronic lower back pain.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is fibromyaligia.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is obesity.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is Parkinson'"'"'s disease or Multiple Sclerosis.

21. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is lower back pain.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is a sports injury.

23. The method of claim 10, wherein the disease or condition is a brain disorder.

24. The method of claim 10, 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.

25. The method of claim 10, 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.

26. The method of claim 10, wherein said mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

27. The method of claim 10, wherein the exercise result is a length of time that the subject was able to exert a force during a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the exercise result is an amount of force that the subject was able to exert during a fully contracted_exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

29. The method of claim 10, wherein the fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups of the subject thereby accomplishing a full body stimulation resulting from the subject'"'"'s force production.

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

31. The method of claim 10, wherein a length of time of the mandatory recovery period is a function of the exercise result and an experience trend measured among other subjects that use the fully contracted exercise regimen, wherein the other subjects have one or more characteristics in common with the subject.

32. The method of claim 10, the method further comprising:

sending accounting and billing information relating to the 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.

33. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises comprises one or more bench presses, one or more leg presses, one or more core pulls, and one or more vertical lifts.

89. The method of claim 10, wherein the subject is in a fully contracted position during an entirety of a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

90. The method of claim 10, wherein an exercise constraint in the one or more exercise constraints is a maximum amount of force of a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

34. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a tangible 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, wherein the subject has a disease or condition in need of treatment;

(B) instructions for developing one or more exercise constraints as a function of the medical health information of the subject, including a state of the disease or condition;

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

(D) instructions for creating a mandatory recovery period for the subject during which time the subject does not perform the plurality of fully contracted exercises, wherein the 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 the instructions for receiving (C) and the instructions for creating (D) using the new set of one or more exercise constraints.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, 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 the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

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

37. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

38. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the exercise result is a length of time that the subject was able to exert a force during a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

39. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the exercise result is an amount of force that the subject was able to exert during a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

40. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by said subject were accomplished in five minutes or less.

41. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups thereby accomplishing a full body workout or less than a full body workout as may be dictated by the subject'"'"'s medical condition or disease.

42. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

43. The computer program product of claim 34, the computer program mechanism further comprising instructions for receiving all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner.

44. The computer program product of claim 34, 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 the subject.

45. The computer program product of claim 34, 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 program product of claim 34, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

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

47. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is metabolic syndrome.

48. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a deconditioned state.

49. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is osteoporosis or osteopenia.

50. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, and wherein the condition is susceptibility to injury.

51. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is diabetes.

52. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is pain.

53. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is non-specific chronic lower back pain.

54. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is fibromyaligia.

55. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is obesity.

56. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is Parkinson'"'"'s disease or multiple sclerosis.

57. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is lower back pain.

58. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is a sports injury.

59. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the disease or condition is a brain disorder.

91. The computer program product of claim 34, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

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

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

a processor;

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 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, wherein the subject has a disease or condition in need of treatment;

(B) instructions for developing one or more exercise constraints as a function of the medical health information of the subject, including a state of the disease or condition;

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

(D) instructions for creating a mandatory recovery period for the subject during which time the subject does not perform the plurality of fully contracted exercises, wherein the 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 the instructions for receiving (C) and the instructions for creating (D) using the new set of one or more exercise constraints.

61. The computer system of claim 60, 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.

62. The computer system of claim 60, 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.

63. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the mandatory recovery time is a function of the exercise result.

64. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the exercise result is a length of time that the subject was able to exert a force during a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

65. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the exercise result is an amount of force that the subject was able to exert during a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises.

66. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the plurality of fully contracted exercises that were performed by the subject were accomplished in five minutes or less.

67. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the fully contracted exercise regimen works a plurality of muscle groups thereby accomplishing a full body workout.

68. The computer system of claim 60, wherein a fully contracted exercise in the plurality of fully contracted exercises stresses a muscle group to a point of failure.

69. The computer system of claim 60, the computer program mechanism further comprising instructions for receiving all or a portion of the exercise constraints and exercise results in an encrypted manner.

70. The computer system of claim 60, 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 the fully contracted exercise regimen, wherein said other subjects have one or more characteristics in common with said subject.

71. The computer system of claim 60, wherein a characteristic in the one or more characteristics is a health condition, an age, or a gender.

72. The computer system of claim 60, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

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

73. The computer system of claim 60, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

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

74. The computer system of claim 60, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

one or more encrypted medical files associated with the subject.

75. The computer system of claim 60, the computer program mechanism further comprising:

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

76. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is metabolic syndrome.

77. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a deconditioned state.

78. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is osteoporosis or osteopenia.

79. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, and wherein the condition is susceptibility to injury.

80. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is diabetes.

81. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is pain.

82. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is non-specific chronic lower back pain.

83. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is fibromyaligia.

84. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is obesity.

85. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is Parkinson'"'"'s disease or Multiple Sclerosis.

86. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is lower back pain.

87. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a condition, wherein the condition is a sports injury.

88. The computer system of claim 60, wherein the disease or condition is a brain disorder.