Method for measuring instantaneous power generated by a leg extending force

• US 5,401,224 A
• Filed: 07/19/1993
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Combi Corporation (Matsuura Family)
• Original Assignee: Combi Corporation (Matsuura Family)
• Inventors: Tsuchiya, Kunimasa, Ito, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/092,786
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 73/379.01, 73/379.04, 73/379.06, 364/410, 482/1, 482/8, 482/79, 482/900, 482/901, 482/902, 128/25 R, 128/25 B, 128/782, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• 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 23/0417 with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by translation
• 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: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for measuring physical strength by dynamically measuring the instantaneous power of a nonrepetitive muscular force as, for example, the force exerted by a leg extension, on the basis of a power theory and, consequently, the instantaneous power generated by a dynamic, nonrepetitive multi-articular movement such as a vertical jump. Work equivalent to an inertial energy is absorbed by a rotary drive system. This work is then added with an amount of work equivalent to the kinetic energy absorbed by a foot plate, the sum being added to the work done to a powder brake to obtain the maximum speed V_max of the foot plate and its output time T_max. Finally, the power produced by a leg extension is calculated from the maximum speed V_max of the foot plate and its output time T_max.

Claims

1. A method of measuring an instantaneous power generated by a leg extending force, comprising the steps of:

pushing against a foot plate, said pushing causing rotation of a rotary drive system comprising a powder brake, an intermediate shaft and a rope drum shaft;

receiving a first pulse having a frequency which varies with the rotation of said rope drum shaft;

receiving a second pulse having a frequency which varies with the rotation of said powder brake;

calculating a maximum speed, V_max, of said foot plate and an output time, τ

_max, of said maximum speed based on said first and second pulses;

calculating a power produced by said leg extending force based upon an evaluation of kinetic energy imparted to said foot plate and said rotary drive system, a force exerted by said powder brake, said maximum speed V_max of said foot plate and said output time τ

_max ; and

outputting a result of said calculation of power.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said receiving and said calculating are performed by a microcomputer.

3. The method according to claim 2 further including the step of inputting data into said microcomputer.

4. The method according to claim 2 further including the step of measuring sliding conditions of said foot plate.

5. The method according to claim 4 further including the step of printing results of said measuring of said sliding conditions.

6. The method according to claim 4 further including the step of displaying predetermined values obtained by said measuring of said sliding conditions.

7. The method according to claim 4 further including the steps of:

extending legs of a subject a plurality of times so that said foot plate travels a distance which corresponds to the length of said legs, said extending of said legs causing rotation of said rope drum shaft;

generating a forward/backward pulse having a frequency which varies according to said rotation of said rope drum shaft to be generated;

detecting said forward/backward pulse by said microcomputer; and

calculating an average distance said foot plate travels so as to determine a maximum distance said foot plate will be allowed to move during said pushing against said foot plate.

8. A method of measuring an instantaneous power generated by a leg extending force, comprising the steps of:

pushing against a footplate, said pushing causing movement of said footplate and causing rotation of a rotary drive system comprising a powder brake, an intermediate shaft and a drum shaft;

receiving a first pulse having a frequency which varies with the rotation of said rope drum shaft;

receiving a second pulse having a frequency which varies with the rotation of said powder brake;

calculating a maximum speed, V_max, of said footplate and an output time τ

_max of said maximum speed based on said first and second pulses;

calculating a power produced by the leg extending force from the formula ##EQU14## where Wo represents an equivalent mass of the footplate, F_B represents a brake force produced by the powder brake, and g is a gravitational constant; and

outputting a result of said calculation of power.