System and method for monitoring training programs

• US 5,980,429 A
• Filed: 03/12/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurocom International Inc. (Natus Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nashner, Lewis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/041,877
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595, 600/300, 482/1-9, 482/900-902, 434/247-258, 601/25, 73/379.01-379.09
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• 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 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• 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 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• 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 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• 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 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring training programs prescribed to benefit a subject. A training program prescriber may evaluate training effectiveness from a separate location from where a subject performs training tasks. Accuracy of actual task performances is measured and is compared with quality-benchmark data. The number of tasks actually performed is recorded and is compared with quantity-benchmark data. Benchmark-data may be obtained from previous subject performances or from performance by a defined reference population. Categorized results are calculated and assessments regarding program difficulty and motivation of the subject may be formulated. Compliance with expected program goals is analyzed and monitored.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the effectiveness of a training program prescribed to a subject by a prescriber, the training program including at least one task to be performed a plurality of times during a defined time period by the subject, the system comprising:

quality-measuring means, located at a first site, for measuring the accuracy of the performances of the at least one task and providing quality-measurement data;

comparison means for comparing the quality-measurement data with quality-benchmark data; and

analysis-display means, located at a second site, for displaying to the prescriber at least one quality result calculated from at least one comparison between the quality-measurement data and the quality-benchmark data.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

quantity-measuring means, located at the first site, for measuring the number of performances of the at least one task and providing quantity-measurement data;

comparison means for comparing the quantity-measurement data with quantity-benchmark data; and

analysis-display means, located at a second site, for displaying to the prescriber at least one quantity result calculated from at least one comparison between the quantity-measurement data and the quantity-benchmark data.

3. A system for monitoring the effectiveness of a training program prescribed to a subject by a prescriber, the training program including at least one task to be performed a plurality of times during a defined time period by the subject, the system comprising:

task-display means, located at a first site, for displaying at least one goal of the at least one task to the subject;

quantity-measuring means, located at the first site, for measuring the number of performances of the at least one task and providing quantity-measurement data;

quality-measuring means, located at the first site, for measuring the accuracy of the performances of the at least one task and providing quality-measurement data;

comparison means for comparing the quantity-measurement data with quantity-benchmark data and for comparing the quality-measurement data with quality-benchmark data; and

analysis-display means, located at a second site, for displaying to the prescriber at least one quantity result calculated from at least one comparison between the quantity-measurement data and the quantity-benchmark data and for displaying at least one quality result calculated from at least one comparison between the quality-measurement data and the quality-benchmark data.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the analysis-display means further includes:

means for categorizing the at least one quantity result into one of a plurality of categories; and

means for categorizing the at least one quality result into one of a plurality of categories.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein:

the at least one quantity result is categorized in a first quantity category when the quantity-measurement data is substantially below the quantity-benchmark data,

the at least one quantity result is categorized in a second quantity category when the quantity-measurement data is substantially equivalent to the quantity-benchmark data,

the at least one quantity result is categorized in a third quantity category when the quantity-measurement data is substantially above the quantity-benchmark data,

the at least one quality result is categorized in a first quality category when the quality-measurement data is substantially below the quality-benchmark data,

the at least one quality result is categorized in a second quality category when the quality-measurement data is substantially equivalent to the quality-benchmark data, and

the at least one quality result is categorized in a third quality category when the quality-measurement data is substantially above the quality-benchmark data.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the quantity-benchmark data includes the expected number of times the subject is expected to perform the task, and wherein the quality-benchmark data includes the expected accuracy with which the subject is expected to perform the task.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein the quantity-benchmark data and the quality-benchmark data are derived from a reference population.

8. A system according to claim 3, wherein the prescriber includes a group of trainers.

9. A system according to claim 3, wherein the prescriber includes a group of health care professionals.

10. A system according to claim 3, wherein the task-display means further comprises:

means for displaying to the subject at least one quantity result calculated from at least one comparison between the quantity-measurement data and the quantity-benchmark data and for displaying at least one quality result calculated from at least one comparison between the quality-measurement data and the quality-benchmark data.

11. A system for determining whether a prescribed training task is appropriately difficult relative to a subject'"'"'s ability and whether best effort is being exerted by the subject to accomplish the training task, the system comprising:

(1) a device for measuring one or more quantities related to the subject'"'"'s performance relative to one or more specified training tasks,

(2) a device for displaying one or more goals to the subject relative to the one or more training tasks,

(3) a device for displaying information to the subject related to performance relative to the one or more displayed task goals,

(4) a device for calculating one or more quantities related to number of training tasks attempted and to accuracy of performance relative to the one or more task goals, and

(5) a device for comparing quantities related to the number of training tasks attempted calculated by the device of element (4) and quantities related to the accuracy of performance calculated by the device of element (4), in accordance with a specified algorithm.