Method and device for measuring exercise level during exercise and for measuring fatigue

• US 7,764,990 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.), Myontec Oy
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.), Mega Elektroniikka Oy (Bittium Oyj)
• Inventors: Koivumaa, Veikko, Martikka, Mikko, Tolvanen, Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behringer; Luther G
• Application Number:
  US11/173,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,853 Days
• Field of Search: 514/546, 600/520, 600/546, 600/587, 600/300, 700 91- 93, 607/48
• US Class Current: 600/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure

Abstract

A method for measuring exercise level during exercise and for measuring fatigue, in which method electrical signals produced by active muscles are measured with a measuring device and feedback is given from an exercise with a perceivable signal from a feedback device. A device for measuring exercise level and fatigue during exercise, which device includes sensors for measuring electrical signals from active muscles and a feedback device for giving feedback. A momentary exercise level and the level of fatigue of a person are measured or estimated by measuring besides electrical signals received from muscles also other quantities describing exercise and from measuring results one or several indexes are calculated by means of which exercises carried out at different times and under different circumstances are comparable with each other.

Claims

1. A method for measuring exercise level during exercise and for measuring fatigue, in which

EMG electrical signals produced by active muscles are measured with a measuring device,

besides the EMG electrical signals received from the muscles, a momentary exercise level and a level of fatigue of a person are measured or estimated by also measuring other quantities describing exercise, circumstances and/or environments, wherein the other quantities describing exercise include acceleration, velocity, biomechanical movements or motion paths of a body or limb of the person, or position of the person on an exercise means, wherein the other quantities describing circumstances include weather, temperature, wind, or air pressure, and wherein the other quantities describing environments include resistance due to the exercise means, a setting of the exercise means, altitude or steepness of terrain,

from results of the measured EMG electrical signals and from the measuring of the other quantities, one or several indexes are calculated by means of which exercises carried out at different times and under different circumstances and/or environments are comparable with each other,

feedback is given from the exercise with a perceivable signal from a feedback device during the exercise, by means of which the person may simultaneously monitor and optimize the exercise.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, in which in addition other biosignals and/or movements of the person are measured.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, in which a progression velocity of the person is measured.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, in which external circumstances are measured.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, in which from the results an index is calculated for describing an economy of the exercise level and exercise techniques of the person.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, in which from the results an index is calculated for describing the level of fatigue of the person.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, in which from the results an index is calculated for simulating a level of lactate content of blood of the person and changes in the level of lactate content during the exercise.

8. A device for measuring exercise level and fatigue during an exercise, comprising:

sensors for measuring EMG electrical signals from active muscles and a feedback device for giving feedback during the exercise,

sensors for measuring other quantities describing exercise, circumstances and/or environments, wherein the other quantities describing exercise include acceleration, velocity, changes of biomechanical movements or motion paths of a body or limb of the person or position of the person on an exercise means, wherein the other quantities describing circumstances include weather, temperature, wind, or air pressure, and wherein the other quantities describing environments include resistance due to the exercise means, a setting of the exercise means, altitude or terrain, and

means for processing of results from the measured EMG electrical signals and from the other measured quantities and calculating one or several indexes describing exercises.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising an outfit or similar, in which there are electrodes for measuring electrical biosignals, a module fastened to an outfit, in which there is electronics necessary for processing the biosignals as well as one or several inertia-sensors.

10. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising sensors for measuring other biosignals of a person.

11. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising sensors for measuring movements during exercise and variables affecting those.

12. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising sensors for measuring external circumstances.

13. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising a speed sensor placed on the body, exercise means or outfit or similar.

14. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising a tracking sensor comprising a GPS-device.

15. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising sensors for measuring of one or several external factors such as current of air.

16. A device in accordance with claim 8, comprising a strap or belt to be removably fastened on the body or limbs and which comprises electrodes for measuring electrical biosignals.