Methods, media, and apparatus for optimizing physical training based on real-time blood lactate monitoring

• US 9,924,901 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2015
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Potomac Health Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Potomac Health Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Guthrie, Paul Joseph, Gordon, Kenneth Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Tejani, Ankit D
• Application Number:
  US14/739,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20150359480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4833 Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• 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 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Some embodiments described herein relate to receiving lactate concentration data from a non-invasive sensor. A ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion can be determined based on the concentration of lactate, and real-time feedback can be provided based on the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion. For example, the user can be encouraged to maintain a level of intensity in which he or she approaches (but does not exceed) maximal oxygen consumption.

Claims

1. A non-transitory processor readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor, the code comprising code to cause the processor to:

receive, from a non-invasive sensor, a signal associated with a direct measurement of a concentration of lactate in a blood stream of a mammalian body;

determine a ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion based on the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate;

compare the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion to an aerobic threshold and an anaerobic threshold; and

send a signal to an output device to cause the output device to provide feedback during a training activity based on a proximity of the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion to at least one of the aerobic threshold or the anaerobic threshold.

2. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes an instruction to the user to reduce an intensity of a physical activity based on the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion exceeding the aerobic threshold.

3. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is determined based solely on the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate; and

the feedback includes an instruction to the user to reduce an intensity of a physical activity based solely on the comparison of the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion to the aerobic threshold and the anaerobic threshold.

4. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the non-invasive sensor is a first non-invasive sensor and concentration of lactate is a first physiological parameter, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

receive, from a second non-invasive sensor, a signal associated with a second physiological parameter different from the first physiological parameter, the code to cause the processor to determine the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion includes code to cause the processor to determine the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion based on the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate and the second physiological parameter.

5. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes an instruction to increase an intensity of a physical activity based on the concentration of lactate.

6. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is determined based solely on the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate.

7. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define a training regimen prescribing performing a physical activity performed at a first intensity level for a first duration and the physical activity performed at a second intensity level for a second duration, the first intensity level being below the aerobic threshold and associated with a second ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion associated with oxygen uptake, the second intensity level being below the anaerobic threshold and associated with a third ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion lower than the second ratio, the third ratio associated with high intensity endurance; and

record the first ratio and a third duration associated with the first ratio.

8. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 7, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

send a signal to the output device to cause the output device to present an instruction to reduce an intensity of the physical activity based on the first ratio being less than the second ratio and the third duration being greater than the first duration.

9. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define, at a first time, a training regimen prescribing;

(1) performing a physical activity at a first intensity level associated with a second ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion, the second ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion being below the aerobic threshold, (2) performing the physical activity at a second intensity level associated with a third ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion, the third ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion being above the first ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion and below the anaerobic threshold, and (3) avoiding performing the physical activity at a third intensity level between the first intensity level and the second intensity level, the signal associated with the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate received at a second time after the first time; and

send, after a completion of the physical activity, a signal to the output device to cause the output device to present an indication of compliance with the training regimen.

10. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define, at a first time, a training regimen prescribing (1) performing a physical activity at a first intensity level associated with a second ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion below the aerobic threshold, (2) performing the physical activity at a second intensity level associated with a third ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion above the aerobic threshold and below the anaerobic threshold, and (3) avoiding performing the physical activity at a third intensity level between the first intensity level and the second intensity level, the signal associated with the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate received at a second time after the first time; and

send a signal to the output device to cause the output device to provide feedback to alter an intensity of the physical activity based on the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion determined based on the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate being associated with the third intensity level.

11. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the code to cause the processor to determine the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion includes code to cause the processor to determine the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion substantially continuously during a performance of a physical activity based on the signal being received from the non-invasive sensor substantially continuously.

12. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define a training regimen prescribing performing a physical activity at an intensity level associated with a second ratio, the second ratio being less than the first ratio,

the feedback including an instruction to increase an intensity of a physical activity to approach the intensity level without exceeding the intensity level.

13. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio determined during a first time period, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define a training regimen prescribing (i) performing a physical activity at a first intensity level associated with a second ratio below the aerobic threshold during the first time period and (ii) performing the physical activity at a second intensity level associated with at a third ratio greater than the second ratio during a second time period,

the feedback including an instruction to increase an intensity of the physical activity to approach the first intensity level without exceeding the first intensity level.

14. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio received during a second time period, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define a training regimen prescribing (i) performing a physical activity at a first intensity level associated with a second ratio below the aerobic threshold during a first time period and (ii) performing the physical activity at a second intensity level associated with a third ratio greater than the second ratio during the second time period,

the feedback including an instruction to increase an intensity of the physical activity.

15. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the signal associated with the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate is from a plurality of signals representing a plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define the aerobic threshold based on a first inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate; and

define the anaerobic threshold based on a second inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate.

16. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the signal associated with the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate is a first signal associated with a first direct measurement of a first concentration of lactate from a plurality of signals representing a plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define the aerobic threshold based on a first inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate; and

define the anaerobic threshold based on a second inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate, the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion determined based on the first concentration of lactate relative to at least one of the aerobic threshold and the anaerobic threshold.

17. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein the signal associated with the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate is a first signal associated with a first direct measurement of a first concentration of lactate from a plurality of signals representing a plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to:

define the aerobic threshold based on a first inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate; and

define the anaerobic threshold based on a second inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate, the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion determined based on the first concentration of lactate relative to the aerobic threshold and the anaerobic threshold.

18. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

the signal associated with the direct measurement of the concentration of lactate is from a plurality of signals representing a plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate; and

the ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion is a first ratio, the code further comprising code to cause the processor to;

define the aerobic threshold based on a first inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate;

define the anaerobic threshold based on a second inflection point in the plurality of direct measurements of the concentration of lactate; and

define a training regimen prescribing;

(1) performing a physical activity at a first intensity level that does not exceed the aerobic threshold, (2) performing the physical activity at a second intensity level that does not exceed the anaerobic threshold, and (3) avoiding performing the physical activity at a third intensity level that exceeds the aerobic threshold and is below the second intensity level.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

an input module configured to be communicatively coupled to a sensor configured to directly and non-invasively measure a lactate concentration in a blood stream of a mammalian body during a physical activity;

a training module communicatively coupled to the input module, the training module configured to calculate an exertion level based on the direct and non-invasive measurement of lactate concentration;

a comparison module configured to compare the lactate concentration to an aerobic threshold; and

an output module communicatively coupled to the training module and the comparison module, the output module configured to cause an output device to provide training feedback during the physical activity based on the comparison of the lactate concentration to the aerobic threshold.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the training module is configured to calculate the exertion level based solely on the concentration of lactate.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the training module is configured to calculate the exertion level independently of a heart rate of the mammalian body.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the comparison module is configured to compare the lactate concentration to the aerobic threshold and an anaerobic threshold.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is configured to be coupled to the mammalian body during the physical activity such that the input module receives a signal from the sensor while the apparatus is coupled to the mammalian body and the output module causes the output device to provide training feedback while the apparatus is coupled to the mammalian body.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the comparison module is configured to classify the exertion level as being within a first training zone, a second training zone, or a third training zone based on the direct and non-invasive measurement of lactate concentration, the first training zone associated with a first ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion below the aerobic threshold, the third training zone associated with a third ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion above the aerobic threshold and below an anaerobic threshold, and the second training zone associated with a second ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion between the first ratio and the third ratio.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

the training module is configured to define the aerobic threshold based on a first inflection point in the lactate concentration;

the training module is configured to define an anaerobic threshold based on a second inflection point in the lactate concentration;

the comparison module is configured to classify the exertion level as being within a first training zone, a second training zone, or a third training zone based on the direct and non-invasive measurement of lactate concentration, the first training zone associated with a first ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion below the aerobic threshold, the third training zone associated with a third ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion above the anaerobic threshold, and the second training zone associated with a second ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion that exceeds the aerobic threshold and is below the third ratio; and

the output module is configured to cause the output device to provide training feedback to avoid the second training zone when the comparison module classifies the exertion level within the second training zone.

26. A method, comprising:

defining, with a training aid and during a first time period, a training regimen prescribing (1) performing a physical activity performed at a first intensity level associated with a first lactate concentration, (2) performing the physical activity at a second intensity level associated with a second lactate concentration, and (3) avoiding performing the physical activity at a third intensity level associated with a third lactate concentration, the third lactate concentration being between the first lactate concentration and the second lactate concentration;

classifying, at the training aid and during a second time period in which a user is engaged in the physical activity, the second time period after the first time period, a training zone for the physical activity based on a measured lactate concentration;

determining, during the second time period, that the training zone is associated with the third intensity level; and

sending a signal to an output device to cause the output device to provide a prompt to the user to alter the performance of the physical activity during the second time period to avoid the third intensity level.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second time period has a duration of less than thirty minutes.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving, during the second time period and before classifying the training zone, a signal from a non-invasive sensor associated with a direct measurement of the measured lactate concentration.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the measured lactate concentration is a first measured lactate concentration, the training zone is a first training zone, and the prompt is a first prompt to perform the physical activity at the first intensity level, the method further comprising:

receiving, during the second time period and after sending the signal to the output device, a signal from a non-invasive sensor associated with a second measured lactate concentration;

classifying, at the training aid and during the second time period, a second training zone for the physical activity based on the second measured lactate concentration;

determining that the second training zone is a target training zone; and

sending a signal to the output device to cause the output device to provide a second prompt to maintain a second intensity of the physical activity.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the measured lactate concentration is a first measured lactate concentration and the training zone is a first training zone, the method further comprising:

receiving, during the second time period, a signal from a non-invasive sensor associated with a second measured lactate concentration, the second measured lactate concentration associated with the first intensity level;

classifying, at the training aid and during the second time period, a second training zone for the physical activity based on the second measured lactate concentration;

determining that the second training zone is a target training zone; and

sending a signal to the output device to cause the output device to display a timer counting down a duration while the signal associated with the second measured lactate concentration is received.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the measured lactate concentration is a first measured lactate concentration, the training zone is a first training zone, and the training regimen prescribes performing the physical activity at the first intensity level for a first duration and performing the physical activity at a second intensity level for a second duration, the method further comprising:

receiving during a third time period, a signal from a non-invasive sensor associated with a second measured lactate concentration;

classifying, at the training aid and during the third time period, a second training zone for the physical activity based on the second measured lactate concentration, the second training zone associated with the first intensity level;

determining during the third time period that the physical activity has been performed for the first duration; and

sending a signal to the output device to cause the output device to prompt the user to alter the performance of the physical activity to conform with the second intensity level based on determining that the physical activity has been performed for the first duration.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the first lactate concentration is associated with a ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion below an aerobic threshold and the second lactate concentration is associated with a ratio of aerobic to anaerobic exertion above an anaerobic threshold, the method further comprising:

directly and non-invasively measuring the measured lactate concentration.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the measured lactate concentration is a first measured concentration from a plurality of measured lactate concentrations, the method further comprising:

directly non-invasively measuring a plurality of measured lactate concentrations including the measured lactate concentration;

defining an aerobic threshold based on a first inflection point in the plurality of measured lactate concentrations;

defining an anaerobic threshold based on a second inflection point in the plurality of measured lactate concentrations, the first lactate concentration approaching but not exceeding the aerobic threshold, the second lactate concentration approaching but not exceeding the anaerobic threshold, and the third lactate concentration exceeding the aerobic threshold.