Method and device for assessing muscular capacities of athletes using short tests

• US 10,061,978 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Slyde Analytics LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Myotest SA
• Inventors: Flaction, Patrick, Praz, Manu
• Primary Examiner(s): Towa, Rene
• Application Number:
  US14/455,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20140350703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 600552-553, 600587, 600595, 606 46, 606 49, 3405731, 482 8- 9, 702141-142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training

Abstract

A device (1) for measuring muscular capacity. The device includes removable fastening device (12) for fastening the device to the athlete or to the moved weight (3; 2). An autonomous electrical power supply means (15), and a display (11) are provided. A three-axis accelerometer (14) delivers a sequence of accelerations (a(t)) along the axis of movement of the weight. The sequence includes at least 100 measurements per second over a duration between 1 and 10 seconds. A data processing device (16) determines, at the end of the test, on the basis of the sequence of accelerations, at least one quantity representative of the muscular capacity of the athlete and displays this quantity on the display (11).

Claims

1. A method of evaluating muscular physiological parameters of athletes using a weight lift test and a jump test, comprising:

providing an electrically autonomous measurement device comprising a three-axis accelerometer;

emitting visual and/or audible signals from the measurement device, so as to ask the athlete to keep the accelerometer stationary and oriented at a start of a calibration phase;

when the accelerometer detects that the athlete has moved during the calibration phase;

rejecting the calibration and sending a visual and/or audible error message to the display;

inviting the athlete to restart the calibration phase;

determining, during the calibration phase, a single vertical axis on the basis of the indications from said accelerometer at rest;

inputting a mass of said athlete in the measurement device;

indicating a list of at least the following types of tests on a display of the measurement device;

a weight lift

a jump by the athlete

removably fastening the measurement device to a weight of known mass which is to be lifted by an athlete, so that said measurement device and the weight are lifted by said athlete during said weight lift test,

once the calibration phase is ended, proceeding with the following steps;

selecting with said measurement device the weight lift test;

inputting in said measurement device the mass of said weight;

determining a first sequence of accelerations with said three-axis accelerometer along three axes as a result of said measurement device and the weight being lifted by said athlete during said weight lift test, wherein none of said three axes is the single vertical axis;

converting said first sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

storing said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in a memory of the measurement device;

automatically determining the end of said weight lift test based on the data measured by the three-axis accelerometer;

at said end of said weight lift test, indicating on the display of the measurement device at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity, said at least one quantity being determined from said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

fastening said removable and electrically autonomous measurement device to the athlete, so that said measurement device is moved by said athlete during said jump by the athlete test;

selecting with said measurement device the jump by the athlete test;

determining a second sequence of accelerations with said three-axis accelerometer along three axes as a result of said measurement device being moved by said athlete during said jump by the athlete test, wherein none of said three axes is the single vertical axis;

converting said second sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a second sequence of accelerations along, said single vertical axis;

storing said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in the memory of the measurement device;

automatically determining the end of said jump by the athlete test based on the data measured by the three-axis accelerometer;

at said end of said jump by the athlete test, indicating on the display of the measurement device at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity, said at least one quantity being determined from said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis depending on the jump by the athlete test.

2. The method of claim 1, in which said list further comprises at least the following tests:

a squat jump and/or countermovement jump; and

a drop jump.

3. The method of claim 1, in which a choice of quantity displayed depends on the type of test selected.

4. The method of claim 3, in which a method calculation of the at least one displayed quantity depends on the type of test selected.

5. The method of claim 1, in which said at least one displayed quantity is determined by taking into account a priori knowledge of the form of at least one portion of said first and/or second sequences of accelerations.

6. The method of claim 1, in which said at least one displayed quantity comprises at least one quantity proportional to a maximum power deployed by said athlete during the tests.

7. The method of claim 6, said maximum power being an instantaneous maximum power.

8. The method of claim 6, said maximum power being a maximum power during a time interval of predetermined duration corresponding to several sampling instants.

9. The method of claim 6, said maximum power being a maximum power during a time interval between two key instants of the tests.

10. The method of claim 1, which includes a step of automatically determining at least one key instant, or a key duration of the tests from said sequence of accelerations, said at least one displayed quantity being determined by taking into account at least one of said key instant or key duration.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the determination of said key instant or said key duration depends on the type of test selected.

12. The method of claim 10, in which said key instant or said key duration is displayed on said display.

13. The method of claim 1, which includes a calculation step and a display step for calculating and displaying, after said tests, a maximum force enhancement.

14. The method of claim 1, in which said at least one displayed quantity comprises at least one quantity proportional to a maximum velocity of said weight during the tests.

15. The method of claim 1, in which a sequence of accelerations and/or of data calculated from said accelerations is transmitted to an external processing device for calculating and displaying other quantities or graphs representative of said muscular capacity.

16. The method of claim 1, in which the duration of one of said tests is less than 10 seconds and in which said acceleration is measured at least every 100th of a second.

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of converting said first and second sequences of accelerations along three axes into a sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis comprises using a conversion matrix which has been determined in said calibration phase.

18. A test device, comprising:

a removable and electrically autonomous measurement device, said measurement device having a three-axis accelerometer, an autonomous electrical power supply, a display, a data processing means and a memory;

removable fastening means for fastening said measurement device to a weight of known mass which is to be lifted by the athlete in a weight lift test, so that the weight and measurement device can be lifted by the athlete in a weight lift test, and also for fastening said measurement device to the athlete so that the measurement device can be moved by the athlete in a jump by the athlete test;

said data processing means being configured to indicate a list of at least the following types of tests on the display of the measurement device;

a weight lift

a jump by the athlete

determine, during a calibration phase, a single vertical axis on the basis of indications from said accelerometer at rest;

emit visual and/or audible signals so as to ask the athlete to keep the accelerometer stationary and oriented as at the start of the calibration phase during this calibration phase;

reject the calibration when the accelerometer detects that the athlete has moved during the calibration phase and send a visual and/or audible error message to the display;

invite the athlete to restart the calibration phase;

enable the athlete to select the weight lift test and receiving the mass of said weight and a mass of the athlete; and

said three-axis accelerometer being arranged for delivering a first sequence of accelerations along three axes during the weight lift test, wherein none of said three axes is the single vertical axis, said first sequence comprising at least 100 measurements per second over a duration between 1 and 10 seconds;

said data processing means being configured to convert said first sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis and to store first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in the memory;

said data processing means being configured to automatically determine the end of said weight lift test based on the data measured by the three-axis accelerometer;

said data processing means being configured for determining, at the end of the weight lift test, on the basis of said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis, at least one quantity representative of the muscular capacity of the athlete and for displaying the at least one quantity on said display; and

said data processing means enabling the athlete to select the jump by the athlete test with said measurement device, determining a second sequence of accelerations with said three-axis accelerometer during the jump by the athlete test along three axes, none of said three axes being the single vertical axis, converting said second sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis, storing said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in the memory, automatically determining the end of said jump by the athlete test, and at said end of said jump by the athlete test, and indicating on the display of the measurement device at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity, said at least one quantity being determined from said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis.

19. The device of claim 18, which further includes removable means for linking to a computer, a PDA and/or an external computer.

20. The device of claim 18, which further includes means for selecting the type of exercise performed from a list of several possible exercises.

21. The device of claim 18, in which said removable fastening means are configured for fastening said device to the athlete'"'"'s waist and/or trunk.

22. The device of claim 18, in which said removable fastening means include a Velcro strip.

23. The device of claim 18, said three-axis accelerometer having at least one preferential measurement axis, the measurement results from which are affected less by a smaller error than those of the good of the other two axes, said removable fastening means being designed to fasten said device by aligning said preferential measurement axis substantially with the single vertical axis.

24. A test device, comprising;

a removable and electrically autonomous measurement device, said measurement device having an accelerometer, an autonomous electrical power supply, a display, a microprocessor and a memory;

a Velcro strip, for fastening the measurement device to a weight which is to be lifted by the athlete so that the weight and measurement device can be lifted by the athlete in a weight lift test, and also for fastening said measurement device to the athlete so that the measurement device can be moved by the athlete in a jump by the athlete test;

said microprocessor being programmed to;

indicate a list of at least the following types of tests on the display of the measurement device;

a weight lift

a jump by the athlete

determine, during a calibration phase, a vertical axis on the basis of indications from said accelerometer at rest;

emit during this calibration phase, visual and/or audible signals so as to ask the athlete to keep the accelerometer stationary and oriented as at the start of the calibration phase;

reject the calibration when the accelerometer detects that the athlete has moved during the calibration phase and a send a visual and/or audible error message to the display;

invite the athlete to restart the calibration phase;

enable the athlete to select with said measurement device the weight lift test and receiving the mass of said weight and a mass of the athlete once the calibration phase is ended;

the accelerometer being arranged for delivering a first sequence of accelerations along three axes during the weight lift test, none of said three axes being said single vertical axis;

convert said first sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

store said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in the memory of the measurement device;

automatically determine the end of said weight lift test based on the data measured by the three-axis accelerometer;

determine, at the end of the weight lift test, on the basis of said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis, at least one quantity-representative of the athlete'"'"'s muscular capacity and then to display said at least one quantity on said display; and

enable the athlete to select the jump by the athlete test with said measurement device,

receive a second sequence of accelerations from said accelerometer along three axes during the jump by the athlete test, none of said three axes being the single vertical axis,

convert said second sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

store said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in the memory of the measurement device;

automatically determine the end of said jump by the athlete test, and

indicate on the display of the measurement device at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity at said end of said jump by the athlete test, said at least one quantity being determined from said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis.

25. The device of claim 24, which includes a belt for fastening the device close to the center of mass of the athlete.

26. A method of evaluating muscular physiological parameters of athletes using either a weight lift test and/or a jump test, comprising:

fastening a removable and electrically autonomous measurement device to a weight of known mass wherein said measurement device and the weight are moved by said athlete during said test, said measurement device comprising a three-axis accelerometer;

before the weight is moved, determining a vertical axis during a calibration phase on the basis of indications from said accelerometer at rest;

during said calibration phase, emitting visual and/or audible signals so as to ask the athlete to keep the accelerometer stationary and oriented as at the start of the calibration phase;

when the accelerometer detects that the athlete has moved during the calibration phase;

rejecting the calibration and sending a visual and/or audible error message to a display of said measurement device;

inviting the athlete to restart the calibration phase;

once the calibration phase is ended, proceeding with the following steps;

determining a sequence of accelerations with said three-axis accelerometer along three axes, wherein none of said three axes is the single vertical axis;

converting said sequence of accelerations along three axes into a sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

storing said sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in a memory of the measurement device;

automatically determining the end of said test;

at said end of said test, indicating on said display at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity, said at least one quantity being determined from said sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis.

27. A method of evaluating muscular physiological parameters of athletes using a weight lift test and a jump test, comprising:

inputting a mass of said athlete in an electrically autonomous measurement device;

indicating a list of at least the following types of tests on a display of the measurement device;

a weight lift

a jump by the athlete

removably fastening the measurement device to a weight of known mass which is to be lifted by an athlete, so that said measurement device and the weight are lifted by said athlete during said weight lift test, said measurement device comprising a three-axis accelerometer;

determining, during a calibration phase, a vertical axis on the basis of indications from said accelerometer at rest;

emitting visual and/or audible signals during the calibration phase, so as to ask die athlete to keep the accelerometer stationary and oriented as at the start of the calibration phase;

rejecting the calibration when the accelerometer detects that the athlete has moved during the calibration phase and sending a visual and/or audible error message to the display;

inviting the athlete to restart the calibration phase;

once the calibration phase is ended, proceeding with the following steps;

selecting the weight lift test with said measurement device;

inputting the mass of said weight in said measurement device;

determining a first sequence of accelerations with said, three-axis accelerometer along three axes as said measurement device and the weight are lifted by said athlete during said weight lift test, none of said three axes being the single vertical axis;

converting said first sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

storing said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in a memory of the measurement device;

automatically determining the end of said weight lift test based on the data measured by the three-axis accelerometer;

at said end of said weight lift test, indicating at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity on the display of the measurement device, said at least one quantity being determined from said first sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

fastening said removable and electrically autonomous measurement device to the athlete, so that said measurement device is moved by said athlete during said jump by the athlete test;

selecting the jump by the athlete test with said measurement device;

determining a second sequence of accelerations with said three-axis accelerometer along three axes as said measurement device is moved by said athlete during said jump by the athlete test, none of said three axes being the single vertical axis;

converting said second sequence of accelerations along the three axes into a second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis;

storing said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis in the memory of the measurement device;

automatically determining the end of said jump by the athlete test based on the data measured by the three-axis accelerometer;

at said end of said jump by the athlete test, indicating at least one quantity representative of a muscular capacity on the display of the measurement device, said at least one quantity being determined from said second sequence of accelerations along said single vertical axis.