Apparatus and method for assessment and biofeedback training of body coordination skills critical and ball-strike power and accuracy during athletic activitites

• US 5,697,791 A
• Filed: 03/21/1995
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurocom International Inc. (Natus Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nashner, Lewis M., Goldstein, Daniel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROVNAK, JOHN EDMUND
• Application Number:
  US08/407,232
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 434/247-252
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0031 at the starting point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/367 Detection of balance between both feet, i.e. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/085 Pole vaulting
• 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 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0079 Balls tethered to a line or cord A63B43/007 takes precedence; other games using tethered balls A63B67/10; games using a bat or racket with a ball tethered thereto A63B67/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/40 : Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies golf cups with ball ejector means A63B57/405; traps for clay-pigeon targets F41J9/18
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

Devices and methods for the assessment and biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject critical to maximizing the power and accuracy of athletic ball-strike activities. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides for assessment and biofeedback training of weight bearing and center of gravity control under conditions requiring the athlete to strike a ball such that the distance and direction of flight trajectory of the ball are accurate relative to a performance goal. One embodiment of the invention includes a body movement sensor, a ball strike sensor, a display, and a computer. The body movement sensor provides an output indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s body over a period of time including the moment of ball strike. The computer causes the display to show both a trajectory of the motion of the subject'"'"'s body and the moment of ball strike in relation to a region of the trajectory.

Claims

1. A device for the assessment or biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject critical to maximizing the power and accuracy of athletic ball-strike activities, such device comprising:

a body movement sensor, providing an output indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity over a period of time including the moment of ball strike;

a ball-strike sensor;

a display; and

a computer, in communication with the body movement sensor, the ball strike sensor, and the display, to cause the display to show both a trajectory of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity, and the moment of ball strike in relation to a region of the trajectory.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body movement sensor output includes motion data in at least two dimensions and the computer causes the display to show the trajectory in at least two dimensions.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the body movement sensor includes a forceplate.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the display and the computer are configured to operate in real time.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the computer further includes means for outputting a display signal so as to cause the display to show thereupon the trajectory and moment of ball strike relative to a performance goal, so that coordination skills of the subject may be visually compared against the performance goal.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body movement sensor includes a single forceplate which supports the subject'"'"'s entire weight.

7. A device for the assessment or biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject in connection with a movement task, such task including the use of a striking object and an object to be struck, the success of which is dependent upon the subject'"'"'s motion at a critical phase of the task, such device comprising:

a body movement sensor, providing a first output indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity over a period of time including the one of the critical phase;

a contact-status sensor, providing a second output indicative of the state of contact between the striking object and the object to be struck;

signal means for providing a signal at onset of the critical phase;

a display; and

a computer, in communication with the body movement sensor, the contact-status sensor, the signal means, and the display, to cause the display to show both a trajectory of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity, and the onset of the critical phase in relation to a region of the trajectory.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the body movement sensor output includes motion data in at least two dimensions and the computer causes the display to show the trajectory in at least two dimensions.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the computer further includes means for outputting a display signal so as to cause the display to show thereupon the trajectory and onset of the critical phase relative to a performance goal, so that coordination skills of the subject may be visually compared against the performance goal.

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein the body movement sensor includes a single forceplate which supports the subject'"'"'s entire weight.

11. A method for the assessment or biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject critical to maximizing the power and accuracy of an athletic ball-strike activity, the method comprising:

(a) tracking the movement of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity and providing a movement output signal indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity over a period of time including the moment of ball strike;

(b) waiting for ball-strike and providing, upon ball-strike, an output signal indicative of the ball-strike; and

(c) calculating and outputting a display signal, on the basis of the movement output signal and the ball-strike output signal, so as to cause a display to show both a trajectory of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity, and the moment of ball strike in relation to a region of the trajectory.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein step (c) includes the step of calculating and causing the display to show thereupon the trajectory and moment of ball strike relative to a performance goal, so that coordination skills of the subject may be visually compared against the performance goal.

13. A method for the assessment or biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject critical to maximizing the power and accuracy of an athletic ball-strike activity, the method comprising:

(a) tracking the movement of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity and providing a movement output signal indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity over a period of time including the moment of ball strike;

(b) waiting for ball-strike and providing a ball-strike output signal indicative of ball-strike;

(c) calculating and outputting a display signal so as to cause a display to show, on the basis of the movement output signal and the ball-strike output signal, both a trajectory of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity, and the moment of ball strike in relation to a region of the trajectory; and

;

wherein the step of providing the movement output signal includes providing motion data in at least two dimensions and step (c) includes the step of calculating and outputting a display signal so as to cause the display to show the trajectory in at least two dimensions.

14. A method for the assessment or biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject in connection with a movement task, such task including the use of a striking object and an object to be struck, the success of which is dependent upon the subject'"'"'s motion at a critical phase of the task, the method comprising:

(a) tracking the movement of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity and providing a movement output signal indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity over a period of time including the onset of the critical phase;

(b) determining onset of the critical phase;

(c) calculating and outputting a display signal, on the basis of the movement output signal and the results of step (b), so as to cause a display to show both a trajectory of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity and the onset of the critical phase in relation to a region of the trajectory; and

(d) determining a state of contact between the striking object and the object to be struck.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing the movement output includes providing motion data in at least two dimensions and step (c) includes the step of calculating and causing the display to show the trajectory in at least two dimensions.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein step (c) includes the step of calculating and causing the display to show thereupon the trajectory and onset of the critical phase relative to a performance goal, so that actual performance may be visually compared against the performance goal.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein steps (a) through (c) are carried out in real time.

18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of tracking the movement of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity includes the step of having the subject stand on a single forceplate which supports the subject'"'"'s entire weight.

19. A method for the assessment or biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject critical to maximizing the power and accuracy of an athletic ball-strike activity, the method comprising:

(a) tracking the movement of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity and providing a movement output signal indicative of the motion of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity over a period of time including the moment of ball strike;

(b) waiting for ball-strike and providing a ball-strike output signal indicative of ball-strike;

(c) calculating and outputting a display signal so as to cause a display to show, on the basis of the movement output signal and the ball-strike output signal, both a trajectory of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity, and the moment of ball strike in relation to a region of the trajectory; and

;

wherein the step of tracking the movement of the subject'"'"'s center of gravity body includes the step of having the subject stand on a single forceplate which supports the subject'"'"'s entire weight.