GB2175508A

GB2175508A - Pacing system for training athletes

Info

Publication number: GB2175508A
Application number: GB08602311A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Geoffrey Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-28
Filing date: 1986-01-30
Publication date: 1986-12-03
Also published as: GB8602311D0; ZA863924B; GB2175508B; GB8513344D0

Abstract

A pacing system, e.g. for use in training athletes, comprises a series of light emitters 20 for positioning at intervals along a course which an athlete is to follow, e.g. a running track, and a preprogrammable control system 10 for energising the light emitters in sequence to simulate a predetermined pace for the athlete, the control system 10 being capable of effecting variations in the simulated pace over the length of the course. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Training aid The present invention relates to a training aid for athletes, in the form of a pacing system which assists e.g. a runner two keep a predetermined pace.

Athletes need to time their running quite accurately especially when training but this is not always easy to carry out nor is it easy for them to pace themselves appropriately.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a training aid for athletes, in the form of a pacing system which comprises a series of light emitters to be disposed at intervals along a course which an athlete is to follow, and preprogrammable control means for energising the light emitters in sequence to simulate a predetermined pace for the athlete and being capable of effecting variations in the simulated pace over the length of the course.

Thus the control means is programmable so as to preset the pace required. The pace may be preset as uniform over the full length of the course, or when desired the programming may provide for variations in the pace, e.g. appropriate for achieving a particuiarly fast time for covering the course. For example, in the case of an athlete running a mile on an athletics track, the first three laps might all be paced uniformily but the final lap significantly faster. The system may be used for other track events, e.g. cycling.

The light emitters may be mounted within a length of clear plastics tube, for example a 10 metre length of tube with say 5 or 10 light emitters at regular intervals. These elements are then coupled end-to-end along the length of the course i.e. 40 such elements for the standard 440 yard (402 metre) running track.Each element may incorporate an electronic circuit serving to energise each of its light emitters in sequence: thus the main control preferably provides a pulse at intervals appropriate to the programmed pace and the successive pulses are received by the circuit of each element and then used to energise the light emitters of that element in sequence; after the last light emitter of that element has been energised, then the next and subsequent pulses are passed to the circuit which is incorporated in the next element, so that its light emitters will be energised in sequence, and so on.

Instead however, the individual, discrete light emitters may be separately mounted at intervals around the track, for example adjacent to inside curb, but again at approximately 2 metre intervals.

Preferably the main control is a computer control which can be programmed to preset accurately the particular pace required, including any variations in that pace over the length of the course. The computer control then issues pulses at appropriate intervals to drive the successive light emitters.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is schematic diagram of a pacing system; and Figure 2 is a cross-section through a tubing element of the system.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a computer control 10 including a keyboard 12 by which an operator can program the system, and a monitor 14fordisplay ofthe program and other data. The control 10 thus provides pulses at appropriate intervals (in accordance with the programmed pace) over a line 16. The pacing system further comprises a number of lighting elements 18 connected end-to-end. Each element comprises a clear plastics tubing which houses a number of light emitters 20: each element may be 10 metres in length and provided with say 5 or 10 light emitters mounted at regular intervals. A portion of the inner surface of the tubing is provided with a reflector, such as a coating 22 of reflective paint.

Each element incorporates an electronic circuit board 24, the circuit on which receives the pulses from the computer control and responds to them to energise the light emitters of that element in sequence. Thus, the first element has its circuit board connected to the line 16 for receiving the successive pulses, and also to a 100 volts supply line. The circuit includes a bank of relays which are energised in turn by the successive pulses to energise the light emitters of that element in sequence.

Each element 18 is electrically connected to the next element 18 so as to provide continuity of the power supply. Further, after the last light emitter of each element has been energised, the circuit board of that element will pass on the next and subsequent pulses to the circuit board of the next element, and that element will energise each of its light emitters in turn, and so on.

In an alternative arrangement, the electronic circuit boards 24 are not distributed around the system (one for each element 18), but they are replaced by a central circuit and the elements 18 just house the lights and theirsupply lines.

Instead of the arrangement described above, the light emitters may be separately and individually mounted at intervals around the track, for example adjacent the inside curb. The emitters would preferably be mounted at approximately 2 metre intervals, so that there would be a total of 200 light emitters around the standard track.

The computer keyboard provides for direct data input and a data storage facility is also provided.

Thus, an athletics coach can devise e.g. a training schedule for an athlete;-and record the data on a floppy disc. When the athlete wishes to run, the preprogrammed disc is loaded and will cause the light to travel around the track at the pre-programmed pace. The program may include several different training schedules appropriately graded, so that the athlete can attempt to improve his performance in stages. As mentioned above, the pace may be preprogrammed to vary over the length of the course being run, speeding up or slowing down as desired. Thus, standard coaching techniques can be applied to provide for, say, alternating sprinting and jogging for e.g. 200 metre stretches.

The keyboard and monitor are not essential and a microprocessor control may be employed instead.

As an alternative form of control, instead of an 8-bit data bus, fine control can be achieved by using optical fibres and a light source.

Although the pacing system has been described as a training aid, it may have more general use. For example, it could be used to set a simulated pace during an actual race, or it could enable the spectators (including viewers, if the event is covered by television) to see and provide them with an indication of how well the runners are keeping to a particuiar pace. In this case, it may be arranged so that only the spectators and TV cameras, and not the athletes themselves, can see the lights being successively illuminated. It will be appreciated that the system can simulate exactly a given race pace-by-pace, especially as the light emitters are spaced apart by about one stride and the timing for energising the successive lamps is variable precisely as required.

The initial pulse may serve to trigger an electronic starting gun: for example a "steady" indicator (e.g. a light) is provided which the athletes on the starting line can all see, and the starting gun is arranged to fire at a random interval (e.g. 1-5 seconds) after this indicator lights up. Photo-finish and digital timing equipment may also be linked into the pacing system.

In accordance with further possible features of the pacing system, the light may be made to travel either clockwise or anti-clockwise around the track. Also, two or more lights may be programmed to travel in the same direction at different speeds, so as to simulate pace-by-pace different paces (e.g. World, European and British record paces) at the same time. Two lights may be made to travel in the same direction but with a half-lap between them, to simulate a cycle pursuit race. The pacing system can be used for a long-distance road race, and positioned alongside the road over the last mile or two: preferably in this case the lights would be at approximately 10 metre intervals. The system can be used for other races, e.g. rowing, cycling, horse racing and skiing.

It is also envisaged that sound generators could be provided together with the individual lights, to provide an audible signal (such as a"bleep") to guide the athlete without requiring him to turn his head to see the lights.

Claims

1. A pacing system which comprises a series of light emitters to be disposed at intervals along a course which an athlete is to follow, and preprogrammable control means for energising the light emitters in sequence to simulate a predetermined pace for the athlete and being capable of effecting variations in the simulated pace over the length of the course.

2. A pacing system as claimed in claim 1, in which the light emitters are discrete and arranged for separate, individual mounting.

3. A pacing system as claimed in claim 2, in which the light emitters number approximately 200, for mounting at intervals of approximately 2 metres around a standard 400 metres running track.

4. A pacing system as claimed in claim 1, in which the light emitters are mounted in successive lengths of transparent tubing connectable end-to-end.

5. A pacing system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control means comprises a computer with keyboard for entering data to preprogram the simulated pace.

6. A pacing system as claimed in claim 5, in which the computer has a data storage means associated therewith for recording data (as to a preprogrammed pace) on a record medium.

7. A pacing system as claimed in claim 6, in which several different training schedules may be preprogrammed and recorded on the same record medium.

8. A pacing system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.