GB2414195A

GB2414195A - Electronic physical exercise system

Info

Publication number: GB2414195A
Application number: GB0411011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy William Baker
Original assignee: PREC SPORT Ltd
Current assignee: PREC SPORT Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-18
Filing date: 2004-05-18
Publication date: 2005-11-23
Also published as: GB0411011D0

Abstract

A training apparatus such as a rowing machine includes sensors 24, 26, 28, 58 to collect information on the physical act and the environment in which the exercise is performed. The information, together with details which may be input from a keyboard, is recorded on a controller 44 and used to provide audio or visual feedback via an output device 66 to the user and guidance to improve the performance of the user.

Description

24141 95 Training Apparatus The present invention relates to training

apparatus, particularly but not exclusively training apparatus for training a user to improve the performance of a physical act.

The use of a trainer or coach by a user to improve the performance of a physical act is well known, particularly in connection with a sporting activity.

However, the use of such coaches or trainers is expensive and therefore generally limited to use by professional or competitive sports people. Such coaches or trainers often rely on relatively simple aids such as stop watches or video recordings, and observation, intuition and experience to detect and correct faults in the performance of the physical act and therefore to improve the performance of the physical act. The user is therefore heavily reliant upon the observation skills, experience and intuition of the coach. When the physical act is fast moving, complex or inaccessible it can be difficult if not impossible for a human coach to accurately analyse the performance of the act.

According to the present invention, there is provided training apparatus for training a user to improve the performance of a physical act, the apparatus including a sensor for sensing a value of a parameter associated with the physical act, a controller in communication with the sensor, and an output device in communication with the controller, the output device arranged to communicate a training message to the user, the apparatus being arranged to communicate the training message to the user in accordance with the value of the parameter sensed in use.

Preferably, the apparatus is arranged so that the training message is communicated to the user during or immediately after the performance of the physical act.

Preferably, the output device is arranged to communicate a plurality of different training messages to the user.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors, each of which senses a value of a different parameter associated with the physical act. The or each sensor may be any of a position sensor, a velocity sensor, a torque sensor, a force sensor, an acceleration sensor or any other suitable sensor.

Preferably, the controller includes a set of instructions which defines the training message associated with each value of the or each parameter.

Preferably, the training message is an audible and/or visual training message. The audible training message may comprise pre-recorded or synthesised speech.

The controller may include a time measurement means such as a timer or a clock, and may generate a time value. The time value may be associated with one or more of the parameter values. Preferably, one or some of the training messages is dependent on the time value.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to permit a user to input a defined set of user values. Preferably, one or some of the training messages is dependent on the user values.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a sensor which senses the value of a parameter associated with the body of the user, and may include a plurality of body sensors, which each sense a value of a different body parameter.

Preferably one or some of the training messages is dependent on the body parameter value or values. The dependent training messages may be warning messages which may relate to the health of the user.

Preferably the apparatus includes a sensor which senses the value of a parameter associated with the environment in which the physical act is performed, and may include a plurality of environmental sensors, which each sense a value of a different environmental parameter. Preferably, one or some of the training messages is dependent on the environmental parameter value or values.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to change the training messages associated with the parameter values if the user meets or fails to meet defined parameter values over a defined time value or over a defined number of performances of the act.

Preferably, the controller includes memory storage in which the values of the or each parameter may be stored. The memory storage may also store the time values and/or the user values, and/or the body parameter values, and/or the environmental parameter values. The controller may be arranged to permit recovery of the stored values from the memory storage.

The controller may include an input device, which may comprise a keyboard.

The apparatus may be arranged to train a plurality of users to improve the performance of a physical act or acts. The controller may be in communication with a plurality of substantially identical sensors which each sense a value of a parameter associated with the physical act performed by one or a plurality of the users. The apparatus may be arranged to communicate a training message to each or a plurality of the users.

Preferably the apparatus is portable.

In one embodiment, there is provided training apparatus for training a rovver to improve the revving of a roving boat. The apparatus may include any of a force sensor to measure the force exerted by the rower, a seat position sensor, an oar position sensor, and a boat speed sensor. The oar position sensor may include a sensor to measure the horizontal angular oar position, and/or a sensor to measure the vertical angular oar position, and/or a sensor to measure the angular rotation of the oar along its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the apparatus includes all of these aforementioned sensors.

The invention also provides a rowing boat or rowing machine, the rowing boat or rowing machine including training apparatus as described 1 0 above.

In another embodiment, there is provided training apparatus for training a player to play a game using a racket or a club. The apparatus may include any of a body position sensor and a force sensor for sensing the force transmitted by the racket or club. The body position sensor may sense the position of the body during play, and may comprise a plurality of sensing points, which may be mounted to an item of clothing such as a jacket.

The invention also provides sports apparatus, the apparatus including a racket or club and training apparatus as described above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of training apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of part of a rowing boat according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the part of the rowing boat of Fig. 2 in use; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of another example of training apparatus according to the invention in use.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of training apparatus according to the invention. In general terms, the training apparatus includes a plurality of sensors 24, 26, 28 and 58 which are each located in a suitable position for sensing a value of a parameter associated with a physical act. The apparatus includes a controller in the form of a computer 44, the computer 44 including a processor 60 in communication with the sensors 24, 26, 28 and 58. The apparatus includes a keyboard 56 in communication with the processor 60.

The computer 44 includes memory storage 62 in communication with the processor 60 and a clock 64 in communication with the processor 60. The apparatus further includes an output device 66 in communication verity the processor 60, the output device 66 being arranged to communicate a training message 68 to a user. A suitable power source (not shown) is provided for the computer 44.

The processor 60 includes a set of instructions which defines the training message associated with each value of the parameters sensed. The set of instructions is arranged to permit a user to input a defined set of user values via the keyboard 56. The set of instructions is arranged so that the training message associated with each value of the parameter sensed is dependent upon the user values input.

In use, a user performs a physical activity, and the sensors 24, 26, 28, 58 each sense a value of a parameter associated with the physical activity and communicate the values to the processor 60. The values may be communicated to the processor as analogue or digital signals, along connecting wires or by wireless transmission, and the processor 60 could include standard signal processing circuits such as a wheatstone bridge or timer circuit to convert the input signals to voltages, a multiplexer, and an analogue to digital converter. The processor 60 receives the values, and in conjunction with the user values which have been input via the keyboard 56 and the time values which have been generated by the clock 64 processes the parameter values according to the set of instructions to generate an appropriate training message. The training message is communicated to the output device 66, which communicates the training message to the user. The training message can be audible and/or visual. The audible training messages could be pre-recorded or synthesized speech. The values of the parameters sensed, the time values and the user values are stored in the memory storage area 62, and can be recovered for further analysis either via the processor 60, or via a communication port 72 to a separate processor, storage device, display device or output device.

Figs. 2 and 3 show an example of an application of the training apparatus of Fig. 1. In the example shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the training apparatus is used for training a rower to improve the technique of rowing a rowing boat. A rowing boat 10 includes a hull 11 having a pair of riggers 16 each supporting an oar 12 on each side of the hull 11. The oars 12 are mounted to the riggers 16 by oarlocks 14. A sliding seat 20 is mounted on tracks 22 within the hu1111.

The training apparatus includes a seat position sensor 24 located at one end of the tracks 22, an oar position sensor 26 located at one of the oarlocks 14, a force sensor 28 which forms a footplate on which a rower in use positions his feet within the hull 11, and a speed sensor 17 which is positioned to sense the speed of the water adjacent to the hull 11. The oar position sensor 26 includes a sensor to measure the horizontal angular position 50 of the oar 12 relative to the oarlock 14, a sensor to measure the vertical angular position 52 of the oar 12 relative to the oarlock 14, and a sensor to measure the angular rotation of the oar 12 along its longitudinal axis 54.

Shoes 18 are mounted to the footplate 28.

The training apparatus includes a computer 44 in communication with the sensors 24, 26, 28 and 58, an output device in the form of a liquid crystal display 76 and a further output device in the form of a pair of speakers 78.

The apparatus also includes a keyboard 56 (not shown) in Figs. 2 and 3 in communication with the computer 44.

The seat sensor 24 senses the position of the sliding seat 20 along the tracks 22 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by dimension X. An example of a suitable sensor is an ultrasonic sensor which transmits an ultrasonic pulse to a reflector located on the sliding seat 20. The pulse is reflected by the reflector back to the sensor 24, which includes an ultrasonic receiver to detect the reflected pulse. The position of the sliding seat 20 is derived from the time delay between transmission of the pulse and return of the reflected pulse.

This sensor has the advantage that no contact is required with the sliding seat 20, and the sensor is unaffected by movement, vibration or the wet environment.

The force sensor 28 measures the force exerted by the feet of the rower, and comprises a strain gauge transducer of known construction.

Fig. 3 shows the training apparatus in use. A rower 30 is sitting on the sliding seat 20, the rower's feet 18 being positioned in the shoes 18 on the force sensor footplate 28, and the hands of the rower gripping the oars 12 in the normal manner.

In Fig. 3, the path 34 of the tip 13 of the oar 12 during a rowing stroke is indicated generally by arrows 36, 38, 40, 42. The path 34 includes a substantially horizontal forward movement as indicated by arrow 36, forward being the direction in which the boat is moving relative to the water. The oar tip 13 then descends into the water, below the vvater level 32 as indicated by arrow 38. The oar tip 13 then moves substantially horizontally backwardly under the water as indicated by arrow 40, and then upwardly out of the water as indicated by arrow 42. The horizontal backward movement of the oar tip 13 as indicated by arrow 40 is termed the "power phase" of the stroke, and the horizontal forward movement of the oar tip 13 as indicated by arrow 36 above the water level 32 is termed the "recovery phase" of the stroke.

During the recovery phase, the rower 30 slides the sliding seat 20 backwards towards the footplate 20, bending his legs and extending his arms.

During the power phase of the stroke, the rower extends his legs and bends his arms, sliding the sliding seat 20 forwards along the hull 11 away from the force sensor footplate 28. At the beginning of the recovery phase of the stroke, the oars 12 are rotated substantially through 90[21 to reduce air resistance as the oar tips 13 are moved against the direction of motion of the boat.

The apparatus thus senses the values of the parameters associated with the stroke action and the position of the rower's body during the stroke action. The sensed values of the seat position, the horizontal, vertical and rotational angles of the oar, the speed of the boat through the water and the force exerted by the rower through the footplate are communicated to the computer 44. These values are processed by the computer 44 according to the set of instructions and a training message communicated to the rower via the LCD display 76 and the speakers 78 to improve the rower's technique.

The apparatus thus detects faults in the rower's technique, and while he is performing the stroke, or immediately after, he is made aware of the fault so that it can be corrected.

For example, a common rowing fault is that the tip 13 of the oar 12 is not at the correct height in the water. Typically, during the power phase of the stroke, the value of the vertical angle 52 of the oar 12 should be between 10 to 11 below the horizontal, in which case, the training message communicated could be "Correct oar depth". For angles greater than 11 or less than 10 below the horizontal, the training message could be "Oar too deep" and "Oar not deep enough" respectively.

In another example, the set of instructions defines combinations of values of X and the horizontal oar angle 50 during the power phase of the rowing stroke. If the values of these two parameters lie within defined limits, no training message is communicated. If however the values of these parameters fall outside the defined limits, a training message will be communicated informing the rower of the fault. For instance, if the value of X is relatively too low for the oar position, the training message "Fault - leg drive too early' could be displayed on the liquid crystal display 76 and through the speakers 78.

In another example, the processor 60 communicates a training message relating to the sequence of the rowing action. For instance, at the end of the power phase of the rowing stroke, the force exerted on the force sensor foot plate 28 is reduced, the oar tips 13 are raised out of the water and the oar 12 is rotated substantially through 90 about its longitudinal axis 54.

These actions happen substantially simultaneously and appropriate training messages can be communicated if the order of the actions is incorrect.

The apparatus permits a user to input a defined set of user values via the keyboard 56. The user values then affect the training messages which are communicated. For example, the user may choose a level of expertise such as beginner, intermediate or expert. For each of these levels of expertise, the bands of acceptable values for which fault messages are not communicated could be different, so that an expert rower is coached to a higher standard than a beginner.

The set of instructions could be arranged so that the training messages communicated are dependent on the performance of the rower, so that the training messages are automatically altered to suit the level of competence of the user. For instance, the processor could monitor the number of faults over a period of time or over a number of strokes. If the number of faults is above a defined limit, the user could be promoted to a higher competence level and if the number of faults was below a defined limit, the user could be demoted to a lower competence level. In a further example, if particular faults recur with a defined regularity, the training message could instruct the rower to perform a particular exercise designed to help correct this fault.

Various modifications may be without departing from the scope of this embodiment of the invention. The sensors used could be any suitable type of sensors, which could be located in any suitable position. The force sensor for instance could be located along the oar or oars, or in the rigger. Oar position sensors could be located on each oar. The training apparatus could be incorporated into the construction of the boat, or could be portable and used on any suitable boat. The training apparatus could be located in any suitable part of the boat. The training messages could be communicated by any suitable means, and could comprise any suitable message. For instance, in a simple example a buzzer could sound or a light could flash to indicate a fault.

The apparatus could be arranged to train a plurality of users. For instance, in the example of a rowing boat, sensors could be located to sense the values of the parameters associated with the actions of each oarsman.

The sensors could communicate with a single controller and the set of instructions could define training messages suitable for the rowing team as well as individual oarsman.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention, sports apparatus, the sports apparatus including a golf club 84. Training apparatus according to the invention includes a force sensor 82 mounted to the golf club 84 for sensing the force transmitted by the club 84. The apparatus includes a controller in the form of a computer 44 mounted to a belt around the waist of a golfer 86 and in communication with the force sensor 82 by means of wires or by wireless transmission. The apparatus further includes a plurality of sensing points mounted to a jacket 80 worn by the golfer 86 to sense the position of the body of the golfer 86 during play. The apparatus includes an output device in communication with the computer 44, the output device being in the form of an earpiece loud speaker 30 for communication training messages to the golfer.

The force sensor 82 could be in the form of a strain gauge transducer.

In use, the player swings the club 84 to strike a golf ball (not shown), and the force sensor 82 senses the force transmitted during the swing. The body position sensor 80 senses the position of the body during the stroke.

The values of the force and body position are communicated to the computer 44 which processes the values and communicates a training message to the user via the earpiece loudspeaker 30.

For example, during the impact of the golf club 84 with the ball, the force transmitted undergoes a spike. If impact duration is too low, the training message "Grip is too tight" is communicated. In another example, the training message "Grip is too tight" could be communicated if vibration subsequent to the impact is below a defined level. In another example, the training message "Too much body twist" could be communicated if the angle through which the shoulders are twisted during the swing is sensed to be above a defined level.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The training apparatus could be used for training a user to improve a performance of any physical act. The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 could be adapted for any racket sport such as tennis, in which a force sensor could be mounted to the racket. The training apparatus could be used in other sports. For example, in cycling force and angle sensors could be mounted to the pedals of a cycle. In sports involving jumping, a force sensor plate could measure force transmitted by an athlete's foot at take off. The apparatus is particularly suitable for sporting activities, but could also be applied to dance training, in which the position of the body is sensed relative to music being played or a defined choreographic sequence. The apparatus could also be applied to the training of disabled persons to perform physical activities.

The sensors could include sensors monitoring the values of parameters associated with the body of the user such as pulse rate, blood pressure and body temperature, and the training messages communicated could be dependent on the values of these parameters. The training messages could include warning messages if the values of the body parameters exceed defined limits.

The sensors could include sensors monitoring the values of parameters associated with the environment in which the physical act is performed, such as wind speed and direction, air and water temperature and humidity. The training messages communicated could be dependent on the values of these parameters.

There is thus provided training apparatus for training a user to improve the performance of a physical act which can substantially replace a human coach. The apparatus has the advantage of accuracy of analysis over a human coach, speed of analysis and consistency of analysis so that faults can be identified as they are occurring or immediately after they occur and corrected immediately. The apparatus can be positioned in places inaccessible to a coach, and monitor physical acts which are fast moving and/or complex. The apparatus provides the user with substantially instantaneous feedback on the performance of the physical act allowing rapid correction of faults in technique. The apparatus can identify recurring faults, and alter the training messages in accordance with the performance of the user and/or in accordance with user defined values.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Training apparatus for training a user to improve the performance of a physical act, the apparatus including a sensor for sensing a value of a parameter associated with the physical act a controller in communication with the sensor, and an output device in communication with the controller, the output device arranged to communicate a training message to the user, the apparatus being arranged to communicate the training message to the user in accordance with the value of the parameter sensed in use.

2. Training apparatus according to claim 17 in which the apparatus is arranged so that the training message is communicated to the user during or immediately after the performance of the physical act.

3. Training apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the output device is arranged to communicate a plurality of different training messages to the user.

4. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a plurality of sensors, each of which senses a value of a different parameter associated with the physical act.

5. Training apparatus according to claim 4, in which the or each sensor is any of a position sensor, a velocity sensor, a torque sensor, a force sensor, an acceleration sensor or any other suitable sensor.

6. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes a set of instructions which defines the training message associated with each value of the or each parameter.

7. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the training message is an audible and/or visual training message.

8. Training apparatus according to claim 7, in which the audible training message comprises pre-recorded or synthesised speech.

9. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes a time measurement means such as a timer or a clock.

10. Training apparatus according to claim 97 in which the time measurement means generates a time value.

11. Training apparatus according to claim 10, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the time value.

12. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller is arranged to permit a user to input a defined set of user 1 5 values.

13. Training apparatus according to claim 12, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the user values.

14. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a sensor which senses the value of a parameter associated with the body of the user.

15. Training apparatus according to claim 14, in which the apparatus includes a plurality of body sensors, which each sense a value of a different body parameter.

16. Training apparatus according to claims 14 or 15, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the body parameter value or values.

17. Training apparatus according to claim 16, in which the dependent training messages are warning messages relating to the health of the user.

18. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a sensor which senses the value of a parameter associated with the environment in which the physical act is performed.

19. Training apparatus according to claim 18, in which the apparatus includes a plurality of environmental sensors, which each sense a value of a different environmental parameter.

20. Training apparatus according to claims 18 or 19, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the environmental parameter value or values.

21. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller is arranged to change the training messages associated with the parameter values if the user meets or fails to meet defined parameter values over a defined time value or over a defined number of performances of the act.

22. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes memory storage in which the values of the or each parameter may be stored.

23. Training apparatus according to claim 22, in which the memory storage also stores the time values and/or the user values, and/or the body parameter values, and/or the environmental parameter values.

24. Training apparatus according to claims 22 or 23, in which the controller is arranged to permit recovery of the stored values from the memory storage.

25. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes an input device.

26. Training apparatus according to claim 25, in which the input device comprises a keyboard.

27. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims in which the apparatus is arranged to train a plurality of users to improve the performance of a physical act or acts.

28. Training apparatus according to claim 27, in which the controller is in communication with a plurality of substantially identical sensors which each sense a value of a parameter associated with the physical act performed by one or a plurality of the users.

29. Training apparatus according to claims 27 or 28, in which the apparatus is arranged to communicate a training message to each or a plurality of the users.

30. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is portable.

31. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the training apparatus is for training a rower to improve the rowing of a rowing boat.

32. Training apparatus according to claim 31, in which the apparatus includes any of a force sensor to measure the force exerted by the rower, a seat position sensor, an oar position sensor, and a boat speed sensor.

33. Training apparatus according to claim 32, in which the oar position sensor includes a sensor to measure the horizontal angular oar position, and/or a sensor to measure the vertical angular oar position, and/or a sensor to measure the angular rotation of the oar along its longitudinal axis.

34. A rowing boat or rowing machine, the rowing boat or rowing machine including training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims.

35. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

35. Training apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 30, in which the training apparatus is for training a player to play a game using a racket or a club.

36. Training apparatus according to claim 35, in which the apparatus includes any of a body position sensor and a force sensor for sensing the force transmitted by the racket or club.

37. Training apparatus according to claim 36, in which the body position sensor senses the position of the body during play.

38. Training apparatus according to claims 36 or 37, in which the body position sensor comprises a plurality of sensing points mounted to an item of clothing such as a jacket.

39. Sports apparatus, the apparatus including a racket or club and training apparatus according to any of claims 35 to 38.

40. Training apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

41. A rowing boat or rowing machine substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

42. Sports apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

43. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. Training apparatus for training a user to improve the performance of rowing, sculling or land based rowing, the apparatus including an oar position sensor to measure the horizontal angular oar position and the vertical angular oar position, a controller in communication with the sensors, and an output device in communication with the controller, the output device arranged to communicate a training message to the user, the apparatus being arranged to communicate the training message to the user in accordance with the value of the parameter sensed in use.

2. Training apparatus according to claim 1, in which the apparatus is arranged so that the training message is communicated to the user during or immediately after the performance of the physical act.

3. Training apparatus according to claim 1 including an additional sensor to measure the angular rotation of the oar along its longitudinal axis.

4. Training apparatus according to claim 1 including an additional sensor to measure the speed of the boat.

5. Training apparatus according to claim 1 including an additional sensor to measure the position of the sliding seat.

6. Training apparatus according to claim 1 including additional sensor(s) to measure the forces exerted by the rower.

7. Training apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the output device is arranged to communicate a plurality of different training messages to the user.

8. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes a set of instructions which defines the training message associated with each value of the or each parameter.

9. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the training message is an audible and/or visual training message.

10. Training apparatus according to claim 9, in which the audible training message comprises pre-recorded or synthesised speech.

11. Training apparatus according to claim 9, in which the training message is displayed using written language.

12. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes a time measurement means such as a timer or a clock.

13. Training apparatus according to claim 12, in which the time measurement means generates a time value.

14. Training apparatus according to claim 13, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the time value.

15. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller is arranged to permit a user to input a defined set of user values.

16. Training apparatus according to claim 15, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the user values.

17. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a sensor which senses the value of a parameter associated with the body of the user.

18. Training apparatus according to claim 17, in which the apparatus includes a plurality of body sensors, which each sense a value of a different body parameter.

19. Training apparatus according to claims 17 or 18, in which one or some l O of the training messages is dependent on the body parameter value or values.

20. Training apparatus according to claim 19, in which the dependent training messages are warning messages relating to the health of the l 5 user.

21. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a sensor which senses the value of a parameter associated with the environment in which the physical act is performed.

22. Training apparatus according to claim 21, in which the apparatus includes a plurality of environmental sensors, which each sense a value of a different environmental parameter.

23. Training apparatus according to claims 21 or 22, in which one or some of the training messages is dependent on the environmental parameter value or values.

24. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller is arranged to change the training messages associated with the parameter values if the user meets or fails to meet defined parameter values over a defined time value or over a defined number of performances of the act.

25. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes memory storage in which the values of the or each parameter may be stored.

26. Training apparatus according to claim 25, in which the memory storage also stores the time values and/or the user values, and/or the body parameter values, and/or the environmental parameter values.

27. Training apparatus according to claims 25 or 26, in which the controller is arranged to permit recovery of the stored values from the memory storage.

28. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the controller includes an input device.

29. Training apparatus according to claim 28, in which the input device comprises a keyboard.

30. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is arranged to train a plurality of users to rowing performance.

31. Training apparatus according to claim 30, in which the controller is in communication with a plurality of substantially identical sensors which each sense a value of a parameter associated with the physical act performed by one or a plurality of the users.

32. Training apparatus according to claims 30 or 31, in which the apparatus is arranged to communicate a training message to each or a plurality of the users.

33. Training Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is portable.

34. Training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the set of instructions is altered to suit the competence of the rower so l O that the training messages communicated are dependent on the performance on the rower.