ITUB20159480A1 - System for the calculation of a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of a gymnastic exercise and method of operation of said system. - Google Patents

Description

System for calculating a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of a gymnastic exercise and method of operation of said system.

The present invention relates to a system for calculating a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of a gymnastic exercise.

The present invention also relates to a method of operation of said system.

More in detail, the invention relates to a system and a method of the above type, studied and implemented in particular for determining the power threshold value and the heart rate threshold value, which a user can reach during the execution of a gymnastic exercise. on an exercise machine of the type spinning bike, eid or simulator or cycle ergometer or the like, but which can be used for any exercise machine in which it is necessary to determine the physiological parameters indicated above.

In the following the description will be addressed to a system and a method of operation related to a spinning bike, but it is very clear that the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.

As is well known, there are currently devices and suitable algorithms for calculating the maximum threshold heart rate of a user, who performs an exercise, in order to obtain certain results in terms of training and improvement of his own physical abilities.

Said devices and algorithms require the user to enter some personal data such as age, weight, height and the like into the control system of the exercise machine. Alternatively, for less advanced machines, it is necessary to provide said data to the assigned personnel.

Furthermore, said devices and algorithms of known type are based on physical tests which subject the user to a high effort for a predefined time interval, generally twenty minutes, this implying a high expenditure of energy, to which users often do not intend to undergo.

Among other things, the user with this system must provide their personal data on which they may wish to have some confidentiality.

Furthermore, the tests to which users are subjected involve a high effort, such as to be potentially even risky for a user.

In light of the above, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and an algorithm for determining the threshold value of the power developed by a user and a heart rate threshold value, subjecting the user to an effort gradually over time.

Another object of the invention is to perform the calculation of the power and heart rate threshold values without using the user's personal data.

Therefore, the specific object of the present invention is a system for calculating a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of a gymnastic exercise on a passive exercise machine, of the type comprising a resistance unit, comprising: sensor means for the detection of the rotation speed of said resistance unit and logic control unit, operatively connected to said sensor means, equipped with software, so as to perform the following steps:

(A) acquiring the data detected by said sensor means for a time interval of predetermined duration in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at an average speed of about 70-100 revolutions per minute;

{B) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said phase (A);

(C) acquiring the data detected by said sensor means for a time interval having a predetermined time duration and less than the time duration of the time interval of said phase (A), in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at a speed higher than that of 70-100 revolutions per minute, corresponding to the highest speed that can be reached by said user;

D) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said step (C); And

(E) calculating a weighted average FTP by means of predetermined coefficients of said average power values calculated in said steps {B) and {D).

Further according to the invention, the calculation performed in said step (E) is carried out according to the following formula:

FTP = - <a> qxlOO

mx ^ -xlOoj

where a is the average power calculated in said phase {B); b is the average power calculated in said phase (D); m and q are fixed predetermined coefficients.

Preferably according to the invention, said system can comprise a storage unit of the data acquired in said steps (A) and (C) and calculated in said steps (B) and (D).

Still according to the invention, said phase {D) comprises a first sub-phase (D1) for measuring the user's heart rate.

Further according to the invention, said phase (D) comprises a second sub-phase (D2) for calculating a maximum threshold value of the heart rate of said user according to the following formula:

Fc = (a-m) Xq

where a is the average heart rate measured in said first sub-phase (DI).

Preferably according to the invention, said phase {C) has a temporal duration that is four times shorter than the temporal duration of said phase (A), in particular said phase (A) has a temporal duration of 16 minutes and said phase (C) has a time duration of 4 minutes.

A further object of the present invention is a method for calculating a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of a gymnastic exercise on a passive exercise machine of the type comprising a resistance unit, comprising the following steps:

{A) Detecting the rotation speed of said resistance unit for a time interval of predetermined duration in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at an average speed of about 70-100 revolutions per minute;

(B) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said phase (A);

(C) detecting the rotation speed of said resistance unit for a time interval having a predetermined time duration and less than the time duration of the time interval of said phase (A), in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at maximum speed that can be reached by said user;

{D) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said phase <C);

(E) calculating a weighted average FTP by means of predetermined coefficients of said average power values calculated in said steps {B) and {D).

Further according to the invention, the calculation performed in said step (E) is carried out according to the following formula:

to

FTP = -XlOO

<r> b

mX xlOO

Ka

Where a is the average power calculated in said phase (B); b is the average power calculated in said phase (D); m and q are fixed predetermined coefficients.

Still according to the invention, said phase (D) comprises a first sub-phase (D1) for measuring the user's heart rate.

Preferably according to the invention, said phase {D) comprises a second sub-phase {D2) for calculating a maximum threshold value of the heart rate of said user according to the following formula:

Fc = (a - m) X q

Where a is the average heart rate measured in said first sub-phase (DI).

The present invention will now be described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the attached drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a block diagram of the system object of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the operating phases of the system and of the method object of the present invention;

figure 3 shows a graph of a detail of the steps of the method object of the present invention; And

Figure 4 shows a graph of visualization of data obtained by carrying out the method object of the present invention.

In the various figures similar parts will be indicated with the same numerical references.

The threshold value of the power that can be developed by a user who performs an exercise on an exercise machine, also called FTP - Functional Threshold Power, is the maximum power that a user can develop in a period of time. This power can be measured in Watts.

The "% FTP" value is the ratio between an instantaneous power value and the power threshold value, expressed in percentage Watts.

Regarding heart rate, a user's heart rate threshold value is the maximum heart rate at which a user can perform an exercise,

The "% HR MAX" value is the ratio between an instant heart rate value and the heart rate threshold value, expressed in percentage beats. Heart rate values can only be calculated if the user's age is known.

With reference to the attached figures, the system S object of the present invention is applied to passive exercise machines of the type comprising a rotating resistance unit U, for example a spinning bike of the type comprising a rotating flywheel.

The system S comprises means 1 for direct or indirect detection of the power developed by the user on said exercise machine, a memory unit 2 and a logic control unit 3.

In particular, said means 1 for direct or indirect detection of the power developed by the user can be sensors for detecting the torque developed by the flywheel U, sensors for the rotation speed of the flywheel or sensors for mechanical deformation of mechanical components that make up the drive unit. resistance, such as strain gauges or torque gauges or magnetic sensors.

The system also comprises a memory unit 2 for storing the data measured by said detection means 1 and the processed data, as will be described in detail below.

Said memory unit 2 is connected to said detection means 1.

Said system S also comprises a logic control unit 3, operatively connected with said memory unit 2 and with said detection means 1, which determines the FTP value developed by a user moving on said exercise machine, on the basis of the data detected by said detection means 1 and of the data stored in said memory unit 2, according to a calculation algorithm contained in said logic control unit 3.

The determination of the maximum power threshold value that a user can develop during the performance of a gymnastic exercise is useful since, during the collective training of several users led by an instructor, it is possible for each user to recall from the memory unit of the machine gymnastic on which you are performing the exercise, the value of your power threshold.

The operating algorithm of the system object of the invention mainly comprises a first phase and a second phase better described below.

Said first phase has a predetermined time duration, typically 16 minutes, during which the user performs a gymnastic exercise at an intensity corresponding to a perception of moderate effort.

During said first phase the rotation speed (RDM) of the rotating resistance unit U, like the flywheel, of said exercise machine must be kept constant in a range of about 70-100 RDM.

Said second phase has a predetermined duration less than that of said first phase by about four times, typically 4 minutes, during which the user performs gymnastic exercise at a high intensity, generally the highest tolerable by the user. .

The power threshold value is a predetermined function of the average power developed in said first phase and of the average power developed in said second phase.

Said threshold value is calculated using the following formula:

to

FTP = xlOO

wherein a is the average power of said first phase; b is the average power of said second phase; m and q are fixed predetermined coefficients.

If the user wears the heart belt during these first and second phases, it is also possible to determine the threshold value of the heart rate, beyond which the user must not perform the gymnastic exercise, using the following formula:

Fc = (a-m) Xq

wherein a is the average heart rate measured by said heart band in said second phase.

On the display screen (not shown in the figures) with which this exercise machine is equipped, it is possible to display five different levels of% FTP, which can be selected by the user before starting a gymnastic exercise.

The levels are as follows:

- first level: it is displayed in blue, it corresponds to an active recovery in which FTP <55% and Fc <60%;

second level: it is displayed in green, it corresponds to a resistance work in which 55% <FTP <75% and 61% <F0 <70%;

- third level: it is displayed in yellow, it corresponds to an average job in which 76% <FTP <90% and 71% <Fc <80%;

- fourth level: it is displayed in yellow, it corresponds to a lactacid threshold work in which 91% <FTP <105% and 81% <Fc <90%; And

- fifth level: it is displayed in red and includes two sub-levels: a first level of maximum oxygen consumption (V02max) in which 106% <FTP <120% and 91% <Fc <100%; one second of aerobic capacity where 121% <FTP <150%.

Once the power threshold value has been determined, the user can set the training program to the level compatible with his or her fitness state by choosing a percentage of the power threshold value at which he wishes to train.

Furthermore, by repeating the algorithm periodically, the user can monitor its improvements.

As is evident from the above description, the system and the algorithm object of the present invention allow the instructor to set collective training sessions at the same level for all users, specifying the same percentage of the power threshold value for each user.

The present invention has been described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that variations and / or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without thereby departing from the relative scope of protection, such as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. System (S) for calculating a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of a gymnastic exercise on a passive exercise machine, of the type comprising a resistance unit (U), comprising: sensor means (1) for detecting the rotation speed of said resistance unit (U); And logic control unit (3), operatively connected to said sensor means (1), equipped with software, so as to perform the following steps: (A) acquiring the data detected by said sensor means (1) for a time interval of predetermined duration in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at an average speed of about 70-100 revolutions per minute; (B) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said phase (A); (C) acquiring the data detected by said sensor means (1) for a time interval having a predetermined time duration and less than the time duration of the time interval of said phase (A), in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at a speed higher than that of 70-100 revolutions per minute, corresponding to the highest speed that can be reached by said user; (D) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said step (C); And (E) calculating a weighted average FTP by means of predetermined coefficients of said average power values calculated in said steps (B) and (D). 2. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the calculation performed in said step (E) is carried out according to the following formula; FTP = - - -X100 mX ^ -XÌOoj where a is the average power calculated in said phase {B); b is the average power calculated in said phase {D); m and q are fixed predetermined coefficients. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a storage unit (2) of the data acquired in said steps (A) and {C) and calculated in said steps {B) and {D). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said phase (D) comprises a first sub-phase (Di) for measuring the user's heart rate. 5. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said phase (D) comprises a second sub-phase (D2) for calculating a maximum threshold value of the heart rate of said user according to the following formula: Fc = (a-m) Xq dovea is the average heart rate measured in said first sub-phase (DI). 6. System (S) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said phase (C) has a temporal duration that is four times shorter than the temporal duration of said phase (A), in particular said phase (A) has a time duration of 16 minutes and said phase (C) has a time duration of 4 minutes. 7. Method for calculating a threshold value of the power developed by a user during the performance of an exercise exercise on a passive exercise machine of the type comprising a resistance unit (U), comprising the following steps: (A) Detecting the rotation speed of said resistance unit for a time interval of predetermined duration in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at an average speed of about 70-100 revolutions per minute; (B) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said phase (A); (C) detecting the rotation speed of said resistance unit for a time interval having a predetermined time duration and less than the time duration of the time interval of said phase (A), in which said user performs the gymnastic exercise at maximum speed that can be reached by said user; (D) calculating the average power developed by said user on said exercise machine during said phase <C); (E) calculating a weighted average FTP by means of predetermined coefficients of said average power values calculated in said steps (B) and {D). 8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the calculation performed in said step (E) is carried out according to the following formula: to FTP = -XlOO (b Y mX -xlOO {to J where a is the average power calculated in said phase (B); & is the average power calculated in said phase {D); m and q are fixed predetermined coefficients. Method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said step (D) comprises a first sub-step (D1) for measuring the user's heart rate. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said step {D) comprises a second sub-step (D2) for calculating a maximum threshold value of the heart rate of said user according to the following formula: Fc = (a-m) Xq Where a is the average heart rate measured in said first sub-phase (Di).