WO2001097155A1

WO2001097155A1 - The system and method for determining prescription of exercise program through a measurment of physical fitness on network

Info

Publication number: WO2001097155A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong Gil Lee; Hee Kun Pak
Original assignee: Jong Gil Lee; Hee Kun Pak
Priority date: 2000-06-12
Filing date: 2001-06-12
Publication date: 2001-12-20
Also published as: AU2001264364A1; KR20000054566A

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network. The system comprises a web server connected to a client through the network to operate and control an input/output managing unit for providing a user of the client with the exercise program; an exercise prescribing engine for receiving input information related to an inquiry of lifestyle and examination of adult diseases inputted by the user through the client to retrieve and output inquiry and examination results based on the received input information, and for measuring the user's physical fitness, retrieving evaluation results of a level of the user's physical fitness, prescribing the exercise program to the user of the client based on the retrieved evaluation results of the level, and confirming and managing whether the user of the client has taken exercise according to the exercise program; and a database server for storing information on the user of the client, information required for the inquiry of the lifestyle, the examination of the adult diseases and the measurement of the physical fitness, and information on the exercise program to be prescribed to the user.

Description

THE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PRESCRIPTION OF EXERCISE PROGRAM THROUGH A MEASURMENT OF PHYSICAL

FITNESS ON NETWORK

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network, wherein a user of a client can have examination of adult diseases, measurment of the physical fitness, and evaluation of a level of the physical fitness on a network, and based on the results, the user can receive a prescription of an exercise program suitable to himself/herself to continuously manage his/her physical fitness.

Background Art

Due to high development of technological civilization and modern society, the moderns live in comfortable and convenient circumstances, whereas they suffer from chronic adult diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic fatigue, resulting from lack of physical activities and exercise.

Accordingly, a need of exercise for health promotion is greatly recognized throughout the society and many people have actually taken exercise. Such exercise for the health promotion should be suitable for their levels of health and physical fitness to prevent exercise injury and to obtain an effect of the health promotion. Therefore, the exercise must be performed in accordance with a scientifically prescribed exercise program. Heretofore, in order to receive a prescription of an exercise program, a customer should go to a hospital or special fitness center.

However, there was a problem in that in the case where the customer himself/herself went to the hospital or special fitness center, heavy time and economic burdens were imposed on the customer. In spite of recent rapid development of a computer and improvement of internet environment, the customer did not have an opportunity for receiving a correct prescription of an exercise program suitable to himself/herself under the circumstances.

Consequently, determination of a prescription of an exercise program which has been determined until now has caused inconvenience that the customer himself/herself should go to the hospital or special fitness center on off-line. Additionally, only a minority of people has received the prescription of the exercise program from the hospital or special fitness center due to the economic burden.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for determining a prescription of an exercise program, wherein a user of a client can have an inquiry of health-related lifestyle, examination of adult diseases, measurement of physical fitness, and evaluation of levels of health and physical fitness, and based on these results, the user can receive the prescription of the exercise program suitable for himself/herself

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method which allows a user to perform systematic and continuous heath-related physical fitness management regardless of a place and time, to raise consciousness of his/her health and physical fitness and to continuously take interest in his/her physical fitness management.

In order to achieve the above objects of the present invention, according to one aspect of the present invention, a system for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network comprises a web server cormected to a client through the network to operate and control an input/output managing unit for providing a user of the client with the exercise program, thereby allowing the user of the client to continuously manage the user's physical fitness; an exercise prescribing engine controlled by the web server for receiving input information related to an inquiry of lifestyle and examination of adult diseases inputted by the user through the client connected to the web server to retrieve and output inquiry and examination results based on the received input information, and for measuring the user's physical fitness, retrieving evaluation results of a level of the user's physical fitness, prescribing the exercise program to the user of the client based on the retrieved evaluation results of the level, and confirming and managing whether the user of the client has taken exercise according to the exercise program, when it is determined from the examination results that the exercise program can be prescribed to the user; and a database server controlled by the web server for storing information on the user of the client, information required for the inquiry of the lifestyle, the examination of the adult diseases and the measurement of the physical fitness, and information on the exercise program to be prescribed to the user. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network so that a user of a client connected via the network in a system for determining the prescription of the exercise program is provided with the prescription comprises the member authentication step of, upon connection with the client via the network, authenticating the user as a member; the display step of, when the user requests determination of the prescription of the exercise program suitable for the user after the member authentication step, retrieving question contents for inquiry of lifestyle and examination of adult diseases from a database server, and displaying the question contents; the examination step of, when input information related to the inquiry of the lifestyle and the examination of the adult diseases are received from the client after the display step, retrieving inquiry results of the lifestyle and examination results of the adult diseases based on the received input information from the database server, and transmitting the inquiry and examination results to the client; the determination step of, when whether the exercise program can be prescribed to the user is determined based on the retrieved examination results after the examination step, transmitting a message that the exercise program cannot be prescribed to the user in a case where the prescription of the exercise program is not allowable to the user, and retrieving and displaying multimedia data on measurement of the physical fitness so that the user can perform the measurement of the physical fitness in a case where the prescription of the exercise program is allowable to the user; the physical fitness measuring step of, when values of the measurement of the physical fitness performed according to the multimedia data are received from the client after the determination step, retrieving and transmitting evaluation results of a level of the physical fitness based on the received measuring values of the physical fitness; and the exercise program prescribing step of, when a desired exercise event, the number of days on which the user can take exercise for a week, and exercise habits in the exercising times from the client, generating the exercise program corresponding to the inputted exercise habits and the evaluation results of the level, and prescribing the generated exercise program to the user of the client. Furthermore, according to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network, comprises the steps of performing login and member authentication of a user when the user connects with an input/output managing unit of a web server though a client; inquiring of the user whether the user wants to view a day's exercise program on the appointed day after the login and member authentication; presenting the user a day's exercise program on the appointed day when the user selects view of a day's exercise program on the appointed day, or inquiring of the user whether the user wants to have examination of adult diseases when the user does not select the view of a day's exercise program on the appointed day; when the user selects the examination of the adult diseases, outputting examination results of the examination of the adult diseases by causing a parameter analyzing unit to analyze information inputted into the input/output managing unit of the web server through the client and by comparing the inputted information with information stored in a database server; measuring the user's physical fitness according to respective components of physical fitness after the adult disease examination step; and outputting evaluation results of a level of the user's physical fitness based on measurement results of the physical fitness measured in the step of measuring the user's physical fitness according to the respective components of physical fitness, and presenting the user the exercise program.

Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the constitution of a system for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart specifically showing the display step which can be further employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart specifically showing the examination step which can be further employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart specifically showing the step of measuring physical fitness which can be further employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically showing the step of determining a prescription of an exercise program which can be further employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart specifically showing the steps after the stage of determining a prescription of an exercise program, which can be further employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart specifically showing the step of examining adult diseases of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a flowchart specifically showing the step of measuring the physical fitness according to the respective components thereof of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically showing the step of presenting an exercise program of FIG. 8.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, a system and method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement of physical fitness on a network according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the constitution of a system for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to this figure, the present invention relates to a system for determining a prescription of an exercise program 10 (hereinafter, referring briefly to as "system") to which clients 60~63 are connected via a wire/wireless network means. Here, the clients

60-63 are terminal for users (members) through which inquiry of their lifestyles, examination of their adult diseases and measurement of their physical fitness can be performed in order to receive the prescription of an exercise program suitable for themselves from the system 10 via the network. That is, the clients correspond to network-based terminals such as computer systems, PDAs, TV internet terminals, and

IMT-2000 terminals.

Since hardware, software and network means for implementing these clients 60-63 have been already well known in the art of the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The system 10 is constructed to include a web server 20, an exercise prescribing engine 30, and a database server 40 (DBMS).

The web server 20 is constructed to include a control unit 23, an input/output managing unit 25, and a communication unit 28.

Here, the control unit 23 includes an operating system (OS) such as Linux 6.2 or Windows 2000 server for controlling the operation of the system 10, hardware drivers, applications required in the system 10, and the like, in order to control a series of functions for providing each user of the clients with determination on the prescription of the exercise program and continuous management of his/her physical fitness according to the exercise program. Further, the input/output managing unit 25 is a website for providing world wide web services or a mobile site in which mobile internet services can be performed. That is, the managing unit can provide the users or members with environments used for member subscription, inquiry of lifestyles, examination of adult diseases, provision of multimedia data for measuring the physical fitness, provision of health and physical fitness contents, determination and registration of the exercise program, management of their physical fitness according to the exercise program, and the like.

Furthermore, the communication unit 28 comprises hardware and network means (network adaptor, protocol, etc.) for performing the wire/wireless communication with the clients 60~63 to provide a communication environment on the network. The exercise prescribing engine 30 is constructed to include a parameter analyzing unit 33 and an application program unit 35.

Here, when input information on the inquiry of the lifestyles and examination of the adult diseases is transmitted from the clients 60-63 that are connected to the web server 20, the parameter analyzing unit 33 retrieves and outputs inquiry results of the lifestyles and examination results of the adult diseases based on the input information transmitted thereto.

It is preferred that in order to perform more objective and scientific lifestyle inquiry and adult disease examination, question contents thereof be retrieved from the database server 40 in consideration of the sex, age, etc. of the user and the inquiry be implemented to each user of the clients 60-63 based on the retrieved question contents.

That is, it is preferred that the parameter analyzing unit 33 exactly calculate point attributes assigned differentially according to the received input information (i.e., short answer type, numeric type) and calculate an adjusted value (query language) needed for data search, and that the parameter analyzing unit retrieve the inquiry and examination results corresponding to the calculated value from the database server 40 and output the results.

The point attribute corresponds to a point of the respective pieces of the input information that is assigned differentially according to the input information (short answer type, numeric type) of the clients 60-63 with respect to the question contents or an allotted point that is assigned when examining the relevant adult diseases. The point attribute is used in data processing and analysis by the parameter analyzing unit 33.

Furthermore, the parameter analyzing unit 33 determines, on the basis of the examination results, whether the prescription of the exercise program can be determined. In a case where it is determined that the prescription of the exercise program cannot be determined, the parameter analyzing unit transmits to the clients a message that the determination of the prescription of the exercise program is not allowable. Otherwise, the parameter analyzing unit retrieves an exercise program suitable for the evaluation results of the physical fitness obtained by making the measurement of the physical fitness and determines the prescription of the exercise program for the clients. According to a determining criterion as to whether the prescription of the exercise program can be determined, the parameter analyzing unit 33 determines that the prescription of the exercise program cannot be given when any one of the adult diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis, is determined as a high risk based on the examination results in which each of the adult diseases has been classified into any one grade of normality (good), low risk (fair), medium risk (poor) and high risk (not exercisable).

It is more preferred that the exercise program of which prescription is given to the clients be constructed to include events, quantities, objectives and plans of the exercises in which the age, sex, evaluation results and degree of obesity of the user are considered according to physical fitness components related to upper limb exercises, abdominal exercises, lower limb exercises, flexibility exercises and cardiorespiratory exercises.

In addition, when each user of the clients 60-63 selects the relevant exercise event from the exercise program given to himself/herself, the application program unit 35 displays multimedia data for illustrating correct motions of the selected exercise. Then, when the application program unit receives information on completion of the selected exercise event, it is registered into the database server 40 whether each user of the clients 60-63 has completed the selected exercise event.

It should be understood that the multimedia data include exact illustration and video for the motions about the warming-up exercise, main exercise and cooling-down exercise.

Further, the application program unit 35 automatically and periodically searches the results, which have been registered into the database server 40, as to whether the user has completed the exercise performance. Also, the application program unit finds out an e-mail address of the user who did not take the exercise for a predetermined period of time (three days, a week, etc.) and automatically transmits a message for encouraging the user to take the exercise. Thus, continuous management of his/her physical fitness can be provided to the user.

It is preferred that in order to provide the user with scientific management of his/her physical fitness, the application program unit 35 gradually cause exercise duration, exercise frequency, and the like to be changed, based on the data on whether the user has completed the exercise performance, which have been automatically and periodically searched and registered into the database server 40.

Besides, it is more preferred that the application program unit 35 show variance of degrees regarding the degree of exercise performance, the degree of obesity and the degree of physical fitness improvement in order to perform the continuous management of health and physical fitness of each user of the clients 60-63, prepare a written opinion on the variance, and cause the opinion to be reflected when the prescription of the exercise program is re-determined every three months.

Thus, there are advantages in that each user of the clients 60-63 can get the prescription of the exercise program suitable for himself/herself through the lifestyle inquiry, the adult disease examination and the physical fitness measurement, and in that the user can continuously and systematically manage his/her physical fitness by himself/herself through the prescribed exercise program regardless of time and place.

The database management server 40 (DBMS) is constructed to include a member database 43, an examination database 45 and an exercise database 48. Here, the member database 43 comprises fundamental member data, exercise environment data, and exercise program data.

The fundamental member data are comprised of IDs, passwords, and fundamental personal matters (sex, name, age, e-mail address, etc.), which are received from each user of the clients 60-63 through a request for member subscription. The data on the exercise environments are comprised of the inquiry results obtained by inquiring the lifestyles, the examination results obtained by examining the adult diseases and the evaluation results of a level of the physical fitness obtained by measuring the physical fitness, which are performed according to the respective members, and the degrees of obesity for the respective members.

The exercise program data are comprised of the exercise events, exercise quantities, exercise objectives and exercise plans for the respective members, which are prescribed to each user of the clients 60-63 with respect to the physical fitness components related to the upper limb exercises, abdominal exercises, lower limb exercises, flexibility exercises, cardiorespiratory exercises, and the like in consideration of the exercise environment data.

Furthermore, it is more preferred that the exercise program data contain the variance such as the degrees of the members' exercise performance, the degrees of their obesity and the degrees of their physical fitness improvement in order to perform the continuous management of their health and physical fitness, and include information on exercise program histories made by re-determining the prescriptions of the exercise programs every a predetermined period of time (three months).

In addition, the examination database 45 comprises question data and response data. The question data are comprised of the question contents that are required for the lifestyle inquiry, adult disease examination and physical fitness measurement, and the point attributes that are assigned differentially according to the information inputted in response to the question contents.

Tables 1 and 2 show the question data for the lifestyle inquiry stored into the examination database 45. [Table 1] Question data table for the lifestyle inquiry (general matters)

[Table 2] Question data table for the lifestyle inquiry (eating habits)

Referring to Tables 1 and 2, the question data for the lifestyle inquiry are comprised of the serial numbers, the question contents, information on the relevant adult diseases and the point attributes. Here, the point attributes mean the allotted points that are assigned to the relevant adult diseases when the input information of the clients 60-63 is inputted as a "yes" answer (in case of the short answer type having "yes" and "no" answers). Further, they are used for causing a health degree associated with the relevant adult diseases to be determined and the examination results to be retrieved.

For example, if the input information, "yes," as an answer to the question contents in the eighth item "I hardly take exercise during the spared time" is received from the clients 60-63, one (1) point is allotted to each of the diabetes, hypertension and heart disease corresponding to the relevant adult diseases in the eighth item, which is, in turn, used as data for retrieving the examination results by the parameter analyzing unit 33.

Tables 3 to 5 show question data used for examining the adult diseases, which have beforehand stored into the examination database 45.

[Table 3] Question data table for adult disease (diabetes) examination

[Table 4] Question data table for adult disease (heart disease) examination

[Table 5] Question data table for adult disease (hypertension) examination

Referring to Tables 3 to 5, the question data for the adult disease examination are comprised of the serial numbers, the question contents, information on the relevant adult diseases and the point attributes.

Here, the point attributes mean the allotted points to be assigned according to the input information ("yes" or "no'Vmeasuring values) of the clients 60-63 or criteria for determining the health degree associated with the relevant adult diseases with respect to the specific measuring values. They are exactly calculated by the parameter analyzing unit 33 and used for calculating the adjusted values (query language) required in the data search (retrieval of the examination result).

Furthermore, it is more preferred that the question data for the lifestyle inquiry and adult disease examination be prepared in consideration of the sex, age, etc of each user of the clients 60-63, and thus, that the lifestyle inquiry and adult disease examination be more objectively and realistically performed.

Table 6 shows question data used for measuring the physical fitness, which have beforehand stored into the examination database 45.

[Table 6] Question data table for physical fitness measurement (upper limb muscular strength)

Referring to Table 6, the question data for the physical fitness measurement are constructed to include grade information in which the age and sex of the member who inputs the input information (measuring values) of the clients 60-63 are considered according to the measuring methods classified by the physical fitness components.

The grade information is information on the physical fitness evaluation according to the input information (the measuring values) of the clients 60-63 based on the physical fitness measurement, and it is used for retrieving evaluation results of the physical fitness level to be transmitted to the clients 60-63.

Furthermore, it is more preferred that the question data for the physical fitness measurement be constructed to include multimedia data (showing an exemplary video, a verbal command, a completion alarm, etc.) on the method of measuring the physical fitness such that the physical fitness of the user can be measured on the basis of correct motions of the user.

Therefore, there is an advantage in that each user of the clients 60-63 can receive the measurement results of his/her physical fitness performed on the basis of the correct motions regardless of time and place.

In addition, the question data for the physical fitness measurement comprise measuring items classified by the physical fitness components in order to measure the physical fitness according to the physical fitness components (upper limb muscular strength, abdominal muscular strength, flexibility, lower limb muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, etc.). It is more preferred that the physical fitness measurement of each user of the clients 60-63 be performed through various measuring methods in consideration of a measuring place, the sex, the age, etc.

The response data is constructed to comprise the inquiry results, the examination results and the evaluation results of the physical fitness level, all of which are obtained according to the input information made in response to the question data.

Tables 7 and 8 show response data corresponding to the input information of the clients 60-63 classified by the respective items, which are obtained from the lifestyle inquiry.

[Table 7] Response data table obtained from lifestyle inquiry (general)

[Table 8] Response data table obtained from lifestyle inquiry (eating habits)

Referring to Tables 7 and 8, the response data obtained from the lifestyle inquiry are constructed to comprise data classified by the respective items corresponding to the case where the input information ("yes," "no," or the like) of the clients 60-63 is a "yes" answer.

For example, when the information inputted for the lifestyle inquiry by the user is received from the relevant one of the clients 60-63, the response data corresponding to the respective items are retrieved. Then, the inquiry results that are mapped to the retrieved response data are transferred to the clients 60-63.

It is more preferred that information relevant to the inquiry results (e.g., a method of quitting smoking, a proper diet, etc.) be provided to the clients 60-63 together with the response data obtained from the lifestyle inquiry.

Further, the results of examining the adult diseases are stored correspondingly to the adjusted values (query language) that the parameter analyzing unit 33 have computed by exactly calculating the point attributes related to the lifestyle inquiry and adult disease examination according to the input information of the clients 60-63.

Table 9 shows classifications of the adjusted values of the point attributes, which are used to retrieve the examination results.

[Table 9] Table for determining the adult diseases according to the adjusted values of the point attributes

Referring to Table 9, the results of examining the adult diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis are mapped to the response data on the relevant adult diseases retrieved by the determination table in which the examination results of the adult diseases are classified into normality (good), low risk (fair), medium risk (poor) and high risk (not exercisable) based on the adjusted point attributes for the respective input information of the clients 60-63.

Further, the determination table contains criteria for determining whether the parameter analyzing unit 33 can give the prescription of the exercise program to the clients. If any one of the adult diseases is determined to be a high risk, the determination that the prescription of the exercise program is not allowable is made.

Furthermore, the response data are constructed to comprise the evaluation results of the physical fitness levels obtained by measuring the physical fitness.

That is, if the input information of the clients corresponding to the results of measuring the physical fitness according to upper limb exercises, abdominal exercises, lower limb exercises, flexibility exercises and cardiorespiratory exercises, the grades (A,

B, C; or good, fair, poor) corresponding to the input information is determined. Then, the response data corresponding to the determined grades are retrieved and provided to the clients as the evaluation results of the physical fitness. For example, it is assumed that the physical fitness measurement has been performed as follows. Upper limb muscular strength (push-up): 20 times

Abdominal muscular strength (sit-up): 22 times Flexibility (trunk flexion): 5 cm

Lower limb muscular strength (deep knee bend with one leg): 3 times Cardiorespiratory fitness (chair stand): Heart rate is 130 times per minute. Degree of obesity: 24.2 At this time, the evaluation results of the physical fitness level are outputted like the following example.

"Your upper limb muscular strength corresponds to an ordinary level. Your abdominal muscular strength corresponds to a level lower than an ordinary level, and thus, it is likely that lumbago occurs. Your flexibility is slightly lower than an ordinary level, your lower limb muscular strength corresponds to a medium level, and your cardioresipiratory fitness should also be strengthened a little. As the result of measuring the degree of obesity that becomes a cause of the adult disease, your degree of obesity has not yet reached a dangerous level, but an aerobic exercise is required when your age is considered."

On the other hand, the exercise database 47 includes exercise event data, environment data according to the respective exercise events, and multimedia data according to the respective exercise events.

The exercise event data includes exercise events according to respective components of the physical fitness, such as upper limb exercise events, abdominal exercise events, flexibility exercise events and cardiorespiratory exercise events; exercise events in consideration of the sex, age, or the like; and substitutable exercise events prepared for climate changes.

The environment data according to the respective exercise events includes the degree of difficulty, the repeat number of times, and exercise intensity of each of the exercise events. Thus, for the same exercise event, different exercise program can be prescribed in consideration of the sex, age, or the like.

The multimedia data according to the respective exercise events includes exemplary videos, verbal commands, completion alarm, and the like in order to ensure correct motions for warming-up exercise, main exercise, and cooling-down exercise of the respective exercise events.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The procedure is a program which is operated by the web server 20, the exercise prescribing engine 30 and the database server 40 in response to the operations of the clients 60-63 and is provided in the system 10.

Referring to this figure, in the system 10 connected with the clients 60-63 via the network, when each user is connected with the system 10 through the clients 60-63 via the network, the member authentication step for authenticating the user as a member is performed (ST100).

After the member authentication step ST 100, if each user requests determination of the prescription of the exercise program suitable for the user through the clients 60-63, question contents for inquiry of lifestyle and examination of adult diseases are retrieved from the database server 40, and the question contents are displayed (ST200).

After the display step ST200, when input information related to the inquiry of the lifestyle and the examination of the adult diseases are received from the clients 60-63, inquiry results of the lifestyle and examination results of the adult diseases based on the received input information are retrieved from the database server 40, and the inquiry and examination results are transmitted to the clients 60-63 (ST300).

After the examination step ST300, it is determined as to whether determination of the prescription of the exercise program is allowable, based on the retrieved examination results (ST400). If it is determined that the prescription of the exercise program can be determined, multimedia data regarding measurement of the physical fitness are retrieved and displayed to perform the measurement of the physical fitness. If it is determined that the prescription of the exercise program cannot be determined, a message that the determination of the prescription of the exercise program is not allowable is transmitted (ST450).

After the determination step ST400, when values of the measurement of the physical fitness performed according to the multimedia data are received from the clients

60-63, evaluation results of a level of the physical fitness based on the received measuring values of the physical fitness are retrieved and transmitted (ST500).

After the physical fitness measurement step ST500, desired exercise event, the number of days on which the user can take exercise for a week, and exercise habits in the exercising times are inputted, and an exercise program corresponding to the inputted exercise habits and the evaluation results of the measurement of the physical fitness is generated and prescribed for the user (ST600).

In such way, the system 10 performs the inquiry of the lifestyle, the examination of the adult diseases, and the measurement of physical fitness on the network to determine the prescription of the exercise program suitable for the user's levels of health and physical fitness. Thus, the user of the client can receive the inquiry results and the exercise program for the user regardless of a place and time.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart specifically showing the display step that can be further employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Referring to the figure, when the determination of the prescription of the exercise program suitable for each user is requested from the clients 60-63, the sex and age of each user of the clients are retrieved from the database server 40, and a fundamental information input window for inputting whether each user has been married or not, and the user's height and weight is displayed on the clients 60-63 (ST210). When whether each user has been married or not, and the user's height and weight are inputted through the fundamental information input window from the clients 60-63, fundamental prescription data corresponding to the user's sex, age, height and weight and whether the user has been married or not are generated and then registered into the database server 40 (ST220). The system 10 retrieves question contents related to an inquiry of lifestyle for ordinary life and eating habits and examination of adult diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis, which correspond to the fundamental prescription data, from the database server 40, and then displays the question contents on the clients 60-63 (ST230). In such way, by retrieving and providing the question contents related to the inquiry of the lifestyle and the examination of the adult diseases in consideration of the member's sex, age, height, weight, whether the member has been married or not, and the like, there is an advantage in that the inquiry of the lifestyle and the examination of the adult diseases can be more objectively and scientifically performed. FIG. 4 is a flowchart specifically showing the examination step that can be further employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to this figure, when input information on the respective question contents related to the inquiry of the lifestyle and the examination of the adult diseases are received from the clients 60-63 (ST310), point attributes assigned to the received input information are exactly calculated and then adjusted values (query language) are calculated (ST320).

The inquiry results of the lifestyle inquiry and the examination results of the adult disease examination corresponding to the calculated, adjusted values are retrieved from the database server 40 and then transmitted to the clients (ST330). FIG. 5 is a flowchart specifically showing the physical fitness measuring step that can be further employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to this figure, multimedia data on measuring methods for respective components of the physical fitness, such as upper limb muscular strength, abdominal muscular strength, flexibility, lower limb muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness, are retrieved from the database server 40, and then an initial measurement screen is displayed on the clients 60-63 (ST510).

When measuring values of the physical fitness performed according to the multimedia data are received from the clients 60-63 (ST520), the fundamental prescription data on the user's sex, age, weight and height are retrieved from the database server 40 (ST530).

A level of the physical fitness (A, B, C; or good, fair, poor) is confirmed based on the fundamental prescription data and the measuring values of the physical fitness. Then, level evaluation results corresponding to the confirmed level of the physical fitness are retrieved from the database server 40 (ST540). The degree of obesity is determined based on the fundamental prescription data

(ST550). Then, the determined degree of obesity and the retrieved level evaluation results are transmitted to the clients 60-63 (ST560).

Here, the degree of obesity is determined by calculating an obesity index by means of a body mass index using the height and weight. FIG. 6 is a flowchart specifically showing the exercise program prescribing step that can be further employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to this figure, the system 10 inquires of the clients 60-63 exercise- selecting conditions such as a desired exercise event, the number of days on which the user can take exercise for a week, and times in which the user can take exercise, and then acquires them (ST610). The duration of exercise, daily exercise plans, exercise events and the like are retrieved from the database server in consideration of the acquired exercise-selecting conditions, the level evaluation results, the sex, the age and the degree of obesity of the member (ST620). Subsequently, the system 10 generates an exercise program including the retrieved duration of exercise, daily exercise plans, exercise events and the like, transmits the exercise program to the clients 60-63, and registers it into the database server 40 (ST630).

Furthermore, in the exercise program retrieving step ST620, prescriptions of exercise programs are classified according to the sex, the age, the degree of obesity, the examination results and the level evaluation results of the member, and an exercise program is retrieved in consideration of the exercise-selecting conditions.

For example, the prescriptions of the exercise programs are classified into 9,720 types of prescriptions comprised of the following combinations: Sex (male, female),

Age (tens/twenties/thirties/forties/fifties),

Degree of obesity (normality/lower degree of obesity/higher degree of obesity/not exercisable),

Adult diseases (exercise-allowed group), Evaluation of upper limb muscular strength (good, fair, poor),

Evaluation of abdominal muscular strength (good, fair, poor),

Evaluation of lower limb muscular strength (good, fair, poor),

Evaluation of flexibility (good, fair, poor), and

Evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness (good, fair, poor). The exercise program is prescribed in consideration of such exercise-selecting conditions.

Moreover, in the prescribed exercise program, exercise events for respective components of the physical fitness, such as an upper limb exercise event, an abdominal exercise event, a lower exercise event, a flexibility exercise event, and a cardiorespiratory exercise event, are prescribed. According to the prescription classification, events, intensity, duration, and the repeat number of times of the exercise suitable for the user's level of physical fitness are prescribed. For the same component in the physical fitness, different exercise events having the same intensity are repeated while being changed day by day. Further, it is preferred that the exercise intensity (duration, the repeat number of times, etc.) be gradually increased at intervals of two weeks or one week to more efficiently manage the physical fitness.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart specifically showing the steps after the exercise program prescribing step that can be further employed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Referring to this figure, when the system 10 confirms connection with each user of the clients 60-63 who has received the prescription of the exercise program (ST710), the system inquires of the user whether the user wants to search the prescribed exercise program from the database server 40 and to view a day' exercise program on the appointed day (ST720). When each user selects view of a day's exercise program through the clients

60-63, exercise data on the respective components in the physical fitness according to a day's exercise program are retrieved from the database server 40, and then displayed on the clients 60-63 (ST730).

When each user selects an exercise event through the clients 60-63 (ST740), multimedia data for explaining correct motions of warming-up exercise, main exercise and cooling down exercise of the selected exercise event are displayed on the clients 60-63 (ST750).

When completion of the exercise event is received from the clients (ST760), whether each user of the clients has performed the exercise event or not is registered into the database server 40 (ST770).

In such way, each user of the clients receives the prescription of the exercise program suitable for himself/herself, and is provided with continuous management through the prescribed exercise program regardless of a place and time. Thus, there are advantages of allowing the user to raise consciousness of his/her health and physical fitness and to continuously take interest in his/her physical fitness management which otherwise, the user may easily lose interest in.

Accordingly, it is preferred that when the system 10 confirms whether the exercise has been taken and it is then confirmed that the exercise has not been taken during a predetermined previous period of time, the system further send automatically an exercise-encouraging message to an e-mail address of the user stored in the database server 40.

Furthermore, it is more preferred that the system 10 analyze information on whether the exercise has been taken which are stored in the database server 40 and reflect results of the analysis on re-determination of a prescription of an exercise program with reference to variance of the analysis results.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the method comprises the steps of performing login and member authentication of each user when the user connects with the input/output managing unit 25 of the web server though the clients 60-63 (ST11); inquiring of the user whether the user wants to view a day's exercise program on the appointed day after the login and member authentication (ST12); presenting the user a day's exercise program on the appointed day when the user selects view of a day's exercise program on the appointed day, or inquiring of the user whether the user wants to have examination of adult diseases when the user does not select the view of a day's exercise program on the appointed day (ST13); outputting examination results of the examination of the adult diseases by causing the parameter analyzing unit 33 to analyze information inputted into the input/output managing unit 25 of the web server through the clients 60-63, and comparing the inputted information with information stored in the database server 40 when the user selects the examination of the adult diseases (ST13); measuring the user's physical fitness according to respective components of physical fitness after the adult disease examination step (ST14), (ST15); and outputting evaluation results of a level of the user's physical fitness based on the measurement results of the physical fitness measured in the step of measuring the user's physical fitness according to the respective components of physical fitness, and presenting the user an exercise program (ST16).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart specifically showing the adult disease examination step of FIG. 8.

As shown in the figure, after start of the examination of the adult diseases, the following steps are performed: the steps of, when each user makes answers to questions for evaluating hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis by using the clients 60-63, generating query language for searching statistical data stored in the database, and searching the data in the database server 40 by means of the generated query language so that the parameter analyzing unit 25 can examine the user's state of adult diseases based on the information inputted by the user (ST31-ST33); outputting searched examination results of the adult diseases from the input/output managing unit 12 to the clients 60-63 of the user, and determining as to whether the user's physical fitness is good or poor based on the examination results (ST34), (ST35); and performing the step of measuring the user's physical fitness according to the respective components of physical fitness when the user is not in poor health, and recommending the user to have examination in a hospital and connecting the user with a relevant website to have special medial examination when the user is in poor health (ST36).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart specifically showing the step of measuring the user's physical fitness according to the respective components of physical fitness of FIG. 8. As shown in this figure, when each user selects the measurement of his/her physical fitness, the following steps are performed: the steps of inquiring of the user whether the user wants to view an exemplary video, and measuring the upper limb muscular strength, abdominal muscular strength, the flexibility, the lower limb muscular strength and the cardiorespiratory fitness of the user while allowing the user to assume correct motions (ST41-ST52); after allowing the user to be measured in the correct motions while viewing the video, measuring the degree of obesity of the user by receiving information on the degree of obesity from the user through the clients 60-63 (ST53); and after the measurement of the degree of obesity, analyzing the information from the clients 60-63, recording analysis data in the database server 40 and presenting the user measurement results of the user's physical fitness according to the respective components of physical fitness based on the data recorded in the database server 40, by the parameter analyzing unit 33 (ST54).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically showing the exercise program presenting step of FIG. 8. As shown in this figure, the following steps are performed: the steps of presenting evaluation results of a level of the physical fitness in consideration of the sex and age of the user based on the evaluation data recorded in the database server 40 according to the measurement results of the respective components of physical fitness, and inquiring of the user through the clients 60-63 whether the user has any exercise events that the user wants to take at ordinary times (ST61), (ST62); when the user answers that he/she has a desired exercise event, receiving exercise-selecting conditions such as a desired exercise event, the number of days on which the user can take exercise for a week, and times in which the user can take exercise (ST63); and searching exercise programs previously stored in the database server 40 by using the evaluation results of the level of the physical fitness and the exercise-selecting conditions, and presenting an exercise program during a predetermined period of time (ST64-ST67).

As described above, the present invention allows the user to measure his/her physical fitness and evaluate a level of his/her physical fitness on a network at a lower price and in a short time. The present invention also allows the user to receive an exercise program suitable for himself/herself based on the measurement and the evaluation.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention can employ various modifications, changes and equivalents of the embodiments. It is apparent that according to the present invention, the preferred embodiments can be properly modified and the modified embodiment can be applied equivalently. Therefore, the above descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

As described above, according to a system and method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network of the present invention, there is an advantage in that a user of a client can have an inquiry of health-related lifestyle, examination of adult diseases, measurement of physical fitness, and evaluation of levels of health and physical fitness, and based on these results, the user can receive the prescription of the exercise program suitable for himself/herself. In addition, according to the present invention, spatial limitation and an economic burden in a conventional prescription of an exercise program are overcome. Thus, there is another advantage in that it allows a user to perform systematic and continuous heath- related physical fitness management regardless of a place and time, to raise consciousness of his/her health and physical fitness and to continuously take interest in his/her physical fitness management.

Further, according to the present invention, there in a further advantage in that a user can promote his/her physical fitness through performance of a scientific exercise program based on his/her health condition and level of physical fitness and also prevent and cure adult diseases. Explanation of the Reference Numerals to the Major Elements in the Drawings

10: System for determining a prescription of an exercise program

20: Web server 23 : Control unit

25: Input/output managing unit

28: Communication unit

30: Exercise prescribing engine

33: Parameter analyzing unit 35: Application program unit

40: Database server

43 : Member database

45: Examination database

48: Exercise database 60, 61, 62, and 63: Clients

Claims

1. A system for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network, comprising: a web server connected to a client through said network to operate and control an input/output managing unit for providing a user of said client with said exercise program, thereby allowing said user of said client to continuously manage said user's physical fitness; an exercise prescribing engine controlled by said web server for receiving input information related to an inquiry of lifestyle and examination of adult diseases inputted by said user through said client connected to said web server to retrieve and output inquiry and examination results based on said received input information, and for measuring said user's physical fitness, retrieving evaluation results of a level of said user's physical fitness, prescribing said exercise program to said user of said client based on said retrieved evaluation results of said level, and confirming and managing whether said user of said client has taken exercise according to said exercise program, when it is determined from said examination results that said exercise program can be prescribed to said user; and a database server controlled by said web server for storing information on said user of said client, information required for said inquiry of said lifestyle, said examination of said adult diseases and said measurement of said physical fitness, and information on said exercise program to be prescribed to said user.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise prescribing engine includes: a parameter analyzing unit which upon receipt of said input information related to said inquiry of said lifestyle and said examination of said adult diseases from said client connected to said web server, retrieves and outputs said inquiry and examination results based on said received input information, and determines from said examination results as to whether said exercise program can be prescribed, and which generates and determines said exercise program based on said evaluation results of said level generated from said measurement of said user's physical fitness when it is determined that said exercise program can be prescribed; and an application program unit which upon selection of a relevant exercise event of said prescribed exercise program by said client, displays multimedia information for explaining correct motions of said selected exercise event and which upon receipt of completion of said selected exercise event, registers whether said user of said client has performed said exercise event into said database server, analyzes said registered data on whether said user of said client has performed said exercise event and informs said user of analysis results of said registered data for continuous management of said user's physical fitness.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said database server comprises: a member database including fundamental member data containing IDs, passwords, and fundamental personal particulars received from said client through a member-subscribing request, exercise environment data on each member containing said inquiry results of said lifestyle, said examination results of said adult diseases, and said evaluation results of said level of said physical fitness based on said measurement of said physical fitness, and exercise program data on each member containing exercise plans according to dates, the durations of exercise, exercise events according to respective components of physical fitness, which are prescribed to said user, and whether said member has performed said exercise; examination database including question data containing question contents required for said inquiry of said lifestyle, said examination of said adult diseases, and said measurement of said physical fitness which said user of said client has, and point attributes to be differentially assigned to said input information related to said question contents, and response data containing said inquiry and examination results and said evaluation results of said level of said physical fitness which are results obtained according to said input information related to said question data; and exercise database including exercise event data according to said components of physical fitness to be prescribed to said user of said client based on said evaluation results of said level of said physical fitness, and multimedia data on correct motions of said respective exercise events.

4. A method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network so that a user of a client connected via said network in a system for determining said prescription of said exercise program is provided with said prescription, comprising: the member authentication step of, upon connection with said client via said network, authenticating said user as a member; the display step of, when said user requests determination of said prescription of said exercise program suitable for said user after said member authentication step, retrieving question contents for inquiry of lifestyle and examination of adult diseases from a database server, and displaying said question contents on said client; the examination step of, when input information related to said inquiry of said lifestyle and said examination of said adult diseases are received from said client after said display step, retrieving inquiry results of said lifestyle and examination results of said adult diseases based on said received input information from said database server, and transmitting said inquiry and examination results to said client; the determination step of, when whether said exercise program can be prescribed to said user is determined based on said retrieved examination results after said examination step, transmitting a message that said exercise program cannot be prescribed to said user in a case where said prescription of said exercise program is not allowable to said user, and retrieving and displaying multimedia data on measurement of said physical fitness so that said user can perform said measurement of said physical fitness in a case where said prescription of said exercise program is allowable to said user; the physical fitness measuring step of, when values of said measurement of said physical fitness performed according to said multimedia data are received from said client after said determination step, retrieving and transmitting evaluation results of a level of said physical fitness based on said received measuring values of said physical fitness; and the exercise program prescribing step of, when a desired exercise event, the number of days on which said user can take exercise for a week, and exercise habits in the exercising times from said client, generating said exercise program corresponding to said inputted exercise habits and said evaluation results of said level, and prescribing said generated exercise program to said user of said client.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said display step further comprises the steps of: if said user requests said determination of said prescription of said exercise program suitable for said user, retrieving the sex and age of said user from said database server, and displaying an fundamental information input window for inputting whether said user has been married or not and said user's height and weight, on said client; when information on whether said user has been married or not and said user's height and weight are inputted through said fundamental information input window from said client, generating and registering fundamental prescription data based on said sex, age, whether said user has been married or not, and said user's height and weight; and retrieving question contents related to said inquiry of said lifestyle for ordinary life and eating habits and said examination of said adult diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis, which correspond to said fundamental prescription data, from said database server, and then displaying said question contents on said client.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said examination step further comprises the steps of: when said input information on said respective question contents related to said inquiry of said lifestyle and said examination of said adult diseases are received from said client, exactly calculating point attributes assigned to said received input information, and then calculating adjusted values; and retrieving said inquiry results of said lifestyle and said examination results of said adult diseases corresponding to said calculated, adjusted values, and transmitting said retrieved results to said client.

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said physical fitness measuring step further comprises the steps of: retrieving multimedia data on measuring methods of upper limb muscular strength, abdominal muscular strength, flexibility, lower limb muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness, and displaying said multimedia data on said client; when values of said measurement of said physical fitness performed according to said multimedia data are received from said client, retrieving said fundamental prescription data on said user's sex, age, weight and height from said database server, and then retrieving said evaluation results of said level of said physical fitness based on said fundamental prescription data and said measuring values of said physical fitness from said database server; and determining the degree of obesity based on said fundamental prescription data, and transmitting said determined degree of obesity and said retrieved evaluation results of said level of said physical fitness to said client.

8. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said exercise program prescribing step further comprises the steps of: inquiring of said client exercise-selecting conditions related to a desired exercise event, the number of days on which said user can take exercise for a week, and times in which said user can take exercise, and thus acquiring said exercise-selecting conditions; retrieving the duration of exercise, daily exercise plans, and exercise events from said database server in consideration of said acquired exercise-selecting conditions, said evaluation results of said level, the sex, the age and said degree of obesity of said user; and generating said exercise program including said retrieved duration of exercise, daily exercise plans, and exercise events, transmitting said exercise program to said client, and registering said exercise program into said database server.

9. The method as claimed in claim 4, after said exercise program prescribing step, further comprising the steps of: upon connection with said user who has received said prescription of said exercise program, inquiring of said user whether said user wants to search said prescribed exercise program from said database server and to view a day' exercise program on the appointed day; when said user selects view of a day's exercise program through said client, displaying exercise events related to respective components in said physical fitness according to a day's exercise program, and upon selection of an exercise event by said user through said client, displaying multimedia data on said selected exercise event including warming-up exercise, main exercise and cooling down exercise; and when completion of said exercise event is received from said clients, registering whether said user of said client has performed said exercise event or not into said database server.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of, when whether said exercise has been taken is confirmed and it is then confirmed that said exercise has not been talcen during a predetermined previous period of time, automatically sending an exercise-encouraging message to an e-mail address of said user stored in said database.

11. A method for determining a prescription of an exercise program through measurement and evaluation of physical fitness on a network, comprising the steps of: performing login and member authentication of a user when said user connects with an input/output managing unit of a web server though a client; inquiring of said user whether said user wants to view a day's exercise program on the appointed day after said login and member authentication; presenting said user a day's exercise program on the appointed day when said user selects view of a day's exercise program on the appointed day, or inquiring of said user whether said user wants to have examination of adult diseases when said user does not select said view of a day's exercise program on the appointed day; when said user selects said examination of said adult diseases, outputting examination results of said examination of said adult diseases by causing a parameter analyzing unit to analyze information inputted into said input/output managing unit of said web server through said client and by comparing said inputted information with information stored in a database server; measuring said user's physical fitness according to respective components of physical fitness after the adult disease examination step; and outputting evaluation results of a level of said user's physical fitness based on measurement results of said physical fitness measured in said step of measuring said user's physical fitness according to said respective components of physical fitness, and presenting said user said exercise program.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein after start of said examination of said adult diseases, said adult disease examination step further comprises the steps of: when said user makes answers to questions for evaluating hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease by using said client, generating query language for searching statistical data stored in a database, and searching the data in said database server by means of said generated query language so that said parameter analyzing unit can examine said user's state of said adult diseases based on the information inputted by said user; outputting searched examination results of said adult diseases from said input/output managing unit to said client of said user, and determining whether said user's physical fitness is good or poor based on said examination results; and performing said step of measuring said user's physical fitness according to said respective components of physical fitness when said user is not in poor health, and recommending said user to have examination in a hospital and connecting said user with a relevant website to have special medial examination when said user is in poor health.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein when said user selects said measurement of said user's physical fitness, said step of measuring said user's physical fitness according to said respective components of physical fitness further comprises the steps of: inquiring of said user whether said user wants to view an exemplary video, and measuring upper limb muscular strength, abdominal muscular strength, flexibility, lower limb muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness of said user while allowing said user to assume correct motions; after allowing said user to be measured in said correct motions while viewing said video, measuring the degree of obesity of said user by receiving information on said degree of obesity from said user through said client; and after the measurement of said degree of obesity, analyzing information from said client, recording analysis data in said database server and presenting said user said measurement results of said user's physical fitness according to said respective components of physical fitness based on said data recorded in said database server 40, by said parameter analyzing unit.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said step of presenting said user said exercise program further comprising the steps of: presenting evaluation results of a level of said physical fitness in consideration of the sex and age of said user based on said evaluation data recorded in said database server according to said measurement results of said respective components of physical fitness, and inquiring of said user through said client whether said user has any exercise events that said user wants to talce at ordinary times; when said user answers that said user has a desired exercise event, receiving said user's information on exercise-selecting conditions including a desired exercise event, the number of days on which said user can talce exercise for a week, and times in which said user can talce exercise; and searching exercise programs previously stored in said database server by using said evaluation results of said level and said exercise-selecting conditions, presenting an exercise program during a predetermined period of time, allowing said user to view variance of the degree of performance of said exercise, the degree of obesity, said examination results of said adult diseases and the degree of physical fitness improvement, providing said user with a written opinion prepared based on said variance, and re- determining another prescription of an exercise program through measurement at intervals of three months, thereby continuously managing said user's physical fitness.