WO2013060904A1

WO2013060904A1 - System for monitoring and adapting physical activity

Info

Publication number: WO2013060904A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/070745
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ignacio José LARRIBA CORRAL; Virginia BRIONES DEL VAL; Luis FERNÁNDEZ MUÑOZ; Jorge TEJEDOR CERBEL; Micael GALLEGO CARRILLO; Ángel Bartolomé MUÑOZ DE LUNA
Original assignee: Technologic Sport Company, S. L.
Priority date: 2011-10-26
Filing date: 2011-10-26
Publication date: 2013-05-02

Abstract

The invention relates to an integrated system that is capable of monitoring users of physical exercise equipment and of adapting said equipment to the user, while tracking the user in order to ensure better use of the equipment.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND ADEQUACY OF ACTIVITY

PHYSICAL

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is framed in the field of devices for the practice of physical exercise.

The object of the invention consists of a system that allows the realization of physical exercises in a monitored and controlled manner in such a way that only those exercises are performed in the manner that must be performed adapted for each person and type of physical activity program to be performed. .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The practice of physical activity is increasingly associated with health, but also the practice of sport is a social and economic reality in full development in today's society. There is a high demand for the consumption of physical activity and sport mainly influenced by the following factors:

The appearance of the so-called "hypo kinetic diseases". Physical activity in a healthy and necessary habit to raise the quality of life (sport = health).

The need for the occupation of free time and social relations. The practice of sport has become widespread as a form of Use of leisure time and enjoy with friends mainly.

The general concern for body worship. In today's society, the general concern for body worship is present in all social segments. The idea that a perfect and ideal body implies health, vitality, dynamism and a prolongation of youth has spread.

But the practice of physical activities without control or without taking into account characteristics of the user and the activity or physical activities to be carried out can result in ailments or injuries for not carrying out said physical activities in a correct way.

Today we all know the gym tables or personal trainers who are responsible for guiding us through the sports centers teaching us how to perform a certain physical activity and how to use the different machines or devices dedicated to the practice of each activity, tables are also generated of physical activities that include periodicity and activity to be carried out during a certain time interval. For example, in the Spanish patent application 2 196 998 a method for measuring the anaerobic threshold (UA) is described includes a plurality of steps carried out by a data entry unit, a load class selection unit, a detection and calculation unit and a display unit. The steps include entering the age, weight and sex of the user wearing a heart rate transmitter and using an exercise apparatus (for example a treadmill) provided with said units, and selecting a load class for exercising in the exercise apparatus The units then detect, measure and record the heart rate cycle and calculate the difference in heart rate between cycles detected for a given period of time. Then the point is calculated UA limit and is presented in the display unit so that the user has a reference in order to control the exercise load and time. But the solutions that are available in the sector are characterized in that the proposed physical activity programs do not offer the desired security, since due to ignorance or omission by the technician, they may contain exercises harmful to the health of any particular client, or they are optimal to the extent that they depend on the knowledge of the sports facility technician who customizes them.

The solutions available today are inflexible because they are based on templates that contain a series of predetermined routines, nor are they dynamic because they do not offer varied physical activity routines that allow the same objectives to be achieved. In addition, these solutions are incomplete because they do not contemplate all the training methods proposed by different authors and their elaboration is slow because they need a lot of participation by the installation technician and the frequent consultation of external information and finally, but not by less importantly, they do not take into account the pathologies and preferences of the users when it comes to physical activity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The main advantage of the system object of the invention over other developments currently available is said current solutions are, as described above, based on generic physical activity program templates for all users, while the system object of the invention offers an intelligent generation of these programs in an optimal and personalized way for each user and for each moment of its evolution through the implementation of different elements described below.

The system object of the invention is based on a hybrid system of various branches of artificial intelligence (expert systems, fuzzy logic, evolutionary algorithms and user modeling) for the generation of customized and optimal physical activity programs for a user in an installation . On the other hand, it also offers high usability through the use of state-of-the-art data entry media (touch screen, fingerprint, audiovisual camera) and also implementing remote access to the installation by the user through a wide range of devices since the system object of the invention incorporates one or more means of communication such as access to internet networks both wirelessly and in a wired network.

To generate said programs, the system object of the invention has a Knowledge Based Physical Activity Program Generation (MGPAFBC) module formed by:

• A Fact Base, which is a database that contains the facts related to the problem of developing physical activity programs:

- more than 30 characteristics of a user through a data collection that can be a protocolized personal interview (PAR-Q) along with all the information regarding its evolution and history of the physical activity programs previously carried out.

- approximately more than 70 characteristics of each of the 600 different physical activity exercises cataloged so far. A Knowledge Base that is a database that contains the modeled knowledge extracted from the dialogue with experts contemplating: o Rules for determining the level of a new user from the data of his interview (with a high-risk or novice result) or beginner or ...)

o Rules for the adequacy of the exercises for a particular user from the basis of facts and their level from the previous rule. In particular, they contemplate:

> Rules for the adequacy of the exercises depending on the level of the user (with a highly recommended or recommended result or ... contraindicated or very contraindicated for each exercise);

> Rules for the adequacy of the exercises depending on the user's injuries (with a result equal to the previous one);

> Rules for the adequacy of the exercises depending on the preferences / rejections of the user (with a result equal to the previous one);

> Rules for the adequacy of the exercises depending on the means of the installation (with an available or unavailable result for each exercise);

> Rules for the combination for the adequacy of the exercises based on the results of the four previous rules (with a highly recommended or recommended result or ... contraindicated or very contraindicated or not available for each exercise);

o Rules for the design of the physical activity program for the particular user based on the facts and the result of the combination rules. In particular, they contemplate:

> Rules for the program structure (macro, meso, micro, sessions and components) that determines the proportions dedicated to cardio-vascular exercises, strength and stretching, muscle groups, ...

> Rules for the distribution of the exercises in the session structure that determine a sequence of highly recommended or recommended exercises that respect the session structures of the previous rules.

> Rules for the relative density of work that determines the load, speed, series and repetitions and the rest of each exercise from the result of the previous rule (with the result of a complete physical activity program).

Rules for the change of level of a new user from the data of its evolution and history of the physical activity programs carried out (with a novice or beginner result or ...)

A module for generating human reasoning process modeling. This modeling is carried out by combining the following branches of artificial intelligence: o Fuzzy Logic (known as Fuzzy Logic): It will be applied mainly to the rules of the Knowledge Base (blurred rules) and will allow to represent the information that These rules contain linguistic labels that correspond to quantitative levels of certain numerical parameters. In this way, the inclusion and interpretation of knowledge by users and experts is facilitated. In addition, the use of fuzzy rules makes it possible to homogenize the information contained in the database and make the inference engine independent of the uncertainty introduced by the numerical values handled. o Lace rules (known as "Rule Matching"): Since the Expert knowledge of the system will be represented in the form of fuzzy rules, the most efficient inference mechanism for iterative selection of said rules will be based on a method of matching or matching them with the input parameters. This method will allow to determine the degree of adequacy of each of the rules to the input profile, thus selecting the rules most consistent with the description of the user. This method will be applied to the Rules for the adequacy of the exercises getting the customization and adaptation functionality in the inference engine core.

Evolutionary algorithms (known as Evolutionary Algorithms, EAs): Evolutionary algorithms are computational techniques that simulate the process of species evolution according to Darwin's Natural Selection theory. Its use has proven to be especially suitable in search and optimization tasks, being able to solve problems of high dimension, computationally intractable by other types of algorithms. The objective of the inference engine is the preparation of an optimal physical activity program for the user from a set of activities appropriate to their profile. The realization of this objective therefore requires a search in the space of appropriate activities (from the process of fitting rules) and the optimization of the resulting set of activities with respect to the various objectives of the program that it conforms. Evolutionary algorithms can perform these two tasks at the same time efficiently for the Rules for the design of the physical activity program. Since the optimization of the resulting program implies various criteria, the use of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms seems appropriate. In addition to providing various solutions with varying degrees of goodness (it allows the choice of different solutions), the non-deterministic random component of the EAs causes them to present different solutions in each execution, which gives flexibility to the inference engine.

• A Justification Module that explains the reasoning used by the system to reach a certain conclusion and is done through natural language for the user. It is essential for the generated physical activity programs to offer the necessary confidence from the point of view of the user, the sports expert and the knowledge engineer. In addition, it provides the set of valid alternatives in the modification of the program during their supervision by the technicians.

• An Adaptive User Interface, which automatically modifies aspects of its functionality and interaction to accommodate the different preferences and requirements derived from the heterogeneity of the user population. It is one of the critical elements for the success of the product in the market, as well as for its use and acceptance by users, who will determine their willingness to interact with these systems or not.

Finally, the system object of the invention allows the realization of a User Modeling to, mainly, reduce the learning curve of the management of the system taking into account the level of the user (novice, beginner, ...) and customize the presentation of the information adapting to your expectations, motivation and preferences. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the system object of this invention is described below. A user who wishes to perform a specific physical activity usually goes to a specialized facility that has some equipment for the practice of physical activity suitable for each physical activity, usually one or more physical exercise equipment. The system object of the invention has means for temporary storage of data such as a memory of any kind, means for collecting and capturing data, connected to first communication means and to a data processing unit and linked to the apparatus. of physical exercise, which is responsible for collecting referred data from the user of said physical exercise apparatus, or by directly entering data through the means of input and capture of data defined by a keyboard or similar device, or by through the means of input and capture of data defined by a series of sensors such as heart rate monitors, position sensors, pressure, movement etc. In order for the user to access the system, it is required the use by the user of means of identification of the user that in a preferred embodiment of the object of the invention can be defined by a keyboard in which data referring to the user that are checked are inserted. with a user database, but the possibility of any other means of identification is contemplated, such as the use of biometric identification means that can make use of data reading such as fingerprints. In order to carry out its task, the system object of the invention makes use of the process unit linked to a module for the generation of physical activity programs comprising: a memory, at least one database of facts - which contains - characteristics Physiological information of the user together with information regarding their evolution and history of the physical activity programs previously carried out, and characteristics of each physical activity exercise- accessible by the data processing unit, at least one knowledge database accessible by the data processing unit and a modeling module managed by the data processing unit adapted to generate physical activity training programs from the data collected by means of data entry and capture.

The system is completed with at least one query point comprising: data input means connected to the first communication means adapted to introduce data referred to the user in the system, data output means, second communication means adapted to establish a data communication channel between the data input and output media.

Claims

1. Monitoring and fitness system that includes:

- at least one physical exercise equipment intended for the practice of physical activity in an installation comprising at least one physical exercise apparatus,

- at least some means for collecting and capturing data, linked to the physical exercise apparatus, intended to collect data referring to at least one user of said physical exercise equipment,

- means of user identification,

- first means of communication connected to the capture means and a data processing unit,

characterized in that it comprises:

- a module for generating physical activity programs that includes:

- at least some temporary data storage means,

- at least one fact database accessible by the data processing unit,

- at least one knowledge database accessible by the data processing unit,

- a modeling module, managed by the data processing unit, adapted to generate physical activity training programs from the data collected through the means of data entry and capture, and

- at least one point of inquiry comprising:

data entry means connected to the communication means adapted to enter data referring to the user,

- means of data output, a few second communication means adapted to establish a data communication channel between the data input and output means.

2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the data is selected from the group consisting of: data referring to user objectives, biometric data of the user, anthropometric data of the user, data referring to user preferences and data referring to the installation.

3. - System according to claim 1 characterized in that the module for generating physical activity programs comprises a user interface intended to provide interactivity between the user and the system. 5

4. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the fact database comprises:

- physiological characteristics of the user together with information regarding their evolution and history of physical activity programs previously carried out, and

or - characteristics of each exercise of physical activity.

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the data entry and capture means are adapted to collect user characteristics and information regarding their evolution and history 5 of the physical activity programs previously carried out.

6. System according to claim 4 characterized in that the knowledge database comprises:

- rules for determining new user level,

0 - rules for the adequacy of exercises, - rules for the design of the physical activity program for the user based on the facts and the result of the combination rules, and

- rules for changing the user level based on the evolution data and history of the physical activity programs carried out.

7. - System according to claim 6 characterized in that the rules for the adequacy of the exercises include:

- rules of fitness of the exercises depending on the level of the user,

- rules for the adequacy of the exercises depending on the user's injuries,

- rules of fitness of the exercises depending on the preferences / rejections of the user,

- fitness rules according to the means for practicing physical activity of the facility where the physical activity takes place, and

- combination rules based on the results of the rules of fitness of the exercises depending on the level of the user, fitness of the exercises depending on the injuries of the user, fitness of the exercises depending on the preferences / rejections of the user and rules of adequacy of the exercises according to the means of the installation.

8. - System according to claim 6 characterized in that rules for the design of the physical activity program comprise:

• rules for the structure that include proportions dedicated to: cardio-vascular exercises, strength, stretching and muscle groups. rules for the distribution of exercises,

rules for the relative density of work that include speed, series, repetitions and rest of each exercise