Automated physical training system

Abstract

The present invention is a system for automatically controlling and assessing a user athlete's physical training prowess at certain athletic skills. An apparatus of the present invention can be a treadmill sled having a frame, a rotatable continuous belt mounted on the frame, the belt presenting an upward directed support surface for supporting a user athlete, a training apparatus, and a performance measuring system. The training apparatus can include a blocking dummy and support frame, or a tether frame support system. Further, the performance measuring system can include programmable and automated control of the timing, duration, and scope/level of the physical training, and present quantitative assessment feedback to better maximize the applicable training regime, and to simplify the training sessions for supervisory personnel as well as the participating athlete(s).

1 . A method for assessing the performance of a plurality of users during a training session, comprising: 
 providing a physical training device having an operably connected controller to execute a program for monitoring the performance of a plurality of users for a training session, an input device in operable communication with the controller to receive user input, and an output device in operable communication with the controller;    providing to the controller a mode input defining the work to be performed for the training session;    providing to the controller a total user input defining the number of the plurality of users to perform the work for the training session;    providing to the controller an identity input identifying the plurality of users;    initiating at the controller a work start loop for a first of the plurality of users identified;    prompting at the output device the first user to begin the work for the training session;    processing at the controller work performance data for the first user;    prompting at the output device a second user of the plurality of users to begin the work for the training session; and    processing at the controller work performance data for the second user.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing to the controller the mode input includes inputting the mode input at the input device.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing to the controller the mode input includes providing the mode input from a remote device in operable communication with the controller.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing to the controller the identity input includes inputting the identity input at the input device.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing to the controller the identity input includes providing the identity input from a remote device in operable communication with the controller.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance data processed for at least one of the plurality of users includes a duration of time the at least one user athlete takes to complete the work.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance data processed for at least one of the plurality of users includes a total amount of work performed by said at least one user.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance data processed for at least one of the plurality of users includes a total amount of work performed by said at least one user over a duration of time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance data processed for at least one of the plurality of users includes a distance traveled for said at least one user.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prompting at the output device for the first user to begin includes visual prompting at the output device.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prompting at the output device for the first user to begin includes auditory prompting at the output device.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the work for the training session is selected from a group consisting of: sprinting, dummy blocking and resistive sprinting.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical training device includes a resistive sprinting device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical training device includes a blocking dummy device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further including prompting at the output device the first user to begin a resting period for the training session.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further including displaying at the output device a summary of the work performed for at least one of the plurality of users.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein displaying the summary of work performed includes displaying progress data prior to initiating the work start loop.  
   
   
       18 . The method of clam  1 , further including displaying at the output device a summary comparing the work performance of at least one of the plurality of users with other users.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , further including displaying at the output device improvement for at least one of the plurality of users in comparison to at least one previous training session for said at least one user.  
   
   
       20 . A method for assessing the work performance of a plurality of users, comprising: 
 providing a physical training device having an operably connected controller to monitor the work performance of a plurality of users, and an output device in operable communication with the controller;    providing to the controller the work to be performed by the plurality of users;    providing to the controller a total user input defining the number of the plurality of users to perform the work;    providing to the controller an identity input identifying the plurality of users;    prompting at the output device a first of the plurality of users to begin the work;    processing at the controller work performance data for the first user;    prompting at the output device a second of the plurality of users to begin the work;    processing at the controller work performance data for the second user; and    displaying at the output device a summary of the work performed for at least one of the plurality of users.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the physical training device includes a resistive sprinting device.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the physical training device includes a blocking dummy device.  
   
   
       23 . The method of clam  20 , further including displaying at the output device a summary comparing the work performance of at least one of the plurality of users with other users.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , further including displaying at the output device improvement for at least one of the plurality of users in comparison to previous work performed by said at least one user.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the performance data processed for at least one of the plurality of users is selected from a group consisting of: distance traveled, response time, and force.  
   
   
       26 . A method for assessing the work performance of a plurality of users, comprising: 
 providing a physical training device in operable communication with a controller to monitor the work performance of a plurality of users, and an output device in operable communication with the controller;    inputting a work input prescribing the work for the plurality of users;    inputting an identity input identifying the plurality of users;    prompting at the output device a first of the plurality of users to begin the work prescribed;    measuring at the controller work performance data for the first user;    prompting at the output device a second of the plurality of users to begin the work prescribed;    measuring at the controller work performance data for the second user; and    displaying at the output device a summary of the work performed for at least one of the plurality of users.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the performance data processed for at least one of the plurality of users is selected from a group consisting of: distance traveled, response time, and force.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , further including displaying at the output device improvement for at least one of the plurality of users in comparison to previous work performed by said at least one user.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the physical training device is selected from a group consisting of: a resistive sprinting device, and a blocking dummy device.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , further including communicating the performance data for at least one of the plurality of users to a remote device.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the remote device is a controller for a remote physical training device.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the remote device is a remote network system.