Exercise Monitoring System and Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise monitoring system ( 3 ) utilising one or more inertial sensors ( 25 ). The present invention also relates to a method of monitoring the performance of a physical activity by an individual ( 5 ). The method involves locating one or more inertial sensors ( 25 ) on the individual ( 5 ) and collecting data from the inertial sensor(s) ( 25 ) while the individual performs the physical activity. The collected data is then processed to determine the movements of the individual ( 5 ).

1 . An exercise monitoring system comprising at least one inertial sensor. 
   
   
       2 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said inertial sensors. 
   
   
       3 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, in use, one or more of said inertial sensors are provided on a limb of an individual using the system. 
   
   
       4 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, in use, one or more of said inertial sensors are provided on the torso of an individual using the system. 
   
   
       5 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, in use, said inertial sensors are arranged to form a chain. 
   
   
       6 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a transmitter for transmitting data relating to the output of said at least one inertial sensor. 
   
   
       7 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein, in use, the transmitter is located on the person of an individual using the system. 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a tracking device for determining a reference point for said at least one inertial sensor. 
   
   
       10 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said tracking device is wireless. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a processor for processing the data from said at least one inertial sensor to monitor the movements of an individual using the system. 
   
   
       16 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein, in use, said processor provides the individual with feedback. 
   
   
       17 . An exercise monitoring system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said processor is suitable for monitoring the movements of said individual to determine a start position and/or an end position of a physical activity. 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
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       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A method of monitoring an individual's performance of a physical activity, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) locating at least one inertial sensor on the individual;   (b) collecting data from said at least one inertial sensor while the individual performs the physical activity; and   (c) processing the data to determine the movements of the individual.   
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  further comprising the step of comparing the movements of the individual to a stored template. 
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  further comprising the step of comparing the movements of the individual to the movements recorded previously for the same individual. 
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 25  further comprising the step of providing the individual with feedback based on the results of the comparison step. 
   
   
       28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  further comprising a calibration step. 
   
   
       31 . A method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the calibration step is performed before the individual performs the physical activity. 
   
   
       32 . A method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said calibration step determines a start position and/or an end position of the physical activity. 
   
   
       33 . A method as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein said step of processing the data includes determining when the individual is at a start position and/or at an end position of the physical activity. 
   
   
       34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . (canceled) 
   
   
       36 . (canceled) 
   
   
       37 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein a plurality of said inertial sensors are arranged in a chain. 
   
   
       38 . A method as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the position of each inertial sensor in said chain is determined with reference to the position of the or each preceding inertial sensor in said chain. 
   
   
       39 . A method as claimed in  claim 38 , comprising the step of determining the position of a reference point for said chain of inertial sensors. 
   
   
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