Method and apparatus for controlling physical exertion

Abstract

The present relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling physical exertion during exercise. For doing so, the method and apparatus collect at least one physical parameter of a user over time during an exercise session. The method and apparatus store the collected at least one physical parameter over time. During another exercise session, the method and apparatus measure the at least one physical parameter of the user, compare the measured at least one physical parameter with the collected at least one physical parameter with respect to time to obtain a variance, and determine a required adjustment in the another exercise session based on the variance.

1 . A method for controlling physical exertion during exercise, the method comprising:
 collecting at least one physical parameter of a user over time during an exercise session;   storing the collected at least one physical parameter over time;   during another exercise session:
 measuring the at least one physical parameter of the user; 
 comparing the measured at least one physical parameter with the collected at least one physical parameter with respect to time to obtain a variance; and 
 determining a required adjustment in the another exercise session based on the variance. 
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the required adjustment in the another exercise session is further based on at least one user's exercising objective. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying at least one operating parameter of an exercising apparatus based on the required adjustment. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising informing the user of the required adjustment. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein informing the user is performed by means of at least one of the following: a voice message, an audio message, a graphic message, a visual representation, a sound signal, a light signal or physical stimuli like vibration. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical parameter is one of the following: electro-encephalogram, electrocardiogram, leg stride length and consistency, leg turnover rate, speed, pace, METS (metabolic equivalent of task), oxygen intake, CO 2  released, perspiration rate, body temperature, perceived effort, biorythm, heart rate, pupil's dimension, glucose level, maximum air breathed out at a first second, lactic acid and lactate level, motion/position capture data points, power output (in Watts), weight variation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and relative values (%), calories and blood pressure. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the exercise session and the another exercise session is performed outside. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise session is performed on a first exercising apparatus and the another exercise session is performed on a different exercising apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the exercising apparatus is one of the following: a treadmill, a step machine, an elliptical exercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle, a cross-country skiing machine, a skating machine or any other cardiovascular exercise machine. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exercising session and the another exercising session are one of the following: a running program, a hiking program, a walking program, a biking program, a swimming program, a skating program, a revolving stairs machine or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for controlling physical exertion during exercise, the apparatus comprising:
 a monitoring module for monitoring over time at least one physical parameter of a user during an exercise session, and for monitoring over time the at least one physical parameter of the user during another exercise session;   a memory for storing the at least one physical condition over time;   a processor for comparing the measured at least one physical parameter during the another exercise session with the measured at least one physical parameter of the exercise session with respect to time and for determining a variance, and for determining a required adjustment in the another exercise session based on the variance.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 ,  2  wherein the processor determines the required adjustment also based on at least one user's exercising objective. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the processor is adapted for determining a required adjustment to an exercising apparatus on which the another exercise session is performed by the user, and   the apparatus further comprises an output module for communicating the required adjustment to the exercising apparatus.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a communication module for informing the user or other individuals of the required adjustment. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the communication module comprises at least one of the following: a speaker, a display, a light or a vibration mechanism. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one physical parameter is one of the following: electro-encephalogram, electrocardiogram, leg stride length and consistency, leg turnover rate, speed, pace, METS, oxygen intake, CO 2  released, perspiration rate, body temperature, perceived effort, biorythm, HR, pupil's dimension, glucose level, maximum air breathed out at a first second, lactic acid and lactate level, motion/position capture data points, power output (in Watts), weight variation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and relative values (%), calories or blood pressure. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the exercise session and the another exercise session is performed outside. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the exercise session is performed on a first exercising apparatus and the another exercise session is performed on a different exercising apparatus; and   wherein the exercising apparatus and the different exercising apparatus are one of the following: a treadmill, a step machine, an elliptical exercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle, a cross-country skiing machine, a skating machine or any other cardiovascular exercise machine.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the exercise session and the another exercise session are both performed outside, and   the exercising session and the another exercising session are one of the following: a running program, a hiking program, a walking program, a biking program, a swimming program, a skating program or any combination thereof.   
   
   
       20 . An exercising machine comprising the apparatus of  claim 12 .