Method and apparatus for optimizing running performance of an individual

Abstract

A method and device for optimizing running performance for an individual. Movements of a foot are monitored using one or more accelerometers. The data is transmitted to a portable electronic processing device, e.g. in the form of a cellular phone, where the data is processed to derive a movement pattern of the foot. Based on a comparison of the derived movement pattern and an optimal movement pattern, the portable electronic processing device provides feedback to the individual in order to adjust the movement pattern of the foot of the individual, thereby improving a running performance. Thereby the risk of injuries and overload of muscles, joints and tendons can be reduced.

1 . A method for optimizing running performance for an individual, the method comprising:
 monitoring movements of a foot of the individual while running during a training pass, using one or more accelerometers,   transmitting data obtained during the monitoring step from the one or more accelerometers to a portable electronic processing device worn by the individual,   the portable electronic processing device deriving a three-dimensional movement pattern of the foot of the individual, based on the data obtained during the monitoring of the movements of the foot,   the portable electronic processing device comparing the derived movement pattern of the foot of the individual to an optimal movement pattern, and   the portable electronic processing device providing real-time voice feedback repeatedly during said training pass to the individual, based on the comparing of the derived movement pattern of the foot of the individual to the optimal movement pattern, and in order to adjust the movement pattern of the foot of the individual, said real-time voice feedback being in the form of voice feedback instructing the individual to adjust the individual's movement pattern, thereby improving the individual's running performance.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic processing device provides real-time voice feedback repeatedly during a training pass to the individual, based on the comparing of the derived movement pattern of the foot of the individual to the optimal movement pattern, and in order to confirm the movement pattern of the foot of the individual, said real-time feedback being in the form of voice feedback instructing the individual to confirm the individual's movement pattern, thereby maintaining the individual's running performance. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring movements of the foot, transmitting data, deriving the movement pattern, comparing the derived movement pattern to an optimal movement pattern, and providing feedback are performed in real time. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional movement pattern of the foot of the individual is derived in the form of a three-dimensional pattern which reflects how the foot moves. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the comparing of the derived movement pattern of the foot of the individual to the optimal movement pattern reveals in which manner the derived movement pattern differs from the optimal movement pattern, and what the individual should change in order to adjust the movement pattern in the direction of the optimal movement pattern. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said real-time voice feedback informs the individual what the individual should change in order to adjust the movement pattern in the direction of the optimal movement pattern. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein providing real-time voice feedback includes instructions for the individual to change his/her movement pattern in the form of simple instructions that may or may not directly reflect the deviation between the ideal movement pattern and the individual's movement pattern. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic processing device is a cellular phone. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic processing device is a wrist worn device. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring movements of the chest of the individual, using one or more accelerometers arranged at the chest of the individual,   transmitting data obtained during the monitoring of movements of the chest of the individual from the one or more accelerometers to the portable electronic processing device, and   the portable electronic processing device calculating an instantaneous power spent to propel the individual's body, based on the transmitted data,   
       wherein portable electronic processing device providing real-time voice feedback to the individual is further based on the calculated instantaneous power. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 calculating an average power spent to propel the individual's body over a predefined time interval, and   deriving a running efficiency indicator, based on the calculated average power, and on a running velocity of the individual,   
       wherein the portable electronic processing device providing real-time voice feedback to the individual is further based on the derived running efficiency indicator. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein deriving the movement pattern of the foot comprises deriving points of impact and/or duration of impact on the foot between the foot and the ground during an impact phase of a stride. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein deriving the movement pattern of the foot comprises deriving vertical and horizontal position of the foot during a swing phase of a stride. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein deriving the movement pattern of the foot comprises deriving a pose angle of a torso of the individual. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the portable electronic processing device transmitting processed data to a central database. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein comparing the derived movement pattern of the foot of the individual to an optimal movement pattern comprises comparing the derived movement pattern to a movement pattern derived previously during the same training pass, thereby obtaining a measure for a change in the movement pattern as a function of time, and wherein providing real-time voice feedback comprises generating a warning when changes in the movement pattern exceeds a predefined threshold. 
     
     
         17 . A portable electronic device for optimizing running performance for an individual, the portable electronic device comprising a processor and a user interface said processor being configured to:
 receive data obtained from the one or more accelerometers associated with a foot of the individual   monitor movements of a foot of the individual while running during a training pass, from a signal from said one or more accelerometers,   derive a three-dimensional movement pattern of the foot of the individual, based on the data obtained during monitoring,   compare the derived movement pattern of the foot of the individual to an optimal movement pattern, and   provide real-time voice feedback repeatedly during said training pass to the individual, based on the comparison, and in order to adjust the movement pattern of the foot of the individual, said real-time feedback being in the form of voice feedback instructing the individual to adjust the individual's movement pattern.   
     
     
         18 . A method for optimizing running performance for an individual comprising:
 monitoring movements of the chest of the individual while running, using one or more accelerometers arranged at the chest of the individual,   transmitting data obtained during the monitoring from the one or more accelerometers to a portable electronic processing device carried by the individual,   transmitting data obtained during monitoring from the one or more accelerometers to the portable electronic processing device, and   the portable electronic processing device calculating an instantaneous power spent to propel the individual's body, based on the transmitted data, the portable electronic processing device providing real-time voice feedback repeatedly during a training pass to the individual, based on the calculated instantaneous power and in order to minimize the instantaneous power spent to propel the individual's body.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said real-time feedback is in the form of voice feedback instructing the individual to adjust the individual's movement pattern or running style, thereby improving the individual's running performance. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said real-time feedback encourages the individual to run in a more energy efficient manner. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said real-time feedback encourages the individual to run in a manner which minimizes the average power spent to propel the individual's body at a given running velocity. 
     
     
         22 . A portable electronic device for optimizing running performance for an individual during a training pass, the portable electronic device comprising a processor and a user interface said processor being configured to configured to:
 receive data obtained from one or more accelerometers arranged at the chest of the individual,   monitor movements of the chest of the individual while running, using the data obtained from said one or more accelerometers,   calculate an instantaneous power spent to propel the individual's body, based on the received data,   provide real-time voice feedback repeatedly during a training pass to the individual, based on the calculated instantaneous power and in order to minimize the instantaneous power spent to propel the individual's body.