Augmented neuromuscular training system and method

Abstract

An augmented neuromuscular training system and method for providing feedback to a user in order to reduce movement deficits associated with injury risk, prior injury or disease pathology.

1 . An augmented neuromuscular training system comprising:
 a sensor for tracking movement of a participant;   a processor for generating a biomechanical data structure based on data obtained from the sensor;   a controller configured to generate a stimulus data structure based on a goal reference and a plurality of biomechanical variables from the biomechanical data structure, wherein the stimulus data structure includes a plurality of stimulus coordinate points configured to vary relative to the goal reference in response to the plurality of biomechanical variables; and   a display visible to the participant, the display presenting a graphical stimulus defined by the plurality of stimulus coordinate points and that is a geometric shape in an initial configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is part of a mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The training system of  claim 2 , wherein the mobile device is one of a smartphone, a tablet, a virtual reality headset, or a smartwatch. 
     
     
         4 . The training system of  claim 2 , wherein the goal reference is one of a plurality of different exercise processing sequences for generating respective stimulus data structures in response to different exercises performed by the participant. 
     
     
         5 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein any of a size and a shape of the graphical stimulus varies in response to the biomechanical variables. 
     
     
         6 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a headset configured to be worn by the participant, the headset including a wireless receiver for communication with the controller. 
     
     
         7 . The training system of  claim 5 , wherein the headset further includes a speaker to transmit audible instructions from the controller to the participant. 
     
     
         8 . The training system of  claim 1 , wherein the goal reference is one of a plurality of different exercise processing sequences for generating respective stimulus data structures in response to different exercises performed by the participant. 
     
     
         9 . The training system of  claim 7 , further comprising an operator interface in communication with the controller, the operator interface including the display and an operator input for selecting one of the different exercises. 
     
     
         10 . An augmented neuromuscular training system comprising:
 a biomechanical acquisition system including a sensor for tracking movement of a participant, and a processor for generating a biomechanical data structure based on data obtained from the sensor;   
       a motion analysis and feedback system in communication with the biomechanical acquisition system, the motion analysis and feedback system including a controller configured to generate a stimulus data structure based on a goal reference and a plurality of biomechanical variables from the biomechanical data structure, wherein the stimulus data structure includes a plurality of stimulus coordinate points configured to vary relative to the goal reference in response to the plurality of biomechanical variables; and 
       a display visible to the participant, the display presenting a graphical stimulus defined by at least six of the stimulus coordinate points, wherein the at least six stimulus coordinate points define more than one line. 
     
     
         11 . The training system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is part of a mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The training system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile device is one of a smartphone, a tablet, a virtual reality headset, or a smartwatch. 
     
     
         13 . The training system of  claim 9 , wherein any of a size and a shape of the graphical stimulus varies in response to the biomechanical variables. 
     
     
         14 . The training system of  claim 9 , wherein the display includes a headset configured to be worn by the participant, the headset including a wireless receiver for communication with the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The training system of  claim 13 , wherein the headset further includes a speaker to transmit audible instructions from the controller to the participant. 
     
     
         16 . The training system of  claim 9 , wherein the goal reference is one of a plurality of different exercise processing sequences for generating respective stimulus data structures in response to different exercises performed by the participant. 
     
     
         17 . The training system of  claim 15 , further comprising an operator interface in communication with the controller, the operator interface including the display and an operator input for selecting one of the different exercises. 
     
     
         18 . A biomechanical data acquisition system, comprising:
 a plurality of user markers attached to a participant;   an image acquiring device; and   a controller configured to receive the relative positions of the markers and generate a biomechanical data structure based upon the position data, wherein the biomechanical data structure is a three dimensional model.   
     
     
         19 . The biomechanical data acquisition system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of user markers are virtual markers. 
     
     
         20 . The biomechanical data acquisition system of  claim 18 , wherein the virtual markers are calculated based on a geometrical offset from a known location. 
     
     
         21 . The biomechanical data acquisition system of  claim 19 , wherein one of the virtual markers is attached to the user's hip. 
     
     
         22 . The biomechanical data acquisition system of  claim 17 , wherein the biomechanical data structure comprises a plurality of biomechanical variables. 
     
     
         23 . The biomechanical data acquisition system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of biomechanical variables includes at least one of the group consisting of trunk lean, knee-to-hip movement ratio, knee abduction moment, and vertical ground reaction force ratio.