Programmable adaptable resistance exercise system and method

Abstract

A programmable adaptive resistance exercise system and method. New type of resistance allows a user to maximize amount of muscle growth benefit while minimizing the effort to attain that level. Resistance level may be controlled by computer based on position or any derivate thereof with respect to time. Resistance is adaptive since force level used throughout exercise range is based on current and past performance data. Level of effort and force versus time profile combinations are unlimited. Rest calculated based on the current and past performance data. May utilize hardware having a motor, an exercise interface (such as an bar or handle for example), a position sensor, digital input device to identify someone, computer configured to control the motor and exercise interface using current and past personal training data, calculate an exercise program based on preference and a time for subsequent workout, optionally alert a user when time to workout.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of exercise equipment and the methods of use thereof. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention enable a programmable adaptive resistance system and method based on present and past training information for a particular user. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] There are many health benefits associated with exercise. The health and fitness industry offers a wide variety of products and services designed to improve these benefits. One theory of muscular development is that muscles must be contracted past their normal range of capability in order to improve the fitness gains afforded by general exercise. [0005] In order to stress a muscle, contraction is performed against some sort of resistance. Theoretically, by increasing the resistance against which the muscle is contracted, any desired amount of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] One or more embodiments of the invention enable a programmable adaptive resistance exercise system and method. This new type of resistance allows a user to maximize the amount of muscle growth or endurance or allows a user to perform fitness maintenance or injury recovery while minimizing the effort expended to attain the desired level of benefit. The resistance force level is programmable in that the force applied by the system can be adjusted dynamically under computer control. For example, the resistance force level may be controlled via a computer based on position or any derivate thereof with respect to time such as velocity, acceleration, jerk, etc. The resistance force level is adaptive since embodiments of the invention provide a resistive force level throughout the range of an exercise based on current and past historical performance data associated with a particular user. Past historical performance data is also known as past personal training information.

Problems solved by technology

If the level of stress applied is greater than that which the muscle can readily tolerate then the muscle is said to be overloaded.

However, such exercises are very limited in scope and therefore overall effectiveness.

Excessive overload can cause failure of the muscle and injury to the body.

This feature becomes a limitation when an injured muscle is called upon to stabilize a free weight movement when exercising a desired muscle.

Thus, it is important to limit the use of free weights when working muscles near injured muscles.

For example, when performing bench press a shoulder injury may prevent a person from overloading the pectoral muscles since the injured shoulder may generate great pain and not allow stabilization to be provided for the exercise.

In many movements, the variation in resistance that is lower at the beginning of travel and ever increasing as the displacement is increased, imposes an additional limitation to the design of the exercise.

The particular profile of increasing resistance with displacement is not optimum for most normal body movements.

Unfortunately, because the actual resistance is difficult to control and quantify, the amount of actual stress (and therefore overload) is difficult to predict or measure.

Additionally, such motion that is resisted in proportion to velocity of travel is very

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