Adaptive Exercise Guidance System for Dynamic Physiological Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exercise guidance systems are inadequate in dynamically guiding users to a predefined physiological target state, particularly when deviations occur, leading to narrow intensity ranges and difficulty in maintaining feedback-based guidance, especially in dynamic conditions such as interval training.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that dynamically adjust the intensity range based on real-time feedback, allowing for deviations from initial criteria, using cumulative physiological quantities like EPOC and training effect, to ensure the user reaches their target within a set time or distance, incorporating heart rate monitors and mobile devices for real-time guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid intensity limits (heart-rate range) are used to guide exercise, then the exercise can be controlled within defined boundaries, but the system cannot adapt to deviations occurring during exercise and becomes difficult to operate when target predictions require narrow intensity ranges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexercise control within boundariesVSAvoiddifficulty to train with narrow intensity range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the intensity range adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the acceptable intensity range based on real-time exercise progress and deviations from target predictions, allowing the guidance system to remain reliable while adapting to changing conditions during exercise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of intensity range width based on exercise progression. When predictions are made farther into the future, the system adjusts the intensity range to account for cumulative effects, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preserving reliable target achievement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the intensity range is expanded to allow more flexibility, then ease of operation improves, but the precision of reaching the target state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in exercise performanceVSAvoidprecision of reaching target state
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the intensity range width based on the time horizon of predictions. For near-term predictions, a narrower range maintains precision, while for longer-term predictions, the range expands to accommodate cumulative physiological effects, thereby balancing precision and flexibility at different exercise stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations of cumulative physiological effects over different time horizons before providing guidance. By pre-computing how intensity variations will accumulate over time, the system can set appropriate intensity ranges that maintain target precision while allowing operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive operation is demanded to guide exercise towards a specific target value, then the accuracy of reaching the target improves, but the system complexity increases making it difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of reaching target valueVSAvoidcomplexity of guidance system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system manages complexity by changing the parameter of prediction time horizon. By allowing users to specify different time horizons for target predictions, the system adjusts the computational complexity and intensity range requirements, making comprehensive target guidance achievable without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2035098B1Method and system for guiding a person in physical exercise
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 FIRSTBEAT TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2035098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2035098B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2035098B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and system for guiding a person to a physiological cumulative state in physical exercise, in which the exercise has a physiological target in the form of a physiological state at the end of the exercise, a duration, and a performance parameter. In the method at the start of the exercise the physiological target is set, as is the value of the performance parameter, and during the exercise at regular intervals: at least one quantity proportional to the momentary intensity is measured, and the present physiological state and an estimate of the physiological state at the end of the exercise are calculated with the aid of the momentary intensity and the exercise performed, and a guidance range for the momentary intensity is defined, in order to reach the target state and the performance parameter. The user is guided by means of feedback to remain within the said guidance intensity range. At the start of the exercise the intensity guidance range is expanded according to a pre-selected function, in order to reduce the variation in the guidance.