Non-invasive Anaerobic Threshold Detection via Heart Rate Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining anaerobic threshold intensity (AnT) are invasive, require specific exercise protocols, and are not accurate due to individual variability and laboratory testing stress, making it difficult to non-invasively analyze AnT in real-life exercises outside laboratory conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously measures heart rate and external workload during freely performed exercises, filters data points, calculates probability factors based on heart rate variability and workload, and estimates AnT as a weighted value of heart rates in different segments, providing feedback on exercise intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory methods are used to determine AnT, then measurement precision may be improved, but ease of operation and adaptability deteriorate due to invasive procedures and specific exercise protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive measurement systems (blood lactate sampling) with optical/electronic sensing systems (heart rate monitoring, power output measurement, respiratory exchange ratio analysis). This substitution enables non-invasive AnT determination during freely performed exercise while maintaining measurement accuracy through continuous physiological parameter monitoring and mathematical modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary physiological parameters (heart rate, power output, respiratory exchange ratio) that can be measured non-invasively during free exercise. These intermediaries serve as proxies for direct lactate measurement, allowing AnT determination without blood sampling while preserving exercise freedom and natural movement patterns.
2Reliability
If incremental exercise protocols are used in laboratory settings, then AnT detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to controlled protocol requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static, protocol-driven AnT determination into a dynamic system that continuously adapts to the user's natural exercise patterns. The system processes real-time physiological data streams (heart rate, power, RER) without requiring predetermined exercise increments, allowing AnT detection during naturally varying exercise intensities while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and threshold analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform their own AnT determination without laboratory staff or protocol controllers. Users simply engage in their normal exercise activities while the device autonomously collects physiological data, processes it through built-in algorithms, and provides AnT feedback, eliminating the need for complex external protocol management.
3Measurement precision
If blood lactate sampling is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and loss of time worsen due to invasive sampling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces discrete, intermittent blood sampling with continuous non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters. Heart rate, power output, and respiratory exchange ratio are measured continuously throughout exercise, providing an unbroken data stream that enables real-time AnT determination without the time losses associated with repeated blood draws and laboratory analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical process of blood extraction and laboratory lactate analysis with electronic sensing and computational algorithms. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming invasive sampling procedure while maintaining measurement precision through continuous physiological parameter monitoring and mathematical modeling of lactate threshold.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables non-invasive, accurate, and reliable determination of AnT intensity in real-life exercises, improving user feedback and training intensity customization.
Implementation Method 1
a heart rate sensor (42) configured to measure the heartbeat of the person
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor (40) to measure an external workload during an exercise
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determining anaerobic threshold intensity (AnT) of a user in a freely performed physical exercise. A physiological response of a user is measured by heart rate and measured heart rate values are recorded as heart rate data. An external workload values are recorded and are each associated with one measured heart rate values to form a plurality of data points. The data points are filtered to form accepted data points, which are classified within a plurality of heart rate segments representing a heart rate within an anaerobic threshold (AnT) of the user. A data point with highest probability is stored for each segment. A first probability factor for each accepted data point is calculated. The calculated first probability factor is compared to a stored probability factor in each segment, and the higher probability factor is retained. AnT is calculated using the stored probabilities in each segment.