Athletic Training Pace Updates Using Heart Rate and GPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining an athlete's fitness level, such as lactate threshold testing and race performance, are impractical, expensive, or require peak performance, making it difficult to maintain accurate training paces without frequent interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system using heart rate and navigation data to monitor and update an athlete's fitness level through baseline, training, and fitness test activities, allowing for personalized and efficient determination of current training paces without the need for frequent lactate threshold tests or peak performance races.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lactate threshold testing is used to determine fitness level, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical lactate threshold testing equipment with electronic heart rate monitoring and navigation systems. The system uses heart rate data, pace data, and GPS information processed by a computer to determine fitness level, eliminating the need for physical lactate testing equipment while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heart rate data and navigation data as intermediary measurements to indirectly determine fitness level. Instead of directly measuring lactate threshold, the system uses heart rate responses to specific paces and distances as proxy indicators, which can be captured by standard wearable devices and GPS units.
2Measurement precision
If race performance is used to determine fitness level, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs fitness level assessment during regular training runs rather than requiring separate race events. By incorporating fitness testing into routine training activities, the system eliminates the need for dedicated race days and recovery periods, maintaining training continuity while still obtaining accurate fitness measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic heart rate monitoring during training runs to assess fitness level changes over time. Instead of requiring a single race performance, the system periodically samples heart rate data during training activities to track fitness progression, allowing continuous assessment without interrupting training schedules.
3Measurement precision
If frequent fitness testing is performed to maintain accurate training paces, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically processes heart rate data, pace data, and navigation data to continuously update fitness level assessments. The computer system performs self-service analysis of training data without requiring manual intervention or separate testing procedures, enabling continuous pace optimization without additional time investment from the athlete.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of heart rate and pace data during training runs, with the system continuously analyzing performance metrics to update fitness level assessments. This continuous action eliminates the need for discrete, periodic testing events, maintaining accurate training paces without interrupting training time.
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 athletes to train at optimized paces reflecting their current fitness level, reducing the need for costly tests and race performance, thereby maintaining training rhythm and avoiding stress, while minimizing the impact of factors affecting heart rate independent of fitness.
Implementation Method 1
a heart rate monitor adapted to monitor a user heart rate data
Implementation Method 2
a GPS receiver adapted to receive signals from a plurality of satellites
Implementation Method 3
an accelerometer adapted to measure an acceleration of the user
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for athletic training optimization are disclosed. In one example, a fitness level change is identified. In one example, a current training intensity is updated to reflect an updated user fitness level.