Mobile Physiological Stress Threshold Determination Using Respiratory Volume Summation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining physiological stress threshold values are limited to laboratory settings, requiring complex equipment and restricting athletes' mobility during exercise.

Innovation Solution

A mobile apparatus comprising a sensor for measuring respired air volume and a processing unit that computes sum values to determine physiological stress threshold values, allowing for real-time data collection and analysis without the need for laboratory equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If laboratory equipment and complex measurement methods are used to determine physiological stress threshold values, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological stress threshold value determination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the core measurement function from complex laboratory equipment to a simple wearable sensor that measures only respiratory volume. By taking out the essential measurement (respiratory volume changes) and eliminating unnecessary laboratory equipment (blood sampling devices, complex gas analyzers), the system achieves accurate stress threshold determination with minimal device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables athletes to independently determine their own physiological stress thresholds without requiring laboratory personnel or complex equipment operation. The wearable sensor automatically collects respiratory data, and the processing unit autonomously calculates stress threshold values, making the measurement process self-service and eliminating the need for specialized laboratory facilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If laboratory-based measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability deteriorate due to restricted athlete mobility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress threshold value accuracyVSAvoidathlete mobility during exercise
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system transitions from static laboratory conditions to dynamic real-world exercise scenarios. The wearable sensor continuously adapts to the athlete's movement and exercise intensity, capturing respiratory data during natural athletic activities rather than constrained laboratory exercises, thereby maintaining measurement precision while maximizing athlete mobility and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The simple wearable sensor serves multiple functions: it measures respiratory volume, tracks exercise intensity, and determines stress threshold values across various sports activities. This universal device replaces multiple specialized laboratory instruments and enables stress threshold determination in diverse exercise contexts (running, cycling, team sports), enhancing both adaptability and measurement versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple physiological parameters are measured simultaneously, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological assessment accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses respiratory volume as an intermediary parameter that indirectly reflects multiple physiological states (aerobic/anaerobic metabolism, stress intensity, fatigue levels). Instead of directly measuring multiple complex parameters like blood lactate, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production, the system uses respiratory volume changes as a mediator to infer these physiological conditions, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining comprehensive physiological assessment accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2818105B1Apparatus and method for the mobile determination of a physiological stress threshold value
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 ADIDAS AG
  • EP2818105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2818105B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2818105B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the mobile determination of at least one physiological stress threshold value of an athlete, wherein the apparatus comprises a sensor for determining the respired air volume at each point in time of a plurality of points in time and a processing unit, which is configured to compute a sum value for each point in time of the plurality of points in time at least based on the respired air volume of a present point in time and a sum value of a previous point in time, to set the sum value to an initial value, if the previous point in time is not within the plurality of points in time and to determine the physiological stress threshold value based on the computed sum values.