Environmental Normalization for Triathlon Training Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current training methods for triathletes lack a structured system to measure and optimize performance across multiple disciplines, leading to inefficient training and unclear focus on improving specific abilities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that generates customized training plans by normalizing performance values across disciplines like running, biking, and swimming, allowing for incremental improvements tailored to individual athletes' capabilities and available training time, while avoiding overexertion and optimizing overall competition performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coach manually interprets training data based on experience to create training plans, then the training can be customized to individual athlete needs, but the process becomes unstructured and inconsistent across different coaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing standardized metrics (TriDots) that quantify performance across different disciplines. These parameters normalize diverse athletic performances into comparable values, allowing systematic analysis while maintaining individual athlete customization. The system changes the parameter framework from subjective coach experience to objective normalized performance metrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-discipline performance measurement system that works across swimming, cycling, and running. The TriDot methodology provides a universal framework that can be applied to any triathlete regardless of their specific discipline strengths or weaknesses, enabling consistent training plan development across different coaches and athletes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional training methods are used without normalized performance metrics, then coaches can share general training theories, but they cannot objectively compare athlete performance or determine effective training focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms performance measurement by introducing TriDot parameters that normalize discipline-specific performances. This allows precise comparison of swim, bike, and run abilities on a common scale, enabling accurate identification of training focus areas and objective performance tracking across different athletes and disciplines.
3Ease of operation
If athletes train without structured performance measurement, then they can maintain flexibility in training, but they cannot easily measure progress or identify specific ability limiters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies progress measurement by converting complex multi-discipline performance data into single TriDot values for each discipline. Athletes can easily track improvement through these normalized scores while the system preserves detailed discipline-specific performance information, preventing data loss while enhancing measurement simplicity.
4Productivity
If coaches use general training theories without discipline-specific metrics, then training can be broadly applicable, but effectiveness cannot be objectively evaluated or optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances training effectiveness by implementing TriDot parameters that provide precise measurement of training outcomes across disciplines. This enables objective evaluation of training effectiveness and allows for optimized training prescriptions based on quantified performance data rather than general theories alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A near real-time GPS and computer-implemented system and method for measuring the physical capability of an athlete in an athletic endurance event and displaying, in near real-time, performance parameters after adjustment by at least one environmental normalization factor. The system and method performs the following steps in a specially programmed computer in near real-time: accepting near real-time data input from at least one sensor taken from the group of heart rate monitor for measuring an individual athlete's heart rate and a GPS device for determining distance traveled by the athlete in a time period, accepting environmental data correlated to the factor in near real-time, the data being accepted from at least one of a remote transmitter or a measurement device worn or carried by the athlete, computationally adjusting the athlete's measured actual performance by means of at least one environmental normalization factor taken from the group of temperature, humidity and elevation, wind, air density, and elevation change (hills), to compute an environmentally normalized performance value, dynamically recalculating said normalized performance values in near real-time based on additional environmental data accepted at subsequent times during said performance, and providing an indication in near real-time to the athlete during said performance regarding whether the current performance is within specified limits as compared to the normalized performance values for the individual athlete including adjustment by said normalized environmental factor to allow the athlete to take timely action during said performance to improve his or her performance. The system and method also enables virtual real-time events where environment normalization displays real-time progress/results for participants in different environments while they compete in the same event. The system and method normalizes the results from users participating at high altitude versus those a lower altitude (along with wind, temperature, elevation change, etc.) so that all participants effectively compete on a virtual “level playing field” during the event. Environment normalization can validate or certify real-time that performance data submitted during virtual racing events are valid based on the athletes actual environment normalized potential.