METHOD TO MONITOR IMPACTS ON THE HUMAN BODY WHILE PRACTICING RUNNING OR SPORTS

Abstract

A method to monitor impacts on the human body while practicing running or sports including: reading threshold values from personal information provided by the user; reading from a server the updated threshold values for training impact zones and reading the daily accumulated goal previously defined; reading data from an accelerometer sensor of a mobile device attached to the human body such as smartphones or wearable devices; calculating acceleration from data read from the accelerometer sensor; converting the measured acceleration into body weight units; obtaining date and time information, and optionally, satellite tracking data; checking if user has exceeded the appropriate level of impact conditions acceptable according to the training impact zones; notifying the user if he has exceeded appropriate level of impact conditions when achieved the beneficial goal of daily cumulative impact through an alarm; and displaying results/statistics of the training to the user.

Claims

1. A method to monitor the effects of an impact on the human body while practicing running or sports activities through a mobile device attached to the human body containing accelerometer sensor capable of measuring the intensity of impact forces on different parts of the human body and storing information on the device for further analysis, the method comprising of: reading limits from information personal user input, including gender, age and weight; reading from a server, the updated threshold values for training impact zones, such as safe, caution and danger; reading the cumulative daily impact goal previously defined; reading data from an accelerometer sensor of the mobile device attached to the human body, such as smart phones or wearable devices; calculating the acceleration vector from data read from the accelerometer sensor; converting the acceleration in body weight units (BW); obtaining date and time information from the system, and optionally, the satellite tracking data; checking if user has exceeded appropriate conditions of acceptable level of impact, according to the training impact zones; assessing whether the level of impact is healthy through the following: notifying the user if he has exceeded appropriate conditions of the level of impacts through an alarm; notifying the user as soon as he has reached the beneficial goal of daily cumulative impact through an alarm; and displaying training results/statistics to the user.

2. The method to monitor effects of an impact on the human body according to claim 1, further comprising defining different impact zones using variable values such as gender, age, duration, acceleration and body region where the device was attached.

3. The method to monitor effects of an impact on the human body according to claim 2, wherein the definition of the training impact zones is adjusted based on data obtained from external servers.

4. The method to monitor effects of an impact on the human body according to claim 1, wherein in response to evaluating the level of impact is healthy, suggesting to the user actions to minimize injuries such as changing the type of training ground, changing the type of shoes, reducing training speed and stepping on the floor in an appropriate way.

5. The method to monitor effects of an impact on the human body according to claim 1, wherein the geographic coordinates (GPS) are associated to levels of impact identified by path parts, by plotting graphics and reporting the detailed correlation between speed, altitude, time and level of impact information.

6. The method for monitoring effects of an impact on the human body according to claim 1, further including gamification approaches (gamification) such as award and scoring, related to achieved training goals associated with each impact zone.

7. The method to monitor effects of an impact on the human body according to claim 2, wherein the geographic coordinates (GPS) are associated to levels of impact identified by path parts, by plotting graphics and reporting the detailed correlation between speed, altitude, time and level of impact information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become clearer through the following detailed description of an example but non-limitative embodiment of the invention, in view of the attached drawings, wherein:

[0054] FIG. 1 depicts the human body regions where device with accelerometer can be attached (lower limb, center, upper limb).

[0055] FIG. 2 depicts the relationship of Impact Training Zones along a geographical location using a color code system.

[0056] FIG. 3 depicts the relationship of Impact Training Zones along the time using a color code system.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows the difference between isolated axis acceleration and the total acceleration.

[0058] FIG. 5 depicts the typical vertical ground reaction force for running and walking activities.

[0059] FIG. 6 depicts the peak force of a stride which is the force region target for impact calculation on this method.

[0060] FIG. 7 depicts the Acceleration peak for 10 milliseconds samples.

[0061] FIG. 8 depicts the Impact monitor flowchart.

[0062] FIG. 9 depicts a Graphical User Interface (GUI) exemplifying the last training info average impact in analogy to the HRM (Heart-Rate Monitor) from S-Health application.

[0063] FIG. 10 depicts a Graphical User Interface (GUI) exemplifying the cumulative impact and what is desirable to achieve the goal in analogy to the Pedometer feature from S-Health application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] The present invention monitors impacts transferred to the human body while doing physical or sports activities such walking, running, dancing, skipping and to provide useful information to users avoid injuries related to impact forces.

[0065] The present invention proposes to use a mobile device that has multiple axis accelerometer hardware to measure the intensity of the impact force for fitness or health purposes. Accelerometer sensors can detect/measure acceleration direction (axis x, y, z) and intensity. Such data can be recorded and processed in order to calculate the shock being detected by the device (hence to the person carrying or wearing it during the training).

[0066] With such information it is possible to warn users about the level of impact on his body and to determine if it is healthy or not to him/her. Based on this, users can take appropriate actions to minimize injuries like for example changing the training ground, changing the type of shoes, reducing training speed or stepping on the floor in a more appropriate way.

[0067] Based on some user inputs such as gender, weight, region of the mobile device in the human body, target level of impact training; it is possible to determine secure levels of impact (e.g. safe/caution/danger zones).

[0068] In addition to user provided data, the device can automatically detect parameters like duration, acceleration, geographic coordinates, date, time and combine them to suggest to user training zones and training programs.

[0069] Proposed Invention features: [0070] Definition of thresholds (values) for impact force intensity and categorize them in levels (safe/caution/danger). [0071] Customization of Impact Training Zones thresholds according to: [0072] Region of the body where device is attached (info provide by user) and consult impact parameters in server, as shown in FIG. 1. [0073] Gender (info provide by user). [0074] Age (info provide by user). [0075] Identification of average intensity based on number of samples per period of time (to avoid single peaks interference on final results). [0076] User alert in case a danger Impact Training Zone is active for a given period of time (vibrate/audio/visual alarm) during the training. [0077] Indication if amount of required impact per day has been reached (cumulative daily impact to prevent osteoporosis). [0078] Association of geographical coordinates (GPS) to identify levels of impact per route sections. See Picture 2. [0079] Graphical plotting correlating speed, altitude, time, impact training zone info, as shown in FIG. 3. [0080] Association of amount of time spent on a given level of impact. [0081] Inclusion of gamification rules offering awards to user (like badges per example in case Impact Training Zone training was achieved for a given amount of time and sharing of user results to compare to other users in a ranking). [0082] Ability to provide hints automatically to user on how to reduce impacts in case danger Impact Training Zone alert was triggered (suggest modifications on foot stride, ground terrain, shoes, reduce weight, increase step rate at a given speed). [0083] Data logging capabilities: be integrated with health/well-being platforms.

Impact Training Zones:

[0084] Linear Acceleration is the force along an axis (x, y or z) excluding earth's gravity. The three components of motion for an individual (and their related axes) are forward (roll, x), vertical (yaw, y), and side (pitch, z). Linear acceleration is measured in m/s.sup.2. Using device's linear acceleration sensor provides a three-dimensional vector representing acceleration along each device axis, excluding gravity, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0085] Method obtains the three axis readings and determines the magnitude of the sensor reading using standard vector math. This effectively takes into account the energy from all three axes simultaneously. Vector Magnitude in G acceleration=square root (X*X+Y*Y+Z*Z).

[0086] According to Newton's law, Force=Mass×Acceleration. The present invention is related to measure the force of an impact detected by the device. The bigger is the mass (person's weight) the bigger is the resulting impact. The same is true for acceleration.

[0087] So, it is supposed that when a 70 Kg weight's person is running and stride the ground with an acceleration of 2 times the gravity which is ˜20 m/s.sup.2, then the Ground Reaction Force (GRF—shown in FIG. 5) will be according to function “Force=mass times acceleration”:

F=m×a;

F=70×20;

F=1400 N//where N=Newtons.

[0088] Associating body weight (BW) with impact:

[0089] Converting Mass into Force, a 70 Kg person will weight: 70*10=700 N. //assuming earth's gravity is 10 m/s.sup.2.

[0090] So an impact of 1400 N represents 1400/700=2 times the body weight of a 70 Kg mass person in Earth.

[0091] So there is a direct relation of the applied “g” force with body weight.

[0092] The force of an impact peak (shown in FIG. 6) can have different consequences according to each person. So the present invention relies on scientific data to propose different levels to represent impact intensity (called impact training zones) in easier way. An example of impact training zones color code is indicated below: [0093] Green Zone: Safe. Represents impacts lower than yellow zone and that can be considered safe to user's practice his/her exercise. [0094] Yellow Zone: Caution. Represents a range of impact higher than green zone but lower than red zone which is determined by a level of impact that may injure user's body so caution on training is required. [0095] Red Zone: Danger. Represents a range of impact higher than yellow zone that statistically can cause injuries to user's body while practicing exercise.

[0096] According to Clark (National Academy of Sports Medicine, 2002) and Peter Merton McGinni (Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise): [0097] During Walking GRF=1-1.5 times body weight. [0098] During Running GRF=2-5 times body weight. [0099] During Jumping GRF=4-11 times body weight.

[0100] The present invention proposes the impact training zones values relying in conventional approximation parameters indicated below (for males): [0101] Green (male): up to 4 times body weight. [0102] Yellow (male): from 4 to 5 times body weight. [0103] Red (male): higher than 5 times body weight.

Adjusting Impact Training Zones Per Gender:

[0104] The female skeleton is generally less massive, smoother, and more delicate than the male. Males in general are seen to have denser, stronger bones, tendons, and ligaments.

[0105] Females in general have lower total muscle mass than males, and also having lower muscle mass in comparison to total body mass. Males convert more of their caloric intake into muscle and expendable circulating energy reserves, while females tend to convert more into fat deposits. As a consequence, males are generally physically stronger than females.

[0106] Gross measures of body strength suggest a 40-50% difference in upper body strength between the genders, and a 20-30% difference in lower body strength.

[0107] As there are gender-related differences in human physiology it is relevant this method to consider these facts introducing a weighted value for the impact training zones for women to prevent injuries in a more accurate way. An adjustable factor of 20% is introduced specifically for females as indicated below: [0108] Green (female): up to 3.33 times body weight. [0109] Yellow (female): from 3.33 to 4.16 times body weight. [0110] Red (female): higher than 4.16 times body weight.

Adjusting Impact Training Zones Per Site of Device Attachment:

[0111] Another factor that is critical to have better accuracy when calculating impact training zones is to understand the location of the body where the device is attached. Each region of human body suffers a different level of ground reaction force.

[0112] Acceleration attenuates as the shock wave propagates up the body. The closer the accelerometer is to the ground, i.e. the site of impact, the higher the acceleration values.

[0113] The signal is attenuated by about 50% between the lower limb and the head, and attenuation is present even in the ankle joint. Impact energy is absorbed by the whole locomotion system: the muscles, bone, ligaments and tendons.

[0114] Similarly, studies have reported a linear correlation coefficient of 0.90 between vertical peak GRF and tibial acceleration and 0.73 between peak GRF and waist acceleration.

[0115] This method defines 3 different regions of human body where device could be attached as well respective adjustment factors to consider acceleration attenuation across the body: [0116] Lower limb (foot, ankle, knee)—contribution of 100%; [0117] Center (waist, hips)—contribution of 70%; [0118] Upper limb (arms, chest)—contribution of 50%.

[0119] In summary:

[0120] The parameters values (adjustment factors for gender and site of device attachment) for each impact training zone can be defined in a static way (hard coded in a software program) or they can be read by the device from an external source such as a server. This approach makes feasible to the device update such values to more accurate ones after their launch. It is important since currently there is a lack of precision on such values in biomechanics scientific literature. So once more research/studies in such field become available at scientific community the values can be adjusted.

[0121] The relevant acceleration measurements for this method are the ones that contain information of ground impact. Therefore, this method relies on peak values for accelerometer measurements only, discarding ascending/descending legs movement measurements.

[0122] In case peak acceleration is above the “Danger” impact training zone for a given period of time then the user is warned (vibrate/audio/visual alarm) to avoid injuries during the training session.

[0123] Again, such values above mentioned can be dynamically adjusted based on readings from a server, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

[0124] It is noted that the invention is not limited to a specific number of levels of impacts and to the mentioned color codes. Three levels of impacts and the green, yellow and red colors were suggested to illustrate the functionality.

Osteoporosis Prevention for Elderly Women:

[0125] Bone size and mass increase dramatically during growth, and peak bone mass is generally obtained around 10 years after skeletal growth has stopped. After this, bone mass slowly starts to decline. In women, there is rapid bone loss after menopause (after 50 years old) due to decreasing hormonal levels, especially estrogen.

[0126] The method performs the counting of the impacts above 4 BW until reach 60 on the same day, such that when overcoming this reference value, an audible alarm will be triggered each time there is a greater impact than 4 BW, so the person/women will know if you are doing an exercise that stimulates your bone formation. For example, step exercise where the person goes up and down on a platform, when you reach the 60 impacts >4 BW, it will sound the alarm completion of the exercise. Again, these values can be read by the device from an external source such as a server to allow a better tunning.

[0127] As females are in more risk than males for developing osteoporosis the present invention proposes a method to help women from 50 to 65 years to prevent bone loss and also to maintain physical performance to avoid falls.

[0128] This can be achieved by monitoring cumulative impacts in a given amount of body weights. The impact can be quantified by recording the number and intensity of acceleration peaks (impacts).

[0129] The impacts were analyzed at four acceleration levels according to the multiples of acceleration of gravity (g): low (0.3-2.4 g), moderate (2.5-3.8 g), high (3.9-5.3 g), and very high (5.4-9.8 g), where g=9.81 m/s.sup.2 and 0 g is equated to standing still.

Daily Impact Score:

[0130] In summary:

Flow of the Invention:

[0131] The flowchart of the invention comprises the following steps as shown in FIG. 8.

[0132] User: The user starts the feature sports impact monitor (801) on a platform of e-Health at the mobile device (smartphones or wearable devices), informing the personal data such as weight, gender, age or the application extracting the data already stored (802) and, at last, the user informs the contact-point of mobile device attachment in your body (803).

[0133] Server: The threshold values for each variable in training zones and daily impact goal can be read/import automatically by the mobile device from an external server or “cloud” (805).

[0134] Device: The mobile device reads (804) the default threshold values for each variable and also reads (805) threshold values of each variable of training zones and daily impact goal on an external server or “cloud” and it adjusts dynamically using the updated parameters.

[0135] The accelerometer sensor detects and reads the coordinates x, y, z (806), so the acceleration vector is calculated (807), and the acceleration is converted to body weights (808) and automatically obtained and the date, time, GPS data and other parameters (809).

[0136] Based on the reading of the data, the method checks whether the user is a woman and has age more 50 years (810): [0137] If positive, the daily impact goal is accessed (left), if the goal of the daily impact has been achieved—higher than 4 BW (811), an audible alarm sounds (812) to avoid injury and complete the exercise, and the next step; the application asks if you want to stops the training (813), if yes; the application displays the results and statistics training (818). If no, the mobile device again starts reading the coordinates by the accelerometer sensor (806). [0138] If negative, the training zone level is accessed (right), if the impact level is Danger (814) with a greater estimated time (815), an audible alarm sounds (816) to avoid injury, and the next step; the application asks if you want to stop (817). In positive case the application displays the results and statistics training (818). In negative case the mobile device again starts reading the coordinates by the accelerometer sensor (806).

[0139] In the end of the impact monitoring (819), application displays the results and statistics of the training (818).

[0140] Although the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiment, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.