Patent Application
20210394022
The application relates to providing a next workout recommendation, and more particularly, but not exclusively, the application relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for providing a next workout recommendation.
Fitness and wellbeing can be improved by systematic workout routines. A personal trainer or a fitness educated expert can plan and support person's workout routines by planning programs and providing workout recommendations. Automated software solutions exist to perform similar tasks. Even the most thorough trainer or expert cannot detect or notice all the variables related to the current fitness level of the user, nor can they summarize all the training history aspects relevant for the next workout to be as efficient and fruitful as possible.
It is an aim to provide a workout recommendation according to a set goal adaptively, taking into account recorded workout history and current condition of a user.
According to an aspect of the invention a method for providing a next workout recommendation (NWR) comprises,
According to an aspect of the invention an apparatus comprises means for implementing the method according to the aspects of the invention.
An apparatus for providing a next workout recommendation (NWR) comprises,
According to an aspect of the invention a computer program product comprises means for implementing the method according to the aspects of the invention.
A computer program product for providing a next workout recommendation (NWR) comprises executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause implementation of:
In the following embodiments are described in more detail with the accompanying drawings of which:
The Figures, examples and embodiments relating to the above Figures illustrate aspects of the invention or alternatively, are presented for better understanding the claimed invention, their subject-matter, features and related issues.
Next workout recommendation NWR may be used to prescribe safe and effective workouts for a user taking into account the current physical state, the training history, the fitness level and the training goal of the user. Thereafter, the NWR may determine the load target for the next training cycle (e.g. calendar week) based on realized WTL during past few weeks and the overall training history of the user. The target load may be easy, moderate or hard. Next, the training load from previous 4-14 days is compared to the determined target in order to select suitable training load target for today's workout. Based on these calculations also a label and a workout structure for the NWR are determined. The NWR may aim to include weekly variation in the longer term training program and thereby provides changes in the WTL. If the changes are set to zero, a steady weekly target WTL may be obtained.
The term fitness level refers to a physical ability or property of a user. The fitness level of a user may be measured from a training history data including information on performed training(s) of the user. Alternatively or in addition, a user specific background information may have effect on the fitness level of the user. Background parameters may include age, gender, height and weight of a user. In addition background parameters include the current date information. The background parameters may be used for determining maximum heart rate maxHR of the user. The background parameters may be used for determining minimum heart rate minHR and/or resting heart rate restHR of the user. Determined background parameters may affect the current fitness level of the user. The fitness level of a user may be measured online during a training or a workout performed by the user. The fitness level may be measured via maximum aerobic capacity of a user, like a maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) or a maximum metabolic equivalent (maxMET), for example. Running speed proportioned to user's personal lactate threshold speed or speed corresponding to VO2max may be vVO2max. vVO2max may correspond to average speed, for example over a 3 kilometer running race. A cycling power proportioned to a user's personal functional threshold power may be called FTP. VO2max, restHR, heart rate variation HRV recovery state, all-day HRV and/or other training history parameters may be used for determining the current fitness level of the user.
The terms training, exercise and workout may be used equally to describe a workout or contents of it, which is performed or to be performed by a user. A training plan and a training program refer to a training plan/program including two or more next workout recommendations.
A present activity class of a user may be determined using background information, such as age, gender, height and/or weight; a fitness level of the user; and/or activity/training history data of the user. The activity class describes user's fitness level and training tolerance. The determined activity classes may be classified. For example, a scale of 0-10 may be used, wherein 0 represents a sedentary user and 10 represents highly fit and trained user. Each activity class may have its own specific training load target, which may comprise a range. A training load target may comprise a lowest limit for a training load of the activity class. In addition, a training load target may comprise an upper limit for a training load of the activity class. If training is periodized, for example on a weekly basis using simple easy-medium-hard periodization in terms of load, then each of these weeks have different training load targets even if activity class remained the same.
The history length required for determining activity class may change based on a metric used. However, the history length for calculating chronic training load depicting a user's training tolerance is typically calculated with approximately a 3-10 week time period, preferably a 4-8 week time period.
In addition to the history length, the weight of different days may vary within a selected time window. This is shown, for example, in the way that the most distant days and/or the most closest days may have a lower weight than the days in the middle, between the closest and the most distant days of the selected time window, when calculating average weekly load. By this procedure single days dropping out from the selected time window may have less effect on the activity class. Similarly, this kind of procedure may be used to prevent activity class increasing rapidly in cases where a user has done really hard workouts during the past few days. From a physiological point of view, this kind of procedure may recommend an easy training period rather than increasing the user's load targets, which would be done if activity class increased based on a short time window or higher weights on workouts on the closest days.
In the onboarding phase with a new user and/or where the information from the user's training is still limited—a forecast or prediction may be employed for considering the training tolerance. In this prediction a conservative approach may be applied where the activity class is not allowed to increase too rapidly even though the available information from that rather short period of history shows high training loads. This kind of limiting of activity class is intended to prevent too fast progression of training recommendations considering the load and duration of recommended workouts, for example.
Next workout recommendations (NWRs) may be based on an activity class that is somewhat insensitive to daily fluctuations in calculated fitness levels. The training history of the user may be weighted in order to better represent the user's training tolerance. In an embodiment, there may be an exception, related to an onboarding phase for a new user, where the rate of increase of the activity class may be, even heavily, limited during the first four weeks of the training program.
The following is an exemplary method for determining an activity class. This calculation may be performed by first determining an initial activity class based on either a training load value or a maximal met value, whichever one is higher. Depending on the training history available, the training load value may be either an unscaled monthly training load (meaning, an entire month of training load), or a scaled monthly load.
Selection of these values is made based on the amount of training history data available, where, on day 0, the date of the first workout in training history, activity class based on a maximal met value or unscaled monthly training load. Between days 0-26, the activity class is determined by a linear interpolation between two values, being the greater of: a maximal met and an unscaled training load; and a scaled training load. The scaled training load is based on the scaled monthly training load and the unscaled training load is based on the unscaled monthly training load. On day 27 and beyond, the activity class is set to the highest activity class value between the maximal met and the scaled monthly load.
A scaled monthly training load may be calculated by computing a weighted daily average training load of the user. Older training load data are given different weightings according to tables 1 and 2, depending on how much training history data is available. The weight of the training load may be 1 for recent (0-6 days) and increase weekly as the workout age. For example, a 3-4 week old (21-34 days) training load may have a weight of 4. As the workout further ages, the weight of the training load may decline correspondingly, such that it is again 1 after 49-55 days and 0 if the workout is older than 56 days. If there is less user data available, the weighting may be different, but preserve the same structure of weight change. For example, a user data from 28 days would have training load weight of 1 for 0-6 days, weight of 2 for 7-13 days, weight of 2 for 14-20 days and weight of 1 for 21-27 days in the workout history.
Activity may be calculated for example using the following two variables:
1. ac_by_maxmet_or_unscaled_ml which is the largest of the two values ac_unscaled_ml and ac_by_maxmet, where
Once these two values have been calculated, activity class is obtained as follows:
As mentioned above, 56d_ac is the largest of the two values ac_scaled_ml and ac_by_maxmet, where ac_scaled_ml is calculated in a following manner:
Load based AC determination may be done by comparing ac_unscaled_ml and ac_scaled_ml to the values presented in the following table 3. For example, if the ac_scaled_ml is 1120 units after 28 days of training that would guarantee at least an activity class of 7.5. Of course, if user's VO2max is really high, then AC can be even higher. Units may be ml/kg, when aerobic load is based on EPOC, or different arbitrary units, when aerobic load is based on TRIMP. An activity class may have a monthly training load (MTL) limit. The activity class (AC) may be higher for higher training loads. AC and WTL limits are shown in
The term training goal describes a desired effect for example to a fitness level of a user. The training goal may be to maintain or change the fitness level of a user. The training goal may include rate of change of the fitness level. Training goal may be may be set or selected to be, for example, to maintain, increase or increase fast the fitness level of a user. Training goal may also be for example tapering. Training goal may be set either manually or automatically. For example, in a use case where the user is allowed to set a target time for different running distances, if the target time is much faster than the current (predicted) ability, the program code may be configured to cause selection of “increase fast” training goal instead of “increase” training goal. User may also have a possibility to set the target date for an event. In an exemplary embodiment the user may primarily follow training plan with either “increase” or “increase fast” training goal but the program code may be configured to cause selection of the training goal “tapering” once there is only three weeks preparation time left. Accordingly, training goal may be for example changing the recovery state of the user in addition to the training goal of maintaining/changing the fitness level of the user. A next workout recommendation (NWR) is determined for the user such that it supports the training goal. The training goal may be time dependent. For example, time for achieving a set training goal may be determined. The training goal may comprise short-term and long-term training goals. The term training program refers to multiple following next workout recommendations.
A training load is a measure of how much the body's homeostasis has been disturbed with training, and it describes a physiological exercise load to a user by a given workout. A training load target may be determined. The training load target level may be dependent on a present activity class, which relates to a fitness level of a user. Absolute training load targets may be higher for higher activity class values than for lower activity class values. A weekly training load (WTL) may be determined by summing the highest training load (training load peak) achieved in each workout session performed during a week. A week may refer to a training cycle of 4-14 days, for example. Although a target weekly training load (WTL) is referred to in this application, it may refer to a target training load for n-days, where n is integer, for example n=4-14, thus any number of days between 4-6 or 8-12 instead of seven days (a week). Correspondingly, a target monthly training load (MTL) may refer to a training target load for number of days, e.g. 24-38 days. Further, the weekly/monthly training load(s), or corresponding n-day training loads, may be used as a parameter(s) for determinations and calculations. WTL or a training load target of a block or of a month may be upgraded, being higher compared to user's prior training(s), in order to improve and increase the present fitness level or activity class of the user. For higher activity class values or fitness level of a user, the training load target may not increase linearly, but less or modest, in order to avoid recommendation of too heavy exercise.
The determined NWR may be based on an activity class AC, a training history, a training load target, and a training goal of the user. The activity class AC describes user's fitness level and may take into account user's training history. The determined activity class may be classified or scaled as 1-10. Each activity class may have its own specific training load target. The training load target may comprise limit values. Training goal may be set by the user and it may relate to maintaining a fitness level, or changing a fitness level of a user. In addition, the training goal may relate to changing a recovery state of the user. The training goal may be set for the fitness level to increase, maintain or increase fast.
Training history data comprise data on previous exercises in a chronological order, as performed by the use. The training history data comprises exercise data from a number of past days. The training history data may comprise date and time information, a training load peak information, workout induced recovery time and fitness level for each performed training, as well as type of the training. The training load peak information, the resource recovery time and the fitness level may be calculated in real time by a real time calculation engine that comprises as an input an inter-beat interval and/or HR level data, and optionally an external workload, like speed, changes in altitude or external power output. Type of exercise may comprise identifying the type of training. The date and time information may comprise the time of starting the training, the time of ending the training and/or times of training periods. The training load peak information, the resource recovery time and the fitness level may be calculated in real time by a real time calculation engine. Input for the real time calculation engine may comprise an inter-beat interval and/or heart rate level data. In addition the input may comprise an external workload, like speed, altitude or external power output. An activity class of a user may be updated based on the training history data. A training goal may be inputted or determined based on inputted target time or other parameters, for example.
Training history data may be used for determining maximum metabolic equivalent maxMET and/or maximum oxygen consumption VO2max of the user. These may have effect on the current fitness level of the user. An activity class of a user may be updated based on the training history data. A training goal may be inputted or determined based on inputted target time or other parameters, for example.
A recovery state describes how well a user has physiologically recovered from the recent workout(s). A recovery state may be measured with an analysis of heart rate variation HRV, such as during sleep, or during a discrete recovery test measurement, and it may be individually scaled by taking into account the typical values and range of HRV for each user. Therefore, a recovery state may be presented relative to a user's typical values, or as a trend. The trend may include information on whether the recovery state is improving or getting worse. The amount of a recent training load may contribute to a determination of a recovery state, and be presented in a form of a number of hours it will take for a user to fully recover from the most recent workout.
To be able to make decisions on future trainings/workouts a user needs to know the current trajectory of their training, referred to as the training status (TS). Training status is determined based on three main parameters: a recovery state, a fitness level and a training load. The training load may relate to a current short-term training load, and a change in short-term training load with respect to a previous training.
As described above, training status may tell a user about the trajectory of their past training. Overreaching status is a clear case which may be taken into account in next workout recommendation; I.e. in a case of “overreaching” rest or recovery workouts may be recommended until a better recovered status is reached. These may comprise at least “recovery” and “productive” statuses. On the other hand—for example, reaching productive status in the history does not always guarantee a good readiness to perform in the coming workouts. This may be the case for example when a user has done a hard workout on a previous day meaning that his or her recovery processes are not yet complete. Similar case may be a situation where the past training has been productive, but a user has slept poorly during previous night. In both of these examples previous training may show nice progress, but still the instantaneous training readiness may be poor. Accordingly, in one exemplary embodiment NWR may utilize information on the measured instantaneous training readiness.
Training readiness may be determined using information of one or more of the following: recovery time from previous exercise, sleep quality and/or sleep duration during last night, current training load level, sleep duration and/or sleep quality during the previous nights, stability of sleeping rhythm, measured or estimated stress levels during previous days, measured heart rate variability during previous day or days, or user's self-reported energy level or mood. Estimated high training readiness can be used to trigger harder than normal workouts or training days. For example, whereas the default training rhythm may require two successive recovery or base workouts in a row before a high aerobic session may be prescribed, High training readiness state may form an exception where only one recovery or base workout is required in between two high aerobic sessions. Vice versa, information on poor training readiness may be used to trigger easier training. For example, if estimated training readiness is “moderate” then only base or recovery workout prescriptions (or rest) may be allowed. Similarly, if estimated training readiness is poor then only recovery prescriptions (or rest) may be allowed.
Injury risk reflects a user's capability to exercise based on their past training history. Taking into account a user's recent week's training load compared to their training tolerance in addition to their recovery state allows for determination of an overall risk of injury from training excessively. An example method of calculating injury risk is disclosed in applicant's own publication US20190214144. In this example, injury risk is determined on a 0-100 scale, where 0 represents a very high injury risk. Therefore, similar to training status or sleep score, if the risk of injury is high, such as a score within the range of 0-30, then only rest or recovery workouts may be recommended. It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that other criteria or modifications to the next workout recommendation based on injury risk scores may be made based on what is considered an acceptable risk of injury relative to the intensity of the next workout.
An aerobic training effect (aerTE) is a scaled value that describes the physiological impact or effect the training has on aerobic performance. The aerTE may be calculated by analyzing the aerobic intensity of the exercise, for example by using a cumulative training load measure, like an excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) or a training impulse (TRIMP), and scaling the training load sum based on commonly known quantities of aerobic work in different exercises. Aerobic training loads may be calculated from successive aerobic training effects.
An anaerobic training effect (anTE) is a scaled value that describes the physiological impact or effect the training has on anaerobic performance. The anTE may be calculated by analyzing the anaerobic sum, determined by identifying and analyzing periods of high-intensity intervals, and by scaling that based on commonly known quantities of anaerobic work in different exercises. Anaerobic training loads may be calculated from successive anaerobic training effects.
Scaling of Training Effects (aerTE and anTE)
An anaerobic training effect may be determined by comparing the anaerobic sum with an anaerobic work scale. The anaerobic sum may relate to a cumulative sum of a work done during workouts performed by a user. An aerobic training effect may be determined by comparing the aerobic sum with an aerobic work scale. A main training effect may be determined as being the higher of the aerobic- and anaerobic training effect values. A ratio between the anaerobic training effect and the aerobic training effect may be determined. The ratio between the anTE and the aerTE may represent the proportional benefit of a workout on energy production pathways, for example. A physical fitness level of a user may be taken into account when evaluating the anaerobic load of the performed exercise. In principle, a user with higher fitness level (or activity level) needs to get higher anaerobic sum to achieve similar training effect. In similar fashion, the performed aerobic sum is scaled during exercise by comparing measured aerobic sum to reference values for aerobic work.
The calculated training effects aerTE and anTE can be expressed, for example, as scaled values 0-5, where 0 denotes no exercise and 5 denotes a very heavy exercise.
A full description of a method for calculating a training effect values is presented in applicant's own patent publication US2017143262A1. This publication, as well as other publications referred to in this description, are included herein.
Labels, or workout labels, may be determined based on measured intensity during exercise and optionally the training effect accumulated during exercise. The measured intensity may be instantaneously measured in real-time during a workout. The intensity may comprise a single intensity parameter; or a combination of heart rate and one or more intensity parameters. The intensity parameters may be: heart rate proportioned either to the user's personal lactate threshold heart rate or to maximal heart rate; running speed proportioned either to the user's personal lactate threshold (LT) speed or to speed corresponding to VO2max; cycling power proportioned either to the user's personal functional threshold power (FTP) or to maximal aerobic power (for example the user's highest 5 minute average power). Applicant has also developed so called “modified intensity” (see US2017143262A1), which enables tracking intensities even above 100% of VO2max just based on a heart rate information. Modified intensity may also be used in labeling of workouts.
The workout labels can be, for example, the following: Recovery, Base (endurance), Tempo, Lactate Threshold, VO2max, Anaerobic Capacity and Speed. All of these terms are well-known terms with generally well-known definitions. Low intensity workouts with a short duration may be labeled as Recovery. Low intensity workouts with extended duration typically enhance fat usage in the body as well as muscular endurance and thus maybe labeled us Base. Workouts with a vigorous intensity not yet close to Lactate Threshold improve for example cardiorespiratory capacity and muscular endurance especially if they have extended duration and may be labeled as Tempo workouts. Even though the benefits of Tempo workouts may have many similarities with Lactate Threshold workouts they have slightly lower intensity and thus allow a user to prolong the workout considerably which enables development of muscular endurance needed in prolonged distances (including for example marathon) as well as enables developing movement efficiency and economy at the marathon specific pace. Workouts with slightly higher effort when compared to tempo workouts may be labeled as Lactate Threshold workouts as they directly challenge body's capability to fight against lactic acid accumulation during workouts. Workouts with an intensity about like that threshold typically accumulate muscular/blood lactic acid to levels significantly above the Lactate Threshold. This type of intensity maximizes the usage of oxygen in the body as well as develops users ability to work efficiently under increasing lactic acid levels in the body. Workouts at this type of intensity (above lactate threshold but below or equal to the workload at VO2max is achieved) may be labeled as VO2max workouts.
Workout intensities above VO2max develop anaerobic capacity. Workouts having intensity above VO2max but still significantly below users (estimated) maximal speed can thus be labeled as anaerobic capacity. Workout intensities close to or equal to user's maximal speed also develop his or her ability for example to run or ride faster and maybe thus labeled as speed workouts.
Labels may be used to define and describe primary and secondary benefits of the exercise in order to provide feedback to a user about the exact physiological benefits of a single exercise. The primary and secondary benefits may be called the primary and secondary labels correspondingly. In addition, labels may be used to analyze a training load distribution. Labels are more accurate than “time in zone analysis” in determining the true benefits of the exercise as labels isolate and differentiate different phases and structures from the exercise.
Labeling of workouts may be implemented in such a way that it enables both accurate verbal descriptions of the formed workouts as well as summarizing the benefit into a single label. Accordingly there may be even tens of feedbacks even though a number of labels is limited to 7, for example. Workout labels may be based on aerobic and anaerobic feedback phrases—each feedback phrase may have a corresponding workout label. Each workout may accumulate both aerobic and anaerobic load. A determined aerobic training load may be transferred to a selected aerobic label. Similarly a determined anaerobic training load may be transferred to a selected anaerobic label. Each workout may get two labels, one to represent aerobic training load and one to represent anaerobic training load. Based on the cumulative training load sum for both anaerobic and aerobic training load, and the identified workout label, the respective training load units are transferred to the particular anaerobic and aerobic label(s). Over multiple workouts, training load units can accumulate within specific labels and identify the proportion of the types of training over a given period.
In an exemplary embodiment, a method may be used to provide additional feedback on the specific benefit of each workout. The results of the workout may be supplemented by additional feedback beyond showing a singular training effect value. The additional feedback, which may be referred to as a “training label”, may be determined using the steps shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, a determination of feedback phrase is made separately for both the aerobic training and anaerobic training effect.
Aerobic feedback phrases may be determined based on the aerobic training effect value and information on the intensity distribution of exercise. In running, intensity distribution may be analyzed in terms of heart rate and optionally running speed. In cycling, intensity distribution may be analyzed in terms of heart rate and optionally cycling power.
Analysis of intensity distribution may be based on various factors related to the intensity a user exercises at and the length of time spent in certain intensity zones (in terms of, for example, heart rate, running speed, or cycling power), or the duration of the period of intensity relative to the total duration of the activity.
Intensity may be measured as a relative intensity, benchmarked against lactate threshold heart rate (LTHR) or lactate threshold speed (LT speed) or Functional Threshold Power (FTP) of the user. These measures may be manually input by the user or automatically calculated based on earlier workouts.
In an alternative embodiment, the results of the workout may be supplemented by additional feedback beyond showing a training effect. An exemplary embodiment comprises showing a numerical value of training effect value for an aerobic training effect, and for an anaerobic training effect. Further, the exemplary embodiment comprises determining and showing feedback phrases related to both aerobic and anaerobic work to the user. Aerobic Feedback phrases telling the aerobic benefit of a workout is demonstrated in
FTP power (W)=((maxMET*3.5*weight−350)/12.24)*0.828
LT speed (m/s)=(maxMET*3.5−3.5)/12*0.828+0.1486
If LTHR not known, use default 90% Hrmax as LTHR,
where maxMET may be determined based on a user's fitness level, or VO2max. The factors and values of the factors in the above example formulas are based on scientifically reported values, which may be improved with data based optimization.
Some of the criteria may also be based on the corresponding anaerobic training effect value.
According to an example embodiment, a cyclist, having an activity class of AC8, performs a workout consisting of a variable intensity warm-up, 2×20 min repeats at an intensity close to or above his lactate threshold (FTP) intensity and a short cool-down. During a warm-up his intensity is mostly lowish staying mostly below 90% LTHR and below 76% FTP. During the latter part of the warm-up the user's intensity increases above 76% FTP but that does not yet raise aerobic TE to 2.0. Since time at recovery and base training zones (=61-92% HRmax) does not accumulate above the 35 min threshold, and short recovery does not accumulate much time at Tempo zone or higher zones either, aerobic feedback phrase changes from #18 (no aerobic effect) into #5 (easy recovery). At that time point, no anaerobic training effect has accumulated and thus anaerobic feedback phrase stays at #0 (no anaerobic effect). Thus, the primary label (benefit) after the warm-up is #1—“Recovery”. After a few minutes of first FTP-power repeat, while the aerobic TE reached the level of 2.0, an aerobic feedback phrase turns into #1 (maintaining aerobic) which triggers also the change of the primary label into “Aerobic base”, since the exercise has still accumulated very little of high intensity effort when compared to total working time (35 min) so far. Also the anaerobic TE is still 0.0 at that point. However, about 5 minutes later, when repeat has taken approximately 8 min aerobic training effect (aerTE) reaches 3.0 level and accumulated time at 61-92% HRmax-intensity is less than 35 min. An aerobic feedback phrase #8 is thus not possible and an aerobic feedback phrase turns into #2 (“Improving Aerobic”), which in turn changes the primary label from “Base” into “Tempo”, since the anaerobic training effect (anTE) is still 0.0. At the end part of first 20 min repeat the cyclist has accumulated enough time (13 min 20 sec) considering his activity class at lactate threshold HR zone (94-102% LTHR) without modified intensity simultaneously reaching too high values (>95%). Accordingly, the aerobic feedback phrase changes into #12—“improving lactate threshold”, which also causes the primary label to turn into #4—“Lactate Threshold”. After a short recovery period the user starts their second repeat where the intensity is slightly higher when compared to the first one. During the second repeat aerobic feedback phrase turns into #13—“highly improving lactate threshold”, but it does not cause changes in the primary label. Due to the increased effort time at VO2max, a training zone starts to accumulate. Also the anaerobic training effect is starting to increase. At the very end of the second repeat, the user reaches a trigger limit which is 10 min 30 sec at VO2max HR zone. Accordingly, the aerobic feedback phrase turn into #16—“highly improving VO2max”. In the comparison of the aerobic training effect (4.5) and the anaerobic training effect (3.5), aerobic energy systems are regarded as the main beneficiary. Accordingly, the primary label (primary benefit) at the end of workout is #5 (VO2max)—not anaerobic capacity even though the anaerobic work of workout has focused on that ability. All aerobic load of that exercise (208 units) is allocated to “VO2max”-label and aerobic high load category. All anaerobic load (116 units) is allocated to anaerobic load intensity category, since the workout exceeded anTE 1.0 level. The anaerobic load is further allocated under “anaerobic capacity” label, since a detected supramaximal effort did not reach high enough level in order to be regarded as a speed training (Anaerobic feedback phrase=#2).
Anaerobic feedback phrases illustrate the anaerobic benefit of a workout. Examples of the anaerobic feedback are shown in
Based on both the aerobic and anaerobic feedback phrases determined for each workout, a summary of the current workout may be determined by means of labels. The purpose of the labels is to summarize the benefits of the workout with respect to the physiological systems developed. Aerobic workout labels 1-5, comprise for example, recovery training, aerobic base training, tempo training, lactate threshold training and VO2max training. Anaerobic workout labels 6-7, comprise for example anaerobic capacity training or speed training.
Summarizing the current training workout by determining the benefits as load for one or more labels of said training workout may be described, as illustrated in
In an exemplary embodiment presented in
From a coaching point of view it is often useful to also point out the primary label (being primary benefit) of each workout. The selection of the primary label of the workout may be performed based on the calculated aerobic and anaerobic training effect using for example the following criteria:
“Strength training” is an example of a mode, which may be selected whenever user selects a sport mode for an exercise that is characterized by lifting weights or where user has to use high amount of force in short bouts.
There may optionally be presented a “secondary” label corresponding to a training effect label that is not selected as the primary label, but in addition to the primary label.
To illustrate the balance of a user's training, the training history may be summarized. In an exemplary embodiment, a summarized training history may comprise summing all of the training load accumulated and distributed to the different training labels. The training load is distributed unweighted, regardless of whether it has the “primary” or “secondary” training load. For example a workout with aerTE of 3.3 and anTE of 1.1 may get a primary label from some of the aerobic labels 1-5. Regardless of that, the secondary anaerobic effect #6 or #7 may also be taken into account in the training load distribution. Any duration of historical training load may be presented to the user.
The purpose of calculating the training load distribution based on intensity categories is to track whether a user is sufficiently stressing different body systems or stressing them in a balanced manner.
In a specific situation, where a feedback has phrase #0, with the workload label of NaN as shown on
The training load distribution may be divided into intensity categories. Training load may be divided into three intensity categories (aerobic low load, aerobic high load and anaerobic load) based on the workout label of each exercise. The training load distribution may be called an intensity category distribution. The aerobic low load may generally be defined as low-intensity aerobic training, for example, aerobic exercise at a heart rate below 80% of a user's maximum heart rate. This kind of training forms the basis of any endurance training plan as this type of training allows high training volumes. The aerobic high workout may be considered as a workout that involves a higher heart rate than the defined intensity threshold of the aerobic low load workout, but does not belong in the category of being an anaerobic workout, anaerobic workout being identified, for example, as described above and in
Activity class (AC) based target values for monthly training load (MTL) may be determined for each category. As a general rule of thumb: training is in good balance when the training load in each category is within their target limits. Here, categories refer to the previously mentioned intensity categories.
During an early phase of the training when the user has not yet trained for a full month (28 days) or there is not enough training data history, the target values shown below in table 4 are multiplied with L/28, where L<28 is the number of days from the oldest recorded exercise to the current date.
Based on the actual accumulated training load and its distribution, exemplary feedback sentences may be provided according to the rules described in the below tables 5 and 6. In addition to the feedback itself, training load distribution feedbacks may be used for determination of the next workout recommendation (NWR). For example, if an aerobic high shortage state, meaning a shortage compared to the target value, is detected in the aerobic high load, this information may be used as an input for the next workout recommendation. This may cause aerobic high workouts getting more weight or being prescribed more frequently for the following NWRs.
There are some potential exceptions to the rules shown below:
The above table 5 may be modified without departing the scope of this invention. For example, distribution feedbacks #0-8 may form a basic set of feedbacks. Additionally, feedbacks #9-11 may be combined under a generic “Above targets” feedback. Furthermore, feedback #12 “Approaching targets” may be included if a more positive “tone of voice” is preferred instead of corrective feedback.
Table 6 shows the feedback phrase selection logic based on the relationship between the aerobic training load and its related training limits, and the anaerobic training load and its related training limits.
In addition to the typical feedback, some cells in the below table 6 include additional feedback, specifically “(Below targets)” and “(Above targets)”. These references may be optionally used to overrule the primary feedback of the MTL based rules presented in table 5. Hence, in certain situations, an additional feedback or rule may be included to overrule the initial rule in particular circumstances.
A person skilled in the art may modify the above presented 5×5×5 “decision cube” without departing the scope of the invention. The above presented decision cube may be replaced with a more simple logic, for example using a 3×3×3 logic cube where each intensity category may be determined with 3-level scale: 1) below target 2) in target and 3) above target. The embodiment represented in the table above, including the 5-level scaling where each level may be as follows—1) below minimal limit 2) above minimal limit but below target 3) in target, 4) above target and 5) above very high limit—may enable more precise feedback while a more simple system may be easier to visualize in devices having small displays where additional limits may not fit that well to the device display.
As described above, training load distribution may be shown per each label or alternatively by dividing labels e.g. into 3 groups: Labels 1-2 to aerobic low load category, labels 3-5 to aerobic high load category and labels 6-7 to anaerobic load category. Individual labels may be named as follows: label 1 for “Rest/Recovery”, label 2 for “Base”, label 3 for “Tempo”, label 4 for “Lactate Threshold”, label 5 for “VO2max”, label 6 for “Anaerobic Capacity” and label 7 for “Speed”. Optionally, there may also be a label 0, which represents “Rest” only.
Each workout may accumulate both aerobic and anaerobic load. Aerobic load units are transferred to selected aerobic label and anaerobic load units are transferred to selected anaerobic label. As an example, if workout's aerobic load has 75 units and workout label is 2 and workout's anaerobic load has 25 units and workout label is 7, then the 75 units of aerobic load are transferred to aerobic Base-label (label 2) and 25 units of load are transferred to aerobic Speed-label (label 7). Units may be ml/kg, when aerobic load is based on EPOC, or different arbitrary units, when aerobic load is based on TRIMP.
Sleep score may be based on a value representing both a sleep duration and a sleep quality score. Sleep score may be age dependent. These variables are determined based analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) and, optionally, acceleration data, during identified sleep periods. Sleep score may be calculated based on a weighted sum of scaled values for optimal sleep duration and sleep quality. Sleep quality may relate to an amount of sleep at different sleep stages and restlessness of the sleep.
There are many well-known methods of identifying the beginning and end of sleep periods based on heart rate or HRV, which allow for the measurement of sleep duration. Because different ages require different amounts of sleep, the sleep duration may be assessed in comparison to age-based recommended sleep durations. Optimal sleep duration may be based on age-dependent individual sleep duration demand. Demand for sleep may increase, for example, due to sleep debt, stress and/or strenuous workout.
Sleep quality is based on a weighted scoring of overnight stress and recovery, an analysis of the proportion of the identified sleep stages during sleep, both of which are measured using continuous monitoring of heart rate and HRV, and a measure of sleep restlessness. Sleep stress and recovery can be determined through continuous monitoring of heart rate and heart rate variability via, for example, a wrist-worn PPG device. Identified periods of elevated heart rate representing stress or exercise may increase a user's cumulative stress levels, and identified periods of lower heart rate may represent recovery, even during sleep periods.
Using wrist-worn PPG heart rate monitoring, it is well-known that a user's sleep stages may identified. These include sleep states of “deep sleep”, “REM sleep”, and “light sleep”, in addition to an “awake” state. A weighted average of the proportion of each sleep state in a night comprise this element of the sleep quality score, where, for example, a night with a relatively high proportion of deep sleep will produce a low high score, and a night with a high proportion of light sleep, awake time, or REM sleep may produce a low score. These values are in line with well-known values on what proportions of types of sleep represent optimal sleep periods. Optimal sleep quality may include less than 60% of light sleep, more than 20% deep sleep and 20-30% REM sleep.
Restlessness may be measured using accelerometer data. This may be measured by, for example, measuring the number of “short” periods of immobility, short being, for example, one minute or less. Fewer short periods of immobility would suggest lower restlessness and higher sleep quality. The result of these measurements over an entire night may be scaled against database percentile results. A final sleep quality value can then be calculated using a weighted average of these variables.
The final sleep score, based on both sleep duration and sleep quality may be scaled, for example, to a score from 0 to 100, where 100 is an optimal sleep score.
If a sleep score is, for example, under 25, it is determined as very poor sleep quality. If the sleep is determined as very poor 111, rest or recovery 101 is recommended as the NWR. Otherwise next evaluations are made at phase 112 in order to provide the NWR.
At the next phase 112 the sleep score, the weekly training load, the recovery time, the training status TS, the weekly training target and the number of successive training days are examined. The parameters may be examined in different order.
If a sleep score is determined to be, for example, 25-40, it is determined as moderate. At this phase, after the previous examination of sleep score, it is compared, whether the sleep score is under 40. if yes, the sleep score is determined to be moderate. In this case a scheduled workout for today is replaced with an easier one. For example, if the scheduled workout was hard, it is replaced by easy base training 102, and if the scheduled workout was easy, it is replaced by recovery 101.
The weekly training load WTL may be based on detected training load peak values from performed trainings during the past week. The present WTL describes amount of training the user has performed during the past week, which means one week from today including today. If WTL is detected to be close to WTL target, recommendation is to rest or an active recovery 101.
If recovery time is over 36 hours, it is determined as pretty high recovery time. Due to this, a harder workout is replaced by an easier one. If the determined recovery is high and WTL target is approaching, a Base training 102 is recommended.
The training status determination takes into account various aspects of a user's training history, such as their weekly training load, monthly training load, changes in fitness level, or recovery test values or similar variables that describe a user's training history, fitness level, or recovery state. Exemplary methods for determining training status are described in the applicant's own patent publication U.S. Ser. No. 10/580,532.
If a training status describes a state that may be described by the term “overreaching”, the user has been training hard enough that the body needs extra time to recover, and the next recommendation is to focus on rest or active recovery at phase 101. Depending on the goal of training, rest period or easy training period can be recommended either immediately or just after a few days of detected a state that may described “overreaching”. For example, for an average active user, a rest or easy training period may be triggered on the very first day of “overreaching” whereas high level athletes may be allowed to stay in the state that may be described “overreaching” even for a few days. The amount of successive rest or active recovery days may be limited in a way that for example after two such easy days at least a base workout is recommended regardless of staying in that state that may be described “overreaching” at phase 102. This is due to preferring Base training instead of resting many days without training.
Number of successive training days is examined. The amount of allowed successive training days is dependent on the activity class of the user but also depends on that detected training status. For example, a training state that may be described by the term “overreaching” may be an exception where preferably rest and easy training is prescribed. In that case, even multiple successive rest days may be prescribed in order to avoid development of overtraining state. In all other states the load is regarded not to exceed the user's personal training tolerance—unless poor sleep or single very demanding exercise challenges user's capability to recover. If these exception cases are omitted, rest or active recovery training day can be prescribed if a workout label 2-7 has been achieved every day on days−1 to days−(AC/2+1); wherein days−1 is yesterday (today minus one day) and AC is user's activity class varying e.g. from 4 to 10, and days−(AC/2+1) thereby 3-6 days in past. As the description above points out, for example, poor sleep, moderate sleep or a single exercise causing high recovery time may further limit the amount of allowed successive training days. Furthermore, the amount of successive training days may also independently be limited by the load on previous 4-14 days, for example 7 days, especially if the weekly training load WTL is already very close or even above the target load of current week. Detecting “overreaching” on multiple successive days in the training history leads to recommendation of Base training.
As said above, if WTL is close to the WTL target, a recovery 101 or Base training 102 is recommended. This can be checked, for example, by analyzing the load of last 6 days and supplementing this load value with a load corresponding to training effect 2.5. If performing training effect 2.5 today would cause exceeding the WTL target of current week, then either rest or active recovery may be recommended for today. This may still be dependent on training effect because if WTL is close to the WTL target, but there are 1-2 past successive days detected as recovery, Base training 102 may be recommended to avoid resting many days in a row.
To summarize, rest or active recovery recommendation 101 for today may be triggered by many trigger mechanisms independently. For example, both exceeding allowed number of successive training days or exceeding weekly training load target may be independent trigger mechanisms.
Ideally, next workout recommendation can be asked/called at any time during a day and recommendation is based on data measured from the user. That is, the target is to include all stress factors affecting the user to improve decision-making considering what exercise prescription would be optimal at any time. Accordingly, in addition to measured sleep quality and awake stress levels, workout recommendation should change also with respect to timed and non-timed activities performed earlier on that day. The amount of timed activities may be measured using accumulated training load. If daily limit value has been exceeded then workout recommendation for the remainder of that day may be for example “rest or active recovery”. A workout may be regarded as completed if the accumulated load corresponds to a training effect value of 2.5. Alternatively, distance travelled may also be set as a threshold for determination whether a workout is already completed or not. For example, running distance over 5 km or biking distance over 20 km could be used as such limit values. These distances may be set differently based on, for example, activity class, or personal training history.
If the previous examinations are found negative, the examination continues to the next phase 113, where amount of aerobic high load is examined. Aerobic low load may generally refer to low-intensity aerobic training, for example aerobic exercise at a HR below 80% of a user's maximum HR. Aerobic high load may generally refer to exercise involving a higher HR than a defined intensity for HR low, but it does not belong to anaerobic category, and therefore, the
VO2max limit is not exceeded. Anaerobic training is performed at intensities beyond a user's VO2max. Training history data may comprise load sums and load target ranges for each intensity category. Range limits for each different intensity categories may be determined based on user's monthly target loads and user's activity class AC.
Aerobic high load training intensities can be used to optimize aerobic capacity. However, regardless of being efficient in optimizing aerobic (cardiorespiratory) capacity this kind of training increase training load rapidly and can thus not be repeated as often as aerobic low load or Base workouts. Accordingly, aerobic low intensity training allows training on a daily basis (or even several daily workouts) in long term which is why this type of training forms the basis of endurance training. Anaerobic training is performed at intensities beyond a user's VO2max. They are needed to optimize performance as this kind of training improves, for example, exercise economy, as well as capability to (repeated) sprints which are crucial characteristics in endurance sports.
During the next steps 113 and 115 it is detected whether enough aerobic high load and anaerobic load training has been performed during the previous four weeks as well as during the last few days, for example previous 1-7 days. Accordingly, Different timely windows are needed in the decision making considering the next planned workout. Firstly, it is important that the algorithm checks that the last month includes a suitable amount of high intensity effort, e.g. as a percentage of training load target, as shown in previous tables 5 and 6. If the amount of high intensity effort is very high in a 4-week history then the algorithm should preferably prescribe aerobic low load workouts until a more balanced monthly distribution is achieved but still keeping at least one aerobic high load workout in a weekly plan. Accordingly, it is important to keep the amount of high intensity training adequate in a 7-day window. In this way imbalances in training load distribution can be fixed faster than using a pre-planned workout template but simultaneously avoiding situation where the user gets, for example, base workouts successively for a week or more (e.g. a case where monthly load distribution shows aerobic low shortage). Furthermore it is also important to check that the last few workouts do not include too much of high intensity effort. This helps in keeping the planned workouts reasonable in a situation where, for example, a monthly load distribution is balanced and thus would allow performing any kind of workouts in short term.
In an exemplary embodiment there must be at least two consecutive easy (label 1 or label 2) workouts before any aerobic high load workouts can be prescribed. If enough aerobic high load training has been performed 113 and there is enough anaerobic load recently, Base workout 102 is recommended next. If previous days don't comprise any aerobic high load workouts, then an aerobic high load workout is recommended as the next recommended workout. If either one of the 2 previous workouts includes an aerobic high load workout and if anaerobic load level is low, and if the previous workout label has been either label 1 or label 2 then the next recommended workout may be an Anaerobic Capacity or Speed workout. As the names of the workouts already describe, these anaerobic load category workouts are intended to improve anaerobic and sprinting performance both of which are very important, for example, considering competitive performance, also in endurance sports. Accordingly, next phase may be to examine the label distribution and optionally the rhythm between the Anaerobic Capacity and Speed workouts performed in the history as both training types (labels) are important as such. Ratio of Anaerobic Capacity 106 and Speed training 107 may be determined, and compared, for example, to a target load ratio of 70:30 (Capacity:Speed), and the next workout recommendation may be selected in accordance to achieving or maintaining that predetermined 70:30 ratio.
If it is determined that previous days don't include enough aerobic high load training, meaning that examination 113 is negative, next label distribution and optionally the rhythm in the training history is determined 114. Aerobic high load workouts are intended to improve aerobic capacity and they include Tempo 103, VO2max 104 or Lactate Threshold LT 105 workout labels. As all of these workout types (labels) are important as such in optimizing the development of aerobic capacity, a target ratio between these labels is preferably calculated. Target ratio of Tempo, VO2max and LT training may be divided, for example as 35% of Tempo, 20% of VO2max, 45% of LT in terms of load accumulated during such workouts and summing up to 100% of aerobic high load. The next workout recommendation may be selected in accordance to the predetermined ratio.
Examining label distribution and rhythm in the training history enables maintaining balance in training and distributing different kind of workouts effectively. This enables development towards the training goal. This avoids overtraining and possible injuries due to such. Taking into account different training intensity categories, their relations and distribution, enables efficient development according to the training load target and training goal.
Examination of training history data enables optimizing long term targets. This is taken into account for the next workout recommendations NWR. Findings triggering corrective recommendations may include:
As explained above, these corrective recommendations may change the week level workout prescriptions significantly but on the other hand do not necessarily cause omission of any intensity category totally. For example, if the user's 4-week training load distribution has too much of aerobic high load, then the proportion of aerobic low load workouts is increased but still keeping at least one aerobic high load workout in the weekly prescription window.
Taking into account the history data enables providing productive recommendations. For example, doing too much, too long, at too high pace or alike situations may be detected based on the training history data.
Based on evaluation, as illustrated in
A user interface may be providing all next workout recommendations NWRs even in a single user device in a way that generic workout recommendation can be regarded as a generic cardio training plan. In addition to that running and cycling specific training recommendations may be provided.
Running and cycling specific workout recommendations are often targeted for more advanced users. The recommendations may include more complex workout structures, for example with multiple sets of intervals. Different structures help achieving various training goals. On the other hand, they may be too complex for beginner to understand.
Another user interface embodiment may be providing only user specific next workout recommendations NWR in a single user device in a way that only generic, running or cycling workout recommendation is be provided.
Inputs are used for determining one or more following next workout recommendations NWRs. Recovery time is one input and only easy Base training is recommended if examined recovery time is high. Sleep score may be used as an input. After a poor quality or low amount of sleep, only easy Base training is recommended. Weekly training load WTL is calculated based on training history data. When WTL is close to the WTL target, only easy Base training is recommended. Aerobic high load workouts are recommended when there is enough gap for WTL to increase. Based on the gap between the current WTL and WTL target, easier or harder workout option is recommended, where possible. Training load focus is calculated based on training history data. Training rhythm is fine tuned if the user has shortage in some of the intensity categories. In this case, target is not to fix the shortage immediately, but rather to do so in a reasonable manner, typically over a longer period of time and multiple workouts. Training status is calculated based on training history data. Only rest or recovery is recommended if training state may be described by the term “overreaching”. Rhythm of workouts may be divided by defining ratios or amounts for different kind of workouts. This may be dependent on primary benefit or label that is achieved from a certain workout. Highest amount of successive training days is determined based on user's activity class. Generally, two Base workouts are placed between aerobic high load workouts, where one of the Base workouts may be an anaerobic or sprint type of workout, provided that the anerobic load remains below the target level in the WTL.
When aerobic high load workouts are recommended, current proportion of training loads of possible options, being Tempo, LT and WO2max, is taken into account. Training loads may be divided between as targets, e.g. Tempo 20%, LT 50% and VO2max 30%.
Labels or workout labels may be regarded as indicators of primary benefits of the workouts. Workouts may also have secondary labels or secondary benefits. For example, if the primary label (benefit) is from the aerobic low load or aerobic high load categories (Recovery, Base, Tempo, Lactate Threshold or VO2max), then the workout may still have a secondary label from the anerobic load category of labels (Anaerobic Capacity or Speed) as the secondary benefit. Vice versa, the workout may also have Anaerobic Capacity or Speed as the primary benefit and consequently Recovery, Base, Tempo, Lactate Threshold or VO2max as the secondary benefit.
Monthly or weekly intensity category distribution may be updated after each exercise based on the primary and secondary labels. The training load distribution may accumulate corresponding to the primary and secondary labels, or corresponding to the primary labels only.
While the primary energy production pathways of human body can be divided into aerobic and anaerobic and while each workout can develop both of these pathways—common coaching and physiological knowledge suggests that only one aerobic characteristic or category can be improved at the time. It is suggested that it is not effective trying to develop, for example, Base and Lactate Threshold in the same single exercise. Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment of this invention primary and secondary labels (benefits) cannot include labels from the two aerobic categories (aerobic low load and aerobic high load) but instead one of the two labels (benefits) must be anaerobic. In case the anaerobic training effect remains below 1.0 (which may be typical in steady paced Recovery or Base workouts), then the secondary label (benefit) may not be assigned at all. On the contrary, Anaerobic Capacity and Speed workouts often stress aerobic system to such an extent that aerobic training effect 1.0 is mostly exceeded and thus the secondary label (benefit) is mostly assigned. For example, if a Speed workout comprises walking between the Sprint bouts, then the secondary effect may be Base. On the other hand, if the periods between the sprinting bouts include brisk running then user's cardiorespiratory system may be even heavily taxed and thus the secondary benefit may be Tempo, for example.
NWR output may comprise a label. Labels may be associated to each workout in order to provide additional feedback. The label provides a description of impacts of a workout covering both aerobic and anaerobic training. The labels are based on aerobic and anaerobic feedback phrases. Each workout may accumulate both aerobic and anaerobic load. The determined aerobic training load is transferred as a label based on rules for aerobic training; and the determined anaerobic training load is transferred as a label based on rules for anaerobic training. Based on cumulative training load sum for both anaerobic and aerobic training load, the respective training load unit is collected. Over multiple workouts, training load units identify the proportion of the types of training over a given period.
The labels enable analyzing distribution of training load. The distribution may be simplified into coherent intensity categories that generally describe the energy systems being used. Distribution of the training load is based on training loads collected over a month, or extrapolated to represent approximately a month. Training load may be divided into three intensity categories (aerobic low load, aerobic high load and anaerobic load) based on the workout label of each exercise. Aerobic low load may generally be defined as low-intensity aerobic training, for example, aerobic exercise at a heart rate below 80% of a user's maximum heart rate. This kind of training forms the basis of any endurance training plan as this type of training allows high training volumes. Aerobic high load would then be considered exercise that involves a higher heart rate than the defined intensity threshold of aerobic low load exercise, but does not belong in the category of being an anaerobic exercise. Aerobic high training intensities may be used to optimize aerobic capacity. Anaerobic training is performed at intensities beyond a user's VO2max. They are needed to optimize performance as this kind of training improves, for example, exercise economy, as well as capability for (repeated) sprints which are crucial characteristics in endurance sports.
The labels help in differentiating well-structured training from poorly planned training. For example, traditional “time in zone” analysis may show a good distribution of intensities in a long term analysis even if a user performs high intensity interval training in each workout, since time at low aerobic intensities accumulate during warm-ups and cooldowns. Generally, based on the traditional measures, no major changes are detected as being necessary, nor recommended for future trainings. However, excess amount of high intensity training is actually performed. Thus, one benefit from the labels is to reveal excess amount of high intensity training. This enables maintaining balance in development of body's energy systems by recommending more low intensity workouts.
In addition, a traditional HR based intensity zone model is not able to provide any information on accumulated time or effort at supramaximal intensities. This leads to excluding different kinds of anaerobic training (speed endurance and pure speed) from the overall training load distribution.
NWR output may comprise an estimate on aerobic training effect (aerTE). NWR output may comprise an estimate on anaerobic training effect (anTE).
NWR output may comprise a workout structure. The workout structure may comprise periods for warm-up, repeats and cooldown. Warm-up and/or cooldown may comprise duration, distance or training load. Warm-up and/or cooldown may additionally comprise intensity of the workout period, for example in watts, HR or pace. Repeats comprises the effective training period. It may comprise number, duration and intensity of repeats, as well as duration and intensity of recovery bouts. Intensities may be in watts, HR or pace.
Different exercise modes, such as cycling or running, influence the body and fitness in slightly different ways. Although every kind of exercise is good and the primary benefits are substantially the same, different exercise modes burden the body differently and their benefits may slightly differ. A fit and experienced cyclist who has not been doing running workouts may not have the capabilities to fully benefit the same running exercise as a dedicated runner of the same activity class, and vice versa. This should be taken into account when planning workouts and providing workout structures.
In an exemplary embodiment the workout structure may be divided into target zones that correspond to workout labels. The zones may be further divided into different exercise specific targets. Heart Rate (HR) zone targets may be defined according to percentage ranges derived from the user's lactate threshold heart rate (LTHR). Bike zone targets may be defined according to percentage ranges derived from the user's functional threshold power (FTP). FTP functions for cyclists in the same way that Lactate Threshold works for runners. It reports the intensity of physical activity above which your body will rapidly fatigue. Run Pace zone targets may be defined according to percentage ranges derived from the user's lactate threshold speed (LT-speed). Table 7 defines one embodiment for the determination of different Zone targets in different exercise modes.
VO2max referred to in table 7 as well as elsewhere in the description may be determined using applicants method described in the publication U.S. Ser. No. 10/123,730.
FTP and LT-speed (lactate threshold-speed) referred in the table 7 as well as elsewhere in the description may be determined using applicants method described in the publications U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,517,028 and 9,693,727.
In case the information on LTspeed is missing it may be determined using information on user's maxMET (=V02 Max/3.5) as follows:
LTspeed (m/s)=(maxMET*3.5-3.5)/12*0.828+0.1486
Similarly, in case information on FTP is missing it may be determined using information on user's maxMET (=V02 Max/3.5) as follows:
FTP (W)=((maxMET*3.5*weight-350)/12.24)*0.828
Since user's personal maximal heart rate is reached at the speed that corresponds to users VO2 Max, it may be difficult to define exact heart rate limits for anaerobic capacity and speed workouts. However, as heart rate limits may have some value at some exercise modes (for example skating where target speed may be harder to estimate), target heart rates may be optionally defined for these label 6 and label 7 workouts. Determining target HR for supramaximal workouts is directional rather than normative. Directional limits may be the following:
Target HR for Label 6 workouts is >=95% LTHR
Target HR for Label 7 workouts is >=90% LTHR
Label 6 workouts typically include longer intervals than label 7 workouts, which is why the directional HR is higher in label 6 workouts.
Next workout recommendation may be provided using a workout structure, which includes at least one or more of the following information:
The above workout profiles (**) may comprise the following information: VO2max (min/max), HR (min/max), speed (min/max), power (min/max), and/or duration.
Specific target values may be set for % VO2max (min/max), HR for example as bpm (m in/max), speed for example as km/h or as m/s (min/max) and/or power for example as watts (min/max), duration for example as seconds, or as minutes in the above workout profiles.
Heart Rate zone workout may be a generic workout. Bike zone workout may be a cycling workout. Run Pace workout may be a running workout.
The workout profile may include at least one or more intensity ranges and target duration for each workout phase.
Each planned workout may have a default warm-up and cooldown duration and intensity. Default duration of warm-ups and cooldowns may be between 10 and 15 minutes, for example. The prescribed intensity zone for the warm-ups and cooldowns may be either zone 1 or zone 2. The intensity during actual work period between warm-up and cooldown depends on the target label (benefit) of the workout. Typically, if the goal of the workout is label 2, that is, the target is to improve base endurance, then zone 2 intensity is prescribed. Furthermore if the target is to achieve label 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 then zones 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 are used as the prescribed intensity, respectively.
The label 2 (base endurance) workout structure between warm-up and cooldown is typically a steady pace workout structure so that the target intensity range remains constant during that work period. It is even possible to omit warm-ups and cooldowns from these workouts in order to keep that workout structure simpler since there is no need from a physiological point of view for warm-ups and cooldowns as the effort level is relatively low and, for example, blood lactate levels remain low during such a workout. As all individuals perform the workout with somewhat similar relative intensity (80-89% LTHR) the duration of workout largely depends on two factors: 1) user's activity class and 2) the exact training effect level planned for the workout. Since the target training effect in all of the labels may have a predetermined range—meaning a range from 2.5 to 3.7 for example in label 2 workouts—it means that the durations tend to increase as the activity class of a user increases. Of course, also extending target training effect from 2.5 to 3.7 extends the duration of a workout significantly. Accordingly as the duration may increase as a function of both active class and the target training effect duration of planned label 2 workouts may vary from 20 min (easiest workout of a user with low activity class) up to 150 min (hardest workout of a user with high activity class), for example.
Label 3-7 workouts may have fixed duration for warm-ups and cooldowns. The work period between warm-up and cooldown may now include several repeats each repeat including a short post-repeat-recovery-period. Furthermore, repeats may be allocated into several sets where each set may have a prolonged post-set-recovery-period. If these kind of label 3-7 workouts have several repeats or sets they are always scaled in a way that a user with a lower activity class performs a significantly lower amount of repeats and/or sets than a user with a high activity class. Also the duration of each repeat may be shorter for a user with lower activity class. Accordingly, as the duration of repeats, the number of repeats and the number of sets can all be scaled it means that any workout structure can now be scaled in order to be suitable workout for both a beginner and even an advanced athlete. For example, a tempo workout may have following structure:
In this kind of workout number and duration of repeats are so that target aerTE (e.g. aerTE 3.8) and label 3 will be reached after the whole workout. That means that beginner will only do 3×8 min repeats whereas a high level athlete will do 5×10 min repeats meaning that the duration of high intensity work can be doubled while user develops from a beginner to advanced level.
The target training effect range of label 1 workouts is lowest and maybe from 1.5 to 2.2 for example. The target training effect range of label 2 workouts may be from 2.5 to 3.7, for example. The target training effect of label 3 label 4 and label 5 workouts maybe from 3.8 to 4.2, for example. The target training effect of label 6 workouts maybe from 3.0 to 3.3. the target training effect of label 7 workouts maybe from 2.5 to 2.8, for example.
Since the workout structure is now fixed for each workout in terms of target training effect (aerTE and anTE) and planned intensity profile, the target work duration between warm-ups and cooldowns as well as number and duration of repeats and number of sets may be determined based on a simulation where a target intensity is input into applicants training effect algorithm (See applicant's publications U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,186B2, U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,580B2, U.S. Pat. No. 8,465,397B2). Based on the results of one or multiple simulations a workout structure providing closest match with the target aerobic training effect, target anaerobic training effect, and the target label may be selected. This simulation approach may be used in all workouts. Alternatively, it is also possible to use the simulation approach only in steady pace workouts whereas the selection of suitable interval workout structure is done based on a multivariate function (e.g. linear interpolation).
Simulation may provide more accurate results but by using a mathematical function especially in interval workouts the use of calculational power resources may be reduced significantly. On the other hand, determining the target duration based on information on target training effect is relatively resource efficient in steady pace workouts as only one simulation is needed to find the optimal duration. As a user with ordinary skilled in art may understand, especially in label 2 workouts, additional rules may be used considering the target duration of a workout. For example, if current day is a working day, then a lower range of allowed durations may be used when compared to Saturday or Sunday. For example, the duration of planned workouts may be forced between 20 to 90 minutes during working days whereas duration may be extended up to 150 minutes during weekends.
Table 8 shows examples about how the exact workout structure may be selected. Each exercise may have a different detailed warm-up, exercise and cooldown structure. Values of aerTE and anTE may get values different from example limit values of the table 6. For certain values of aerTE and anTE, multiple options may exist, as is shown in the table 6 and the following description.
According to an embodiment the workout structure of label 1-5 workouts for any given exercise mode may contain at least an easy option and a hard option. The easiest option may have shorter duration and/or lower aerobic training effect (aerTE) and/or less repeats than any of the harder workout structures. The hardest option may have longer duration and/or higher training effect (aerTE) and/or more repeats than any of the easier workout structures. The contents of the workout structures in different options may be dependent on the activity class (AC) of the user. The higher the AC, the longer the duration and/or the higher the repeat number is in each option. Label 1-5 workouts may include also a (secondary) anaerobic training effect (anTE) target. AnTE target is typically lower than the aerTE in this kind of workouts. Especially interval-type aerobic workouts may tax anaerobic energy production systems to certain extent as each repeat may start with an acceleration phase that exceeds body's aerobic energy production capacity. Using the secondary target may help the user to understand that it is not harmful to slightly engage also the anaerobic energy pathways in aerobic (interval) training.
According to an embodiment the workout structure of label 6-7 workouts for any given exercise mode may contain at least an easy option and a hard option. The easiest option may have shorter duration and/or lower anaerobic training effect (anTE) and/or less repeats than any of the harder workout structures. The hardest option may have longer duration and/or higher anaerobic training effect (anTE) and/or more repeats than any of the easier workout structures. The contents of the workout structures in different options may be dependent on the activity class (AC) of the user. The higher the AC, the longer the duration and/or the higher the repeat number is in each option. Label 6-7 workouts may have a (secondary) aerobic training effect target. Such (secondary) target may be used to help the user to understand that user will anyway have a certain effect to cardiorespiratory system as well, since all anaerobic workouts stress also human cardiorespiratory system to a certain extent—and especially, it is ok that such aerobic training effect is acceptable as the end result of a workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest Rest and Recovery label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 1.5 and contain an exercise at Warm-up & Recovery zone until aerTE 1.5 is reached. The hardest Rest and Recovery label workout in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 2.2.
According to an embodiment the easiest Base label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 3.0 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Warm-up & Recovery zone, an exercise at Base zone until aerTE is about 2.8, or such that the whole workout aerTE will reach 3, and a 5 min cooldown at Warm-up & Recovery zone. If the activity class of the user is below 7, the warm-up may be 20 min at Warm-up & Recovery zone that would allow longer duration before target aerTE (or target load level) is achieved. The hardest Base label workout in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 3.5 or even 3.7 in case of experienced athletes. It is also possible to exclude warm-ups and cooldowns totally, if a more simple workout structure is preferred.
According to an embodiment the easiest Tempo label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Warm-up & Recovery zone and an interval exercise with 3-5 repetitions of 8-10 min at Tempo zone with 5 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repetitions. The number and the duration of the repeats may be optimize so that aerTE is 3.8 and Tempo label (label 3) target will be reached after the whole workout. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain 30-60 min exercise at Tempo zone and the duration of the exercise is optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and Tempo label (label 3) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure may further contain a 15 min cooldown at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The hardest Tempo label workout in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2. As disclosed above, any planned workout structure, that is, any label and any structure including all exemplary workout structure embodiments described below, may also be optimized before providing it to the user by utilizing a simulation where it can be checked that planned workout allows user to achieve all targets (aerTE, anTE, label). This check may be performed in real time once the target label and target training effect values are known: In essence, simulative-optimization phase may be done in real time. Alternatively the workouts may also be pre-optimized. For example, after the target label and training effect (aerTE and anTE) have been determined then label, activity class and target training effect (aerTE and anTE) values may be provided as an input for a function where the highest activity class (10) is associated with highest amount of repeats, sets and repeat durations and lowest activate class (0) is associated with lowest amount of repeats, sets and repeat durations. The function may utilize for example a linear interpolation approach.
According to an embodiment the easiest Lactate Threshold (LT) label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 15 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 2-4 repetitions of 6-8 min at LT & FTP zone with 4 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 1-2 repetitions of 15-20 min at LT & FTP zone with 5 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. The number and the duration of the repeats may be optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and LT label (label 4) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure may further contain a 15 min cooldown at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The hardest LT label workout in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2.
According to an embodiment the easiest VO2max label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 15 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 3-5 repetitions of 3-4 min at VO2max zone with 2 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 5-10 repetitions of 2 min at VO2max zone with 1 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. The number and the duration of the repeats may be optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and VO2max label (label 5) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure may further contain a 15 min cooldown at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The hardest VO2max label workout in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2.
According to an embodiment the easiest Anaerobic Capacity label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target anaerobic training effect (anTE) 3.0 and contain a 30 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 2-3 sets of 4-5 repetitions of 40 sec at Anaerobic Capacity zone with 20 sec recovery between the repeats and 5 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 1-2 sets of 3-4 repetitions of 60 sec at Anaerobic Capacity zone with 60 sec recovery between the repeats and 5 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 4-8 repetitions of 90 sec at Anaerobic Capacity zone with 4 min recovery between the repeats at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 2-3 sets of 6-8 repetitions of 20 sec at Speed zone with 10 sec recovery between the repeats and 10 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The workout structure further contains a 15 min cooldown at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The hardest Anaerobic Capacity label workouts in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher number of repeats in each set and higher target training effect (anTE and aerTE), for example 3.3.
According to an embodiment the easiest Speed label workout structure in the Cycling exercise mode may have a target anaerobic training effect (anTE) 2.5 and contain a 20 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 2-3 sets of 4-5 repetitions of 10 sec at Speed zone (“all out”) with 2 min recovery between the repeats and 5 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the workout structure may contain a 15 min warm-up at Base zone, an interval exercise with 4-8 repetitions of 20 sec at Speed zone (“all out”) with 5 min recovery between the at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The workout structure further contains a 15 min cooldown at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The hardest Speed label workouts in the Cycling exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher number of repeats in each set and higher target training effect (anTE and aerTE), for example 2.8.
According to an embodiment the easiest Rest and Recovery label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 1.5 and contain an exercise at Warm-up & Recovery zone until aerTE 1.0 is reached. The hardest Rest and Recovery label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 2.2.
According to an embodiment the Rest and Recovery label workout structure for a cooldown exercise in the Running exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 1.5 and contain an exercise at Base zone until aerTE 1.0 is reached followed by exercise at Warm-up & Recovery zone until aerTE 1.5 is reached.
According to an embodiment the easiest Base label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 2.5 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Warm-up & Recovery zone and an exercise at Base zone until aerTE 2.5 is reached. If the VO2max of the user is below a certain threshold value (for example 55 ml/kg/min), workout structure may be more simple and just contain an exercise at Base zone until aerTE 2.5 is reached as less fit individuals (users) may not be able to run at Warm-up & Recovery zone with a good running technique as the pace would be so slow. Naturally, it is possible to exclude warm-ups even from the users with higher VO2 Max, if a more simple structure is preferred. The hardest Base label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 3.5, or even 3.7 considering the most experienced athletes. In addition, Base label (label 2) target should be reached after the whole workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest Tempo label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Warm-up & Recovery zone and an interval exercise with 3-5 repetitions of 8-10 min at Tempo zone with 3 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repetitions. The number and the duration of the repeats may be optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and Tempo label (label 3) target will be reached after the whole workout. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain 20-50 min exercise at Tempo zone and the duration of the exercise is optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and Tempo label (label 3) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest Tempo label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2. In addition, Tempo label (label 3) target should be reached after the whole workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest Lactate Threshold (LT) label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 2-4 repetitions of 6-8 min at LT & FTP zone with 2 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 1-2 repetitions of 15-20 min at LT & FTP zone with 5 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. The number and the duration of the repeats may be optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and LT label (label 4) target will be reached after the whole workout. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain 15-30 min exercise at LT & FTP zone and the duration of the exercise is optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and LT label (label 4) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest LT label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2. In addition, LT label (label 4) target should be reached after the whole workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest VO2max label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 4-5 repetitions of 3-4 min at VO2max zone with 2 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 5-10 repetitions of 2 min at VO2max zone with 2 min recovery at Warm-up & Recovery zone between the repeats. The number and the duration of the repeats may be optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and VO2max label (label 5) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest VO2max label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2. In addition, VO2max label (label 5) target should be reached after the whole workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest Anaerobic Capacity label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target anaerobic training effect (anTE) 3.0 and contain a 15 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 2-3 sets of 4-5 repetitions of 40 sec or 200 meters at 105-115% vVO2max, where vVO2max is an estimated or measured speed corresponding to estimated or measured VO2 Max, respectively, with 3 min recovery between the repeats at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 5-10 repetitions of 40 sec or 200 meters at 110-115% vVO2max with 60 sec recovery between the repeats and 5 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 5-10 repetitions of 60 sec or 400 meters at 100-105% vVO2max with 3 min recovery between the repeats at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest Anaerobic Capacity label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure but have a higher number of repeats in each set and higher target training effect (aerTE and anTE), for example 3.3.
According to an embodiment the easiest Speed label workout structure in the Running exercise mode may have a target anaerobic training effect (anTE) 2.5 and contain a 15 min warm-up at Base zone and an interval exercise with 1-2 sets of 4-5 repetitions of 10 sec or 50 meters at 130-150% vVO2max (“all out/95%”) with 3 min recovery between the repeats and 5 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. Alternatively, the exercise part of the workout structure may contain an interval exercise with 2-3 sets of 4-5 repetitions of 15 sec or 100 meters at 130-150% vVO2max (“all out/95%”)%”) with 3 min recovery between the repeats and 5 min recovery between the sets at Warm-up & Recovery zone. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest Speed label workout in the Running exercise mode may have a similar structure but have a higher number of repeats in each set and higher target training effect (aerTE and anTE), for example 2.8.
According to an embodiment the easiest Rest and Recovery label workout structure in the Generic exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 1.5 and contain an exercise at Warm-up & Recovery zone until aerTE 1.0 is reached. The hardest Rest and Recovery label workout in the Generic exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 2.2.
According to an embodiment the Rest and Recovery label workout structure for a cooldown exercise in the Generic exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 1.5 and contain an exercise at Base zone until aerTE 1.0 is reached followed by exercise at Warm-up & Recovery zone until aerTE 1.5 is reached.
According to an embodiment the easiest Base label workout structure in the Generic exercise mode may have a target training effect (aerTE) 2.5 and contain an exercise at Base zone until aerTE 2.5 is reached. The hardest Base label workout in the Generic exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 3.3. In addition, Base label (label 2) target should be reached after the whole workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest Tempo label workout structure in the Generic exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Base zone and a 20-50 min exercise at Tempo zone. The duration of the exercise is optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and Tempo label (label 3) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest Tempo label workout in the Generic exercise mode may have a similar structure, but have a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2. In addition, Tempo label (label 3) target should be reached after the whole workout.
According to an embodiment the easiest Lactate Threshold (LT) label workout structure in the Generic exercise mode may have a target aerTE 3.8 and contain a 10 min warm-up at Base zone and a 15-30 min exercise at LT & FTP zone. The duration of the exercise is optimized so that aerTE is 3.8 and LT label (label 4) target will be reached after the whole workout. The workout structure further contains a 10 min cooldown at Base zone. The hardest LT label workout in the Generic exercise mode may have a similar structure, but a higher target training effect (aerTE), for example 4.2. In addition, LT label (label 4) target should be reached after the whole workout.
In addition to the workout structure, a feedback phrase is also provided to a user at each time the training history data is updated. The feedback phrase explains why the algorithm has chosen a certain recommendation. Examples of the phrase determination process are given in table 9.
An NWR is redetermined in case at least one of the following is detected:
In the previous, “too high” corresponds to a situation, wherein the NWR as originally determined, before redetermining, would cause overreaching or exceeding the compared limit. In the previous too low corresponds to a situation, wherein the NWR as originally determined, before redetermining, would cause underreaching the compared limit.
In order to avoid overtraining and overuse injuries the following additional rules may be included when defining the workout structure. The following exceptions are not shown in the flowchart of
In cycling this means that label 1 workouts are not provided at all to the user's having AC of 4-6.
Conversely, modifications may also be made in order to avoid unreasonably short/easy workout recommendations:
Additional Exceptions to Training Goal Considering “Maintain”
In maintain
Detection and Determination of Weekly Training Load Target and Weekly Load Rhythm
Weekly training load target may be selected in a way that the activity class of the user increases a given amount in a given time. For example, training load target in the improve mode may be set to increase 1 activity class per each month. In an exemplary embodiment this may be achieved by keeping the average relative weekly training load at the level of 3.5 (current activity class would be maintained, if load level is 3.0) on a monthly basis which may also correspond to a relative monthly load level of 3.5, which may be the required monthly load (relative monthly 3.0), to achieve and maintain the next higher activity class. I.e. training load may be kept continuously at 3.5 level which always “guarantees” achieving also the required monthly training load considering the one level higher activity class.
Naturally, it is also possible to achieve the average monthly training load level of 3.5 by variating the weekly training load targets, for example, by following a rhythm of easy, medium and hard. This kind of exemplary embodiment is provided below:
Training load is intended to vary on a weekly basis in order to speed up fitness development. In an embodiment, variability may be added to the training program via modifying the target weekly training load index (tWTL) on a weekly-basis. The variation in weekly training load index may occur for example following index variation 2.5, 3.5, 4.2, 2.5, 3.5, 4.2 etc. Where each index value from 2 to 5 is scaled individually based on fitness level and/or training tolerance measured from prior training. The alignment between activity class and tWTL may be, for example, as presented in
An aim may be to follow a 3-week cycle (if the training program is followed exactly) as follows:
In this embodiment, the term “week” means a calendar week, generally from Monday to Sunday. The rhythm detection is based on the realized weekly training load index values on the two previous calendar weeks (WTL_week0, WTL_week1). The weekly training load (WTL) rhythm may be indexed and target weekly training loads (tWTLs) may be weighted in order to achieve variation in training weeks, for example between easy, medium and hard training weeks. The weights may be selected such that they describe thresholds between easy, medium and hard workouts. The weights may be selected in the range of 20-45 and 80-55, correspondingly. For example 0.35 and 0.65 as follows:
WTL_0=0.35*tWTL_easy+0.65*tWTL_moderate
WTL_1=0.65*tWTL_moderate+0.35*tWTL_hard
WTL_2=0.35*tWTL_moderate+0.65*tWTL_hard
WTL_3=1.10*tWTL_hard
When choosing the type of week to be followed, an easy week is chosen if any of the following five conditions hold:
A medium week is chosen if all of the following four conditions hold:
A hard week is chosen if all of the following conditions hold:
Finally, if none of the three options (easy, medium, hard week) was chosen at this point, a fallback option is the following:
In the beginning of the training history (i.e., right after unboxing) or after a long break in exercising, the first workout might not have been carried out on a Monday. In such case, a separate 3-week cycle (which might not necessarily follow calendar weeks, i.e., start on Monday) may be followed during the first 35 days (5 weeks) after unboxing or a long break. Now, WTL_week0 corresponds to the realized weekly training load index at the end of the previous week (which may not be a calendar week).
Now, an easy week may be chosen if any of the following conditions hold:
A medium week is now chosen if all of the following conditions hold:
Finally, a hard week is now chosen if all of the following conditions hold:
The weekly rhythm detection logic may be implemented in a function or an application module. Based on the simulations, where the recommended workouts are executed exactly as prescribed, the cycle detection logic enables providing variability in the WTL target level.
At phase 213 it is evaluated whether recent training includes enough aerobic high load. If this is the case, Base training 202 is recommended. This ensures that aerobic high trainings are not recommended too often, or successively. Instead an aerobic high detection is always followed by recommendation of Base training 202. In this embodiment of a “generic” mode, as in not specific to either cycling or running, anaerobic workouts are never recommended.
If the phase 213 is determined negative, label distribution and rhythm in the training history is evaluated at phase 214. Based on such, either Tempo 207 or LT training 205 is recommended.
Similarly, in this “generic” mode embodiment, VO2max workouts are not recommended, and the recommended label distributions are adjusted to be 66% for tempo and 33% to lactate threshold.
The module APPL comprises modules, for example executable instructions, configured to determine next workout recommendations, and variables related thereto. The module APPL may include, for example, executable instructions configured to access and/or receive user background information; executable instructions configured to determine a present activity class of a user; executable instructions configured to calculate/compare variables; executable instructions configured to determine and/or update a monthly training load; executable instructions configured to determine and/or update a weekly training load; executable instructions configured to determine an aerobic and/or an anaerobic training effect and—load of the workouts; executable instructions configured to determine a training goal of a user; executable instructions configured to provide a next workout out recommendation (NWR), executable instructions configured to access and/or process and/or add training history data; executable instructions configured to determine a recovery state of a user; executable instructions configured to determine a training status of a user; executable instructions configured to update a training load distribution; executable instructions configured to determine primary and secondary labels; executable instructions configured to determine a training load target for a workout; and/or executable instructions configured to determine a sleep score, for example as illustrated in
A user interface UI is configured to receive information inputted by a user and to present information. The user interface UI may be used to receive inputted information, like user background information and/or to present information, like presenting training plan information or a next workout recommendation(s) to a user.
One or more different data libraries may be used to calculate different time ranges of the training load distribution, for example the cumulative training history of a user and the real-time anTE and aerTE values of the user. Historical training load distribution may be calculated using a different software library (for example a Training History Analysis—THA library) than the library that calculates aerTE and anTE values, feedback phrases and workout labels for a specific workout. This may help in saving computational power as these calculation processes need not be performed at regular intervals (for example 5 sec intervals) but instead, may be calculated only after a new workout or in the beginning of a new day.
In addition to load sums for each intensity category, a library may also calculate load target ranges for each intensity category, as shown in
Exemplary cumulative load targets per each intensity category shown in
The feedback presented to a user may be presented on a screen of an apparatus. This feedback may be, for example, based on the realized training load of the training history as compared to the training load target values for each of the aforementioned categories. In addition to the graphical information shown, additional feedback phrases and sentences (as shown in tables 8 and 9) may be presented to the user on the selected apparatus.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20397508.1 | Jun 2020 | EP | regional |
