Methods and apparatus for accurately measuring strike impact on a martial arts training bag

Abstract

An instrument is attached to a punching bag that accurately and consistently provides a strike impact feedback score to a user. The instrument is adaptable to existing punching bags, is simple for the user to install, simple to operate, and provides an intuitive user interface. The feedback score is a reliable and consistent interpretation of the intensity of the user's strike, providing meaningful feedback to the user and/or the martial arts instructor for use in improving the quality of the student's strikes.

1 . A method for measuring performance metrics of a strike, the method comprising:
 allowing a striking object to settle to a predetermined settled state;   collecting accelerometer data describing motion of the striking object before, during and after the strike;   determining a start time and an end time of the strike; and   rejecting data before the start time and after the end time of the strike.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising computing the performance metrics of the strike to a user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the performance metrics include at least one of a maximum acceleration magnitude, a strike duration and impulsive acceleration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising presenting the calculated performance metrics to a user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the striking object is a free-standing punching bag. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer measures data in three dimensions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising calibrating an instrument attached to the striking object prior to collecting accelerometer data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of calibrating the instrument includes swinging a mass that hangs adjacent to the striking object while at rest, into the striking object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising delivering kinetic energy to the striking object with the mass in an amount known to achieve a particular result, including strike velocity. 
     
     
         10 . A system for measuring performance metrics of a strike to a free-standing punching bag, the system comprising:
 at least one accelerometer disposed on the punching bag;   an instrument adapted to receive accelerometer data from the at least one accelerometer; and   computer software, written in one or more computer codes, disposed on a computer readable medium, and adapted to determine a start and end time of the strike, reject data before the start time and end time, and compute the performance metrics.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a display to show the performance metrics to a user. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the computer software is adapted to further determine a settled state of the punching bag and provide a go signal to a user to begin their strike.