Generation of personalized training regimens from motion capture data

Abstract

The use of motion capture data for analyzing an individual's performance on certain exercises, and more particularly relates to comparison of movement data for an individual with a database of recorded motions for a population in order to generate a training regimen for the individual, and to monitor the individual's progress when carrying out the training regimen.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer-based method for identifying a training regimen for a subject, the method performed on at least one computer having a processor, a memory and input/output capability, the method comprising:
 recording, via infrared motion capture technology, a set of two or more exercises performed by the subject, wherein each exercise of the set of exercises comprises three-dimensional (x,y,z) coordinates of one or more nodes at a sequence of times, t;   constructing, by a first computer, a motion profile for the subject based on the set of recorded exercises of the subject, wherein the motion profile comprises ranges of node angle value or displacement experienced for the set of exercises;   comparing, by a second computer, the motion profile of the subject with a database of previously recorded motion profiles;   identifying one or more movement pathologies displayed by the subject, based on a deviation between a motion profile for the subject and the previously recorded motion profiles in the database; and   communicating, via an output device, a training regimen for the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each node is selected from the group consisting of:
 left and right elbow, left and right wrist, left and right hand, left and right shoulder, left and right knee, left and right ankle, left and right hip, head, neck, center of hips, center of shoulders, left and right foot, and lower-back.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the training regimen is designed to alleviate the one or more movement pathologies. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the training regimen comprises one or more exercises selected from a set of exercises stored in a second database. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deviation between the motion profile for the subject and the motion profiles in the database is based on a statistical sampling of the motion profiles in the database. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the motion profiles in the database are fit to a scoring function, and the motion profile for the subject is reduced to a score calculated by the same scoring function, wherein the score indicates whether a movement pathology is present for that motion profile. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of times includes 30 measurements per second over a period of 1-2 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where in the database stores motion profiles for a population of individuals. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database stores motion profiles for the subject, recorded at various times. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the recording the set of exercises of the subject takes place at a first location;   the second computer is situated at a second location; and   the recorded one or more exercises are transmitted to the second computer.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second computers are the same computer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the output device is at the first location. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the infrared motion capture technology comprises:
 infrared sensors; and inertial sensors.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring data for the subject from two or more sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exercises are selected from: balance, double jump, dynamic skaters, endurance skaters, overhead lunge, single leg dorsiflexion, single leg squat, standing vertical, thoracic rotation, thoracic extension, and overhead squat series. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the movement pathology is selected from:
 dorsiflexion, hip stability, hip mobility, trunk stability, thoracic mobility, thoracic rotation, lumbar lordosis, and varus or valgus deformations.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for identifying a training regimen for a subject, the apparatus comprising:
 an infrared recording device for receiving data that describes a set of two or more exercises performed by a subject, wherein each exercise of the set of exercises comprises three-dimensional (x,y,z) coordinates of one or more nodes at a sequence of times, t, and wherein each node is selected from the group consisting of: left and right elbow, left and right wrist, left and right hand, left and right shoulder, left and right knee, left and right ankle, left and right hip, head, neck, center of hips, center of shoulders, left and right foot, and lower-back;   a transmission channel for communicating the data to one or more computing devices;   wherein the one or more computing devices each comprises a memory, an output device, and one or more processors configured with instructions to:
 construct a motion profile for the subject based on the data, wherein the motion profile comprises ranges of joint angle value or displacement experienced for one or more exercises; 
 compare the motion profile of the subject with a database of previously recorded motion profiles, wherein the database is stored in one of the memories; 
 identify a movement pathology for the subject based on a deviation between a motion profile for the subject and the previously recorded motion profiles in the database; and 
 communicate, via the output device, a training regimen for the subject. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the training regimen is designed to alleviate the movement pathology. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the recording device comprises:
 a depth sensor; and 
 an infrared projector. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more exercises comprise a set of exercises that include at least: balance, overhead squat series; single leg dorsiflexion, single leg squat, and standing vertical. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more exercises comprise a set of exercises that include at least: balance, double jump, dynamic skaters, endurance skaters, overhead squat series, overhead lunge, single leg dorsiflexion, single leg squat, standing vertical, thoracic rotation, and thoracic mobility. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the motion profiles in the database are fit to a scoring function, and the motion profile for the subject is reduced to a score calculated by the same scoring function, wherein the score indicates whether the restricted range of motion or combination of motions arising from an injury or physical abnormality is present for that motion profile.