Using a true representation of effort for fitness

Abstract

The subject disclosure is directed towards determining and using effort such as in a fitness/exercise/gaming environment in a way that is substantially independent of a person's height, weight, age, and gender (HWAG) properties. Effort data is recorded that represents a person's effort exerted with respect to performing at least one physical activity, in which effort data is substantially independent of weight, and possibly other HWAG properties. In one aspect, effort duration is used to allow different people to compete against others and/or against established targets/goals substantially equally, independent of a person's HWAG properties.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method performed at least in part on at least one processor, comprising, sensing a physical activity, recording effort data representing effort used in performing the physical activity, including computing the effort data based at least in part on intensity and time duration of performing the physical activity, and using the effort data in a comparison. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein computing the effort data based at least in part on intensity and time duration of performing the physical activity includes mathematically combining a metabolic equivalent (MET) value corresponding to the intensity of the physical activity with the time duration of performing the physical activity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein computing the effort data based at least in part on intensity and time duration of performing the physical activity includes mathematically combining a metabolic equivalent (MET) value corresponding to the intensity of the physical activity with the time duration of performing the physical activity, and combining the result with at least one other result that is based upon an intensity and time duration of performing at least one other physical activity to obtain the effort data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises providing a competition that includes effort obtained from a plurality of users as a gauge of accomplishment for each user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises providing a game in which the effort data corresponds to success in the game. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises outputting a representation of equivalent effort for at least one different physical activity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises evaluating medical-related progress. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises outputting a representation of a leaderboard showing a plurality of users as ranked in a competition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises outputting a representation of a real-time or near real-time leaderboard showing a plurality of users as ranked while participating in a competition. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein using the effort data in the comparison comprises providing a reward based upon the effort data. 
     
     
         11 . In a computing environment, a system comprising, a competition component coupled to a plurality of computing devices via one or more network connections, the competition component configured to receive data from each computing device corresponding to a participating user in a competition, including effort duration data that represents an amount of physical activity exerted by the participating user over a time duration, in which the amount is based at least in part upon intensity of the physical activity, and the competition component configured to process the effort duration data to determine which participating user has exerted the most effort with respect to the competition. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein each computing device includes an effort module useable by one or more applications to obtain a representation of effort exerted by a user. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of computing devices comprise gaming consoles, mobile computing devices, personal computers, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the competition component is implemented in a server-side computing environment, the server-side computing environment further comprising a leader component configured to show rankings for standing in an overall fitness competition, rankings for standing in a current fitness competition, or both, based at least in part upon the effort data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the competition component is implemented in a server-side computing environment, the server-side computing environment further comprising an equivalent effort component configured to show a representation of equivalent effort for at least one different physical activity based at least in part upon the effort data. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the competition component is implemented in a server-side computing environment, the server-side computing environment further comprising an economy component configured to manage compensation based at least in part upon the effort data. 
     
     
         17 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions, which when executed perform steps, comprising,
 obtaining identity data of a user;   recording effort duration data corresponding to effort exerted for a time duration with respect to at least one physical activity performed by the user, in which the effort exerted for each activity includes a factor representative of an intensity of that activity; and   outputting the effort data and the identity data to a remote entity for use in a comparison against other effort duration data.   
     
     
         18 . The one or more computer-readable media of  claim 17  wherein outputting the effort data and the identity data comprises outputting information corresponding to a total effort when the at least one physical activity is complete. 
     
     
         19 . The one or more computer-readable media of  claim 17  wherein outputting the effort data and the identity data comprises outputting information corresponding to an in progress effort report when the at least one physical activity is continuing. 
     
     
         20 . The one or more computer-readable media of  claim 17  having further computer-executable instructions comprising, using the effort data to manage a competition that includes the user and at least one participant, or to evaluate progress of the user against at least one fitness-related goal.