System and Method for Improving Athletic Performance

Abstract

A system is configured to employ a handheld device to provide feedback for use improving performance of an athlete performing an athletic act. The system includes a sensing system configured for inclusion in an item of athletic equipment, a database and a feedback module included the handheld device. The sensing system is configured to measure performance data when the item of athletic equipment is employed by the athlete in performing the athletic act. The database is configured to store performance data for items of athletic equipment previously employed by athletes. The feedback module is configured to wirelessly receive the performance data measured by the sensing system. The feedback module accesses the database including the stored performance data and generates a recommended adjustment for the athlete based on the identification of the item of athletic equipment, the measured performance data and the stored performance data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system configured to employ a handheld device to provide feedback for use improving performance of an athlete, performing an athletic act, the system comprising:
 a sensing system configured for inclusion in an item of athletic equipment, the sensing system configured to measure performance data when the item of athletic equipment is employed by the athlete in performing the athletic act, the sensing system including a wireless communication system configured to communicate the performance data measured by the sensing system to the handheld device;   a database configured to store performance data for items of athletic equipment previously employed by athletes, the items of athletic equipment including athletic equipment substantially similar to the item of athletic equipment employed by the athlete; and   a feedback module included in the handheld device and configured to receive each of the performance data measured by the sensing system and an identification of the item of athletic equipment employed by the athlete,   wherein the feedback module is configured to access the database including the stored performance data and generate a recommended adjustment for the athlete based, at least in part, on the identification of the item of athletic equipment, the measured performance data and the stored performance data, and   wherein the recommended adjustment is provided to the athlete via the handheld device.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the item of athletic equipment is a first item of athletic equipment employed by the athlete,
 wherein a second item of athletic equipment is employed by the athlete when performing the athletic act,   wherein the sensing system includes a first sensing system included in the first item of athletic equipment and a second sensing system included in the second item of athletic equipment, and   wherein each of the first sensing system and the second sensing system include a wireless communication system, respectively, configured to communicate the performance data measured by the respective sensing system to the handheld device.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the feedback module is configured to receive the performance data measured by the each of the first sensing system and the second system, respectively, and to generate the recommended adjustment for the athlete based, at least in part, on the performance data measured by each of the first sensing system and the second sensing system. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first sensing system is configured for inclusion in an item of athletic equipment held by the athlete when performing the athletic act. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the feedback module is configured to include at least one recommended adjustment of the athlete's form in the recommended adjustment. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the feedback module is configured to include at least one recommended adjustment to the athlete's item of athletic equipment in the recommended adjustment. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the second sensing system is configured for inclusion in an object propelled by the athlete when performing the athletic act. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensing system is configured for inclusion in an item of handheld athletic equipment held by the athlete when performing the athletic act. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the performance data provides information concerning at least one of a technique of the athlete when performing the athletic act, a suitability of the item of athletic equipment for use by the athlete when performing the athletic act, and an adjustment of the item of athletic equipment. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the feedback module is configured to generate the recommended adjustment including a recommended adjustment to the technique of the athlete. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the feedback module includes a comparison module configured to compare the performance data with the stored performance data. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the database includes a database hosted by a server remotely accessed by the handheld device. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the database is remotely accessed by the handheld device to retrieve at least some of the stored performance data. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the database is remotely accessed by the handheld device to communicate the measured performance data to the database. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the database is remotely accessed by the handheld device to communicate an identification of the athlete to the database with the measured performance. 
     
     
         36 . A system configured to employ a handheld display device to provide feedback for use improving performance of an athlete performing an athletic act, the system comprising:
 a sensing system configured for inclusion in a handheld item of athletic equipment, the sensing system configured to measure performance data when the handheld item of athletic equipment is employed by the athlete performing the athletic act, the sensing system including a wireless communication system configured to communicate the performance data measured by the sensing system to the handheld display device;   a first database included in the handheld display device, the database configured to store the measured performance data received from the sensing system;   a second database configured to store performance data for handheld items of athletic equipment previously employed by athletes, the handheld items of athletic equipment including athletic equipment substantially similar to the handheld item of athletic equipment employed by the athlete; and   a feedback module included in the handheld display device and configured to access the first database and the second database and to generate a recommended adjustment for the athlete based, at least in part, the measured performance data and the performance data stored in the second database,   wherein the recommended adjustment is displayed to the athlete via the handheld display device.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the second database includes the stored performance data stored in association with the respective one of the plurality of items of athletic equipment with which it was measured.