Method of controlling an exercise apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, in particular a computer implemented method, of controlling a force, displacement, and/or resistance generator of an exercise apparatus ( 1 ), which apparatus comprises a user force input device ( 7 - 9 ) arranged to follow a path. The method comprising the steps of imposing on the user force input device ( 7 - 9 ) a main force, a main displacement, and/or a main resistance along the path, superimposing a vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance on the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance along the path, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is in excess of 0.2 mm.

1 . A method, of controlling a force, displacement, and/or resistance generator of an exercise apparatus, which apparatus comprises a user force input device arranged to follow a path,
 the method comprising steps of   imposing on the user force input device a main force, a main displacement, and/or a main resistance along the path,   superimposing a vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance on the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance along the path, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is in excess of 0.2 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 10 to 100 Hertz. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibration is a function of the displacement of the user input device and/or a function of time. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising a step of monitoring an intensity that is applied by the user on the user force input device and/or including signalling the user if the intensity exceeds a preselected threshold in a range from 20% to 70% of the maximum intensity the user can apply. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , including a step of monitoring an energy of a vibratory force, a displacement and/or a resistance absorbed by the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , including a step of reducing the energy of the vibratory force, the displacement and/or the resistance absorbed by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator and/or wherein the vibratory force, the vibratory displacement, and/or the vibratory resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device is selected from the group consisting of a bicycle trainer, a smart trainer, a rowing machine, and a fitness apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the path is fixed and/or circular and the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance vibrates tangentially. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   an axle rotatably mounted in or to the frame;   a force input device coupled to the axle;   a force, displacement, and/or a resistance generator coupled to the axle,   and means, for carrying out the method of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 10 , comprising sprockets, a free hub body or freewheel for mounting the sprockets, or a roller, to be placed in frictional contact with a rear wheel of a bicycle, which said sprockets, said free hub body, said freewheel, or said roller are coupled to the force and/or the resistance generator. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for carrying out the method of  claim 1  is configured to adjust the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance during exercise. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for carrying out the method of  claim 1  is configured to receive input from the user to enter and/or adjust one or more parameters of the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program comprising instructions to cause the means of for carrying out the method of  claim 1  to execute the steps of the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 20 to 80 Hertz (Hz), and
 the vibration is a function of the displacement of the user input device and/or a function of time.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is from 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising a step of monitoring an intensity that is applied by the user on the user force input device and/or including signalling the user if the intensity exceeds a preselected threshold in a range from 20% to 70% of the maximum intensity the user can apply, a step of monitoring an energy of a vibratory force, a displacement and/or a resistance absorbed by the user, and a step of reducing the energy of the vibratory force, the displacement and/or the resistance absorbed by the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator and/or wherein the vibratory force, the vibratory displacement, and/or the vibratory resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the exercise device is selected from the group consisting of a bicycle trainer, a smart trainer, a rowing machine, and a fitness apparatus.