WO2006111687A1

WO2006111687A1 - Device for evaluating a person's physical fitness

Info

Publication number: WO2006111687A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/050369
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Lofi; Jérome TROQUEREAU; Jean-Paul Delage
Original assignee: Universite Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2; Ownway
Priority date: 2005-04-21
Filing date: 2006-04-21
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Also published as: FR2884702A1; FR2884702B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for evaluating the physical fitness of a person comprising an endurance measuring means (16), body composition measuring means (18), muscular strength measuring means (20), means (22) for measuring at least one co-ordination or motricity characteristic, storage means (62) provided with a different population distribution curve for each measurement, means (14) for determining a population group to which the person belongs and processing means (62) for determining a rate for each measurement by comparing a measured value with a distribution curve corresponding to the person's population group.

Description

DEVICE FOR EVALUATING THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL

The present invention relates to a device for evaluating the physical fitness of an individual.

There are many tests to control certain physical characteristics of an individual such as its endurance, flexibility, ... For example, one can use a bicycle ergometer for endurance. In this case, the individual's heart rate is measured during the test, the resistive pedaling force being progressively increased.

To check the quality of the abdominal belt, the individual is made to perform repetitive movements by contracting his abdominals, the quality of the abdominal belt being a function of the number of movements during a given period.

For body composition, there are impedancemetric scales as described for example in EP-940.120.

To evaluate the maintenance of equilibrium, according to a procedure, the individual must stand on one foot and then the other with his eyes closed, the quality of balance being a function of the duration of the equilibrium.

These tests are generally implemented independently and can not be practically implemented in an autonomous way.

A EUROFIT program has been set up to develop a battery of tests common to all European countries, to assess the physical fitness of any subject from 7 to 90 years old. These tests measure structural components (eg height, weight, fat functional components (eg endurance, strength) and coordination components (eg equilibrium). There are many tests to make these measurements. However, these can only be implemented by a competent person who empirically determines a range of the physical fitness of the individual with respect to the results of the various tests. Indeed, there is no method to analyze the measurements obtained directly during these tests and to deduce an evaluation of the physical aptitude of an individual.

Moreover, to be objective, this evaluation is relatively long and requires the implementation of numerous tests.

Also, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a device for an individual to autonomously evaluate his physical fitness, and this reliably.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for evaluating the physical fitness of an individual, characterized in that it comprises: means for measuring the endurance, means for measuring the body composition, means for measuring the muscular force,

means for measuring at least one characteristic relating to coordination or traction,

storage means comprising, for each measurement, a distribution curve for different populations, means for identifying the population belonging to the individual, and processing means for determining for each measurement a score by comparing the value measured with the distribution curve corresponding to the population belonging to the individual. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, description given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the device of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal for measuring parameters relating to physical fitness,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the means for measuring the flexibility of the individual,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the means for measuring the force of the upper limbs,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an impedance scale, and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a belt used to determine the quality of the lap belt.

Figure 1 schematically shows a device for evaluating the fitness or physical condition of an individual. This evaluation makes it possible to obtain a value at a given instant.

This device for evaluating the physical aptitude comprises measurement and input means, control means for controlling all the elements, means for processing the measurements and means for rendering the results.

The measuring means are grouped on a terminal 12, illustrated in detail in FIG.

This terminal 12 comprises means 14 for gripping, means 16 for measuring endurance, means 18 for measuring the body composition, means 20 for measuring the muscular force, and means 22 for measuring at least a characteristic relating to coordination or motor skills. Preferably, the input means 14 comprise a screen 24 and / or a keypad to enable the individual to enter his age, sex, height and height. possibly any other information allowing to refine the different populations of individuals. Other means 14 could be envisaged to determine the membership population of the individual.

The means 16 for measuring endurance make it possible to evaluate the ability of the individual to prolonged effort. According to one embodiment, an ergometric bicycle 26 is used for this purpose.

According to an example of a test, to carry out the measurement, the individual is invited to pedal for a duration of the order of 8 minutes, the workload being increased gradually. The first stage corresponds to a warm-up phase, then the individual pedal during five 1 minute increments, the intensity being increased at each level. The heart rate is measured for a few seconds at each level, with the load increments for each level being adjusted so that the heart rate approaches 80% of the theoretical maximum heart rate, HR max = 205 - 50% of age. . The control means automatically adjust the magnetic brake of the ergometric bicycle according to the age grasped by the individual. For security reasons, the control means stop the test for exceeding a percentage of the theoretical maximum HR threshold. By means of this test, the heart rate curve is determined as a function of the power, then by extrapolation the value of the maximum oxygen consumption Vo2max as a function of the weight of the individual.

Thus, the means 16 for measuring the endurance transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement called thereafter measurement of the endurance, in Watt, corresponding to the maximum oxygen consumption. The means 18 for measuring the body composition comprise an impedancemetric balance 28 for example as described in document EP-940.120. This scale 28 makes it possible to measure the total weight of the individual as well as the body composition, namely the fat mass and the lean mass. These masses are one of the essential elements of the evaluation of physical fitness, a high or low percentage of fat being a limiting factor of good physical fitness.

According to one procedure, the individual is invited to climb on the scale 28. The latter performs measurements to determine the weight, the fat mass and the lean mass. Thus, the means 18 for measuring the body composition transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement subsequently called measurement of the body composition, for example a ratio. Means for measuring muscle strength preferably include means for measuring lower limb strength, means for measuring upper limb strength, and means for measuring the quality of the abdominal belt.

Advantageously, the ergometer bicycle 26 can be used to measure the strength of the legs. According to a procedure, the individual is invited to pedal as quickly as possible for a very short time of the order of ten seconds. Meanwhile, the control means quickly increase the pedaling load. As the resistance increases, the pedaling speed decreases after a few seconds. The peak of this power / speed curve corresponds to the maximum power of the legs expressed in watts. Thus, the means for measuring the force of the lower limbs transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement subsequently called measurement of the force of the lower limbs, in Watt. To measure the strength of the upper limbs, a handle 30 is used as illustrated in FIG. 4. This handle 30 comprises a body 32 with a L-shaped extension, immobile in translation, having a first leg 34. Another L-shaped member 36 is capable of translating relative to the body 32 and comprises a second leg 38 substantially parallel to the first leg 34. Means 40 are provided to prevent the approximation of the two branches 34 and 38. A force sensor is provided to measure the force applied by the individual when he grasps the two branches and tends to bring them closer to the means recall. According to another variant, the handle comprises two parts movable relative to each other with each at least one branch, the two branches, one for each part, being capable of being gripped by a hand of a user and to be brought closer thanks to the muscular effort exerted by the user. This handle comprises a calibrated spring capable of opposing this relative movement of approximation of the two branches. In addition, the handle comprises means for measuring the relative displacement of the two parts when the user exerts a force tending to bring the two branches of the handle. According to one embodiment, these measuring means comprise a sensor capable of measuring the angle of rotation of a disk whose rotational movement is proportional to the relative displacement of the two parts of the handle. For this purpose, one of the two parts comprises a rack capable of meshing with a pinion integral with the disk.

Thus, the individual is invited to tighten with the left hand and then with the right hand the two branches 34 and 38. The handle transmits a signal proportional to the maximum effort exerted by the left hand and the right hand. Thus, the means for measuring the force of the upper limbs transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement subsequently called the measurement of the force of the upper limbs, in Kg.

To measure the quality of the abdominal belt, a lap belt 42 is used. This belt comprises one or more pressure sensors. or strain gauges that can measure the action of the abdominal muscles on the waist.

According to one mode of operation, the individual is invited to place the waistband at the waist. When the belt is put in place without contraction of the abdominals, the belt transmits a signal corresponding to the origin. The individual is then invited to voluntarily contract his abdominals. The belt then transmits a signal proportional to the force exerted by the abdominal muscles on the belt 42. Thus, the means for measuring the quality of the abdominal belt transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement subsequently called measurement. abdominal strength, in kg.

The means 22 for measuring at least one characteristic relating to coordination or traction preferably comprise means for measuring the reflexes of the individual, means for measuring his flexibility as well as means for measuring his equilibrium.

Advantageously, the screen 24 can be used to measure the reflexes of the individual. Thus, the person is invited to press a button or the touch screen 24 when she hears or sees a signal. The transmission of visual or sound signals is managed by the control means which also measures the reaction time of the individual corresponding to the duration between the emission of the signal and the action produced by the individual in response. An average value corresponding to the measurement of the reflexes is transmitted to the processing means. To measure the flexibility of the individual, a movable paddle 46, illustrated in Figure 3, may be used. This movable pallet 46 is connected to a belt 48 stretched between two pulleys 50 disposed at the ends of a vertical upright 52. An encoder 54 connected to one of the pulleys 50 makes it possible to measure the displacement of the moving pallet 46. Reminder means are provided to keep the pallet in the high position. According to one procedure, the individual is invited to climb on a raised base, and to lower the pallet as low as possible, flexing forward without bending the legs. The encoder 54 makes it possible to measure the displacement of the moving pallet 46. Thus, the means for measuring the flexibility transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement called thereafter measurement of the flexibility, in unit of length.

To measure the equilibrium, a statokinesimeter 56 is preferably used, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The balance 28 equipped with pressure sensors 58 distributed under the plate in a suitable manner, for example at each angle, can play the function of statokinesimeter 56. These sensors are capable of capturing the variation of forces generated by the displacement of the center of gravity of the individual disposed on the scale plate. Thus, the values measured by the different sensors reflect the evolution of the distribution of the reaction forces to the plantar supports. As a function of the differences in the values measured by the sensors, calculating means determine the real-time position of the center of gravity of the body (Xg, Yg) in a coordinate system of X, Y axes represented in FIG. It is possible to determine the average position of the center of gravity Xgmoy, Ygmoy which respectively correspond to the averages of the values along the X axis and along the Y axis.

It is also possible to determine the areas covered by the projection of the center of gravity of the person on the plateau, significant surfaces resulting in a bad balance, as well as transverse (along the X axis) and longitudinal (along the Y axis) oscillations which also makes it possible to detect disturbances of equilibrium.

According to a procedure, the individual is invited to climb on the scale and to perform three tests, the first in support on both feet with the eyes open, the second in support on both feet with eyes closed and the third in support on one foot. For the three tests, the calculation means determine at least the area covered by the projection of said center of gravity. Thus, the equilibrium measuring means transmit to the processing means a signal proportional to a measurement subsequently called measurement of the equilibrium, in unit area, corresponding to an average of the areas calculated for the three tests. Thus, according to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the evaluation terminal comprises a metric impedance balance 28 for determining the weight, the measurement of the body composition and the measurement of equilibrium, an ergometric bicycle 26 for determining measuring the endurance and measuring the strength of the lower limbs, a handle 30 to determine the measurement of the strength of the upper limbs, an abdominal belt 42 to determine the measurement of the abdominal force, a movable pallet 46 to determine the measuring the flexibility as well as the input means and / or screen 24 to identify the population of membership of the individual and to determine the measurement of reflexes. Alternatively, the terminal may include an impedance balance for measuring body composition and weight and another plateau for measuring balance.

This terminal allows in a small space to collect these different measures relating to an individual to enable him to independently and reliably assess his physical fitness. According to an important characteristic of the invention, the device comprises storage means comprising for each measurement a distribution curve for different populations each characterized at least by a range of ages, a size range and the sex of the individuals (a curve for each different population). These distribution curves are in the form of Gauss curves. Thus, the results of each population correspond to a normal law. For example, for the measurement of the strength of the upper limbs, for a given population, namely male, of age ranging from 30 to 39 years, the average strength of the upper limbs is 57 Kg. Thus the normal distribution is characterized by an average value Xmoy of 57 and a standard deviation δ of 8. Thus, for each measurement, the processing means determine a score by comparing the measured value with the distribution curve corresponding to the population of belonging of the individual. The note of the individual Ni = Nmax- (abs (Xi-Xmoy)) / δ with:

Nmax being the maximum score, for example 20 in a scoring system from 0 to 20,

Abs being the absolute value,

Xi being the measured value, Xmoy being the mean value of the normal distribution, and δ being the standard deviation of the normal distribution.

Thus for each measure, the means of treatment affect the individual a note.

The score corresponding to the physical aptitude is equal to the average of the scores with a coefficient 1 for the measurement of the body composition, a coefficient

1 for the measurement of endurance, a coefficient 1 for the measurement of muscle strength (1/3 for the measurement of the strength of the upper limbs, 1/3 for the measurement of the strength of the lower limbs and 1/3 for measurement of abdominal strength), and a coefficient 1 for measurement of motor skills (1/3 for reflex measurement, 1/3 for flexibility measurement and 1/3 for balance measurement) .

In Figure 1, there is shown in 60 the processing and control means, 62 the storage means and 64 the results. Preferably, the terminal comprises the various measuring means, the input means, the control means for controlling all the elements, the means for processing the measurements as well as the means for returning the results, the processing means 60 communicating by any appropriate means with an independent and unique storage means 62 for all the evaluation terminals.

This characteristic makes it possible to store for each individual his profile and to be able to restore it on each terminal. In addition, this architecture makes it possible to update the distribution curves for each measurement and to refine the results, the number of individuals in each population of the distribution curves increasing over time.

According to a modus operandi, the individual settles in front of the terminal at the right of the screen 24. The individual enters his age, sex and size in order to identify the population to which he belongs. After this phase, the different measurements are made.

The individual is urged to step on the scale 28 to measure his weight, body composition and balance measurement.

The following tests are then performed: reflex measurement, upper limb strength measurement, abdominal strength measurement, flexibility measurement, lower limb strength measurement, and measurement of the limb strength. endurance.

These stages have a duration of the order of 15 min.

The processing means 60 analyze the measurements and determine the notes. The rendering means display the overall physical fitness score as well as possibly the scores for each measurement. This restitution may be accompanied by comments and / or recommendations depending on the score (s) obtained. Preferably, the profile of the individual (the data relating to his notes, his age, sex and size) is stored in the storage means 62, associated with an identifier.

Thus, when the individual uses another terminal, he can review his profile and results by entering the identifier that has been assigned.

To keep the data confidential, the identifier can include a password and the data can be transmitted encrypted. Of course, the invention is obviously not limited to the embodiment shown and described above, but on the contrary covers all variants, particularly as regards the means for performing the measurements.

Claims

1. Device for evaluating the physical fitness of an individual characterized in that it comprises:

means (16) for measuring the endurance, means (18) for measuring the body composition, means (20) for measuring the muscular force,

means (22) for measuring at least one characteristic relating to coordination or traction,

storage means (62) comprising for each measurement a distribution curve for different populations, means (14) for identifying the population belonging to the individual, and

- processing means (60) for determining for each measurement a score by comparing the measured value with the distribution curve corresponding to the population of membership of the individual.

2. Device for assessing the physical fitness of an individual according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one terminal comprising the different measuring means and a storage means (62) independent and unique for the set of evaluation terminals, communication means being provided to ensure exchanges between the different terminals and the single storage means.

Device for assessing the physical fitness of an individual according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (20) for measuring the muscular force comprise means for measuring the force of the lower limbs, means for measuring the strength of the upper limbs as well as means to measure the quality of the abdominal belt.

4. A device for assessing the physical fitness of an individual according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for measuring the quality of the abdominal belt comprise a belt (42) capable of being disposed at the level of the waist. individual, with one or more sensors (44) capable of measuring the action of the lap belt on the belt when the abdominal belt is contracted.

5. Device for evaluating the physical fitness of an individual according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (22) for measuring at least one characteristic relating to the coordination or to the motor function comprise means to measure the reflexes of the individual, means to measure his flexibility as well as means to measure his balance.

Device for assessing the physical fitness of an individual according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for measuring the flexibility of the individual comprise a movable pallet (46) as well as means (54) for measuring displacement. of said movable pallet due to an action of the individual.

An apparatus for assessing the physical fitness of an individual according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the means for measuring the balance of the individual comprise a statokinesimeter (56).

8. Device for evaluating the physical fitness of an individual according to claim 7, characterized in that the statokinesimeter (56) comprises a balance with pressure sensors (58) distributed under the scale plate in a suitable manner, susceptible to capture the variation of forces generated by the displacement of the center of gravity of the individual disposed on the scale plate and calculation means to determine at least the area covered by the projection of said center of gravity.