WO2015144851A1 - Exercise assistance device for predictively determining the change in a physiological parameter without positioning data - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for assisting the management of a test, including at least one accelerometer sensor, an interface (98, 99), a memory in which acceleration data, physiological data, chronometric data, reference data and calculation data are stored, at least one data-processing unit producing instantaneous consumed-energy data depending on the acceleration data, and data predicting consumed energy, depending on the instantaneous energy data and chronometric data, but without positioning data.

Description

 EFFORT ASSIST DEVICE FOR PREDICTIVE DETERMINATION OF THE EVOLUTION OF A PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER WITHOUT

 LOCATION DATA

 The invention relates to a device for assisting the physical exertion of a human being or an animal during a physical test. In the following, the term "subject" denotes any human or animal on which such a device is used to predict at least one of its physiological parameters.

 The user of such a device may be the subject himself (commonly when the subject is a human being), or a person who is not the subject (case of a trainer who wishes to know and predict the parameters physiological sportsmen such as players of a team of collective sport, or a rider with his horse).

 In many situations it is advantageous to be able to assist the effort of a subject, and in particular to monitor and determine in a predictive manner the physiological parameters of a subject, in particular an athlete.

 A physical test is encountered in many situations. For example, a subject in reeducation following a trauma or an operation may have to perform physical exercises requiring only moderate effort. It is therefore advantageous to be able to assist and prevent an effort deemed too important for a subject in the rehabilitation phase. Conversely, situations where the physical effort to be provided is high level, such as during training or sports competitions require a significant physical effort that may wish to monitor and / or optimize. In addition, the physical effort may consist largely of stress, for example during a glider raid or a car race.

Thus, there is known a device for assisting the effort to determine in a predictive manner the evolution of a physiological parameter as described by WO 2012/066249. In such a device, subject stress parameters are provided based on a predetermined route before the start of the physical effort. The position of the subject is therefore determined by a location device such as a GPS or an accelerometer device.

 Such a feature makes it possible to reliably determine in real time the future evolution of the subject's physiological parameters. Such a device is particularly advantageous in running, cycling races, horse races, etc. in which the route is known in advance.

 However, such a device is limiting as to the tests to which it is applicable. Indeed, in many types of events, the route is not defined in advance. This is particularly so for field sports (football, rugby, handball, basketball, tennis, etc.), in which no given route is fixed in advance for each subject. Such a device therefore does not make it possible to predetermine the physiological parameters without a predetermined route.

 In addition, the inventors have realized that a device according to

WO 2012/066249 does not reliably predict all the physiological parameters of a subject, especially in certain types of effort in which the effort to be provided is not regular throughout a test physical.

 The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages.

 The present invention generally aims to solve the problem of predicting one or more physiological parameters during a test when no specific route is defined before the test.

 The aim of the invention is to propose a device making it possible to predictively determine the evolution of one or more physiological parameters without a predetermined route.

The aim of the invention is to propose a device making it possible to predictively determine the evolution of one or more physiological parameters without location data of the subject. The aim of the invention is, in this context, to predictively determine at least the energy consumed by a subject over at least one time interval remaining in a physical test.

 The invention also aims at providing a device capable of predictively determining other physiological parameters of the subject such as, for example, the heart rate, the oximetry, the temperature and the energy consumed.

 The invention also relates to a device that is at least partly portable and autonomous, in particular can be at least partially worn during a physical test, without significantly degrading the physical performance of the subject during the test.

 The invention also aims to provide a device capable of refining predictions of physiological parameters according to characteristics specific to the subject.

 The invention also aims to provide a device capable of refining predictions of physiological parameters based on data already collected on past tests performed by the subject.

 The invention aims to provide a device for assisting the management of a physical effort applicable to all types of events, and in particular to all types of sports, in all types of situations (rehabilitation, training, competition ... ).

 To do this, the invention relates to a device for assisting the management of a physical effort provided by a subject during a test comprising:

 at least one sensor, referred to as an accelerometric sensor, capable of measuring accelerations of the subject in at least one direction, and of supplying digital data, called acceleration data, representative of these accelerations,

 at least one communication interface with a user,

at least one clock adapted to produce digital data, called chronometric data, representative of a duration, in particular of a duration elapsed since the beginning of the test, - at least one memory:

^■ wherein may be recorded thereon digital data including at least:

 acceleration data provided by said accelerometric sensor,

 data, called physiological data, representative of the value of at least one physiological parameter of said subject evolving during the physical effort,

 > chronometric data,

 at least one digital data processing unit adapted for:

^■ producing digital data, called instantaneous energy data, representative of the instantaneous value of the energy consumed by said subject, as a function of at least a part of said acceleration data, according to a predetermined algorithm,

 ■ produce numerical data, called energy forecast data, representative of the evolution of the energy consumed by said subject on at least a portion remaining to endure the test, according to at least a part of said data instantaneous energy and at least a part of said chronometric data, but without location data.

 The invention is applicable to any subject belonging to mammals, for example a horse, a human being, etc. The subject may therefore be a mammalian animal in the common sense of the term, or a human being.

 It should be noted that the user of the device according to the invention may be distinct from the subject. In the case where the subject is a horse for example, the user of the device may be the rider. Similarly a sportsman can be the subject and his coach the user.

The physiological data, the acceleration data, the calculation data, the chronometric data, the instantaneous data, the forecast data and the reference data are at least partly representative of values. So we use in the text of expressions such as "predictive values" or "acceleration values" for example to designate the values associated with said data.

 In a device according to the invention, a physiological parameter is either calculated or measured, depending on its nature. Thus, the heart rate is directly accessible by an appropriate measure. On the other hand, the energy consumed by a subject can not be measured; it is therefore calculated from other data, namely from at least part of said acceleration data.

 The invention makes it possible to simulate and determine in a predictive manner the evolution of future parameters comprising the energy consumed, and possibly other physiological parameters of said subject during a test, in particular on a remaining portion of the test to be endured. . In particular, it makes it possible to determine such future parameters without data relating to a route remaining to be traveled and without location data of the subject, thanks to the accelerometric data of the subject. More particularly, it makes it possible to calculate, in a predictive manner, such future parameters, in particular according to a remaining time to endure of a test.

 A device according to the invention can thus advantageously be used to prevent accidents due to excessive physical effort (cardiovascular, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, etc.). Such a device is for example advantageous for subjects in the rehabilitation phase. Such a device is capable of determining that certain physiological parameters have a high or certain probability of exceeding a given threshold at a future time, so that its use makes it possible to predict risks before they occur.

 The inventors have found that the physiological parameters

(whose energy consumed) during a test are largely influenced by the accelerations (in the broad sense) provided or undergone by the subject: accelerations, decelerations, shocks, etc. Thus, in field sports, numerous accelerations and successive decelerations are made by the subject and have a very important influence on his physiological parameters (energy consumed, heart rate, oximetry, fatigue, etc.). In addition, beyond accelerations and "racing" decelerations, certain physiological parameters (including energy consumed) are modified by shocks. For example, the physiological parameters of a rugby player are influenced by the shocks he undergoes, even without traveling a distance. Similarly, the number of passes or shots made by a football player affects its physiological parameters, in addition to its many movements. The physiological parameters of a tennis player do not only depend on his movements, but also on the accelerations he gives to his racket and the shocks his arm undergoes. The physiological parameters of a swimmer are also influenced by the accelerations he undergoes when he turns at the end of the pool. In all activities involving physical effort, accelerations in the broad sense, may result from changes in regime, voluntary accelerations-decelerations, shocks, etc. that affect the physiological parameters of the subject.

 Thus, a device according to the invention makes it possible to determine the evolution of one or more physiological parameters of a subject (including at least the energy consumed) in very many types of activities, that they imply a physical effort. intense or not. For example, nothing prevents it from being used in motor sport sports events in order to monitor and predict one or more physiological parameters or the general physical state and / or fatigue of a driver. Nothing prevents the application of the invention in areas where the stress management of the subject is important, for example in competitions of gliding or paragliding. Indeed, in such activities, the accelerations experienced by the subject are important and the evolution of their physiological parameters is therefore impacted accordingly.

In particular, the same device according to the invention is not necessarily dedicated to a single type of physical effort. Such a device can be arranged to provide predictive data in many types of physical effort. Thus, for example, a subject practicing triathlon may use the same device throughout the sporting event, possibly with a change in physical exercise mode through an interface of the device according to the invention. The acceleration data provided by the accelerometer device is representative of accelerations experienced and provided by the subject. Accelerations of the subject, including shocks, are sources of energy consumption and fatigue for the subject. It is therefore essential that a device according to the invention comprises at least one accelerometric device related to the subject. In particular, a device according to the invention is adapted so that at least one accelerometric device can be fixed in an appropriate area of the subject: for example in tennis, with an accelerometric device disposed on the arm - advantageously near the wrist - by which racket is held.

 The acceleration data delivered by each accelerometric device are advantageously representative of the acceleration de acceleration meter in at least one direction. Advantageously, the acceleration data delivered by each accelerometer device are also representative of the direction of acceleration - on one axis, on two axes, or on three axes, depending on the type of accelerometer device. The accelerometric data are advantageously independent of the acceleration of the gravity.

 The chronometric data are advantageously representative of at least the elapsed time of an event. They are advantageously initialized at the beginning of the test, manually by a user, or automatically on detection of acceleration data and / or physiological data, etc.

Advantageously, a device according to the invention comprises stored reference data of which at least a portion are representative of at least one physiological parameter at time intervals determined over an assumed duration of the test. Thus, at least a portion of the reference data is advantageously representative of predetermined values for optimal management of a physiological parameter of said subject at different times of a given test. When said physiological parameter is a consumed energy, the device thus makes it possible, by comparing at a given moment of the test the instantaneous value of energy consumed at said values. predetermined energy consumed, to emit information, advice, and / or alerts allowing a user to better manage the energy of the subject.

 Similarly, the reference data representative of an average number of predetermined accelerations in a range of acceleration intensity values allows a user to manage the fatigue of a subject, by comparison of the number - and the case the intensity - accelerations actually measured at these reference data.

 The average number of predetermined accelerations in a range of acceleration intensity values may be determined by time ranges of the test, and may thus differ according to the position of the range in the test (at the beginning, in the middle, at the end, etc.).

 At least a part of the reference data is advantageously representative of at least one value, called threshold value, for at least one physiological parameter, predetermined and specific to said physiological parameter. Such a threshold value advantageously corresponds for example to a maximum level not to be exceeded: for example a maximum heart rate, a maximum number of accelerations of a certain intensity in a given time interval, a maximum energy ratio consumed by relative to a certain energy reserve, etc.

Advantageously, the device comprises reference data relating to different types of events: different sports and / or different durations and / or according to different modes. Indeed, depending on the type of sport, the evolution of the physiological parameters is distinct, so the effort provided in a tennis match is not of the same nature as that provided in a rugby match. Similarly, the duration of the test affects the management of the physiological parameters of a subject: depending on whether the subject must perform an entire match, with or without extra time, or only part of the match in case of replacement. Finally, the modes of practice of the physical test can vary greatly: reeducation, training, friendly match, competition, etc. Thus, the reference data advantageously comprise data representative of the duration of at least one type of test (for example a football match and possibly of its prolongations), and more advantageously of several types of tests.

 Reference data can be standard, or slightly adapted to the user (mass, height, age, gender, etc.), or fully customized to a subject.

 Advantageously, a device according to the invention comprises stored calculation data representative of algorithms, and / or equations and / or charts that enable the processing unit to determine and produce instantaneous data-especially instantaneous energy data- and forecast data-especially energy-forecast data. The equations and / or the abacuses include equations and / or biological and / or mechanical charts that depend on the type of test and / or the subject. For example, the charts are saved as tables of values with several entries.

 The memory of a device according to the invention advantageously comprises several sets of reference data and calculation data, each set being adapted for a type of test, a mode of practice and a determined duration.

 The reference data and the calculation data are prerecorded during a post-manufacturing programming, and / or entered manually by a user, and / or calculated by the data processing unit, in at least one memory of the device. A device according to the invention advantageously comprises an interface adapted for a human user, in particular a human / machine interface allowing a human user to enter data and / or modes of operation of the device, as well as to disseminate information to a user. human user

The interface may be made to operate according to different modes of communication with the human user selected from: optical (for example a screen), acoustic (for example a sound alarm device), haptic (for example a device capable of transmitting a sensation on a finger), a combination of these means, or whatever. Nothing prevents the interface is actually that of another device such as a mobile digital device.

 The interface with a user allows the user to interact with the device. In particular, it allows to enter data (such as subject-specific parameters (weights, sizes, etc.)) to be stored in a memory of the device and to select a mode of operation - in particular a type of test, a subject profile, etc.

 For example, advantageously, a device according to the invention is adapted to propose to a user to select - via an interface - a type of sport and a mode of physical exertion, for example a "reeducation" mode, a "training" mode and a "competition" mode. These input data allow said device to select calculation data suitable for the test, as well as reference data adapted to the test, for example representative of predetermined optimal values for physiological parameters (energy consumed during the test). test) and / or representative of alert threshold values.

 Furthermore, in the case of a device able to predicatively determine data relating to several physiological parameters, the interface allows the user to choose the physiological parameters that he wishes the device to measure and / or determine and / or poster. Nothing prevents us from predicting that the user can also choose different modes of representation of the forecast data: graphic or digital, according to a sampling function of time or distance (moving average, instantaneous values, etc.).

 In addition, a device according to the invention comprises at least one memory, whose technology is chosen according to the expected technical characteristics (persistence, read / write speed, capacity, etc.). Said memory is adapted to store at least data selected from: acceleration data, physiological data (including reference data), chronometric data, and calculation data.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said memory is adapted to also be able to store other types of selected data, the case where appropriate: data representative of instructions followed by the processing unit, data representative of environmental factors, meteorological data, data representative of a position, map data, etc.

 A data processing unit according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one processor, and possibly means for storing internal data (random access memory, persistent memory containing instructions, etc.). A data processing unit in a device according to the invention is programmed to receive and process digital data from each accelerometer metric sensor and read and process data written in one or more memories of the device.

 The instantaneous data are generally representative of instantaneous values of at least one physiological parameter which can not be measured or which is not measured by the device according to the invention. This is the case of the amount of energy consumed.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, the processing unit is advantageously programmed to produce, at a given instant of the test at least, instantaneous data as a function of acceleration data, calculation data, chronometric data and data. physiological data, called historical data, representative of at least one value taken by at least one physiological parameter (including the energy consumed) during said test before the moment considered.

 The historical data may be representative of values of one or more physiological parameters (including the energy consumed) recorded during tests prior to said test, or may be representative of values of one or more physiological parameters (of which the energy consumed) recorded during said test between the beginning of the test and the moment considered.

The forecast data are representative of future forecast values - that is, a portion of the test remaining to be endured - of at least one physiological parameter (including the energy consumed). Advantageously and according to the invention, the processing unit is programmed to produce, at a given instant of the test at least, predictive data, according to at least a part of said instantaneous data, of at least one part of said calculation data, at least part of said chronometric data, at least a part of said acceleration data and at least a part of said history data.

 Indeed, some data representative of the instantaneous value of at least one instantaneous physiological parameter or of the acceleration have an influence on the future values of physiological data. For example, the acceleration data has a direct influence on the future heart rate: an acceleration provided by the subject corresponds to a significant momentary effort whose effect on the heart rate is shifted in time. This reaction time depends on one subject to another, depending on his ability. It's about a minute. Such a delay, for a particular subject, can be estimated for example by measurement over a test path. It is thus possible to establish a heart rate chart according to the power supplied.

 In addition, the processing unit can be programmed to produce instantaneous data and forecast data in part according to data relating to the terrain on which the subject is moving during the event. Indeed, an acceleration of race on a slippery ground (for example a wet grass field) represents a greater energy consumption than the same acceleration of race on a dry ground.

 In addition, most of a subject's physiological parameters are influenced by their past values, including their past values on the same test. In fact, the subject's fatigue influences the instantaneous values calculated during the test. This fatigue is measured (in the form of physiological data), recorded and taken into account in the calculation of instantaneous and forecast data.

For example, the maximum energy a subject will be able to spend per unit of time at the end of the test will be less than the maximum energy that he can spend per unit of time at the beginning of the test. Therefore, depending energy already consumed, accelerations already provided / suffered and values taken by the heart rate, the performance of the subject vary during the test, that is to say for example that accelerations that he can provide will be variable intensity in function of the past values of certain physiological parameters on a past portion of a test. These variations are advantageously taken into account by the processing unit in the production of forecast data - in particular energy forecast data.

 Thus, the values passed during a test of physiological parameters have an influence on the instantaneous values and on the forecast values of the physiological parameters (including the energy consumed).

 Therefore, the processing unit is advantageously programmed to record in at least one memory of the measured data and / or data produced during an event for the entire duration of the test at least.

 The instantaneous data - especially the instantaneous energy data - produced by the data processing unit during a test is advantageously recorded in at least one memory during the test so that it can be used to produce instantaneous data - particularly instantaneous energy-or forecast data-especially energy forecast data-subsequently during said test. The instantaneous data - especially the instantaneous energy data - are also advantageously stored from one test to the other in order to refine the reference data and / or the calculation data.

 Similarly, the forecast data - in particular the energy forecast data - produced by the data processing unit during a test are advantageously recorded in at least one memory during the test and one test on the other, in particular to refine the reference data and / or the calculation data.

In addition, advantageously and according to the invention, the processing unit is programmed to compare physiological data and reference data. In particular, at any time during the test the value of a physiological parameter measured in real time or calculated in real time is compared with at least one predetermined threshold value, recorded as reference data, by the processing unit. .

 Advantageously and according to the invention, the processing unit is programmed to compare instantaneous data with reference data.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, the processing unit is programmed to compare predictive data with reference data.

 Thus, a device according to the invention is advantageously programmed to be able to compare, at regular time intervals, the predictive value of at least one physiological parameter (including the energy consumed) of the subject at a predetermined value (or a time interval). predetermined values).

 For example, in the case of the projected calculation of a blood glucose level, the result of this forecast must be within a predetermined range; if the rate is less than the minimum value or greater than the maximum value of a predetermined range of values, the subject incurs risks that a device according to the invention can detect and report to a user via the interface.

 The processing unit is therefore advantageously programmed for:

 - produce data representative of a message whose content is a function of the result of the comparison of the instantaneous data - in particular instantaneous energy data - and / or the forecast data - in particular energy forecast data - with data from reference,

 transmitting said representative data of a message to the interface with a view to communicating said message to a user.

This comparison, the result of which is communicated to a user, allows the user to manage the parameters of the subject during the test relative to the values of the reference data. In particular, if the forecast data - in particular the energy forecast data - produced by the processing unit are such that the forecast values of a physiological parameter (including the energy consumed) of a future moment of a test in progress, are beyond a predetermined value (or interval), different operations can be implemented by the assistance device according to the invention.

 A processing unit according to the invention is programmed to follow at least the following six steps:

 a) receive acceleration data, physiological data, and chronometric data,

 b) accessing data stored in at least one memory, including reference data and at least one calculation data,

 c) processing these data to produce instantaneous data -including instantaneous energy data- and forecast data -including energy forecast data- representative of instantaneous and future values of at least one physiological parameter of the subject -especially the energy consumed by the subject-,

 d) comparing these instantaneous data-especially these instantaneous energy-and forecast data-notably these energy forecast data-to said reference data,

 e) producing data representative of a message according to the result of step d), in particular producing representative data for information, advice or an alarm for a user,

 f) transmitting said representative data of a message to said interface so that the informative content of the message can be understood by a user.

At least one algorithm implemented by the data processing unit for producing forecast data - especially energy forecast data - is preferably of the iterative type, for example a neural network. Instantaneous data - especially instantaneous energy-and forecast data - especially forecast energy data - are compared at each time step with reference data relating to the current test.

 Such an algorithm may for example comprise the following steps:

 - determine a number of accelerations sustained and a median intensity of acceleration since the beginning of the test,

 measuring a difference between the actual values thus determined and predetermined values,

 determining a quantity of energy consumed as a function of the accelerations supplied / sustained during a unit of time,

 - increment a quantity of energy consumed since the beginning of the test,

 - compare to a predetermined amount of energy consumed for that moment of the test.

 A message according to the invention is advantageously sent to a user via the interface, on receipt by it of data representative of a message from the data processing unit.

 A message delivered by a device according to the invention may contain information containing advice to the user and / or the subject such as speeding up, slowing down, keeping his current speed, in order to preserve the physiological parameters of the subject within predetermined limits. , possibly by optimizing its physical performance.

 Thus, for example, a user may notice that the subject is tired quickly, or that he spends less energy than expected, or that he has suffered a number of shocks greater than the number of shocks expected at this time. of the test, etc. A device according to the invention thus makes it possible to help a user, for example a coach, to make decisions depending on the physical state of a subject, for example each player of a sports team.

For example, the processing unit may be programmed to send a message to the user regarding a level of energy consumed by the subject much higher than the level of energy consumed expected at a given moment of the test. A user can thus provide for the replacement of a subject in the case of a team sport, or ask the subject to spare.

 A device according to the invention can also for example issue an alert message if the predicted heart rate beyond a predetermined threshold value. Such an alert, issued on the basis of a predictive value beyond a predetermined interval, may be issued because the subject is in danger, or simply because it may adversely affect its overall performance over the entire period. the test. A device according to the invention can also emit an indication of underperformance making it possible to optimize the sports performance of the subject. A device according to the invention also makes it possible to avoid dangerous situations for the subject, for example in reeducation phases.

 A device according to the invention can therefore be used both for prevention purposes, for example in the context of post-operative rehabilitation, as well as for training purposes and for improving performance, for example in the objective to improve its sports performance.

 The algorithm implemented by the processing unit furthermore advantageously comprises at least one step of adaptation of predetermined values recorded in the form of reference data (for example representative of a heart rate, speeds, etc.) on the remainder of a current test, as a function of differences between measured or calculated values of physiological parameters (heart rate, SaO2, temperature, etc.) and predetermined values.

 A device according to the invention thus makes it possible to adjust the predetermined values during the test, so as to take into account a level of fatigue of the subject specific to the day of the test, particular weather conditions, or a change in objective for the subject in the course of the test (to arrange for a next match, prolongations, etc.). Such adjustment can be performed manually by a user via the interface and / or performed automatically by the processing unit.

Likewise, the processing unit is advantageously adapted to automatically change the set of reference data and / or data of calculation during the race: for example during a change of effort mode such as during a triathlon, when prolongations seem likely before the end of a match, in case of programming during the match the replacement of a player, etc. Such a change of reference data set and / or calculation data can be realized on request of a user via the interface or automatically according to the chronometric data or other data, for example environmental data (detection of data). immersion, altitude measurement, etc.).

 The predetermined value (s) (or range (s) of predetermined values (s)) are determined according to the purpose of use of the device. A device according to the invention therefore advantageously comprises several sets of predetermined values recorded in the form of reference data, and relating to different situations (type of test, type of effort, etc.).

 Each predetermined value can be recorded: manually by a user (via the interface), or during manufacture, or during factory programming of the device.

 Advantageously, a standard interval is recorded during manufacture for at least one physiological parameter and is refined by the treatment unit after each test according to the data collected on the subject during the test.

 Most physiological parameters evolve differently according to the subject's specific characteristics (mass, height, age, sex, etc.), but also indeterminate or more difficult to determine characteristics (resistance to effort, fatigue, heart rate). or energy consumption at a given effort, etc.). This is why the accuracy of the forecasts made by the device depends largely on the subject performing a test and that a device according to the invention is arranged to adapt data (reference, calculation or other) forming a profile, said profile. subject, specific to the subject.

A device according to the invention is particularly adapted to record and evolve several subject profiles. Thus, a profile of subject can advantageously be selected by one of several subject profiles before each test.

 The biological model (s), mechanical (s) and / or physiological (s) of a subject are advantageously refined by a device according to the invention, in particular by adjusting the predetermined values specific to each subject according to its physical condition, the type of force applied, etc. However, the processing unit is advantageously programmed to be able to calculate at least one interval of predetermined values for a given physiological parameter from recorded data, in particular to from physiological data recorded. This calculation can be done before or after a test, or it can be done during the test based on data collected on the subject.

 A device according to the invention is advantageously capable of refining one or more registered subject profiles. Advantageously, the device refines constants of calculation formulas and / or predetermined values after each physical test.

 For this purpose, advantageously and according to the invention, the processing unit is adapted to be able to modify and store in a memory calculation data and reference data as a function of physiological data measured or produced (instantaneous or provisional), then memorized, during at least one test and relating to a subject.

 Thus a device according to the invention is adapted to modify and store in a memory of the calculation data and reference data corresponding to at least one subject profile. Thus, a subject profile includes data (calculation or reference) relating to a subject and may be adjusted over time by accumulating and analyzing data relating to said subject and recorded by the device during the course of time. successive tests followed by said subject.

Thus, the values of characteristics specific to the subject recorded during tests already endured can refine the characteristics defined by default during manufacture, or already individualized characteristics (input data provided by the user or calculation already made by the user. device). In particular, a user can advantageously update parameters of the profile of a subject by making him follow predetermined standard tests whose characteristics (duration, intensity, type of test, etc.) are recorded in memory of the device. Advantageously and according to the invention, a device according to the invention further comprises at least one sensor, said physiological sensor, able to measure at least one physiological parameter and to provide physiological data in digital form representative of the instantaneous value of this parameter physiological.

 A device according to the invention comprises at least one physiological sensor adapted to provide digital data representative of at least one physiological parameter that can be modified during a physical effort, in particular as a function of the intensity of the physical effort. . For example, and advantageously, such a physiological sensor can convert the heart rate of a subject into digital data. It goes without saying that different types of sensors based on different types of technologies (audio, optical, thermal, etc.) can be chosen according to their known advantages for each of the physiological parameters to be measured.

 In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, the device is characterized in that it comprises a physiological sensor capable of measuring the subject's heart rate.

Heart rate is a physiological parameter that is both simple to measure and highly representative of the physical state of a subject. The heart rate allows in particular to obtain a precise calculation of the energy consumed by a subject when the accelerations are slow. On the contrary, it is insufficient when the subject imparts or undergoes brief and strong accelerations. For example, heart rate measurement and acceleration data make it possible to calculate energy consumed instantly in all situations. Conversely, the predictive calculation of a course makes it possible to determine the energy and the power to be supplied, and therefore the corresponding heart rate, at each instant. Indeed, the heart rate and the energy consumed are connected by at least one equation. Different equations can be chosen, especially depending on the subject. Such an equation is for example of the type:

FC = 3E ^"08 Pc ³ - O.OOOlPc ² + 0.2369Pc + 35.938 where FC is the heart rate and Pc is the instantaneous power consumed.

 The energy consumed is obtained by integrating the power consumed over time.

 The power consumed is obtained from the power supplied by the subject, according to a specific energy efficiency of the subject:

 Pc = P / Yld

where Pc is the instantaneous power consumed, P is the instantaneous power supplied, and Rdt is a coefficient of energy efficiency specific to the subject (less than 1).

 The coefficient of energy efficiency depends on several factors related to the subject: weight, age, sex, sports level, etc. It also depends on the type of event (type of sport in particular), and the training level of the subject in this type of event. Finally, the energy efficiency also depends on the conditions of the test: altitude, hygrometry, temperature, etc. These parameters can be provided as input data to the device, before the start of the test for example, or they can be determined by the processing unit from measurements. They are involved in calculating the biomechanical performance of the effort, which determines the energy consumption and heart rate of the subject.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, a first physiological parameter is the energy consumed and at least one second physiological parameter is chosen from: the heart rate, the oxygen saturation of the blood, the body temperature, the level of glucose in the blood, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, conductivity of the skin.

However, in order to obtain a fine analysis and a more precise prediction of the physiological parameters and therefore the performances and resources of a subject, having measurements of several physiological parameters can be useful. Indeed, the heart rate gives only fragmentary information on the state of the body from the point of view of its instantaneous metabolism.

 Thus, the oxygen saturation of the blood, measured for example by a saturometer or oximeter, is a parameter which enables a device according to the invention to determine in advance more reliably certain physiological parameters such as, for example, the heart rate. future. Although optional, this measure is particularly useful for calculating the energy consumption of the subject and the efficiency of energy production by the body (see for example "Physiology of sport and exercise: physiological adaptations to Exercise Jack H. Wilmore, David L. Costill, Ariette Delamarche, Paul Delamarche and Carole Groussard, De Boeck University, 2006.).

 Other physiological parameters can be measured instead of or in addition to the oxygen saturation of the blood. Thus, alternatively or in combination, a device according to the invention may comprise one or more physiological sensors for converting into digital data physiological parameters chosen from: the level of glucose in the blood, the blood pressure, the body temperature, the respiratory rate, the conductivity of the skin (in particular to measure sweating and therefore the loss of water), and others. These physiological parameters make it possible to ensure a more complete follow-up of the physical state of the subject, and to refine the forecast data such as heart rate, energy consumed, water reserves, etc.

 In particular, a device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to determine, in a predictive manner, the values of the energy consumed, and other parameters such as oxygen saturation of the blood, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, and stress. etc.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, the device is free of localization device.

A device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to evaluate in a predictive manner physiological parameters (including the energy consumed) of a subject without the subject's location data. More particularly, such a device makes it possible to evaluate in a predictive manner the physiological parameters (including the energy consumed) of a subject without having any location data on a route and without data relating to a route (in particular altitude and / or ascent) during the event.

 Such a device is particularly suitable for events practicing without a predetermined route, especially on a field (football, tennis, rugby, handball, basketball, water polo, judo, etc.).

 Furthermore, a device according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one environmental sensor capable of supplying digital data, called environmental data, representative of at least one parameter relating to the environment of the device - in particular to the environment of the subject, said environmental sensor being close (including worn) by the subject. Thus, according to the invention, such an environmental sensor may be integrated with the device carried by the subject, or be close to the subject and in communication with said device.

 An environmental sensor according to the invention may for example measure at least one parameter chosen from: the ambient humidity, the ambient temperature, the wind, the pressure, and the rate of a particular gas of the atmosphere in which the subject is evolving . Many other parameters relating to the environment of the subject may advantageously be measured by a device according to the invention.

 The envisaged list of sensors relating to the environment of the subject is not exhaustive and any other sensor deemed necessary for the effective prediction of a physiological parameter of the subject may be integrated or connected to a device according to the invention. Advantageously, a device according to the invention is adapted to use the data provided by a sensor connected a posteriori as a new device.

The device may also include an atmosphere model giving the conventional rates of gas in the atmosphere, as well as the pressure and temperature thereof as a function of altitude. Advantageously and according to the invention, the data processing unit is programmed to produce predictive data at least in part according to said environmental data.

 Thus, the influence of the subject's environment on some of the future physiological parameters (including energy consumed) of the subject is taken into account. For example, the respiratory rate and heart rate are altitude dependent to compensate for the rise or fall of pressure to maintain stable or consistent oxygen saturation with the level of effort provided. The processing unit therefore advantageously takes into account the altitude, and if necessary the duration from which the subject lives at this altitude to produce instantaneous or forecast data. Environmental data is therefore used in combination with the calculation data.

 Similarly, energy and water costs are influenced by the surrounding temperature and humidity. Thus, the outdoor temperature allows the device to better estimate water loss (high temperature) or energy consumption to maintain body temperature (low temperature). Indeed, a loss of 2% of the body weight during physical activity caused by perspiration is a moderate dehydration but can significantly impair performance.

 In addition, the energy expenditure of the subject will also be greater if there is wind when the test consists of a displacement in an external environment. The wind is therefore advantageously taken into account in the calculation of the energy consumed. Wind can be a variable entered manually by a user, measured, calculated, or downloaded before or during the event via means of communication.

Advantageously, the device is adapted so that new types of tests can be added to the device by loading in memory files relating to the new type of test, in particular new reference data and / or new calculation data (equations, constant, etc.). Advantageously, certain data relating to a profile of a subject recorded for certain tests, can be used by the device for the production of instantaneous and forecast data relating to new types of test. This is made possible by the fact that most of the main physiological parameters are dependent on the subject (minimum and maximum heart rate, maximum oxygen saturation, mass, size, etc.).

 A device according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one communication device - in particular transmission / reception - of data.

 Such a communication device can be wired and / or wireless.

 Such a communication device allows for example a device according to the invention carried by a subject to exchange data with a device comprising an interface, allowing his trainer to know and predict the physical state of the subject.

 Thus, a device according to the invention can advantageously be connected to a personal computer for advanced processing of data recorded during one or more tests and / or load input data on the latter. For example, such a communication device makes it possible to load on a device according to the invention reference data and calculation data relating to a new type of test, user profiles, etc. Such a communication device also makes it possible to acquire environmental data such as weather forecasts via a wireless network. Weather information can be updated live during the event.

In addition, such a communication device advantageously makes it possible to transmit data representative of a message. In particular, it makes it possible to send an emergency call when a physiological parameter exceeds a predetermined value, for example in the context of the re-education of a patient or the surveillance of a person. This embodiment can therefore be useful for people with a particular health risk: for example a cardiovascular fragility. A device according to the invention is advantageously able to communicate and exchange data with one (or more) devices according to the invention. Thus, in a collective sport for example, each player can be equipped with such a device. The set of devices then operates in a network exchanging data in real time during the test. Such a network of devices according to the invention is advantageously adapted for exchanging data with a device according to the invention or not, for example a digital tablet advantageously comprising an interface and which can be used by a trainer to visualize and interpret information relating to players in his team and manage it according to the projected evolution of their physiological parameters.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, a device according to the invention is at least partially portable and therefore comprises at least one portable portion arranged to be carried by the subject during a test.

 The portable nature of such a device allows its use on a subject not having a vehicle, that is to say especially for non-motorized sports or physical activities (walking, running, cycling, swimming). riding, etc.).

Such a device is at least partly portable in the sense that it can be easily worn by a subject during an event, especially during a test unrelated to wearing the device. Each portable part of such a device according to the invention must therefore have a sufficiently low weight, generally much less than the weight of said subject (for example a maximum of one hundred grams for a human being), and sufficiently small dimensions, especially relative to the subject (for example at most 200x200x100 mm for a human being). Ideally, each portable part of the device is light enough and small enough to be carried by a subject during physical exertion without the fact that wearing the device significantly affects the subject's physical performance during exercise. For example, the device can have a bracelet to wear on the wrist for a human subject, or be made of such a bracelet.

 In particular, each accelerometer sensor provided with at least one accelerator data communication means is dimensioned such that it can be carried by the subject without interfering with his physical effort. A device according to the invention can be entirely portable, in one or more portable part (s) for example a portable measuring part intended to be carried by a subject and a portable part of treatment and forecasting intended for be worn by a user, different from the subject, for example a coach.

 Each part of the device then comprises means of communication with the other parts of the device.

 Such communication means may make it possible to produce a device distributed over the subject and / or close to the subject. These communication means may be distinct (Bluetooth® for example) or identical to the communication device of the device according to the invention with another device (Wi-Fi ® for example).

 In addition, advantageously and according to the invention, a power management assistance device comprises a plurality of spatially distributed elements connected in a network.

 The data processing unit is able to process data received from a sensor electrically connected to the device or in wireless communication therewith.

 This feature makes it possible to extend the number of physiological parameters monitored without increasing the size of a device according to the invention. This also allows a great modularity of such a device: only sensors useful for a particular type of effort are installed on the subject.

Such sensors are part of the portable device according to the invention. Thus, a device according to the invention can be in the form of a cloud of sensors and / or devices and / or units in the Body Area Network (BAN) on the subject and / or near the subject. In particular, a device according to the invention may have a unit in the form of a portable bracelet including the accelerometer sensor, the data processing unit, an interface with the user and optionally one or more sensor (s). physiological (s) and / or environmental (to). The physiological sensor (s) and / or the environmental sensor (s) can be distributed on or near the subject. For example, the respiratory rate of a subject is advantageously measured by means of a sensor placed around the subject's chest, which is not necessarily compatible with the ease of use and the visual interface arranged in a bracelet. The two elements of such a device according to the invention are therefore connected by a wired or wireless link.

 The invention extends to a method implemented with a device according to the invention. It extends in particular to a method of assisting the management of a physical effort provided by a subject during a test in which:

 digital data, referred to as instantaneous energy data, representative of the instantaneous value of an energy consumed by the subject, are produced as a function of digital acceleration data,

^■ produced by a sensor, said accelerometer sensor, able to measure acceleration of the subject in at least one direction and to provide digital data representative of these accelerations,

^■ representative of accelerations of the subject,

 numerical data, referred to as projected energy data, representative of the evolution of the energy consumed by the subject on at least one portion remaining to endure of the test, as a function of

 At least a part of said instantaneous energy data

^■ digital data, called chronometric, produced by at least one clock and representative of a time elapsed since the beginning of the test,

^■ but without location data.

More particularly, advantageously and according to the invention: said energy forecast data are compared with data, referred to as reference data, stored in memory, representative of a plurality of predetermined values of at least one parameter, in particular a physiological parameter, at each instant over the entire duration of the test,

 data representative of a message are produced whose content is a function of the result of the comparison of the forecast data and the reference data,

 data representative of a message are transmitted to a human / machine interface for the purpose of communicating said message to a user,

 - physiological data are stored in memory throughout the test,

 instantaneous data are produced and stored in memory according to acceleration data, chronometric data and physiological data, called historical data, representative of values taken by at least one physiological parameter during said test,

 predictive data is produced as a function of at least a part of said instantaneous data, of at least a part of said chronometric data, of at least a part of said acceleration data and of at least a part of said data; say historical data,

 - physiological data and reference data are compared at each moment of the test,

 data, called calculation data, representative of equations, and / or tables of values, and / or coefficients, used for the production of instantaneous energy data and / or energy forecast data, are modified and stored in memory according to physiological data produced and stored during at least one test and relating to a subject.

 The invention also extends to a device adapted to implement a method according to the invention.

The invention also extends to a computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of a method according to the invention when said program is executed on a computer, in particular on a device according to the invention.

 The invention also extends to a computer program - in particular a computer program product - comprising instructions for the execution of a method according to the invention when the program is executed by a device comprising at least one processing unit. data, in particular by a device according to the invention.

 The invention extends to a recording medium (recording medium, in particular a computer readable medium) on which a program according to the invention is recorded, as well as to a device in which such a program is recorded.

 The invention also relates to a device for assisting the management of effort, a method for assisting the management of effort, a computer program and a recording medium characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned. above or below.

 Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following non-limiting description which refers to the appended figures in which:

 FIG. 1 is a schematic external representation of a bracelet of a portable device according to the invention,

 FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of a device according to the invention, illustrating the input / output relationships between certain constituent elements of the device according to the invention,

 FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a first example of acceleration measurements actually experienced by a subject during a first test,

 FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the heart rate calculated in real time as a function of the accelerations represented in FIG. 3 and the power developed in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the mechanical power developed by the subject as a function of the accelerations represented in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the total energy consumed by the subject,

 FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a second example of acceleration measurements actually experienced by a subject during a first part of a second test.

 In a particular embodiment described below and shown in the figures, a device according to the invention for assisting the management of a physical effort is adapted so that the user and the subject is a single human being.

 Such a device has a portion in the form of a bracelet that can advantageously be worn on the wrist, arm or ankle.

 The bracelet has, seen from the outside, a screen 99 and a speaker 98, and buttons 101 to 104 (which could advantageously be replaced or supplemented by a touch interface) to interact with the user. Such a device may, for example, display on screen 99, a measured heart rate value (in FIG. 1: 95 beats per minute), a calculated value of the percentage of energy available at the start already consumed (in FIG. Figure 1, 50% energy consumed), and an indicator relating to a message 54 of advice (in Figure 1, an arrow symbol pointing upward to indicate the user to intensify his effort).

 In addition, this bracelet has wired connection ports 111, 112 and a wireless connection port 121 for connecting sensors or devices or units of a handheld device for managing a force according to the invention. invention to the bracelet, so as to form a portable device distributed in the form of a network on the body (or near) the subject.

 Moreover, such a bracelet of a portable device according to the invention comprises:

 a three-axis accelerometer 20,

 a unit 30 for processing data,

at least one memory 4. The portable device according to the invention also comprises optional sensors such as a heart rate sensor, a blood oxygen saturation sensor 11, and a body temperature sensor 12 which can be arranged in the bracelet or elsewhere on the body. body of the subject and in communication with said bracelet. For example, the heart rate sensor 10 may be disposed on the chest of the subject and connected to the bracelet via the wired port 111; the sensor 11 of oxygen saturation of the blood on a finger of the subject and connected to the bracelet via the wired port 112; and the body temperature sensor 12 in the portable bracelet, on the side of the bracelet which is intended to be in contact with the skin of the subject.

 In certain embodiments of the invention, a device 1 according to the invention may also comprise a respiratory frequency sensor 15, distinct from the bracelet, for example adapted to be arranged around the subject's chest, and adapted to be able to communicate without wire with the bracelet via port 121 wireless connection.

 In the embodiment of the invention presented here by way of example, the force assistance device also comprises environmental sensors: an outside temperature sensor 13 and an atmospheric pressure sensor 14.

 Data such as pre-exercise energy 61 and test type 62 may be entered manually by a user prior to the start of the event. The data processing unit 30 is adapted to store these input data in a memory 4 at least during the duration of the test.

 In addition, the data received from the physiological sensors 10, 11, 12 and environmental 13, 14, as well as the acceleration data provided by the accelerometer are communicated in real time to the data processing unit 30.

 In addition, the data processing unit 30 comprises a clock 60 adapted to produce chronometric data.

Thus, the data processing unit 30 is programmed to generate forecast data representative of values, referred to as values programmed, corresponding to predetermined targets or values such as thresholds or intervals, and predictive data representative of values that will be taken by at least one physiological parameter in a portion remaining to endure the test - the latter being generally compared to the programmed values.

 The data processing unit performs at regular time intervals a comparison 83 between the values of the physiological data measured by the physiological sensors 10, 11, 12 and values (which can form a range (s)) recorded in the form of reference data in a memory 44. If a measured value 33 exceeds or falls below a value (link 832), an alarm message 51 is issued by the data processing unit for transmission to the user via at least one interface 9, for example via a loudspeaker 98.

 If no measured value 33 exceeds or is less than a limit value (link 831), the data processing unit compares 84 between the predicted values 34 and the same 44 limit values.

 If at least one predictive value exceeds or is less than a limit value (link 842), for example the predicted heart rate, an alarm message is transmitted and transmitted to a user via at least one of the interfaces 98. , 99.

If the set of predictive values are within the limit value ranges (link 841), the data processing unit makes a comparison 85 between measured values 33 and programmed values and a comparison 85 between provisional values 34 and the same programmed values. If the result of the comparison 85 indicates that the measured values 33 and the predicted values correspond to an error percentage around the programmed values (link 851), the data processing unit 30 continues its passive monitoring. If the measured and / or predicted values 33 are below or beyond the programmed values (link 852), the data processing unit 30 sends a message 52 of advice which is transmitted to the user via, for example, a screen 99, resulting for a user by a visual indication 54.

Moreover, before the beginning of the test, once the programmed values have been determined and recorded as data in a memory 41, a comparison 86 between the programmed values of heart rate over the entire test and a range constituted a minimum value FC _min and a maximum value FC _Max (limit values 44) of the subject's heart rate is then performed. The limit values forming a range are stored in a memory 4 of the device 1. They can be entered manually by a user, or calculated according to other parameters provided or not by the user. For example, FC _{min and} CF _Max can be calculated from the size, age and weight of the individual. Similarly, the level of sports practice can be used to determine the equation parameters or the type of chart to be used for energy consumption as a function of heart rate.

If the result of the comparison 86 indicates that at least one value of the programmed values of the heart rate is below FC _min or beyond FC _Max (link 862), the programmed values are recalculated until that they satisfy this criterion. If the result of the comparison 86 indicates that the programmed values of the heart rate are within the range [FC _min ; FC _Max ] (link 861), these programmed values are validated and are stored as reference data, the test time at least.

 The examples presented in FIGS. 3 to 6 correspond to an event such as a football match of duration T, and the subject is a human being.

 In FIG. 3 the accelerations measured by the accelerometer of the device during the test are represented with their intensity on the ordinate, and the time on the abscissa, from the beginning (instant 0) to the end of the test (instant T). .

They are advantageously stored in a memory of the device as and when the course of the test. So, they can be compiled, compared, and displayed by the user or subject after the end of the test.

 Thus, the device can be adapted to compare the number or the frequency of maximum intensity accelerations within a given range of acceleration values for a given duration, especially since the beginning of the test, with predetermined values or maximum values of number (or frequency) of accelerations in this range of values over this duration.

 Thus, in Figure 3 we see that the frequency of accelerations, including high intensity accelerations is high to half of the test. It is therefore possible that after this series of acceleration, the subject has exceeded the average number of acceleration expected for this type of event, at this time of the event. The data processing unit 30 compares in real time the acceleration data, including the past acceleration data stored on the test, with acceleration reference data for that test. It then develops an alert message or advice to the user based on this comparison.

 Thanks to a device according to the invention, a coach / coach of a sports team can decide the substitutions to be made during the event according to the state of fatigue of each player, largely determined by the accelerations that he suffered / provided, as described below.

 Indeed, the acceleration data of a subject make it possible to determine many other parameters relating to the subject, in real time, but also for a predictive purpose.

In particular, the device advantageously comprises a three-axis accelerometer 20 and the data processing unit is adapted to discriminate different types of acceleration. Thus, an intense lateral acceleration or intense deceleration may correspond to a shock, while frontal accelerations or a less intense deceleration correspond rather to efforts provided by the subject. Calculations of physiological parameters such as energy consumed, heart rate, or a parameter representative of the state of fatigue of the subject can therefore be calculated more accurately by such discrimination.

 The energy consumed can be determined according to the actual acceleration data measured and reference data corresponding to values and acceleration profiles for which the energy consumed by the subject for the same test has been measured beforehand and / or stored computer data representative of algorithms, and / or equations and / or charts, which may be empirical.

 FIG. 5 shows on the ordinate the values of the mechanical power deployed by the subject who has undergone / provided the accelerations of FIG. 3, during the duration T (abscissa) of the test.

 In certain situations and / or types of tests, calculation data make it possible to directly calculate the instantaneous mechanical power from the acceleration data. The instantaneous mechanical power supplied by the subject is for example calculated as a function of the acceleration, integrated over time, which makes it possible to obtain the speed of displacement and thus to calculate the power supplied by the subject (equal to the product of the mass displaced by the scalar product of the acceleration vector and velocity vector).

 The power consumed Pc by the subject is then calculated by:

 Pc = P / Yld

where P is the instantaneous power provided by the subject, and Rdt a coefficient of energy efficiency specific to the subject (less than 1).

In a manner known per se, the energy efficiency coefficient of an individual generally varies between 0.17 (17%) for a non-sporty sedentary person and 0.3 (30%) for example for a trained cyclist. For example, it is about 0.2 (20%) for an adult male subject, in good physical shape and well trained in the type of test presented. This coefficient of energy efficiency can be previously measured on the subject with a exercise apparatus such as an ergocycle (exercise bike) which gives a measure of the mechanical power supplied to the apparatus and by measuring the volume of oxygen consumed by the subject's breathing.

 Figure 4 shows on the ordinate the values of the subject's heart rate over the duration (abscissa) of the test.

 The values of the heart rate are also calculated in real time by the data processing unit from the values of the power consumed (see Fig. 5). For example, they are calculated using the equation previously presented:

FC = 3E ^"08 Pc ³ - O.OOOlPc ² + 0.2369Pc + 35.938 where FC is the heart rate and Pc is the instantaneous power consumed.

 Similarly, the values of the energy consumed by the subject can be calculated from the power consumed Pc.

 In certain situations and / or for certain types of test, reference data obtained by learning can be used to determine the energy consumed. For example, it is possible to determine and record by prior learning the values and profiles of acceleration and the energy expenditure of each type of effort of a test. In the case of a tennis match for example, by fixing an accelerometer on the wrist of a player, it is possible to execute series of each typical gesture (such as first services, second services, forehands, climbs to net ..) record values and corresponding acceleration profiles, and measure by direct physiological measurements the energy expenditure corresponding to each gesture. From the accelerometric data of a device in use, the processing unit identifies and determines, from these previously recorded reference data, the nature of each gesture performed, and associates a corresponding energy expenditure.

In FIG. 6, the cumulative value of the energy consumed by the subject is represented on the ordinates during the duration (in abscissas) of the test. The energy consumed during the first test exemplified in Figures 3 to 6 is represented by the curve A. Thus, it can be seen that the energy consumed remains, on the test corresponding to FIGS. 3 to 5, below the maximum threshold Emax of consumable energy for the subject. This threshold is determined according to the subject before each test. This threshold can be determined arbitrarily by the device based on general data recorded during manufacture or data adjusted to the subject. The Emax threshold can also be adjusted by the user before or during the test, for example by entering data such as the last meals made, the date of the last test, the rations taken during the test, etc.

 In the same way, the water reserves of the subject can be determined in real time and provided by a device according to the invention.

 Figures 3 to 6 (curve A) are representative of measured values and values, called instantaneous values, calculated in particular as a function of the measured values.

 However, at any time during the test, forecast data may be calculated by the processing unit. Thus, depending on the acceleration data obtained by measurement between the beginning of the test and a time t1, and representative reference data for example of an average acceleration frequency for this test, the total number of accelerations at a future time of the test can be determined in a predictive way. Thus, the future state of a subject can be determined by calculating in a predictive manner values of energy consumed and possibly of heart rate. Such information makes it possible to manage the fatigue of the subject by giving him management advice of the event, or by providing for his replacement at a future time of the event.

Thus, in FIG. 7, values of accelerations measured during a first part (from instant 0 to instant t1) of a second test (of the same type as the first test presented in FIGS. ) are represented. In this first part of the test the subject underwent and / or provided much more accelerations than in the same part of the first test (time 0 at time tl of Figure 1), some of which are of greater intensity. This is why the energy consumed by the subject during this first part of the second test is much higher, as represented by the curve B in FIG.

 At the instant tl the subject consumed a lot more available energy than he should have consumed. This is an indicator of fatigue.

 In addition, the device calculates predicted values of energy consumed from the energy consumed at time t1 and representative reference data, for example, an average frequency of accelerations during a test of this type. type (for example for a defender during a football match).

 The average frequency of acceleration during an event may vary according to the moment of the test at which one is located. It is also possible to predictively determine reference data comprising distinct frequencies for several distinct ranges of acceleration values (a first frequency for low intensity accelerations and a second frequency for high intensity accelerations).

 The reference data representative of frequencies or of a number of accelerations specific to a type of test are therefore important for predicatively determining the physiological data of a subject. Thus, the device presented as an example advantageously comprises in memory a plurality of reference data sets: for each type of test and / or for each type of subject (male / female for example) and / or for each age group and / or for each level of practice (professional, amateur, coaching, etc.).

 Thus, in FIG. 6, the average frequency of the accelerations is used to determine the future values of the energy consumed during the test.

 It is thus possible to determine at any moment of the test if the subject may or may not reach the maximum value of consumable energy Emax before the end of the test.

In the particular case presented in FIG. 6, these provisional values are represented in dotted lines (upper right in dotted lines) and show that the energy consumed by the subject will reach the value Emax of available energy before the end of the test, ie at time t2.

 From this result (t 2 <T) the data processing unit advantageously determines a reduced average frequency of accelerations so that the instant t 2 at which all the available energy is consumed corresponds to the end time T of test, so as to optimize the effort of the subject and allow him to hold until the end of the test (advice in the form of messages can be given via the device interfaces to the subject so that it is held at this time. optimal effort).

 These two lines thus provide a range in which the subject will probably be found.

 However, there is nothing to prevent a coach (user) from maintaining a high level of effort from a player (subject) and replacing him before the end of the event. Similarly, it is possible that a tired subject follows the moderation advice given by the device in an exaggerated way and is under the lower hypothesis, thus reducing - a priori - its performance.

 One can imagine that a subject with advice to moderate his pace will have a real energy profile consumed between these two hypotheses, as shown in Figure 6.

 A user trainer may also cause the device to determine an optimized frequency of acceleration for the player to conserve energy at time T, in anticipation of prolongation for example. The device is adapted to take into account such a manually entered value (80% of Emax for example).

The reference data are advantageously refined after each test. This is particularly advantageous in a learning phase of the subject by the device according to the invention, in which complementary data are advantageously measured for example the heart rate. In fact, the calculation data and the reference data making it possible to obtain the energy consumed and the heart rate can then be adjusted. after each test based on actual measured heart rate values.

 In addition, the calculation data for determining predictive data may vary during the test, for example some constants may change to take into account the subject's fatigue. The calculation data are therefore themselves advantageously corrected throughout the test according to the values taken by the physiological parameters (heart rate, oximetry, energy consumed, etc.) between the beginning of the test and the instant considered.

 Furthermore, a device according to the invention can be adapted to determine instantaneous energy data and energy forecast data for the total energy consumed by the entire body of the subject; and / or for energy expended by only a part of the subject's body, for example the arm of a tennis player; and / or for the energy consumed by a plurality of parts of the subject's body, for example: the energy consumed by the arm, the energy consumed by the legs, the energy consumed by the back ...

 The invention can be the subject of many other variants and applications not shown or described.

Claims

 1 / - Device (1) for assisting the management of a physical effort provided by a subject during a test comprising:  at least one sensor, called an accelerometric sensor (20), capable of measuring acceleration of the subject in at least one direction, and providing numerical data, called acceleration data, representative of these accelerations,  at least one interface (98, 99) for communication with a user, at least one clock (60) adapted to produce digital data, called chronometric data, representative of a duration, in particular a time elapsed since the beginning of the test,  at least one memory (4): ^■ wherein may be recorded thereon digital data including at least:  acceleration data provided by said accelerometer sensor (20),  data, called physiological data, representative of the value of at least one physiological parameter of said subject evolving during the physical effort,  > chronometric data,  at least one digital data processing unit (30) adapted for: ^■ producing digital data, called instantaneous energy data, representative of the instantaneous value of an energy consumed by said subject, as a function of at least a part of said acceleration data, according to a predetermined algorithm, ^■ produce numerical data, called energy forecast data, representative of the evolution of the energy consumed by said subject on at least a portion remaining to endure the test, according to at least a part of said data instantaneous energy and at least a part of said chronometric data, but without location data. 21 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (30) is programmed for:  comparing energy forecast data with data, referred to as reference data, stored in memory, representative of a plurality of predetermined values of at least one parameter over the entire duration of the test, - produce data representative of a message whose content is a function of the result of the comparison of the energy forecast data and the reference data,  transmitting said representative data of a message to the interface with a view to communicating said message to a user.  3 / - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one sensor, said physiological sensor (12, 13, 14) adapted to measure at least one physiological parameter and to provide physiological data in numerical form representative of the instantaneous value of this physiological parameter.  4 / - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a physiological sensor (10) capable of measuring the heart rate of the subject.  5 / - Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the processing unit (30) is programmed to produce and store in memory instantaneous data as a function of acceleration data, chronometric data and physiological data, called historical data, representative of values taken by at least one physiological parameter during said test. 6 / - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the processing unit (30) is programmed to produce predictive data according to at least a part of said instantaneous data, at least a part of said data timing of at least a portion of said acceleration data and at least a portion of said history data. 7 / - Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one physiological parameter is selected from: heart rate, oxygen saturation of the blood, body temperature, blood glucose level , blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, skin conductivity.  8 / - Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is free of location device.  91 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one environmental sensor capable of providing digital data, called environmental data, representative of at least one parameter relating to the environment of the device .  10 / - Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the processing unit (30) is adapted to be able to modify and store in a memory (4) data, called data calculation, representative of equations, and / or tables of values, and / or coefficients for the production of instantaneous energy data and / or energy forecast data, as a function of physiological data produced and stored during at least one test and relating to a subject.  11 / - A method of assisting the management of a physical effort provided by a subject during a test in which:  digital data, called instantaneous energy data, representative of the instantaneous value of an energy consumed by said subject, are produced as a function of digital acceleration data, ^■ produced by a sensor, said accelerometer sensor, able to measure acceleration of the subject in at least one direction and to provide digital data representative of these accelerations, ^■ representative of accelerations of the subject,  - Numerical data, called forecast energy data, representative of the evolution of the energy consumed by the subject on at least one portion remaining to endure the test, are produced according to: ^■ at least a portion of said instantaneous energy data, ^■ digital data, called chronometric, produced by at least one clock and representative of a time elapsed since the beginning of the test, ^■ but without location data.  12 / - Computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of a method according to claim 10 when said program is executed on a computer, in particular on a device according to one of claims 1 to 10 .