Exercise machine, strength evaluation method and pulse rate meter

An exercise machine, comprising:

• a load device gradually increasing a load over time;
• an electrocardiographic sensor detecting an electrocardiographic signal;
• a unit for measuring a heartbeat rate of the electrocardiographic signal detected while the load is gradually increased;
• a unit for calculating a fluctuation of heartbeat rate intervals in the electrocardiographic signal;
• an exertion level estimating unit estimating an exertion level based on said heartbeat rate and said fluctuation of heartbeat rate intervals;
• and
• a unit for controlling the load of the load device based on the exertion level estimated.

An exercise machine, comprising:

• a load device gradually increasing a load over time;
• an electrocardiographic sensor detecting an electrocardiographic signal;
• a unit for measuring a heartbeat rate of the electrocardiographic signal detected while the load is gradually increased;
• a unit for calculating a fluctuation of heartbeat rate intervals in the electrocardiographic signal;
• an exertion level estimating unit estimating an exertion level based on said heartbeat rate and said fluctuation of heartbeat rate intervals;
• and
• a unit for estimating physical strength from a slope of a change of the heartbeat rate with respect to the change of the load around the exertion level estimated.

A method of evaluating physical strength, comprising the steps of:

• gradually increasing a load of a load device;
• detecting an electrocardiographic signal by an electrocardiographic sensor under an increasing exertion load while the load is gradually increased;
• finding a heartbeat rate and a fluctuation of heartbeat rate intervals from the electrocardiographic signal detected;
• and
• simultaneously estimating physical strength and an exertion level from the heartbeat rate and fluctuation of heartbeat rate intervals thus found.

A pulse rate meter, comprising:

• a pulse rate sensor detecting a pulse rate signal produced by a heart;
• an alarm unit demanding a gradual increase of a pitch of exercise;
• an exertion level estimating unit estimating an exertion level based on the pulse rate signal detected by the pulse rate sensor while exercise is gradually intensified;
• and
• a unit for setting a pace based on the pitch of exercise upon estimation of said exertion level.