# US 2015/0088006 A1 · Method for determining aerobic capacity

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- Number: US 2015/0088006 A1
- Document ID: US20150088006A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/145,042
- Filed: 2013-12-31
- Published: 2015-03-26
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-20
- Assignees: Simbionics
- Applicants: Simbionics
- Inventors: Benjamin I. RAPOPORT; Craig MERMEL
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150088006A1

## CPC

- A61B 5/02438: {with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient}
- A61B 5/11: Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)}
- A61B 5/1112: {Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS}
- A61B 5/4866: {Evaluating metabolism (using breath test A61B5/083)}
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- A61B 2503/10: Athletes
- A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A method of estimating the maximal oxygen uptake of an individual on the basis of heart rate data, biometric data, biomechanical data, and geophysical data is described. These data can be collected as the individual engages in activities requiring various levels of exertion, without modifying those activities from the ordinary manner in which they are performed. In particular, in some embodiments the method described here obviates the conventional need for a laboratory setting when estimating maximal oxygen uptake and the method can be applied to estimate maximal oxygen uptake under more natural conditions than conventional testing protocols requiring treadmills or stationary ergometers typically permit. Furthermore, it is described how such estimates of maximal oxygen uptake can be used to estimate other quantities of interest, including fat and carbohydrate metabolism, lactate production, and water and electrolyte loss during exercise.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computerized method for dynamically measuring maximal oxygen uptake of a user in real-time during aerobic activity, the method comprising:
(a) electronically measuring instantaneous heart rate data, instantaneous biomechanical data, and instantaneous geophysical data of the user over a period of time, using one or more sensors;
(b) setting an oxygen uptake model for the user and storing the oxygen uptake model in memory of a computer;
(c) determining, using the computer, a maximum heart rate of the user and storing the maximum heart rate in memory;
(d) determining, using the computer, a plurality of instantaneous oxygen uptake estimates over the period of time based in part on user data including the maximum heart rate, the instantaneous biomechanical data, and the instantaneous geophysical data, wherein the user data is selected and related to the plurality of instantaneous oxygen uptake estimates using the oxygen uptake model;
(e) evaluating, using the computer, a relationship between a real-time heart rate relaxation constant and a real-time maximal oxygen uptake of the user based at least in part on the plurality of the instantaneous oxygen uptake estimates, the maximum heart rate, the instantaneous heart rate data, the instantaneous biomechanical data, and the instantaneous geophysical data, wherein the real-time heart rate relaxation constant comprises a numerical parameter that measures a rate at which the heart rate of a user changes in response to oxygen demand; and
(f) determining, using the computer, a maximal oxygen uptake for the user during the aerobic activity, using the relationship between the real-time heart rate relaxation constant and the real-time maximal oxygen uptake.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the aerobic activity comprises running, walking, hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, swimming or stair climbing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the user comprises a mammal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the user comprises a human.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the user comprises a horse or a dog.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein determining a heart rate relaxation constant (k) and a maximal oxygen uptake {dot over (V)}O2max, comprises determining the following relationship:

R

(
t
)

t
=
k

(
R
ma


x
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P
demand
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(
t
)
V
.

O
2

m
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ax
-
R
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(
t
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wherein R(t) comprises heart rate at a given time, Rmax comprises the maximum heart rate, and Pdemand(t) comprises a power demanded at a given time.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biomechanical data comprises instantaneous speed of the user.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the geophysical data comprises instantaneous incline, latitude, longitude, and altitude data.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a heart rate monitor, a global positioning sensor, and a gyroscope.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising repeating steps (a)-(f) over a plurality of periods of time.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising performing steps (a)-(f) for a plurality of users.

### Claim 12

(canceled)

### Claim 13

A computerized method for dynamically measuring maximal oxygen uptake of a user in real-time during aerobic activity, the method comprising:
(a) electronically measuring instantaneous physiologic data, instantaneous biomechanical data, and instantaneous geophysical data of the user over a period of time, using one or more sensors;
(b) using a computer to create physiologic, biomechanical, and geophysical time-series data based on the instantaneous physiologic data, instantaneous biomechanical data, and instantaneous geophysical data;
(c) establishing, using the computer, an oxygen uptake model for the user;
(d) estimating, using the computer, a plurality of instantaneous oxygen uptake values over the period of time based in part on user data including the instantaneous physiologic data, the instantaneous biomechanical data, and the instantaneous geophysical data obtained by the sensors, wherein the user data is selected and related to the plurality of instantaneous oxygen uptake values using the oxygen uptake model;
(e) predicting, using the computer, a maximum oxygen uptake of the user based on the oxygen uptake model, the oxygen uptake values and the physiologic, biomechanical, and geophysical time-series data.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 wherein a model relating oxygen uptake to physiologic, biomechanical, and geophysical parameters comprises:

R

(
t
)

t
=
k

(
R
ma


x

P
demand

(
t
)
V
.

O
2

m


ax
-
R

(
t
)
)
wherein R(t) comprises heart rate at a given time, k comprises a heart rate relaxation constant, Rmax comprises the maximum heart rate, {dot over (V)}O2max, comprises a maximal oxygen uptake value for the user, and Pdemand(t) comprises the aerobic power demanded at a given time.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the heart rate relaxation constant comprises a numerical parameter that measures a rate at which the heart rate of a user changes in response to oxygen demand by body tissues.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the aerobic activity comprises running, walking, hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, swimming or stair climbing.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the user comprises a mammal.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the user comprises a human.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the user comprises a horse or a dog.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 comprising performing steps (a)-(e) for a plurality of users.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the biomechanical data comprises instantaneous speed of the user.

### Claim 22 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the geophysical data comprises instantaneous incline, latitude, longitude, and altitude data.

### Claim 23 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a heart rate monitor, a global positioning sensor, and a gyroscope.

### Claim 24 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, comprising repeating steps (a)-(e) over a plurality of periods of time.