Improvements relating to detection of physical performance

A method of setting up a pattern of gates in a sports training area, including:

• selecting or creating the pattern onscreen using a supervisory device,
• activating the gates from the supervisory device,
• starting layout of the pattern by placing a first gate at a first required position in the training area,
• walking a second gate to an initial position in the training area,
• measuring ultrasound signals between the gates to determine distance between the gates,
• determining current position of the second gate in relation to a second required position according to the measured signals,
• determining whether the current position of the second gate is sufficiently close to the second required position,
• providing guidance via the supervisory device for user relocation of the second gate toward the second required position, and
• placing the second gate at the second required position to form part of the pattern.

A supervisory device containing a software application, wherein the software application includes instructions which enable the device to:

• lay out a pattern of timing gates onscreen for a user,
• activate the gates once a pattern has been selected or created by the user,
• communicate wirelessly with the gates during a set-up process in a training area,
• define a reference gate to start the pattern in the training area,
• provide user guidance for placement of a set-up gate with respect to the reference gate,
• provide user guidance for placement of further gates in the pattern, and
• receive data from the gates during testing of an athlete.

A method of determining wind speed between sports gates, including:

• setting up first and second gates having respective ultrasound transducers in a training area,
• communicating by wireless between the gates and a supervisory device,
• timing an ultrasound signal from the first gate to the second gate,
• timing an ultrasound signal from the second gate to the first gate,
• communicating timing data by wireless from either or both gates to the supervisory device,
• calculating wind speed between the gates according to the timing data, and
• calculating a measure of tailwind or headwind from the wind speed between the gates when using the gates for testing an athlete.

A supervisory device containing a software application, wherein the software application includes instructions which enable the device to:

• communicate by wireless with two or more gates in a sports training area,
• cause timing of an ultrasound signal from a first gate to a second gate,
• cause timing of an ultrasound signal from the second gate to the first gate,
• receive timing data by wireless from either or both gates,
• calculate wind speed between the gates according to the timing data, and
• calculate a measure of tailwind or headwind from the wind speed between the gates when using the gates for testing an athlete.