U.S. patent application number 13/475850 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-14 for system and method for producing customized training plans for multi-discipline endurance athletic competitions.
This patent application is currently assigned to TriLife Eternal, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey Booher. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Booher.
Application Number | 20130040272 13/475850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47177371 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130040272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Booher; Jeffrey |
February 14, 2013 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PLANS FOR
MULTI-DISCIPLINE ENDURANCE ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS
Abstract
A method and apparatus for improving the physical capability of
an athlete in a multi-discipline athletic endurance competition
including a specially programmed computer implementing the method
are provided. The computer generates a normalized performance value
of an individual athlete for each of at least two different
disciplines of a multi-discipline athletic endurance competition
and correlates said normalized performance values to expected
competitive performance results for at least one distance of each
of said disciplines. An output device operatively connected to the
specially programmed computer can further generate an
electronically or physically printed exercise program correlated to
achieving an incremental improvement in normalized performance
values for each of said disciplines within a particular period of
time to guide the athlete to improve his/her physical
capability.
Inventors: |
Booher; Jeffrey; (Southlake,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Booher; Jeffrey |
Southlake |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TriLife Eternal, LLC
|
Family ID: |
47177371 |
Appl. No.: |
13/475850 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61488084 |
May 19, 2011 |
|
|
|
61646765 |
May 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/254 ;
434/247; 434/255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 20/30 20180101;
Y02A 90/10 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/254 ;
434/255; 434/247 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00; A63B 69/16 20060101 A63B069/16; A63B 69/12 20060101
A63B069/12 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for creating and printing or
displaying to a user an individually customized multi-discipline
training plan for improving the physical capability of an athlete
in a multi-discipline athletic endurance event comprising the steps
of: computing a normalized performance value of an individual
athlete for each of at least two different disciplines of a
multi-discipline athletic endurance event; generating an
electronically or physically printed training plan customized for
said athlete correlated to achieving an incremental improvement in
said normalized performance values for each of said disciplines
within a particular period of time.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said disciplines is
running
3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said disciplines is
swimming.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said disciplines is
biking
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the disciplines are taken from
the group of running, bicycling and swimming.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein there are at least three
disciplines.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the disciplines including running,
bicycling and swimming.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said training plan is output to a
user.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said normalized performance
values are computed based upon input of the individual athlete's
assessment values for each of said disciplines.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said specially programmed
computer correlates said normalized performance values to expected
competitive performance results for at least one subtype of each of
said disciplines and said output device operatively connected to
said specially programmed computer generates electronically or
physically printed expected competitive performance results for at
least one subtype of each of said disciplines correlated to said
normalized performance values.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein said specially programmed
computer correlates said expected incremental improvement in said
normalized performance values from following said training plan to
expected competitive performance results for at least one subtype
of each of said disciplines at a future time and said output device
operatively connected to said specially programmed computer
generates electronically or physically printed said expected
competitive performance results for at least one subtype of each of
said discipline.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said training plan includes a
set of exercises having at least volume and intensity instructions
individually tailored based on data entered specific to said
individual athlete, said volume and intensity instructions being
optimized to reduce the differences between said individual
athlete's normalized performance values for each of the
disciplines.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said training plan includes a
set of exercises having at least volume and intensity instructions
individually tailored based on data entered specific to said
individual athlete, said volume and intensity instructions being
optimized to improve the athlete's expected overall score for an
intended multi-discipline competition at a future date.
14. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising: inputting a
parameter correlating to an athlete's available training time
between the present time and a future date and determining by means
of said specially programmed computer a limiting parameter
correlative of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform
a particular workload during a particular increment of said
available training time, and wherein said specially programmed
computer generates a training plan designed to provide the
individual athlete with an amount of incremental improvement in
said normalized performance values without exceeding said limiting
parameter correlative of the athlete's physical capability to
safely perform a particular workload during a particular increment
of said available training time.
15. The method defined in claim 14 further comprising: determining
the maximum amount of incremental improvement in at least one of
said normalized performance values that can be expected to be
achieved by said individual athlete in said available training time
without exceeding said limiting parameter correlative of the
athlete's physical capability to safely perform a particular
workload during a particular increment of said available training
time and wherein said specially programmed computer generates a
training plan designed to provide the individual athlete with said
maximum amount of said incremental improvement.
16. The method defined in claim 14, further comprising: determining
the maximum amount of total incremental improvement in said
normalized performance values that can be expected to be achieved
by said individual athlete in said available training time without
exceeding said limiting parameter correlative of the athlete's
physical capability to safely perform a particular workload during
a particular increment of said available training time and wherein
said specially programmed computer generates a training plan
designed to provide the individual athlete with said maximum amount
of total incremental improvement.
17. The method defined in claim 14 further comprising: determining
the maximum amount of total incremental improvement in a
competition score for a target competition on said future date that
can be expected to be achieved by said individual athlete in said
available training time without exceeding said limiting parameter
correlative of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform
a particular workload during a particular increment of said
available training time and wherein said specially programmed
computer generates a training plan designed to provide the
individual athlete with said maximum amount of said incremental
improvement in said competition score.
18. The method defined in claim 14 further comprising: inputting a
desired competition score for a target competition on said future
date; determining the maximum expected amount of total incremental
improvement in each of said normalized performance values that can
be expected to be achieved by said individual athlete in said
available training time without exceeding said limiting parameter
correlative of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform
a particular workload during a particular increment of said
available training time and determining if said at least one
combination of normalized performance values will permit said
athlete to achieve said desired competition score in said target
competition on said future date without exceeding said maximum
expected amount of total incremental improvement and, if so,
generating by means of a specially programmed computer a training
plan designed to provide the individual athlete with said desired
competition score.
19. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein said limiting
parameter is taken from the group of volume, workload, workload
stress.
20. The method defined in claim 19, wherein said limiting parameter
is workload stress.
21. The method defined in claim 20, wherein said workload stress is
a function of workload intensity and time at said intensity.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the workload stress for the
athlete is a function of the athlete's workload capacity.
23. The method defined in claim 21, wherein said workload stress is
further correlated to a factor that increases during the time that
an exercise is performed.
24. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising: determining
an athlete's current normalized performance values after a portion
of said particular period of time has elapsed, regenerating a new
training plan customized for said athlete correlated to achieving
an incremental improvement in said normalized performance values
for each of said disciplines in the remaining amount of said
particular period of time.
25. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising: storing data
input by a user relating to the athletic ability of an athlete,
said data including at least a first assessment, the training plan
followed by said athlete, and a second assessment after following
said training plan, combining said data input by said user to other
data correlating training plans and expected changes in assessments
during a period of time that are applicable to a large number of
athletes on a statistical basis; and modifying one or more factors
correlating to normalized performance values based upon said data
input by said user along with said other data.
26. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said training plans
include information regarding a plurality of exercise sessions.
27. The method defined in claim 26 wherein each of said exercise
sessions includes information specifying, for at least one
discipline, one or more of the number of repetitions, duration of a
session, intensity of a session, and the number of sets of
repetitions.
28. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: determining
an expected competition score at least one discipline at a time in
the future based upon said athlete's current normalized performance
values.
29. The method defined in claim 28, further comprising: determining
an expected competition score in at least one discipline at a time
in the future based upon said athlete's expected normalized
performance values after performance of said training plan during
said particular period of time.
30. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising: inputting an
individual athlete's desired total score for a target competition
on a target date in the future; determining by means of a specially
programmed computer the total workload required to achieve the
desired total score of the target competition; generating by means
of a specially programmed computer an individually customized
training plan for the individual athlete to achieve the desired
total score for the target competition on the target date in the
future without exceeding permissible maxima during all or a portion
of the training period prior to the target date of one or more of
volume, workload, or workload stress applicable to the individual
athlete.
31. The method defined in claim 30, wherein one of said disciplines
is bicycling and said maxima of volume, workload, or workload
stress applicable to the individual athlete are functions at least
in part of (1) power-to-total-weight ratio with bike weight and (2)
BMI.
32. The method defined in claim 31, wherein one of said disciplines
is running and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for
determining by means of a specially programmed computer a pace to
weight ratio for the running discipline; and wherein said maxima of
volume, workload, or workload stress applicable to the individual
athlete are determined at least in part by said pace to weight
ratio.
33. A computer-implemented method for creating and printing or
displaying to a user individually customized multi-discipline
training plan for improving the physical capability of an athlete
in a multi-discipline athletic endurance competition comprising:
storing in a computer memory a set of reference performance values
correlated to average finishing times for a plurality of
well-trained athletes measured when the athletes are performing at
substantially maximum effort during one or more of the endurance
disciplines that comprise said competition, the scales of said
reference performance values for each discipline being normalized
to each other so that substantially the same relative athletic
performance ability will be represented by the same reference
performance values; computing, using a specially programmed
computer, a set of individual performance values correlated to an
individual athlete's performance ability in each of said endurance
disciplines, the scales of said individual performance values for
each discipline being normalized to each other so that
substantially the same relative performance ability of the
individual athlete in each discipline as compared to said reference
performance value in each discipline will be represented by the
same individual performance values; computing an expected
competitive performance result in each of said disciplines as a
function of said individual performance values and enabling
printing and/or displaying said values to a user to guide said
athlete in improving his/her physical capability as measured by
said individual performance values.
34. The method of claim 33, further comprising: computing a set of
competition performance results in each of said disciplines that is
expected to correlate to a set of said individual performance
values and enabling printing and/or displaying said performance
values and results to a user to guide said athlete in improving
his/her physical capability as measured by said individual
performance values to improve said expected competition performance
results.
35. The method of claim 33, further comprising: selecting, using a
specially programmed computer, a set of workouts to be performed
over a period of time, each of said workouts having a degree of
athletic effort measured by at least volume and intensity, said
workouts being correlated to an increment of increase of said
individual performance values over said period of time.
36. The method of claim 33, further comprising: selecting the
number, volume and intensity of said workouts to maximize a total
expected increment of increase of competition performance for a
given number of hours of training time devoted to said workouts
during said period of time.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein said number, volume and
intensity of said workouts are selected to maximize a total
expected increment of increase of competition performance for given
number of hours of training time devoted to said workouts during
said period of time.
38. An apparatus for creating and printing or displaying to a user
an individually customized multi-discipline training plan for
improving the physical capability of an athlete in a
multi-discipline athletic endurance event comprising: a specially
programmed computer including a program resident thereon for
generating a normalized performance value of an individual athlete
for each of at least two different disciplines of a
multi-discipline athletic endurance event, said computer further
including a program resident thereon to generate a training plan
customized for said athlete correlated to achieving an incremental
improvement in said normalized performance values for each of said
disciplines within a particular period of time; and an output
device operatively connected to said suitably programmed computer
for printing or displaying said training plan.
39. A computer software product comprising at least one recordable
medium, the recordable medium having computer instruction codes
recorded thereon, the computer instruction codes operable to
perform the acts of computing a normalized performance value of an
individual athlete for each of at least two different disciplines
of a multi-discipline athletic endurance event; generating an
electronically or physically printed training plan customized for
said athlete correlated to achieving an incremental improvement in
said normalized performance values for each of said disciplines
within a particular period of time.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
applications Ser. No. 61/488,084, filed May 19, 2011 and Ser. No.
61/646,765, filed May 14, 2012, the disclosures of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes without
disclaimer.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application is directed, in general, to a training
method and system, and, more specifically, to a system and
computer-implemented method for producing individually customized
training programs for multi-discipline endurance athletic
competitions, such as triathlons.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Triathlons and other multi-discipline endurance athletic
competitions having at least two distinct disciplines are an
increasingly important aspect of athletics. One of the biggest
challenges is to measure and describe an individual athlete's
current performance abilities in each discipline in a meaningful
way so that training can be focused and optimized for the best
results and most efficient use of available training time.
[0004] This description for the athlete should be a way in which
the athlete can easily measure progress; not only in overall race
performance, but also in the various subsets of abilities that
contribute to the athlete's overall race performance, i.e., a way
in which the athlete can easily identify limiters. This can be a
way that is specific to each discipline of the triathlon. This
should ideally be a way that communicates, not only the athlete's
athletic potential, but the athlete's ability to actualize that
potential.
[0005] This description for the athlete should be a way in which
the athlete can easily measure relative differences in performance
ability for each discipline (swim, bike, and run), the potential
for improvement in each discipline, and the impact of that
improvement on overall results when competing in triathlons of
various distances as the proportions of swim, bike, and run
duration differ. For purposes of this application, the term
"discipline" is used to mean a distinctly different mode of
athletic endurance event or race (such as running vs. biking vs.
swimming or pull-ups vs. push-ups) as opposed to different times or
distances of the same mode of racing or endurance event (such as a
10K run vs. a 5K run).
[0006] For example, in a first approach to describe a triathlon
performance level, the athlete could use a most recent race finish
time. However, this naive approach would not differentiate the
athlete's performance by each discipline. Nor would this naive
system communicate how that time compared to a current ability or
potential. Nor would it indicate the athlete's limiters, or be
useful in prioritizing the athlete's training or setting the
athlete's training focus.
[0007] One advantage of having a coach or coaches can be realizing
a benefit from their ability to interpret training data based on
their experience. This can be in addition to use of software
adapted to analyze training files from heart rate monitors and
power meters. One benefit conveyed by a coach is a coach's ability
to measure progress looking at key indicators and then tweaking the
athlete's training plan appropriately. However, disadvantageously,
this can be a very unstructured process that differs for every
coach. In general, triathlon coaches do not have systems for
comparing race or training results from athlete to athlete (of
various backgrounds, body compositions, ages, etc., making their
"experience" and conclusions about effectiveness of training
programs more or less guesswork based on general training theories.
Triathlon coaches do not have metrics for relating relative
differences in swim, bike, run abilities or thresholds for when or
by how much training focus should be shifted.
[0008] One prior art approach for training runners dealt with a
"running formula," derived by a Mr. Jack Daniels and one of his
athletes, which was a quantified measurement of athletic ability
called a "VDOT." A VDOT is essentially an athlete's running
velocity at VO.sub.2. (their maximum oxygen uptake.) Daniels then
created a chart that showed race times and training paces based on
a runner's VDOTs. For more information on how he developed VDOT and
what it means please refer to his book entitled "Daniel's Running
Formula." which can be experimentally derived VDOT values. The
"formula" may also refer to an overall approach and philosophy on
running.
[0009] VDOTs are useful as an effort to take into account both
physiological capacity and potential for improvement in running
only. However, because triathlon training involves three
disciplines and distributing training focus and workload, it
presents problems that are not present in standard training for
stand-alone sports such as running Therefore, there is a need for a
triathlon training and racing system that addresses at least some
of the concerns associated with conventional training programs for
triathlons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for creating
and printing or displaying to a user an individually customized
multi-discipline training plan for improving the physical
capability of an athlete in a multi-discipline athletic endurance
event is provided. The apparatus comprises a specially programmed
computer that generates a normalized performance value of an
individual athlete for each of at least two different disciplines
of a multi-discipline athletic endurance event and generates a
training plan customized for the athlete correlated to achieving an
incremental improvement in the normalized performance values for
each of the disciplines within a particular period of time; and an
output device operatively connected to the specially programmed
computer for printing or displaying the training plan.
[0011] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is running
[0012] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is swimming.
[0013] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is biking
[0014] In another aspect, the disciplines are taken from the group
of running, bicycling and swimming.
[0015] In another aspect, there are at least three disciplines.
[0016] In another aspect, the disciplines including running,
bicycling and swimming.
[0017] In another aspect, the training plan is output to a
user.
[0018] In another aspect, the normalized performance values are
computed based upon input of the individual athlete's assessment
values for each of the disciplines.
[0019] In another aspect, the specially programmed computer
correlates the normalized performance values to expected
competitive performance results for at least one subtype of each of
the disciplines and the output device operatively connected to the
specially programmed computer generates electronically or
physically printed expected competitive performance results for at
least one subtype of each of the disciplines correlated to the
normalized performance values.
[0020] In another aspect, the specially programmed computer
correlates the expected incremental improvement in the normalized
performance values from following the training plan to expected
competitive performance results for at least one subtype of each of
the disciplines at a future time and the output device operatively
connected to the specially programmed computer generates
electronically or physically printed the expected competitive
performance results for at least one subtype of each of the
discipline.
[0021] In another aspect, the training plan includes a set of
exercises having at least volume and intensity instructions
individually tailored based on data entered specific to the
individual athlete, the volume and intensity instructions being
optimized to reduce the differences between the individual
athlete's normalized performance values for each of the
disciplines.
[0022] In another aspect, the training plan includes a set of
exercises having at least volume and intensity instructions
individually tailored based on data entered specific to the
individual athlete, the volume and intensity instructions being
optimized to improve the athlete's expected overall score for an
intended multi-discipline competition at a future date.
[0023] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
inputting a parameter correlating to an athlete's available
training time between the present time and a future date; and means
for determining by means of the specially programmed computer a
limiting parameter correlative of the athlete's physical capability
to safely perform a particular workload during a particular
increment of the available training time; and the specially
programmed computer generates a training plan designed to provide
the individual athlete with an amount of incremental improvement in
the normalized performance values without exceeding the limiting
parameter correlative of the athlete's physical capability to
safely perform a particular workload during a particular increment
of the available training time.
[0024] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
determining the maximum amount of incremental improvement in at
least one of the normalized performance values that can be expected
to be achieved by the individual athlete in the available training
time without exceeding the limiting parameter correlative of the
athlete's physical capability to safely perform a particular
workload during a particular increment of the available training
time and the specially programmed computer generates a training
plan designed to provide the individual athlete with the maximum
amount of the incremental improvement.
[0025] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
determining the maximum amount of total incremental improvement in
the normalized performance values for the disciplines that can be
expected to be achieved by the individual athlete in the available
training time without exceeding the limiting parameter correlative
of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform a particular
workload during a particular increment of the available training
time and the specially programmed computer generates a training
plan designed to provide the individual athlete with the maximum
amount of total incremental improvement.
[0026] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
determining the maximum amount of total incremental improvement in
a competition score for a target competition on the future date
that can be expected to be achieved by the individual athlete in
the available training time without exceeding the limiting
parameter correlative of the athlete's physical capability to
safely perform a particular workload during a particular increment
of the available training time and the specially programmed
computer generates a training plan designed to provide the
individual athlete with the maximum amount of the incremental
improvement in the competition score.
[0027] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
inputting a desired competition score for a target competition on
the future date; means for determining the maximum expected amount
of total incremental improvement in each of the normalized
performance values that can be expected to be achieved by the
individual athlete in the available training time without exceeding
the limiting parameter correlative of the athlete's physical
capability to safely perform a particular workload during a
particular increment of the available training time and means for
determining if the at least one combination of normalized
performance values will permit the athlete to achieve the desired
competition score in the target competition on the future date
without exceeding the maximum expected amount of total incremental
improvement and, if so, generating by means of a specially
programmed computer a training plan designed to provide the
individual athlete with the desired competition score.
[0028] In another aspect, the limiting parameter is taken from the
group of volume, workload, workload stress.
[0029] In another aspect, the limiting parameter is workload
stress.
[0030] In another aspect, the workload stress is a function of
workload intensity and time at the intensity.
[0031] In another aspect, the workload stress is further correlated
to a factor that increases during the time that an exercise is
performed.
[0032] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
determining an athlete's current normalized performance values
after a portion of the particular period of time has elapsed, and
means for regenerating a new training plan customized for the
athlete correlated to achieving an incremental improvement in the
normalized performance values for each of the disciplines in the
remaining amount of the particular period of time.
[0033] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises a memory
for storing data input by a user relating to the athletic ability
of an athlete, the data including at least a first assessment, the
training plan followed by the athlete, and a second assessment
following same training plan, means for combining the data input by
the user to other data correlating training plans and expected
changes in assessments during a period of time that are applicable
to a large number of athletes on a statistical basis; and means for
modifying one or more factors correlating to normalized performance
values based upon the data input by the user along with the other
data.
[0034] In another aspect, the training plans include information
regarding a plurality of exercise sessions.
[0035] In another aspect, each of the exercise sessions includes
information specifying, for at least one discipline, one or more of
the number of repetitions, duration of a session, intensity of a
session, and the number of sets of repetitions.
[0036] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
determining an expected competition score at least one discipline
at a time in the future based upon the athlete's current normalized
performance values in the disciplines.
[0037] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
determining an expected competition score in at least one
discipline at a time in the future based upon the athlete's
expected normalized performance values in the disciplines after
performance of the training plan during the particular period of
time.
[0038] In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises means for
inputting an individual athlete's desired total score for a target
competition on a target date in the future; means for determining
by means of a specially programmed computer the total workload
required to achieve the desired total score of the target
competition; and means for generating by means of a specially
programmed computer an individually customized training plan for
the individual athlete to achieve the desired total score for the
target competition on the target date in the future without
exceeding permissible maxima during all or a portion of the
training period prior to the target date of one or more of volume,
workload, or workload stress applicable to the individual
athlete.
[0039] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is bicycling and
the maxima of volume, workload, or workload stress applicable to
the individual athlete are functions at least in part of (1)
power-to-total-weight ratio with bike weight and (2) BMI.
[0040] In another aspect, of the disciplines is running and wherein
the apparatus further comprises means for determining by means of a
specially programmed computer a pace to weight ratio for the
running discipline; and the maxima of volume, workload, or workload
stress applicable to the individual athlete are determined at least
in part by the pace to weight ratio.
[0041] In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for
creating and printing or displaying to a user individually
customized multi-discipline training plan for improving the
physical capability of an athlete in a multi-discipline athletic
endurance event is provided, comprising the steps of: computing a
normalized performance value of an individual athlete for each of
at least two different disciplines of a multi-discipline athletic
endurance event; and generating an electronically or physically
printed training plan customized for the athlete correlated to
achieving an incremental improvement in the normalized performance
values for each of the disciplines within a particular period of
time.
[0042] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is running
[0043] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is swimming.
[0044] In another aspect, one of the disciplines is biking
[0045] In another aspect, the disciplines are taken from the group
of running, bicycling and swimming.
[0046] In another aspect, there are at least three disciplines.
[0047] In another aspect, the disciplines including running,
bicycling and swimming.
[0048] In another aspect, the training plan is output to a
user.
[0049] In another aspect, the normalized performance values are
computed based upon input of the individual athlete's assessment
values for each of the disciplines.
[0050] In another aspect, the specially programmed computer
correlates the normalized performance values to expected
competitive performance results for at least one subtype of each of
the disciplines and the output device operatively connected to the
specially programmed computer generates electronically or
physically printed expected competitive performance results for at
least one subtype of each of the disciplines correlated to the
normalized performance values.
[0051] In another aspect, the specially programmed computer
correlates the expected incremental improvement in the normalized
performance values from following the training plan to expected
competitive performance results for at least one subtype of each of
the disciplines at a future time and the output device operatively
connected to the specially programmed computer generates
electronically or physically printed the expected competitive
performance results for at least one subtype of each of the
discipline.
[0052] In another aspect, the training plan includes a set of
exercises having at least volume and intensity instructions
individually tailored based on data entered specific to the
individual athlete, the volume and intensity instructions being
optimized to reduce the differences between the individual
athlete's normalized performance values for each of the
disciplines.
[0053] In another aspect, the training plan includes a set of
exercises having at least volume and intensity instructions
individually tailored based on data entered specific to the
individual athlete, the volume and intensity instructions being
optimized to improve the athlete's expected overall score for an
intended multi-discipline competition at a future date.
[0054] In another aspect, the method further comprises inputting a
parameter correlating to an athlete's available training time
between the present time and a future date; determining by means of
the specially programmed computer a limiting parameter correlative
of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform a particular
workload during a particular increment of the available training
time, and the specially programmed computer generates a training
plan designed to provide the individual athlete with an amount of
incremental improvement in the normalized performance values
without exceeding the limiting parameter correlative of the
athlete's physical capability to safely perform a particular
workload during a particular increment of the available training
time.
[0055] In another aspect, the method further comprises determining
the maximum amount of incremental improvement in at least one of
the normalized performance values that can be expected to be
achieved by the individual athlete in the available training time
without exceeding the limiting parameter correlative of the
athlete's physical capability to safely perform a particular
workload during a particular increment of the available training
time and the specially programmed computer generates a training
plan designed to provide the individual athlete with the maximum
amount of the incremental improvement.
[0056] In another aspect, the method further comprises determining
the maximum amount of total incremental improvement in the
normalized performance values that can be expected to be achieved
by the individual athlete in the available training time without
exceeding the limiting parameter correlative of the athlete's
physical capability to safely perform a particular workload during
a particular increment of the available training time and the
specially programmed computer generates a training plan designed to
provide the individual athlete with the maximum amount of total
incremental improvement.
[0057] In another aspect, the method further comprises determining
the maximum amount of total incremental improvement in a
competition score for a target competition on the future date that
can be expected to be achieved by the individual athlete in the
available training time without exceeding the limiting parameter
correlative of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform
a particular workload during a particular increment of the
available training time and the specially programmed computer
generates a training plan designed to provide the individual
athlete with the maximum amount of the incremental improvement in
the competition score.
[0058] In another aspect, the method further comprises inputting a
desired competition score for a target competition on the future
date; determining the maximum expected amount of total incremental
improvement in each of the normalized performance values that can
be expected to be achieved by the individual athlete in the
available training time without exceeding the limiting parameter
correlative of the athlete's physical capability to safely perform
a particular workload during a particular increment of the
available training time and determining if the at least one
combination of normalized performance values will permit the
athlete to achieve the desired competition score in the target
competition on the future date without exceeding the maximum
expected amount of total incremental improvement and, if so,
generating by means of a specially programmed computer a training
plan designed to provide the individual athlete with the desired
competition score.
[0059] In another aspect of the method, the limiting parameter is
taken from the group of volume, workload, workload stress.
[0060] In another aspect of the method, the limiting parameter is
workload stress.
[0061] In another aspect of the method, the workload stress is a
function of workload intensity and time at the intensity.
[0062] In another aspect of the method, the workload stress for the
athlete is a function of the athlete's workload capacity.
[0063] In another aspect of the method, the workload stress is
further correlated to a factor that increases during the time that
an exercise is performed.
[0064] In another aspect, the method further comprises determining
an athlete's current normalized performance values after a portion
of the particular period of time has elapsed, and regenerating a
new training plan customized for the athlete correlated to
achieving an incremental improvement in the normalized performance
values for each of the disciplines in the remaining amount of the
particular period of time.
[0065] In another aspect, the method further comprises storing data
input by a user relating to the athletic ability of an athlete, the
data including at least a first assessment, the training plan
followed by the athlete, and a second assessment after following
said training plan, combining the data input by the user to other
data correlating training plans and expected changes in assessments
during a period of time that are applicable to a large number of
athletes on a statistical basis; and modifying one or more factors
correlating to normalized performance values based upon the data
input by the user along with the other data.
[0066] In another aspect of the method, the training plans include
information regarding a plurality of exercise sessions.
[0067] In another aspect of the method, each of the exercise
sessions includes information specifying, for at least one
discipline, one or more of the number of repetitions, duration of a
session, intensity of a session, and the number of sets of
repetitions.
[0068] In another aspect, the method further comprises determining
an expected competition score at least one discipline at a time in
the future based upon the athlete's current normalized performance
values.
[0069] In another aspect, the method further comprises determining
an expected competition score in at least one discipline at a time
in the future based upon the athlete's expected normalized
performance values after performance of the training plan during
the particular period of time.
[0070] In another aspect, the method further comprises inputting an
individual athlete's desired total score for a target competition
on a target date in the future; determining by means of a specially
programmed computer the total workload required to achieve the
desired total score of the target competition; and generating by
means of a specially programmed computer an individually customized
training plan for the individual athlete to achieve the desired
total score for the target competition on the target date in the
future without exceeding permissible maxima during all or a portion
of the training period prior to the target date of one or more of
volume, workload, or workload stress applicable to the individual
athlete.
[0071] In another aspect of the method, one of the disciplines is
bicycling and the maxima of volume, workload, or workload stress
applicable to the individual athlete are athlete are functions at
least in part of (1) power-to-total-weight ratio with bike weight
and (2) BMI.
[0072] In another aspect of the method, one of the disciplines is
running and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for
determining by means of a specially programmed computer a pace to
weight ratio for the running discipline.
[0073] In another aspect of the method, the maxima of volume,
workload, or workload stress applicable to the individual athlete
are determined at least in part by the pace to weight ratio.
[0074] In another embodiment of the invention, a
computer-implemented method for creating and printing or displaying
to a user individually customized multi-discipline training plan
for improving the physical capability of an athlete in a
multi-discipline athletic endurance competition is provided,
comprising storing a set of reference performance values correlated
to average finishing times for a plurality of well-trained athletes
measured when the athletes are performing at substantially maximum
effort during one or more of the endurance disciplines that
comprise the competition, the scales of the reference performance
values for each discipline being normalized to each other so that
substantially the same relative athletic performance ability will
be represented by the same reference performance values; computing,
using a specially programmed computer, a set of individual
performance values correlated to an individual athlete's
performance ability in each of the endurance disciplines, the
scales of the individual performance values for each discipline
being normalized to each other so that substantially the same
relative performance ability of the individual athlete in each
discipline as compared to the reference performance value in each
discipline will be represented by the same individual performance
values; and computing an expected competitive performance result in
each of the disciplines as a function of the individual performance
values and enabling printing and/or displaying the values to a user
to guide the athlete in improving his/her physical capability as
measured by the individual performance values.
[0075] In another aspect, the method further comprises computing a
set of competition performance results in each of the disciplines
that is expected to correlate to a set of the individual
performance values and enabling printing and/or displaying the
performance values and results to a user to guide the athlete in
improving his/her physical capability as measured by the individual
performance values to improve the expected competition performance
results.
[0076] In another aspect, the method further comprises selecting,
using a specially programmed computer, a set of workouts to be
performed over a period of time, each of the workouts having a
degree of athletic effort measured by at least volume and
intensity, the workouts being correlated to an increment of
increase of the individual performance values over the period of
time.
[0077] In another aspect, the method further comprises selecting
the number, volume and intensity of the workouts to maximize a
total expected increment of increase of competition performance for
a given number of hours of training time devoted to the workouts
during the period of time.
[0078] In another aspect of the method, the number, volume and
intensity of the workouts are selected to maximize a total expected
increment of increase of competition performance for a given number
of hours of training time devoted to the workouts during the period
of time.
[0079] The computer system can develop training plans based on each
of these performance values. For convenience, examples of these
performance values used in connection with triathlons (which have
running, biking and swimming disciplines) will be given. Such
performance values for triathlons will generally be referred to
herein as "TriDots." The calculations consist of using the TriDots
and other athlete data to look up values, thresholds, ratios, and
other training parameters that are correlated to competitive
performance results for each discipline, based upon data applicable
to average performance by well-trained athletes in each discipline.
Thus, TriDots and other athlete data is used to determine how many
quality sessions (high-intensity) sessions an athlete should do in
a week for each discipline, how much of a particular intensity an
athlete should do per week and per quality session, what
multi-week, weekly, and single-session workloads should the program
reach prior to the race, based on the projected workload required
to complete the race at the anticipated intensity level, to achieve
an expected competitive result (i.e., an expected elapsed time for
the race).
[0080] The computer system can compare the athlete's swimming,
biking and running TriDots and show the athlete's relative
performance level in each discipline, to identify and improve weak
disciplines. For example, a TriDot profile of "40-42-35"
(swim-bike-run) as calculated by the calculator 130 would indicate
that a triathlete's run ability is significantly lower than the
triathlete's swim and bike ability. Knowing this and using other
athlete data, computer system can select workouts that focus the
triathlete's training more on improving the athlete's run.
[0081] The computer system can also compare the athlete's swimming,
biking and running TriDots and show the athlete's relative
performance level in each discipline for purposes of optimizing
training effort to maximize overall competitive performance during
a race (which is measured by the total elapsed time for each of the
disciplines, together). For example, depending upon relative
distances for each of the running, biking and swimming events,
despite a significant variation of TriDot values for each event,
where the number of hours of total training rior to the time of a
future race is limited (as is often the case), the computer system
can select a set of workouts that will result in the greatest
decrease in overall time for a further race that can be achieved by
that athlete prior to the time of the race, using the available
hours of training time, even if those workouts tend to improve
TriDots for the different events unevenly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0082] Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates a computerized system for generating
triathlon training and racing programs;
[0084] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an exemplary individually customized
training plan (also occasionally referred to herein synonymously as
a "training program") computer-generated by an embodiment of the
invention, with FIG. 2 A showing a summary training phase profile,
FIG. 2 B showing training notes, FIG. 2 C showing training paces,
FIG. 2 D showing the first of successive weeks 1-12 of a training
plan, FIG. 2 E showing the last of the successive weeks 1-12 of the
training plan;
[0085] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate interfaces for entering data into the
computerized system of FIG. 1;
[0086] FIGS. 4 A-H illustrate a set of TriDot charts for
quantifying performance ability in the run, swim and bike
disciplines, showing relative differences between disciplines, and
determining training intensities;
[0087] FIG. 5 illustrates a method for generating a training
program employing the TriDot System;
[0088] FIG. 6 includes representative source code that can be
employed by the computerized system of FIG. 1 for generating a
training program for a triathlon;
[0089] FIG. 7 is a table which describes how weekly increases are
calculated;
[0090] FIG. 8 is a schematic showing an embodiment of the system of
the invention depicting a specially programmed local computer to
produce the individually customized training plans for the user,
including user interfaces and permitting display and/or printing of
individualized training plans.
[0091] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing main components of a
central server system acting as a website in communication with
users over the internet, the central server system producing the
individually customized training plans for the users and where
webpages encompassing user interfaces and permitting display and/or
printing of individualized training plans are transmitted over the
internet to the users' computer terminals; and
[0092] FIG. 10 is a schematic showing an embodiment of the system
of the invention where the users can access a central computer
center over the internet where data is stored and processed to
produce the individually customized training plans for the users
and where webpages encompassing user interfaces and permitting
display and/or printing of individualized training plans are
transmitted to the users' computer terminals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0093] The numerous innovative teachings of the present application
will be described with particular reference to presently preferred
embodiments.
[0094] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
description and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale, some areas or elements may be expanded to help
improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0095] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like
in the description and the claims, if any, may be used for
distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for
describing a particular sequential or chronological order unless
otherwise stated. It is to be understood that the terms so used are
interchangeable. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include,"
"have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover
non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article,
apparatus, or composition that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to those element, but may include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,
article, apparatus, or composition.
[0096] Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated is a computerized system
100 for computing and producing an individually customized
triathlon training program for a particular athlete. An
input/output (I/O) device 110 is coupled over a bus 112 to a
workstation 120. The workstation 120 has a running memory 122, a
swimming memory 124, and a biking memory 126. These are variously
coupled to a specially programmed processor for computing the
various parameters (also referred to as a calculator herein) 130
and a system memory 140, which is in turn coupled to convey
processed information over the bus 112. The system memory 140 can
store global profile information about the particular
multi-discipline athlete relevant to training (such as name, date
of birth, gender, etc.).
[0097] Please note that the calculator 130 can be configured in
hardware or firmware, and can be configured to run software to
perform various aspects of the invention of the present
Application. The calculator 130 can also further employ the TriDot
values to generate a triathlon training program, as will be
described below.
[0098] Generally, the present application is directed towards using
measurements of Functional Threshold and Velocity at VO.sub.2Max as
applied in the context of a triathlon. The term Functional
Threshold is especially applicable to endurance sports as it is a
measure of an athlete's ability to perform work for a sustained
period of time, generally an hour. For ease of explanation, this
measure of Functional Threshold will be described as a "TriDot,"
although this may also be referred to as a "triathlon" value or
"normalized performance" value.
[0099] In one embodiment, the calculation of an athlete's TriDots
begins with an assessment or time trial for each of the disciplines
(swim, bike, and run). Trained athletes conduct assessments and
record completion times for set distances or distances covered in a
set time. These values are fed into the system 100 and a TriDot
value is computed in the manner described herein.
[0100] TriDots are generally used to prescribe training intensities
and race abilities based on the athlete's functional threshold.
Modified assessments are available for beginner (untrained)
athletes who are not yet capable of performing at a meaningful
intensity for an hour, thus cannot technically test for a
functional threshold. The results from these modified assessments
are also fed into the system 100 to compute TriDot values. In this
way, the system 100 can prescribe meaningful training intensities
that will produce the desired training response (physiological
adaptation) as if the athlete were able to perform a true
functional threshold test.
[0101] Generally, the computerized system 100 can measure fitness
for beginners (e.g., below VDOT 30). The computerized system 100
can use TriDots to prescribe power, pace, and heart-rate zones for
various training intensities. There can be an exclusion of
repetition and interval distances on a TriDot specific basis for
distances that are too long or too short to be effective (i.e. A
low TriDot runner would not typically do a 500m repetition as it
would take them too long to complete this distance to be effective
as a "repetition intensity" effort).
[0102] In another embodiment, the system 100 can support a split
pace for threshold, tempo, marathon-pace, and easy runs to allow
athletes to monitor pace more often than every mile, and without a
GPS. The system 100 can also be used to calculate projected bike
splits and relative optimal intensities for overall effort during
the bike leg of an event. It can also calculate projected
off-the-bike run splits and pacing for all various triathlon
distances. Bike and run pacing can be critical to overall
performance as using heart rate and/or rating of perceived exertion
alone as measures of intensity and endurance can be extremely
misleading to the athlete during the event.
[0103] The TriDot assessment can be based on 5-kilometer and
10-kilometer time trials, as well as 12-minute time trial protocols
for beginners. Also, all of the above can be done with swimming and
biking, in addition to the run training (assessments, training
paces, and race pacing guidance, for example).
[0104] In one embodiment, triathletes can perform and quickly look
up their performance on a TriDot chart manually to determine their
swim, bike, and run TriDot, such as illustrated in FIG. 4A to
4C.
[0105] With the performance measures as discussed above, the
calculator 130 can calculate TriDot values. The calculator searches
the applicable assessment table for the athlete's assessment time
or distance and returns the associated TriDot value.
[0106] In one embodiment, rather than referring to a spreadsheet
such as in FIG. 4A and 4B, "Tri-Charts"), triathletes simply enter
their most recent time trial result through the I/O interface 110
and into the running memory 122, the swimming memory 124, and the
biking memory 126. The calculator 130 then determines the TriDot
for each of these values, and then stores this in the system memory
140. The system memory 140 then displays it on the I/O 110. The I/O
110 can also be configured to accept values directly from
triathlete sensors (such as heart rate values from a wireless heart
rate monitor and/or clocked time and distance measured by a GPS,
for instance.)
[0107] In one embodiment, these values are displayed in an easy to
read table on the I/O interface 110 and also in the margin of each
week's training schedule. The entire training phase and each week's
training schedule can also be generated by the calculator 130. The
system compares TriDot values for the swim, bike, and run and
evaluates any differences against a set of thresholds based on the
athlete's race distance, background, training volume, etc. And
appropriately determines the proper training volume (total and by
discipline), optimal intensity mix (total and by discipline), and
discipline volume and workload allocation to produce fitness gains
that will translate to the greatest overall time improvement on
race day. For example, a 10% improvement in swim time may not be as
beneficial as a 10% improvement in bike time if the swim is 15% of
a race and the bike is 50% of the race. The more advanced an
athlete's skill is, the longer it will take to realize the same
amount of additional fitness gains.
[0108] The system 100 prescribes training to produce gains in the
areas of greatest potential. Some fitness gains cannot be realized
until athletes have progressed through specific developmental
stages that take certain periods of time engaged in consistent
training The system 100 recognizes these stages and develops other
areas until these developmental stages are achieved.
[0109] In one embodiment, the calculator 130 also can perform
conversions for athletes who train on treadmills, letting the
triathlete know what setting to use to approximate the same effort
on the road for each training intensity prescribed in a training
plan. This is especially valuable in that it allows deliberate
training in a controlled environment. Effort durations,
intensities, and rest periods can be executed as prescribed in
training plan without negative impact of terrain, traffic, and
climate. Training sessions such as "hill repeats" can much more
effectively be done on a treadmill. Optimal inclines can be set and
intervals can be conducted for desired durations rather than being
limited to physical characteristics of actual terrain.
[0110] Generally, as discussed above, a TriDot can measure an
individual's swimming, biking and running ability. The calculator
130 can determine a TriDot for these, which in one embodiment can
range from one to eighty-five, with one being the lowest and
eighty-five being the highest performance level. For example, a
TriDot near 85 would generally correspond to the best competitive
results of the fastest athletes in each discipline; TriDot's in the
mid-range to the performance of average athletes and a TriDot of 25
will generally correspond to competitive results of the slower
athletes in competition.
[0111] In one embodiment, the computer system 100 can assess
relative swimming, biking, and running ability to determine which
is the stronger or weaker discipline. Basically, the TriDot values
are compared to one another, and whichever has the lowest value is
the weakest discipline, and the highest value is the strongest
discipline.
[0112] The formulas for computing the TriDots for each of swimming,
biking, and running used in the invention are derived to obtain
normalized values such that, a specific TriDot value for the swim
represents the same relative performance ability for the swim as
the same TriDot value would represent for bike and run abilities.
The range of TriDots is from 1 to 85 with 1 being the lowest
ability and 85 being the highest ability. An athlete with the same
TriDot value for all three disciplines would have relatively the
same performance ability in the swim, bike, and run relative to
other swimmers, bikers, and runners. With these relative values
known for a given athlete, these abilities can be evaluated against
the athlete's race distance (where the proportional distances of
the swim, bike, and run legs are different) to determine the
optimal training focus. For example, an athlete's swim TriDot may
be 10 TriDots lower than his/her bike and run TriDots. If the
athlete races at the sprint distance, increasing the swim ability
may only improve the overall race time by 1 minute because the swim
portion is such a small portion of the race. Even a small
improvement on the bike would represent a much bigger benefit
because the bike portion is about one half of the total race.
However, if the same athlete races the Olympic distance, the swim
portion of the race is much more substantial and a swim focus may
be advised. Using TriDots allows us to not only measure which
disciplines are stronger or weaker, but to quantify by how much.
The relative difference between abilities when compared to race
distance proportions is a valuable tool for determine training
goals and how much priority should be placed on a discipline based
on the estimated return on training investment in terms of expected
total race time improvement.
[0113] Generally, referring to a single TriDot value can be simpler
to measure, communicate, and work with than a mass of other
performance measures. It gives one a reference point that is in
essence the performance result or potential for result that is
easier to reference. The TriDots are generally used in conjunction
with other athlete data to determine program parameters and produce
the training programs.
[0114] For example, if a swim TriDot is less than 38 then the swim
training needs to be primarily form-focused, working on technique
and drills. The lower ("worse") the swim TriDot value, the more
drill work needs to be done. The higher the TriDots the shorter the
duration of an athlete's race and the higher race-pace for this
athlete will be in relation to their functional threshold. Each
athlete's race-pace influences the proportion of overall training
volume dedicated to specific intensities. The calculator 130 thus
can use the TriDot values to determine the optimum training plan
for an individual athlete, through table look-ups and/or
calculations.
[0115] As a further example, a low TriDot Olympic distance athlete
will be training for approximately a three-hour extensive endurance
effort. A high TriDot Olympic distance athlete will be training for
a sub-two-hour near-red-line event. These are pure TriDot
comparisons, and analysis benefits that provide for clear training
program thresholds and influence degrees to which training focus,
workloads, intensities, volumes are adjusted. This is an important
benefit of the TriDot System that is just guesswork in other
systems.
[0116] Another entire set of intelligence comes from combinations
of TriDot values and athlete characteristics, such as age or
body-mass index. For example, an athlete with a medium to high run
TriDot AND a very low BMI would need more fitness training, whereas
an athlete with a medium to high run TriDot and a very high BMI may
be extremely fit but carrying excessive weight. "Fitness" training
would produce very little benefit for the athlete in the later
scenario, but training that would maintain fitness and alter body
composition would be highly effective. Similarly, combining TriDot
values with age, training volume, race distance, workload capacity,
and so forth provides further information that the system uses to
determine the athlete's optimal training plan.
[0117] In one embodiment, the calculator 130 can compare the
athlete's swimming, biking and running TriDots and show the
athlete's relative performance level in each discipline. For
example, a TriDot profile of "40-42-35" (swim-bike-run) as
calculated by the calculator 130 would indicate that a triathlete's
run ability is significantly lower than the triathlete's swim and
bike ability. Knowing this, the calculator 130 can choose a
training plan to focus the triathlete's training more on improving
the athlete's run.
[0118] In a further embodiment, the computer system 100 develops
training plans based on each of these TriDots. The calculations
consist of using the TriDots and other athlete data to look up
values, thresholds, ratios, and other training parameters. Thus,
TriDots and other athlete data is used to determine how many
quality sessions (high-intensity) sessions an athlete should do in
a week for each discipline, how much of a particular intensity an
athlete should do per week and per quality session, what overall
training workload capacity should the program reach prior to the
race, based on the projected workload required to complete the race
at the anticipated intensity level.
[0119] In contrast to the commonly available, off-the-shelf
"beginner," "intermediate" or "advanced" training plans, the
computerized system 100 automatically develops an individually
customized training plan based upon the individual triathlete's
ability and history in each discipline. The computerized system 100
also can shift the focus of a training plan to varying degrees
based upon the relative differences between the athlete's swim,
bike, and run TriDots.
[0120] In one embodiment, analogous to using a TriDot to determine
a training intensity, the processor or calculator 130 can use a
TriDot to determine a triathlete's optimal pace in racing. For
example, the TriCharts of FIG. 4A-4B show expected splits for each
discipline. Subsets of these charts can also be generated as needed
by the processor 130 for a given triathlete. Based upon the
triathlete's various TriDot values, the athlete can use the
triathlete's training data and terrain and climate variations for
the athlete's specific rate to individual race pace. The system 100
can further generate race pacing tools that allow the athlete to
enter the triathlete's TriDots and determine the athlete's ideal
pacing strategy.
[0121] In a further embodiment of the system 100, the athlete can
develop a TriDot profile that compares relative power, stamina, and
endurance abilities. By using values based on measurements of a
triathlete's power, pace, and/or heart rate data at prescribed
intensity levels, the computerized system 100 can reveal relative
power, stamina, and endurance abilities. For example, if a
triathlete can run a TriDot 40 5k run, but the triathlete's heart
rate skyrockets after five miles at their prescribed easy pace,
this may indicate that the triathlete's endurance abilities are
lacking
[0122] In prior art approaches, triathletes often erroneously think
that their training is going well, and only on race day do their
"opportunities for improvement" get revealed. However,
advantageously, using TriDots such as generated by the computerized
system 100 or as revealed in the charts of FIG. 4A and 4B allows
the athlete to take a more proactive approach to a triathlete's
training and racing without a need to do excessive field tests. The
athlete will know throughout the athlete's training where the
triathlete needs to improve. And the triathlete will then be ready
to compete on race day, with realistic expectations of the
performance he or she is capable of.
[0123] In one embodiment, assessment options to determine TriDots
are as follows. A swimming TriDot value is determined by the
processor 130 after either a 10-minute swim or a 800-meter (or
yard) trial. A bike TriDot value can be determined by the processor
130 after an 8-minute or 15-mile time trial. A run TriDot value can
be determined by the processor 130 after a 12-minute, 5k or 10k
time trial.
[0124] Generally, prior art VDOT values were based on velocity at
VO.sub.2max. However, the extended scale of TriDot values of the
system 100 is driven from normalized averages of results of
well-trained athletes performing at their Functional Thresholds in
each of the disciplines (running, biking and swimming) (which can,
for example, be obtained as published splits from public
competitions). The TriDot individual performance values for an
individual athlete operating at his/her own individual Functional
Threshold will be proportional to the reference TriDot values, all
normalized to the same scale across each discipline. Different
assessments are similarly proportional to standard Functional
Threshold values.
[0125] For example, if the athlete's Functional Threshold is the
power they can sustain for one hour on the bike, then the average
power and average heart-rate for someone completing the 15-mile
time trial in sixty minutes would be their Functional Threshold
Power and Functional Threshold Heart Rate values. If someone
completes the 15-mile time trial in forty five minutes, their
average power and heart rate will be a specific percent higher than
what they could sustain for sixty minutes. The same is true for
someone who completes the 15-mile time trial in thirty-five
minutes.
[0126] In one embodiment, the computation performed by the TriDot
system 100 evaluates the time trial results in relation to the
fraction of sixty minutes that it took to produce those results and
makes the necessary adjustments to the Functional Threshold values
which correspond to TriDot values.
[0127] In another embodiment, for heart rates, unlike measuring
sustained power that is constant for 60 minutes, heart rate lags
behind the power being expended. In the initial stages of the time
trial the heart rate is lower and gradually climbs. The proportion
of the duration of this lower heart rate period is greater the
shorter the total time trial. Appropriate adjustments are made in
the heart-rate-based training zones.
[0128] In a yet further embodiment, TriDots for all three of these
disciplines provide values for time trials (often referred to as
assessments), threshold pacing, and race-pacing for sprint,
Olympic, half iron, and iron distance races. However, training
intensities can be handled differently for each discipline other
than running Swim: based on threshold pace for 100 meters (or
yards). Bike: based on threshold power if using a power meter;
otherwise on heart rate.
[0129] The running is based on paces, and exemplary paces for
various distances for each intensity level are shown in the
Tri-Charts of FIGS. 4A-4B.
[0130] TriDot paces (swim--time per 100 m; bike--power in watts;
run--minutes per mile or kilometer) are approximations based on
typical triathletes. Any individual triathlete performance and
capabilities could be skewed based on body composition changes
physical limitations, and numerous other factors.
[0131] Generally, TriDot performance and paces for various
distances apply to appropriately trained athletes for the
performance and paces for those distances. For example, a run
TriDot 50 athlete may be able to run 5k in 19:56 but will not be
able to run a 3:10 marathon without proper training for the
marathon distance. They are both TriDot 50 performances, but
preparation for each is different.
[0132] TriDot race splits are based on optimized performances that
use race pacing produced by the TriDot System pacing guides, which
are generated from TriDot values and which follow a TriDot System
generated training program. Generally, terrain, climate, and other
conditions can dramatically affect pacing. When possible, it is
preferred to conduct assessments and train in conditions similar to
those anticipated for race day.
[0133] In one embodiment of an employment of the system 100, a
triathlete completes a swim, bike and run assessment. The
assessment is determining the triathlete's Functional Threshold for
each of these three sports. This generates a TriDot score.
[0134] Then, the next priority race is determined for the user
based upon the TriDot value. This will be explained in more detail
below. Then, a training plan request can be generated by the
calculator 130 for a next training phase based upon the various
TriDot values.
[0135] FIG. 2 A shows an example of a summary training phase
profile 200 that can be produced by an embodiment of system 100
which, in this example, is for a triathlon, which includes a
summary of the weekly training hours by discipline. Training phase
profile 200 includes a table 201 of basic athlete-specific
information entered by the user, plus the date the system 100
created the plan and the training phase ID. Training phase profile
200 also includes a table of time trial (tt) history for the
athlete showing initial, high, current and a calculated difference
between the high and the initial values, for the athlete's time
trials in the 800 m swim, 15-mile bike and 5k and 10k run, with
TriDot values generated by system 100. Training phase profile 200
further includes a table 203 of pre-plan values for sports age,
TriDots, weekly volume, weekly volume, and weekly long session for
each of the swim, bike and run. Training phase profile 200 further
includes a table 204 summarizing training hours per week for each
of the swim, bike, run and total. The total times are totaled from
the detailed training plan 230 of FIG. 2D, discussed infra.
[0136] FIG. 2 B provides training notes accompanying the training
plan, some of which notes are standard and some are which are
generated by the system by table lookup (such as the days of the
week of training), to coordinate to the training plan. FIG. 2 B,
which is separated into five sheets, shows an example of a brief
plan overview 210 produced by system 100 for the athlete, giving
basic information on where to find system resources, days of the
week for key bike, run and swim workouts, and an overall
explanation of how to do the workouts.
[0137] FIG. 2C provides the athlete with associated training
intensities in terms of power, heart-rate, and pace as appropriate
for each discipline, which are generated by the system. For the
run, these training intensities are shown in terms of splits for
different distances to aid the athlete in conducting training
sessions. FIG. 2 C includes an example of a summary training pace
and zone chart 220 that can be produced by system 100 for an
individual athlete, including several separate tables of
information for the run, bike and swim.
[0138] For the run, pace and zone chart 220 includes tables 221 of
predicted stand-alone race ability for different run distances, an
assessment table 221 summarizing user-input LTHR, 12 min, 5k and
10k times (only the 10k of which has a time entered), (the example
values for which yielded a system 100 calculated TriDot value of
34). For the run, pace and zone chart 220 further includes a pace
zone table 222 showing various times for various distances for
different pace zones, and the min and max heart rate ranges for
each zone, and tempo run times, as generated by system 100 using a
table look up function or algorithm of known recommended heart rate
values for those time, pace zones and distances. The run portion of
the pace and zone chart 220 also includes table 223 showing
recommended mph settings for various paces and a table 224 showing
treadmill mph settings for tempo runs.
[0139] For the bike, pace and zone chart 220 includes an assessment
table 223 and a zone chart 224, which are arranged similarly to the
run assessment tables 221 and pace and zone tables 222.
[0140] For the swim, pace and zone chart 220 includes an assessment
table 224 and a zone chart 226, which are arranged similarly to the
run assessment tables 221 and pace and zone tables 222.
[0141] Turning briefly to FIG. 2D, FIG. 2 D provides a detailed,
week-by-week training plan generated by the system. The training
plan is generally based on a 2-4 month training phase and is based
on the person's TriDot assessments, performance background, race
distance, age, sport ages in all three sports, disparity between
performance levels to address weaker disciplines, and so on. The
training plan for each phase will build on the prior phase and
prepare the athlete for the next training to ensure continued
growth and long-term development.
[0142] As an example, FIG. 2 D depicts an example of a detailed,
day by day individually customized training plan 230, computed and
prepared for an individual athlete by the computerized method of
the present invention, for the first week of training during a
training period of 12 weeks. Training zone ranges are listed in the
margins for easy reference.
[0143] The training plan 230 consists of a table 231, including a
summary column 232 labeled "week 1" and seven columns 233-239
labeled for each day of the week. Summary column 232 shows weekly
totals for swim, bike and run, current TriDot values for the swim,
bike and run, swim zones, bike power zones, bike HR zones in (bpm),
run pace zones, run HR zones and treadmill zones, which are
calculated by system 100 to guide the individual athlete's training
The bottom right hand corner of table 231 includes a sub-table 240
showing run intensity splits calculated by the system 100. Table
231 can also include a box 241 that can include inspirational
information on a variety of subjects to inspire the athlete to
perform at his or her best.
[0144] FIG. 2 E is a detailed, day by day training plan 230'
computed and prepared for an individual athlete, for the last week
of training during a training period of 12 weeks. Training plan
230' is laid out in the same way as training plan 230, the main
difference being that training plan 230' has different (and
generally more strenuous) exercises prescribed than does week 1. It
should be understood that the system 100 also produces similar
training plans for weeks 2-11 of the 12 week training period, the
workouts for each day of which are computed by system 100 in
accordance with the invention to optimize improvement during the
training period for the particular individual athlete. Of course,
other training phase periods other than 12 weeks can be
employed.
[0145] In one embodiment, the training plan can include daily
workouts with specific objectives, durations, paces, zones, rest
duration, and technique pointers. The training plan can be provided
on an internet-based implementation of the computerized systems 100
and can include access to a 24/7 on-line source for video or other
online media content including articles, guides, and tools. The
training plan can include guidance for adjusting a weekly plan to
accommodate unexpected changes in the triathlete's routine. The
workout plan can include training pace, power and zone by the
calculator 130 based on the triathlete's current TriDots from the
triathlete's initial assessment and those conducted throughout the
triathlete's plan.
[0146] In a further embodiment, nutrition and hydration calculators
(fueling and cooling) are included, as these are especially
important for half and full iron triathletes where hydration should
be "spot on."
[0147] The computerized system 100 can further include race
execution planning tools that use assessment and training data from
key workouts and race rehearsals to determine the athlete's optimal
race pacing for half iron man and iron man events. The system 100
can include season planning guidance to help the athlete plan
practical and purposeful training plans such as an annual training
plan.
[0148] Planning guidance generated by the system 100 provides
information for the athlete regarding expected starting and ending
training volumes for each phase so that the end of one phase will
allow for effective transition to the next. For example, the
training volume associated with an athlete completing a half iron
triathlon would be adequate to transition directly into a full iron
distance training phase, whereas a beginner sprint-distance phase
would not.
[0149] In one embodiment, each phase of training generally lasts
between 10 to 20 weeks. There are multiple phases in one year and
multiple mesocycles in one phase. Mesocycles are generally 3-4
weeks. These phases derived by the calculator 130 are designed with
a fairly consistent weekly pattern, making it easy to plan and
coordinate with the rest of the triathlete's life. This pattern is
easy to adjust to accommodate unforeseen scheduling conflicts and
the need to take days off from training in a way that minimizes
loss of fitness. Generally, the structure and spacing of sessions
allow for them to be pushed forward or backward a bit, making it
easy to adjust the training as necessary.
[0150] In a further aspect of an employment of the computerized
system 100, lower priority races may be added or changed. Each
phase is planned to facilitate progress towards one "A" (most
important) race and top priority training goals and developments.
Working in lower priority races for fun, to gain race experience,
or for any other reason, is easy when using the system 100. Based
on the importance of the lower priority race, the athlete can chose
to taper and recover or just train through it. The system 100
allows the athlete to make these short-term changes without
jeopardizing long-term progress. The plan essentially guides
athletes how to go off plan and retain as much of the training
benefit as possible, while substituting the race for some of the
training.
[0151] Turning again to the system 100 of FIG. 1, the computerized
system 100 collects, and in some cases measures, comprehensive
athletic data and performance assessments, and can normalize it.
Normalization involves producing values that correlates the
influences swim, bike, and run performance on an equal footing such
that they can be compared and used for training program design. The
computerized system 100 can analyze the data elements individually
and in combination with other elements.
[0152] The system 100 can evaluate the results of this analysis
against one or more of dozens of standards (thresholds, scales,
ratios, and other metric tools.) These metric tools are provided in
a program design tool. TriDots, developmental stages, training
paces, projected race times, training volumes are stored in a
central place. Volume factors, intensity factors, improvement
factors, stress factors, stress increase trigger factors, bike/run
focus thresholds are located on different computerized matrices,
such as spreadsheets, based on race distance. In a further
embodiment, the computerized system 100 can move these or make them
more presentable if necessary.
[0153] The computerized system 100 can determine key program design
drivers, and the potentials for improvement addressed above.
[0154] The computerized system 100 can establish quantifiable
design parameters used to create optimized training.
[0155] The computerized system 100 can develop a training program
that produces maximum performance gain per training hour and also
supports the long-term growth of the triathlete. This is a huge
benefit at the training session level. Most, perhaps even all,
other training programs prescribe training on a distance basis:
e.g., run 5 miles at easy pace or swim 4 repeats of 200 meters at
threshold pace. They do this because round distance measures are
easy to work with and calculating splits is time consuming and does
not appropriately take into consideration physiology. By contrast,
however, training responses (physical adaptations) are most
effectively stimulated when the athlete works at a specific
intensity (relative to Functional Threshold) for a set amount of
time relative to the intensity. This is made possible by using the
computerized system 100 of the present invention.
[0156] Prescribing training that is too long at the prescribed
intensity can cause the athlete to reduce their effort in order to
complete the prescribed duration, increases risk of injury, and
puts unnecessary stress on the athlete beyond what their body is
able to absorb. If the prescribed training is too short, it fails
to generate the desired training response at all.
[0157] The TriDot of the system 100 prescribes training sessions at
specific, targeted intensities for specific durations or at
distances specifically selected based on knowledge of how long the
system determines that the athlete will take to complete the
distance. This keeps every interval and repetition highly effective
and eliminates unnecessary training stress and injury risk.
[0158] The computerized system 100 collects mid-and post-program
data to feed back into the system 100. This data is used to adjust
and improve system thresholds, factors, algorithms, and other
calculations. The feedback data is used by the system to improve
itself. The training programs of the system 100 prescribe time
trial assessments at key points through the training In the
internet-based embodiment of the computerized system 100, athletes
are prompted to enter this data on-line along with their weight,
heart-rate data, and so forth. The system 100 also collects actual
race results and inputs this into the system and compares this to
projected race splits.
[0159] The computerized system 100 can use a normalized measurement
scale that can serve as a foundation element. In other words,
results from swim, bike, and run assessments (appropriate for the
triathlete's performance level) correspond to specific TriDot
values for each of the three events (bike, swim, run). Generally,
For optimum performance, the athlete should train such that he or
she raises the lower value TriDot's to be at or near the higher
values of the athlete's TriDot values, and then endeavor to raise
all TriDot values in a balanced way, such as approximately equally.
However, training time limitations may dictate a greater
concentration on one or two disciplines to achieve the lowest
overall time on race day.
[0160] In addition to giving the computerized system 100 the
ability to consistently measure and benchmark a triathlete's
performance, TriDots provide numerous benefits, including the
following:
[0161] 1) quantification of the degree of performance differences
between disciplines providing insight into how much training focus
should be shifted to the weaker discipline based on long-term goals
and short-term race objectives.
[0162] 2) establishing specific training paces for various
intensity levels for each TriDot. In other words, in order to reach
a next TriDot value, a performance goal is also generated by the
computerized system 100.
[0163] 3) making communication of performance levels simple and
clear.
[0164] 4) aiding in determining optimal race splits and pacing. For
example: The athlete's bike TriDot value allows us to project the
race bike split duration. Based on that duration, we calculate the
athlete's exertion level as watts or heart rate as a percent of the
athlete's functional threshold. The athlete's run ability is also
factored into the bike exertion level as stronger runners can exert
a little more on the bike than a weaker runner. Likewise, run split
and pacing can be calculated based on the athlete's run TriDot and
projected bike split. The longer the bike split, the slower the run
split based on the athlete's stand-alone run ability for the same
run distance.
[0165] 5) serving as a basis for developing discipline--specific
fitness profiles comparing power, stamina, and endurance
abilities.
[0166] In addition to using the normalized data from the athlete's
performance assessments, each system 100 is designed after
analyzing and evaluating 40 athlete-specific data elements or more.
Athlete-provided data is important; however, the most impactful
information is typically that which is derived and developed by the
computerized system 100 based upon computations from this data, and
key combinations of certain data elements as determined by system
100.
[0167] Some of the athlete-provided data includes the
following:
[0168] Age; gender; body composition (height, weight, BMI); current
competitive level; competitive goals; years training or competing
in each discipline; developmental state in each discipline; current
long sessions for each discipline; current weekly training volume
(including overall volume and volume for each discipline); current
weekly training load, overall and for each discipline (load is a
function of volume and intensity); current performance assessment
results (TriDots, times or durations, average heart rates, average
power); performance-level differentials (degree of variance)
between disciplines; race distance; training phase type and
duration; and following training phase type and duration.
[0169] When employing the computerized system 100, an efficient way
to get faster or go farther is to implement a training program
specifically designed for the triathlete.
[0170] Turning now to FIG. 2A-2E, illustrated are embodiments of
various tabs used in a workbook that is both generated and employed
by the computer system 100. In one embodiment, the I/O 110 also
includes a printout or spreadsheet embodied in software of a
training plan, such as a Profile Tab 210, a Notes Tab 220, a Paces
Tab 230, a training plan 240, and a Weekly Tabs 250.
[0171] In FIG. 2A, the profile tab 210 displays many of the
first-level parameters that were used to develop a plan. It also
gives an overview of the weekly values. The data of these profile
tabs is partially data submitted by the athlete during the training
plan request step. The other parts are generated by the system 100
including developmental stage, weekly volume by discipline. The
system 100 can show a plethora of factors and thresholds on this
page. This data influences the training program generated by the
system 100.
[0172] In FIG. 2B, the note tab 220 provides some commentary about
the triathlete's plan's focus, structure, or key objectives.
[0173] In FIG. 2C, the paces tab 230 of the user interface
displayed on a computer display (or printed) has been preloaded
with the triathlete's initial assessment values. The assessment
data (time trial results) submitted with the plan request are shown
here. This includes times or distances, heart rates, average power,
etc. The paces tab 230 shows the athlete's training paces and zones
for the athlete's swim, bike, and run training This area will use
be used to enter the results of the triathlete's subsequent
assessments (time trials) as outlined in the athlete's training
plan of FIG. 2D
[0174] In FIG. 2D, a training plan 240 is illustrated.
[0175] In FIG. 2E, a weekly plan 250 is illustrated.
[0176] In one embodiment, the training plan 240 prescribes
additional assessments every 3-5 weeks. After each assessment (time
trial or other field test), the triathlete is prompted to enter the
results on the Paces tab 230. When the athlete enters the
triathlete's assessment results, the triathlete's new current
TriDots will be updated along with the athlete's training paces and
heart-rate zones in the profile tab 210.
[0177] Typically, triathletes will progress about 1 TriDot for
every 4-6 week period if they strictly adhere to their plan
generated by system 100. This progression will typically be slower,
however, for triathlete's having a higher performance level and as
the performance level is further raised. The triathlete's next plan
as expressed in the training plan 240 can typically start with the
TriDots that the triathlete finishes up with on his or her previous
plan, provided that the athlete can start the athlete's next plan
relatively soon thereafter.
[0178] In one embodiment, the computerized system 100 has loaded
within it in the processor 130 some intermediate TriDot values to
allow for the triathlete's performance improvement. Generally,
strength and form training are both highly encouraged. However, in
one embodiment, because effectively prescribing these requires
personal assessments, evaluations, and feedback, they are not
specifically included in this system 100 interaction values. To
maintain performance, it is generally advisable to continue any
strength training that the triathlete is currently doing.
[0179] In one embodiment, the plan 240 includes the following:
[0180] a) mesocycles. The triathlete plan 230 is structured in
four-week mesocycles with three weeks of increasing workload
(volume and/or intensity) followed by a week of recovery or
assessments. The triathlete should work as hard at recovering on
the recovery weeks as the athlete does working during the work
weeks.
[0181] B) days off. The triathlete plan 230 can use a Monday
through Sunday pattern. If the triathlete needs to permanently move
a day off, the athlete can adjust the plan to start on a day other
than Monday. Moreover, depending on when the triathlete's swim
workouts are scheduled, the athlete can move one of the
triathlete's swims to a light bike or run day to create an
additional day off.
[0182] C) bricks (combo workout) It is typically best to perform
all workouts as prescribed in the plan. However, it isn't always
feasible to perform a scheduled brick workout on the designated
day. For example, the triathlete may have time for a bike workout,
but not the following short run. Therefore, following are some
guidelines for adapting the triathlete's workout when this occurs
(not all guidelines may be applicable to a particular plan.)
[0183] Include one bike-run brick per week, preferably after the
triathlete's longest bike workout. When secondary bricks are
scheduled during the week, it is generally for time saving
purposes. The run can be completed later in the day. If the athlete
cannot complete a brick run, he or she should not complete it later
in the day if it could jeopardize a key run the following morning.
Race rehearsals done as bricks are key workouts and should ideally
always be completed as prescribed.
[0184] Turning now to FIG. 3A-3C, illustrated are various
interfaces that are used by the I/O 110, and also in generating a
report.
[0185] FIG. 3A is one embodiment of a user interface where the
athlete enters much of their static physical characteristics such
as gender, height, weight, training background, and so forth. These
data are used in conjunction with TriDot values to build training
programs. Turning to FIGS. 3A-3B, an example of a user interface
screen that could be displayed to the user on, for example, display
81 (depicted in FIG. 8) is depicted.
[0186] With reference first to FIG. 3A, which is a portion of user
interface screen 230 that enables the user to input profile
information in labeled fields to be used by the system 100 in
creating training plans and predicted performances, such as date of
birth, gender, height, weight. The user interface screen 230 also
includes labeled fields for entering information on training
background and training equipment used.
[0187] Height and weight are used to calculate BMI and
power-to-weight ratios for the bike and run to calculate
improvement expectations and training focus based analysis of
fitness level and body composition. For the swim, a pace-to-drag
ratio can be used. Example: Some athletes will benefit much more
from improving body composition (reducing fat) than from developing
extreme fitness to carry the excess fat with them on race day.
Training background data are used to determine the athlete's
developmental stage which is factored into training focus, volume,
workload capacity, and so forth. Example: Training workloads (a
factor of intensity and volume) above which an athlete is ready for
are non-productive and can cause injury. The system uses three
developmental stage thresholds based partially on training
background to influence the amount and type of training
prescribed.
[0188] With reference now to FIG. 3 B, a continuation of user
interface screen 230 is depicted. FIG. 3B is one embodiment of a
user interface where the athlete enters their time trial assessment
data. This happens after the training plan request step. This
continuation of user interface screen 230 enables the user to
select a training plan and enter assessment information, to the
extent not already input. This can include general information such
as current weight, and assessment information for the swim, bike
and run events that will be used by system 100 in creating training
plans such as depicted in FIGS. 2D and 2E, as described herein.
[0189] The time trial assessments are specific protocols conducted
by the athlete for the swim, bike, and run. Standard assessments
are 800 meter (or yard) swim, 15-mile bike, and 5k or 10k run.
Completion times, average heart rates, and normalized power output
data are entered by the athlete and are used to determine TriDot
values. For beginner athletes that are not capable of effectively
completing assessments of these distances, the system provides
modified beginner protocols for each discipline. These modified
distances are a 10-minute swim, an 8-minute bike, and a 12-minute
run. The distances traveled by the athlete are used to determine
TriDot values. Average heart rate and average normalized power can
also be collected to determine training intensity zones. These
modified protocols are necessary to assess beginners because 1)
they may not have the ability to complete the longer distance and
2) even if they could complete the longer distance, it would be an
extensive endurance assessment rather than an intensive endurance
or threshold assessment. The standard protocols are appropriate for
"trained" athletes and the modified protocols are appropriate for
"untrained" athletes. A functional threshold is generally
considered the training intensity that an athlete could sustain for
about an hour. These modified protocols assess athletes' functional
threshold abilities even if they technically cannot even complete a
true functional threshold assessment. They allow us to design
training for these "untrained" athletes (at shorter durations) that
still employ the same highly effective training techniques and
principles that the system uses for "trained" athletes capable of
longer duration sessions.
[0190] With reference now to FIG. 3 C, a further continuation of
user interface screen 230 is depicted. This continuation of user
interface screen 230 enables the user to enter general training
phase information in section 255, including the athlete's next
race, the duration in weeks of the training phase, PR time for this
distance, whether the athlete has raced at this distance before,
whether the athlete has a Compex, whether the athlete desires NEMS
sessions included in the training plan., the next phase type and
the next phase race distance. In section 256, the user can enter
volume for swim, bike and run, and the athlete's longest weekly
session for each of bike, swim and run. This information will also
be used by system 100 in creating training plans such as depicted
in FIGS. 2 D and 2 E, as described herein.
[0191] FIG. 3 C is one embodiment of a user interface where the
athlete enters their training request indicating the event type
they're training for as well as their current training volume and
long sessions by discipline. During the training program design
processing, the system compares projected total race time and
individual discipline splits to determine training requirements for
total volume and long sessions. The athletes' current training
volume and long sessions are evaluated against the ultimate
requirements and the length of the training phase to calculate the
optimal rate of volume and/or long session increases, if
necessary.
[0192] In one embodiment, the system 100 does not generate any
values on these screens of FIG. 3A-3C. These screens instead
capture data and load them to a database, which is imported into
the system 100.
[0193] For best results, the athlete should be conservative when
entering data; entering actual data from the athlete's most recent
assessments or time trials.
[0194] Regarding swim: items (1 and 2) The athlete should enter
data from the athlete's most recent functional threshold test Time
Trial. These are the same time trial assessments mentioned
throughout, such as when discussing FIGS. 3A-3C. This data matches
the triathlete's assessment data entered on the pace tab 230 of the
triathlete's custom plan 240. If the triathlete is not training and
racing with a power meter, the item 2 (FTP) should be left as 0 on
the paces tab. FTP is functional threshold power and is only used
on the bike. Power is used to measure training and racing intensity
similar to using heart rate. Please see sample plan of FIGS. 2A-D.
Regarding item 3, select the most appropriate time based on what
the triathlete should ride with proper pacing and not with all-out
effort. This can be in the plan document on the pace tab.
[0195] Item 4 is the triathlete's run performance. The triathlete's
ability to run off the bike will partially determine how hard the
athlete should run his or her bike split. These values are looked
up on a chart or stored as a look-up table in a memory, based upon
values previously determined from statistical data based upon many
other athletes' collected performance data. Thus, computerized
system 100 can obtain these values for use with the individual
athlete by a lookup function. The athlete can use TriDot along with
the 1-8 performance levels to determine which best describes the
athlete's run ability. An example of this can be seen in the scale
adjacent to where the athlete enters their values in the pace
guide, where Levels 1-8 correlate to ranges of run TriDot
values.
[0196] The Item 5 section is optional and can be left at all
zeroes. However, at the athlete's discretion, the athlete can fine
tune the pace guidance by entering values in these fields.
[0197] The athlete can increase/decrease watts or heart rate values
by entering the corresponding offsets (i.e. enter -5 to decrease
watts or to decrease heart rate by 5. Enter 5 to increase watts or
heart rate by 5). In making these adjustments, the athlete should
consider the recommendations in the pace guide, included in the the
provisional application Ser. No. 61/488,084 which is incorporated
by reference.
[0198] Anticipated race-day temperature, humidity elevation or
terrain may warrant lowering the athlete's power guides.
Insufficient stamina (decoupling during the later part of the race
rehearsals) could leave the athlete to decrease both power and
heart rate guides.
[0199] Personal experience. The standard guides are based on
volumes of race results, but each individual is different.
[0200] The bike guidance is broken up into 4 `gears` If the athlete
is using power, use that as the athlete's primary guide, but back
off if one is reaching the athlete's HR (heart rate) cap.
[0201] Gear 1; (The term "gears" is used herein figuratively to
communicate distinct effort levels). The first gear is to be used
during the first portion of the bike leg. It is arguably the most
crucial leg of the entire bike race. It is very easy to overexert
during the first portion of the bike race without feeling it until
it is too late. If the athlete is using power, the athlete should
stick to the correct power, which means to give priority to his or
her power number, not his or her perceived exertion of being easy.
If the athlete is using only a heart rate monitoring, the athlete
should try to keep his or her heart rate down.
[0202] Gear 2: after the athlete comes out of gear 1, use gear 2
for all flat portions of the race.
[0203] Use gear 3 for all long hills trails taking more than 2
minutes to peak.
[0204] Use gear 4 for all long hills less than 2 minutes to
peak.
[0205] Bike Items 1 and 2: The user would enter data from the
athlete's most recent functional threshold test (time trial.) This
data should match the triathlete's assessment data entered on the
Pace tab of a custom plan. This can be seen in the first two input
fields on the first tab of the pace guide spreadsheet,
[0206] Item 3 as with the bike fine tuning offsets, the athlete may
leave these blank. Adjusting them could be desirable for the same
reasons outlined in the bike section.
[0207] Using the run guidance
[0208] The run guidance breaks the run leg into three phases. For
Phase 1, just like the bike, it is recommended to take it easy, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2A-D.
[0209] Phase 2, gradually increase pace from beginning to end
[0210] Phase 3: pick it up at the finish.
Bike Assessments
[0211] Use one of these two assessments to determine a bike TriDot.
A majority of athletes should use the 15-mile time trial. An
athlete should use the 8-minute time trial only if he or she cannot
complete 15 miles or does not have access to a safe and adequate
stretch of road. The athlete should try to use the same assessment
throughout each training phase. If the athlete is ready to progress
from the 8-minute to the 15-mile assessment, do so when requesting
the triathlete's next custom training plan 240.
[0212] Time Trials
[0213] The time trials are to be done on closed or semi-closed
course with little or no traffic such as county road or mall or
stadium parking lots that can be used periodically for subsequent
tests.
[0214] Warm up: The athlete should ride 10-15 minutes at an easy
pace (zone 2) with 3.times.30'' spinups and 2.times.2'(1)@Zone 3
and 1.times.5'2 Zone 2 then immediately begin the athlete's time
trial.
[0215] Main Set: The athlete should ride 15 miles at a constant
pace as if racing OR ride 8 minutes at a constant pace as if
racing.
[0216] Cool Down: The athlete should ride 5 minutes easy (Zone 2 or
30.)
[0217] Execution Notes
[0218] One goal in the time trial is to hold the pace that the
athlete can sustain for the entire distance or time without blowing
up early or having something left to sprint at the end. Using a
heart rate monitor and stopwatch meter (if the triathlete trains
with one), press a lap or start/stop button at the beginning and
end of the time trial to capture on time or distance, average heart
rate (AHR), and average power. If the athlete doesn't train with
power, the athlete will only capture the athlete's time or distance
and AHR. The athlete should record his or her total time for the 15
mile or the distance covered for the 8-minute test along with AHR
and power. These values are entered into FIG. 3B when submitting a
request for plan and FIG. 2C for subsequent assessments during each
phase.
[0219] In one embodiment, if the triathlete is completing the
assessment as prescribed in a custom plan of FIG. 2, using the
Paces tab 230 to the training plan workbook 240, and enter data
through the interface 110 to determine the triathlete's new TriDot
and associated training paces. If the athlete is completing this
assessment prior to requesting an initial custom plan, the athlete
should submit the triathlete's time or distance AHR and average
normalized power with his or her plan request.
[0220] Functional Threshold Power Test (with Power Meter on
Trainer)
[0221] In one embodiment, this test is not used for training plan
requests. In another embodiment, this test can be used during a
training phase to determine Functional Threshold Power if
benchmarking 15-mile not important.
[0222] Warm Up: Ride 10 to 15 minutes at an easy pace (Zone 2) with
3/30''(30'') spinups and 2.times.2'(1')@Zone 3 and 1.times.5 @ Zone
2 then immediately begin the time trial. It is typically important
to be consistent with the triathlete's warm up each time the
athlete performs this assessment.
[0223] Main Set: 2.times.20'(2')--Two sets of 20 minutes with 2
minutes of zone 2 between them.
[0224] Cool down: Ride 5 minutes easy (Zone 2 or 30.)
[0225] One goal is, in the test, to hold a steady pace that the
athlete can sustain for each of the 20-minute repetitions.
[0226] Record each 20 minute repetition as an interval on the power
meter, wherein the average power afterwards is entered on the Paces
Tab 240.
[0227] Reading power file: Create 42 minute range that includes the
two 20-minute repetitions and the 2 minutes of Zone 2. The
normalized watts value for this 42-minute range is the triathlete's
Functional Threshold Power (FTP). The triathlete's average heart
rate (AHR) for this range is the athlete's lactate threshold heart
rate (LTHR), which can be interchangeable with Functional
Threshold.
[0228] Run Assessments
[0229] In one embodiment, one of these assessments is used to
determine a TriDot. Most athletes should use the 5k time trial. The
athlete should use the 12-minute time trial only if the athlete
cannot complete a 5k without stopping to walk. The athlete can use
the 10k time trial if he or she runs a sub 50-minute 10k, but may
prefer the 5k to minimize training stress. Either one will do the
job. The athlete should try to use the same assessment throughout
each training phase. If the athlete is ready to progress from one
time trial to another, the athlete should do so when requesting the
next custom training plan.
[0230] Time Trials
[0231] The time trials are to be done on a flat course or track
that the athlete can use repeatedly or on a treadmill at a @1%
incline.
[0232] Warm Up
[0233] Jog or fast walk 10 minutes at an easy pace (#) with 4
repeats lasting about 30 seconds at your approximate 5k pace. Make
sure that one is warmed up, but do not exhaust oneself.
[0234] Main St: Run 5k at a constant pace as if racing OR run 10k
at a constant pace as if racing OR run 12 minutes at a constant
pace as if racing.
[0235] Cool down: Jog or fast walk about 5 minutes at an easy pace
(E).
[0236] Generally, the athlete's goal in the time trial is to hold
pace that he or she can sustain for the entire distance or time
without blowing up early or having something left to kick at the
end. The athlete can uses a HR monitor and stopwatch, and can press
the lap or start/stop button at the beginning and the end of the
time trial to capture the time or distance and AHR (average heart
rate). Then, the athlete can record his or her total time for the
5k or 10k times or his or her distance covered for the 12-minute TT
(time trial) along with his or her AHR.
[0237] Generally, if the athlete is completing this assessment as
prescribed by the system 100, the athlete should go to the paces
tab of the train plan notebook and enter data to determine the
athlete's new TriDot and associated training paces.
[0238] Alternatively, if the athlete is completing this assessment
prior to completing the athlete's custom system 100 plan, the
athlete should submit time or distance and AHR along with the
athlete's plan request.
[0239] Swim Assessments
[0240] The athlete should use one of these two assessments to
determine his or her swim TriDot. Most swimmers should use the 800
(meter or yard) time trial. The athlete should use the 10-minute
time trial only if the athlete cannot complete an 800 without
stopping.
[0241] The athlete should try to use the same assessment throughout
each training phase. If the athlete is ready to progress from the
10-minute to the 800 assessment, the athlete should do so when
requesting the athlete's next custom training plan.
[0242] Time Trials for Swimming
[0243] Warm Up
[0244] The athlete should swim at least 200 meters, starting slow
and gradually building pace to his or her threshold pace for the
final 50 meters. The athlete should make sure he or she is warmed
up, but should not exhaust him or her self The athlete should rest
for about two minutes. If the athlete does not know his or her
threshold pace, the athlete should make a reasonable estimate but
err on the side of caution.
[0245] Main set: The athlete should swim 800 meters or yards at a
constant pace as if racing OR swim 10-minutes at a constant pace as
if racing.
[0246] Generally, the athlete can use either meters or yards. The
calculator 130 can operate using either input. However, the athlete
will want to be consistent.
[0247] Execution notes: one goal in the time trial is to hold the
pace that the athlete can sustain for the entire distance or time
without blowing up early or having something left to kick at the
end. If the triathlete's time is a part of a workout, swim the
balance of the allotted time at a slow pace with excellent form.
Otherwise, the athlete should cool down with a slow 200. Then,
record the athlete's total time for the 800 time trail or the
athlete's distance covered for the 10-minute.
[0248] Using the Results
[0249] If the athlete is completing this assessment as prescribed
in the system 100, the athlete should go to the paces tab 230 of
the athlete's training plan workbook 240 user interface and enter
the athlete's time or distance to determine the triathlete's new
TriDot and associated training paces. The calculator 130
accommodates entry for both meters and yards. If the athlete is not
completing this assessment prior to requesting an initial custom
plan, submit the athlete's time or distance with the athlete's plan
request.
[0250] Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4C, illustrated is TriDot Data.
FIGS. 4B and FIG. 4C are described below.
[0251] Turning now to FIG. 4, which is comprised of FIGS. 4 A-H,
TriDot charts 260-295 are illustrated. TriDot charts 260-295 are
generated by system 100 to quantify performance ability in the run,
swim and bike disciplines, showing relative differences between
disciplines, and determining training intensities, and to guide the
athlete's training
[0252] Charts 260-262 of FIG. 4A is a table (separated onto three
sheets) listing run TriDot values for runs performed under
different conditions and at different distance, for each of TriDot
values 1-85. Thus, charts 260-262 includes times for stand-alone
race ability and off-the-bike race ability as calculated by system
100, for a variety of distances, including 5K, 10K, half M
(marathon) and marathon. Charts 260-262 thus shows race times
calculated by system 100 that can be expected in each of the
disciplines and at various distances and under the different
conditions, based upon the athlete's TriDot score in each
discipline. Alternately, of course, charts 260-262 can be used to
determine an athlete's TriDot score in each discipline, if the
appropriate race times are known.
[0253] Turning now to FIG. 4 B, which also encompasses three
sheets, shows further run TriDot charts 263-265 for various rep
paces of 200, 300, 400, 500, 800 and mile, for the TriDot range of
1-85.
[0254] Turning now to FIG. 4 C, which also encompasses three
sheets, shows further run TriDot charts 266-268 for various
interval paces of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1200,1600 and
mile, for the TriDot range of 1-85.
[0255] Turning now to FIG. 4 D, which also encompasses three
sheets, shows further run TriDot charts 269-271 for various
threshold paces of 400, 800, 1000, 1200 and mile, for the TriDot
range of 1-85, and for various tempo paces of 20:00 minutes to
60:00 minutes, for the TriDot range of 1-85.
[0256] Turning now to FIG. 4 E, which also encompasses three
sheets, shows further run TriDot charts 272-274 for various
marathon and easy paces of 400, 800 and mile, for the TriDot range
of 1-85.
[0257] Turning now to FIG. 4 F, which also encompasses three sheets
showing charts 275-277, respectively, shows bike TriDots from 1-85
for 8 minute and 15 minute time trials, threshold MPH, and bike
splits at should pace for 15 mile, Oly (Olympic), half iron and
full iron distances.
[0258] Turning now to FIG. 4 G, which also encompasses three sheets
showing charts 278-280, respectively, shows swim TriDots from 1-85
for 10 minute and 800 meter (or yards) trials, threshold 100 pace,
and swim splits at should pace for 300m, 800m, Oly (Olympic), half
iron and full iron distances.
[0259] FIG. 4 H, encompassing four sheets, shows race-distance
progression charts 290-293 for swim, bike and run times for various
distances, for each of TriDots 1-85, as calculated by system 100.
Chart 260 thus shows race times calculated by system 100 that can
be expected in each of the disciplines and at various distances,
based upon the athlete's TriDot score in each discipline.
Alternately, of course, chart 260 can be used to determine an
athlete's TriDot score in each discipline, if the appropriate race
times are known.
[0260] In one embodiment, the TriDot chars of FIG. 4 A-H may also
be calculated by the calculator 130 of FIG. 1, including
calculation of specific training paces for various intensity
levels. This system lets the athlete know what pace to set for each
workout to ensure that the athlete works in the proper zone to
stimulate the desired adaption. Using this pace as the athlete's
guide, rather than heart rate alone, helps the athlete to avoid
over-exertion early in that triathlete's workout, which would
otherwise cause the athlete to fatigue before the workout is
complete. This can help take the guesswork out of determining the
intensity of a training regime. These paces can be used in
conjunction with heart rate date to measure fitness and
improvement.
[0261] Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a method 500 for
calculating TriDots for the disciplines. In further embodiments,
the method 500 includes employing the TriDot to generate further
exercise regimes.
[0262] In a step 510, the triathletes' individual assessment
measurement values for various discipline events of a triathlon are
entered. These discipline events include running, swimming and
biking at one or more distances. These values can be entered into
the computerized system 100 and stored in running memory 122,
swimming memory 124 and biking memory 126. In a further embodiment,
data regarding the triathlete's individual profile values
(including, for example, physical parameters such as gender, age,
weight, BMI, training age as depicted in FIG. 3B) is also entered,
and can be stored in system memory 140.
[0263] In a step 520, a TriDot for each of these disciplines
(running, biking and swimming) is calculated. These TriDots can be
calculated by the system 100 by means of a specially programmed
computer processor such as calculator 130.
[0264] In a step 530, the TriDots are then used to
computer-generate and print and/or display an initial customized
training plan for the triathlete. This training plan can be
computed and generated by the computerized system 100, and then
printed and/or displayed on a computer monitor (not shown).
[0265] In a step 540, after training in accordance with the initial
training plan, new assessment measurement values for various
discipline events of a triathlon are entered (including running,
swimming and biking at one or more distances). These new values can
be entered into the computerized system 100 and stored in running
memory 122, swimming memory 124 and biking memory 126. In a further
embodiment, if data regarding the triathlete's individual profile
values (including, for example, physical parameters such as gender,
age, weight, BMI, training age as depicted in FIG. 3B) has changed,
new values can be entered and stored in system memory 140. A new,
updated TriDot for each of these disciplines (running, biking and
swimming) can then be re-calculated by the system 100 by means of a
specially programmed computer processor such as calculator 130.
[0266] In a step 550, the re-calculated TriDots can be used to
computer-re-generate and re-print and/or re-display an updated
customized training plan for the triathlete. This updated training
plan can be computed and generated by the computerized system 100.
This process of re-calculating TriDots based upon new performance
assessments of the individual triathlete following results from
training and re-computing and re-printing/re-displaying updated
individual customized training plans can be continued indefinitely,
as long as the triathlete continues to train and/or otherwise
acquire new or different data relevant to computing his/her his/her
TriDots and/or individual profile values that are correlative to
the computation of the individual customized training plans.
[0267] Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated is representative source
code that can be employed by the processor or calculator 110 to
determine TriDots, such as source code for an Excel spreadsheet, as
disclosed in Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/488,084, the
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for all
purposes.
[0268] Generally, the training program is structured by many
parameters which are determined based on TriDot values. These
include training volume, long sessions, weekly increases,
workloads, workload stress; all of these in total and by
discipline. Then the design of the training program becomes how
does the athlete allocate or focus the training that falls within
these parameters. How much intensity per week or per session or per
discipline? What type of training responses do we stimulate, how
much do we stimulate them, and in what sequence?
[0269] These decisions are made by comparing TriDot values and
using the scales, ratios, and thresholds derived from TriDot values
used in conjunction with other training and athlete data. Examples
are the form-focused swim training versus more fitness-focused
sessions. Another example would be the progression of how much
intensity an athlete can absorb in relative to TriDot value,
workload capacity, developmental stage, years training in that
discipline, and age. These ratios, scales, and thresholds include
numeric values or factors, yes/no triggers, percentages of volume
or threshold or workload, or absolute minimums or maximums on
aspects of training if data combinations exist.
[0270] The following will describe how TriDots are determined by
the system in one embodiment.
[0271] Introduction
[0272] Prior training methods measure abilities from slowest to
fastest for a single sport only, such as Jack Daniels VDOT system
that gives VDOTs for run values from 30 to 85. Although such VDOT
values are known to veteran runners, they do not go below 30 to
accommodate beginners and only scale run ability. Unlike such prior
single-sport methods, the TriDot training system contains
normalized values used to measure abilities of a plurality of
disciplines in a relative manner, to optimize overall training and
performance for all disciplines at the same time. Additionally,
TriDot values associate assessment values to functional threshold
abilities and functional threshold abilities to training
intensities and paces.
[0273] Calculation of TriDots
[0274] In one embodiment, the values in the TriDot Chart were
calculated in the following manner:
[0275] 1. A set of triathlon finisher files for many participants
for many triathlons, including swim, bike, and run splits for all
participants for several different distances, such as sprint,
Olympic, half iron, and full iron race distances, are collected and
stored in a database.
[0276] 2. The average finishing times for each discipline and for
each race distance against others in the same discipline and
distance is calculated. Then, a terrain and climate factor are
applied to each race to eliminate finish time differences due to
differences in elevation changes and weather, preferably using flat
terrain and ideal weather as a baseline comparison.
[0277] For example, if the average race time for 5 miles on the
flat, at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is 30 minutes, and the average race
time for 5 miles on the flat, at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, is 40
minutes, 10 minutes would be deducted from the average race time
for 5 miles on the flat, at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Where, for
example, comparison of several average race times at different
temperatures at the same distance shows that the correlation for
temperature to time relationship is approximately linear, for
intermediate temperatures, a temperature compensation factor can be
determined that could be applied to create predicted times for the
same distance at any temperature. In such a case, for example, for
a 5 miles distance, adding 0.5 minutes per degree Fahrenheit above
70 degrees Fahrenheit and/or subtracting 0.5 minutes per degree
Fahrenheit below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (down to some minimum
temperature). If the relationship proves to be non-linear, an
appropriate non-linear factor (using, for example, an exponential
formula or a parabolic formula) may be applied. The same approach
can then be used to compensate for terrain.
[0278] Once the data is analyzed and compensating factors (linear
or non-linear, as appropriate) determined for terrain and
temperature, the factors can be applied to times for various
terrain and temperature conditions, permitting averaging data from
various terrain and temperature conditions together on a normalized
basis and allowing prediction of the degree of change that
correlates to a given change of temperature and/or terrain from the
baseline condition.
[0279] 3. After applying the terrain and climate factors, the same
analytical approach is applied to analyzing finishing times across
all races, calculated using one or more of the fastest, slowest,
mean, and median finishing times for the swim, bike, and run at
each race distance. In the same way as for determination of the
temperature and terrain factors as discussed above, a factor to
compensate for times for different distances (say 3 miles vs. 5
miles for a run) to allow comparison of runs at various distances,
the temperature and terrain being compensated for as discussed
above. This is repeated for each discipline (i.e. swim, bike, and
run).
[0280] 4. These values became the top, middle, and bottom
parameters for the determination of the TriDot values for the swim,
bike, and run race splits, as compensated for temperature, terrain
and distance in each discipline. In one example, the top 10
finishing times in each discipline, as compensated for as described
above, are averaged and assigned a numerical performance value or
TriDot, which, in one example can be 73. In one example, the
finishing times for the top 25% of participants can be used as a
reference value, and assigned a value, which in one example can be
51. In another example mean finishing times for participants can be
used as a reference value, and assigned a value, which in one
example can be 39. In one embodiment, where the functional
threshold of the athletes whose race times are used as described
above to create reference TriDot values have also been separately
measured by an independent functional assessment test (such as one
conducted on a treadmill, a stationary bike having a power meter, a
standalone 800 meter swim etc.), the known athlete's known
functional threshold can be compared to the known athlete's
performance under race conditions to improve the accuracy and
repeatability of the scaling of the reference performance values as
compared to functional threshold, the goal being to create a set of
relatively stable reference performance values that are based upon
readily available data for many well-trained athletes performing at
or near their maximum workload capacity. The reference performance
values will be relatively stable because the average race times
and/or functional threshold assessments for a large number of
well-trained athlete's performing at or near their maximum workload
capacity changes very little over time.
[0281] 5. In addition, a compensating factor to compensate for how
much slower an off-the-bike run ability is to a stand-alone run
ability at the same distance can also be determined, such that run
split values would correspond to VDOT run values for the 30 to 85
range. The same approach can be followed to compensate for the
slower times expected for an out-of-the water bike ride vs. a
stand-alone bike ride.
[0282] 6. The system then normalizes and aligns comparable bike and
swim split values to this same scale as for the run times, thus
creating TriDot values for the scale, such that measured equivalent
abilities (as compensated for temperature, terrain, distance etc.)
for each discipline will yield the same TriDot value.
[0283] 7. To develop incremental race split values between the
bottom, middle, and top values, one or more curve-fitting
algorithms (such as available in Microsoft Excel, for example) are
applied to the data to determine appropriate formulae relating the
degree of training effort represented by an increase in TriDot
value. In general, the degree of effort is not a linear
relationship, because, for a given training effort, time increases
at the bottom of the scale for each higher TriDot are larger than
each higher TriDot toward the top of the scale. Qualitatively, this
is because of the well-known fact that the faster you get, the
harder it is to get even faster. The application of the algorithms
to the data by the system, however, permit quantitative
determination of one or more mathematical formulas (that are, in
general, non-linear) that relate a unit of training effort to a
change in a unit change of TriDot values, across the TriDot scale,
from the lowest to the highest.
[0284] 8. Functional threshold paces were calculated for each race
split value. An athlete's functional threshold is the intensity of
effort that he/she can sustain for an hour. Based on the duration
of each race split for each TriDot value, the associated functional
threshold pace was calculated using industry standard percentages.
For example: The pace to produce a one-hour race split would be
approximately the same as the associated functional threshold pace.
The longer the race split duration, the lower percentage of the
athlete's functional threshold pace.
[0285] 9. Swim, bike, and run assessment results (distances and
times) associated with various functional thresholds were
associated with the appropriate TriDot value according to
functional threshold pace. See Calculations of Functional
Thresholds from Assessments, discussed below.
[0286] 10. In general, the foregoing TriDot values and formula are
based upon data applicable to reasonably well-trained individuals,
since most of the available data is for races involving relatively
well-trained individuals. However, in the present invention, the
same approach to determining formulas for comparing training effort
for TriDot values of between 30 and 85, as discussed above, can be
applied to the extreme low end swim, bike, and run abilities
estimated from very slow untrained individuals. This allows
extension of TriDot values and associated performance levels from
30 down to 0, i.e., which may applied to an untrained individual
just starting a training program.
[0287] Calculation of phase training variables to maximize return
on training investment based on current TriDots (ability), Race
Distances, and time available to train
[0288] The legs of multisport races vary disproportionately by
distance. For example, the swim portion of an Olympic distance
triathlon is almost as long as the swim portion of a half iron
distance triathlon; however, the bike portion of a half iron race
is more than twice as long as an Olympic. Athletes have limited
amount of time and energy to train and limited ability to absorb
training stress and adapt.
[0289] The TriDot System measures the athlete's current ability in
each discipline and potential to improve in that discipline and
evaluates these relative to the athlete's specified race distance.
It calculates the training parameters and variables (including
training workload, volume, frequency, sequence, and so forth) for
the training phase and sub-periods within the training phase for
each discipline.
[0290] 1. The TriDot System uses the athlete's current TriDots as a
measure of current ability in each discipline.
[0291] 2. These current TriDots are used to produce projected
current race splits at the athlete's specific race distance, by
applying the formulas determined above that allow comparison across
different race distances and under different conditions. For
example, if an individual has a TriDot of 50, the formula could
predict a time of 30 minutes for a 5-mile run and a time of 37
minutes for a 6-mile run, even if the individual has never run
either 5 miles or 6 miles.
[0292] 3. Improvement factors are used to determine how much an
athlete is likely to improve during the training phase to produce
an improvement potential. Individual athlete factors include the
following: age, gender, years training in each discipline, current
training volume, current training workload, BMI, weight, and so
forth.
[0293] 4. The training phase duration is typically 3 months. A
phase duration factor is applied for shorter or longer phases.
[0294] 5. The system database contains known values for improvement
for athletes using the training system and for which these factors
are known. Each of these factors is based on known results and the
athlete's actual data increase or decrease the improvement
potential.
[0295] For example, assume that, during past training, an athlete
having a run TriDot of 30 previously increased his/her TriDot for
the run by 1 for a volume of 100 minutes at the athlete's maximum
safe (i.e., low injury risk) intensity which, for example, may be
an intensity factor of 1.2. This would yield a workload of 120
(i.e., 1.2 intensity factor times 100 minutes). The generally
non-linear relationship between improvement and workload input as a
function of TriDot values (that has been determined based upon
statistical analysis of a large amount of data from many athletes)
is then applied to the individual athlete's actual values to yield
a predicted curve of the individual athlete's increase in
performance as the athlete's TriDot values increase from training
That is, if an average run TriDot 30 athlete will improve 1 TriDot
for the run for a workload of 100, and that an average run TriDot
31 athlete will increase 0.9 TriDots for a workload of 100, and
this individual athlete's prior history shows that he/she requires
a workload of 120 when he/she is at a run TriDot of 30 to increase
1 TriDot to 31, then this individual athlete's required workload
for a 1 TriDot run increase from 30 to 31 is 1.2 times as much as
the average athlete. Therefore, the system will predict that, when
this athlete improves his/her run TriDot to 31, that this athlete
must also expend 1.2 times as much workload as an average athlete
to increase from a run TriDot of 31 to 32, and so on. Of course, if
no athlete-specific data on the amount of TriDot improvement per
amount of workload is available (because the athlete has just
started training, for example), the system can use the values for
average athletes instead. These factors can be determined by the
system and entered into a matrix, computer algorithm or
spreadsheet, such as the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet included in
the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/488,084, filed May
19, 2011, the contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by
reference.
[0296] 6. The improvement potentials are further adjusted based on
the athlete's available time to train each week if this time to
train falls below specific thresholds based on race distance. For
example, suppose that the athlete in the above example does not
have 100 minutes of training time per week, and instead only has 80
minutes to train. Although, for a shorter time period, intensity
can be increased somewhat to compensate for the reduced amount of
training time available, the amount of intensity increase is
limited by the potential for injury and the athlete's ability to
perform at the higher intensity. If the average athlete, based upon
a statistical analysis of a large number of athletes, can safely
increase intensity by 10% when training for 80 minutes as compared
to 100 minutes, then the system will calculate that this individual
athlete can safely increase intensity by 10% when training for 80
minutes as compared to 100 minutes, for a workload of 105.6 during
the 80 minutes of training (i.e., intensity factor of 1.32 times 80
minutes). Since the athlete's prior history shows that he/she
requires 1.2 times as much workload as the average athlete to
achieve the same increase in TriDot values, the system will
calculate that the run TriDot 30 athlete can improve 0.88 TriDots
per week by training at maximum safe intensity for 80 minutes
(i.e., intensity factor of 1.32 times 80 minutes) and, when the
athlete reaches a run TriDot of 31, can improve 0.792 TriDots per
week for the same 80 minutes at maximum safe intensity factor of
1.32 until he/she reaches a run TriDot of 32, and so on.
[0297] 7. The algorithms relating improvement potentials by
application of various forms of training effort for each of the
disciplines (using the normalized values of the TriDots using the
mathematical approach discussed above), are applied to determine
the change in TriDot values achieved by one or more forms of
training effort, to determine potential improvement in race splits
at the end of the training phase.
[0298] 8. The difference between the potential and current race
splits for each discipline are compared to determine in which
discipline would the potential improvement be most beneficial in
overall time savings and by how much.
[0299] 9. Using the algorithms and methodology discussed above, the
system can determining the maximum training workload per week that
can be safely performed by the athlete and the amount of predicted
improvement in race time for each discipline at the conclusion of
the training phase. Based on the overall time savings in each
discipline and the degree of difference between them, the system
allocates the program training parameters such as intensity,
workload, volume, frequency, sequence, and so forth for the
training phase and sub-periods within the phase, permitting
optimization of the training effort to yield the best overall
result for a particular degree of training effort, applied
potentially disproportionately to one or more of the run, swim or
bike disciplines. For example, if the system calculates that an
athlete can decrease his/her overall triathlon time by 3 minutes by
spending all his/her available training time on running, can
decrease overall triathlon time by 4 minutes by spending all
available training time on swimming, and can decrease overall
triathlon time by 5 minutes by spending 50% of training time on
swimming and 50% of training time on the bike, the system would
determine that the third alternative allocation of training time
was optimum, because it results in the most improvement in race
times for the same number of minutes of training time.
[0300] Calculation of Longest Session and Long Session Progression
for each Discipline
[0301] 1. Enter the athlete's current longest session duration for
each discipline.
[0302] 2. Enter the athlete's current training volume and
workload.
[0303] 3. Enter the athlete's time available to train.
[0304] 4. Enter the athlete's performance assessment.
[0305] 5. Based upon the performance assessment, use a lookup table
or apply the previously determined algorithms and formulae to
determine the corresponding the TriDot value.
[0306] 6. Determine the number of weeks between the current date
and the race date.
[0307] 7. Using an expected improvement factor based on an
individual's current TriDot value and other athlete data such as
BMI, age, beginning training volume and workload, and so forth,
calculate the expected TriDot value at the end of the training
phase.
[0308] 8. Use the expected TriDot value to determine (using a
lookup table or applying the previously determined algorithms and
formulae) the athlete's expected race split ability at the end of
the training phase.
[0309] 9. Apply the minimum and maximum longest session factors to
the expected race split to determine the min and max ranges for the
longest session duration. Min and max longest session factors
specify the relative duration of the race split to the longest
session. The maximum factor has a hard threshold that cannot be
exceeded despite longer expected race splits due to the potential
training benefit being outweighed by the recovery cost of an
excessively long longest session.
[0310] 10. Compare the resulting longest session duration to the
athlete's time available to train and select the longest possible
session duration that does not exceed the athlete's time available
to train given the actual longest session duration used.
[0311] 11. Apply a safe duration weekly increase factor times the
number of weeks between phase start and the week of the longest
session in the training phase to determine the longest possible
duration the longest session can be. For example, if the current
longest session is 1:00 and the longest safe duration weekly
increase is :10 and there are only 8 weeks until the longest
session is to be performed, the longest session can at maximum be
2:20 (1:00+:10.times.8).
[0312] Calculation of Interval Distances within Sessions
[0313] Individual efforts within training sessions are often
prescribed in easy-to-implement units of distance, especially in
swim and run training For example, swim 4.times.200 m (swim 4
repeats of 200 meters). However, training adaptations are
stimulated not by how much distance is covered during an effort but
by how long the athlete sustains the effort at the prescribed
intensity. An advanced athlete swimming 400 m may take 1:50 while
the same distance may take a beginner 5:00. Not only do these
durations vary greatly, but the intensity level possible for each
these two scenarios varies. An advanced athlete could swim a 200 at
an all-out effort (less than two minutes). Neither the beginner nor
the advanced swimmer could maintain that level of intensity for
5:00. Depending on the adaptation desired training needs to be
prescribed at specific intensities, for specific durations, and
with specific amount of rest between efforts.
[0314] The TriDot System calculates training set distances based on
the athlete's ability to prescribe effective sets for varying
intensity levels.
[0315] 1. Each training session has a training objective that is
achieved by training at a specific training intensity(ies).
[0316] 2. Based on the training objective and the athlete's current
workload capacity, one or more sets are created within a training
session.
[0317] 3. Each set contains 1 or more efforts at a prescribed
intensity level for a prescribed distance with a prescribed rest
duration in between each.
[0318] 4. The system uses the athlete's TriDot to calculate his/her
pace at the intended training intensity.
[0319] 5. The system uses this pace to determine the distance the
athlete will cover in the desired effort duration.
[0320] 6. The system rounds this distance, if necessary, to a
distance that is practical for implementation. (The distance should
not be such that the athlete completes it in the middle of the
pool. Or if running on the track, the distance is rounded to the
nearest 100 m.)
[0321] 7. Finally, the training set, of one or more efforts, is
produced and expressed in terms of distance with the distance being
applicable and productive based on the athlete's ability.
[0322] Calculations of Functional Threshold from Assessments
[0323] Functional thresholds are typically defined as the highest
level of training intensity an athlete can sustain for an hour.
This threshold is different for the swim, bike, and run.
Determining this threshold by requiring the athlete to perform an
all-out effort for one hour is very taxing and impairs the
athlete's ability to perform subsequent training The TriDot System
uses modified protocols for determining functional thresholds by
reference to performance at training effort sustained for other,
generally shorter, times. Some are based on a static distance such
as an 800 meter swim, a 15-mile bike time trial, or a 5k or 10k
run. Some are based on static duration such as 10-minute swim,
8-minute bike time trial, or 12-minute run.
[0324] 1. The athlete performs the static-distance or
static-duration functional threshold assessment and records data
such as total time or distance covered, average heart rate, average
watts, athlete body weight, and so forth.
[0325] 2. This data is entered in the system.
[0326] 3. The TriDot System takes the average pace, heart rate,
and/or watts and applies a duration factor based on how long the
assessment took the athlete to complete. The duration factor for an
athlete completing the assessment in exactly one hour would be 1.
The duration factor for completing the assessment in less than one
hour would be less than 1. The duration factor is determined based
upon formulae and or algorithms comparing assessments for various
times that normalize the time and distance of the less-than-one
hour assessment to the equivalent distance for a one hour
functional threshold assessment for an average athlete having the
same TriDot value for the discipline, based upon the statistical
averages of many athletes.
[0327] 4. The duration factor is different for each assessment.
[0328] 5. The product of the average pace, heart rate, and/or watts
and the duration factor produces the functional threshold pace,
heart rate, and/or power. In general, these values will be smaller
for duration factors less than zero, because the pace, heart rate,
and/or power will be less when, for example, a distance is covered
in one hour as compared to covering the same distance in less than
one hour.
[0329] 6. The functional threshold pace, heart rate, and power are
used to calculate training intensities required to produce
particular improvements.
[0330] Calculation of Projected Race Paces and Splits
[0331] An athlete's first discipline split is simply based on
his/her target pace and the race distance. However, subsequent
splits are affected by the duration and intensity of preceding legs
of a multisport race. Leg workload refers to the workload expended
during a specific leg of a multisport event. Workload is a product
of the intensity factor times duration. Intensity levels for
endurance events typically range from 67% of functional threshold
for longer events to over 100% of functional threshold for very
short events. The shorter a race is, the higher the percent of
threshold an athlete can exert. The TriDot System calculates the
race split of subsequent legs of a multisport race as follows:
[0332] 1. Standard workloads for each leg of the multisport event
can be calculated by multiplying TriDot projected duration for each
times the intensity percentage based on functional threshold.
[0333] 2. Each leg's target intensity level is multiplied by a
Preceding Workload Factor and a Succeeding Workload Factor. These
factors are based on the amount of workload required for preceding
and succeeding legs of the event, respectively.
[0334] 3. The standard workloads based on projected durations and
intensities are adjusted for each leg in the order that they'll be
performed, first by normalizing the projected durations and
intensities based upon the statistical averages of many athletes.
If desired, the standard workloads can then be adjusted again,
based upon the individual athlete's maximum available training
time, maximum training intensity, and the ratio of the athlete's
past TriDot increase in a given discipline for a given workload
divided by an average athlete's past TriDot increase in a given
discipline for a given workload
[0335] 4. The result is final workloads, durations, and intensities
for each leg of the event that account for work that will be done
before and after that leg.
[0336] 5. The final intensities (power or pace or heart rate) are
used to prescribe race pacing for each leg of the event.
[0337] Calculation of Minimum Weekly Volume and Workload
Required
[0338] An athlete's ability to perform on race day at a desired
intensity for specific duration is relative and proportional to
his/her ability to consistently train and recover from week to week
at specific training volumes and workloads
(volume.times.intensity). The TriDot System projects the required
workload of the target race and then calculates the weekly volume
and workload minimums that must be reached to facilitate and render
likely the desired performance. Volume is expressed in minutes of
training Workload is minutes of training multiplied by an Intensity
Factor. Intensity Factor of 1.0 represents training at the
athlete's functional threshold. Intensity Factors below and above
1.0 represent relative differences in intensity below and above
functional threshold intensity, respectively. For example: The
workload of a single training session including 10 minutes of very
easy running followed by 20 minutes of running at threshold could
be evaluated as 10.times.0.5 plus 20.times.1.0 for a total workload
of 25.
[0339] The required volumes (durations), intensities, and workloads
overall and for each discipline of a specific target race are
calculated.
[0340] These requirement data are multiplied by Weekly Volume and
Workload Factors to produce weekly minimums for overall and
discipline-specific training volumes and workloads.
[0341] The athlete's current training volume and workloads can be
increased gradually from week to week as much as safely possible,
considering other athlete variables such as current TriDot, age,
gender, BMI, background, and so forth, to reach these minimums
prior to the race. As a baseline, the default values for maximum
safe increases in volume and workload increases can be set those
found to be generally safe for average athletes having the same
TriDot, age and gender as the individual athlete, or to a
percentage of those increases, such as 90%, to allow for a margin
of error. The system allows these default values to be increased or
decreased for a particular athlete, based upon injury history or
other factors.
[0342] Calculation of Minimum Single-Session Volume and Workload
Required
[0343] An athlete's ability to perform on race day at a desired
intensity for a specific duration is relative and proportional to
his/her single-session training volume and workload
(volume.times.intensity factor) capacity. The TriDot System
projects the required workload of the target race and then
calculates the single-session volume and workload minimums that
must be reached to facilitate the desired performance. Volume is
expressed in minutes of training Workload is minutes of training
multiplied by an Intensity Factor. Intensity Factor of 1.0
represents training at the athlete's functional threshold.
Intensity Factors below and above 1.0 represent relative
differences in intensity below and above functional threshold
intensity, respectively. For example: The workload of a single
training session including 10 minutes of very easy running followed
by 20 minutes of running at threshold could be evaluated as
10.times.0.5 plus 20.times.1.0 for a total workload of 25.
[0344] The required volumes (durations), intensities, and workloads
overall and for each discipline of a specific target race, to
achieve a particular desired race performance, are calculated in
the manner discussed above.
[0345] These requirement data are multiplied by Single-Session
Volume and Workload Factors to produce single-session minimums for
overall and discipline-specific training volumes and workloads.
[0346] As discussed above, the athlete's current single-session
training volume and workloads are increased gradually from week to
week as much as safely possible, considering other athlete
variables such as age, BMI, background, and so forth, to reach
these minimums prior to the race.
[0347] Calculation of Optimal Training Volume, Intensity, Workload
based on Time Available to Train
[0348] An athlete's ability to perform on race day is proportional
to his/her weekly and single-session volume and workload capacity.
Most athletes' performance potential is limited by their time
available to train rather than their ability to recover from
exceedingly higher volumes and workloads. The TriDot System is able
to hold training volume within a maximum limit and vary intensity
and workload to produce a training program that produces the
greatest improvement given the limited volume. While a specific mix
or proportion of intensity to volume would be optimal if volume
were not limited, as volume is limited, increasing intensity to
produce a higher workload capacity may be desirable.
[0349] Enter athlete's maximum time available to train. This data
can be entered by week and by discipline.
[0350] The minimum requirements for weekly and single-session
volumes (durations), intensities, and workloads overall and for
each discipline of training program for a specific race are
compared to the athlete's maximum time available to train.
[0351] If the minimum volume requirements are greater than the
athlete's maximum time to train, the system increases the
proportion of intensity to produce a higher overall workload
capacity. The amount of intensity increase is limited based on
training volume, race distance, and athlete data such as age, BMI,
background, and so forth.
[0352] Session Workload Calculated at Interval Level
[0353] Typically in other training systems, when workload or time
at a specific intensity is calculated for a training session, the
entire session duration is multiplied by an intensity factor for
the session's primary or target intensity level. For example: A
45-minute run session might include a 30-minute tempo run (slightly
under threshold intensity) and a 5-minute warm up and 10-minute
cool down run at easy pace. Other training programs would calculate
the workload as follows: 45 minutes multiplied by the temp
intensity factor of 0.9 (approximately). The TriDot System
calculates session workload accurately to the sub-session interval
level as follows
[0354] 1. The duration in minutes of each interval or sub-session
effort is multiplied by the associated intensity factor based on
the intensities in relation to the athlete's functional threshold
to produce a workload value.
[0355] 2. The total duration and workload value by intensity level,
or training zone, is stored and can be referenced for cumulative
measures by week, or month, or phase, or other period.
[0356] 3. All workloads values for each individual session are
summed to produce an accurate workload value for the session based
on how each minute of the session's duration was spent with respect
to training intensity.
[0357] Calculation and Use of Workloads and Workload Stress
[0358] The concept or measure of workloads and training stress is
generally ignored in most training systems. They merely quantify
training in terms of volume such as time spent training or distance
covered during training
[0359] Workload generally involves multiplying duration by
intensity to account for both time and effort. Training stress
involves measuring how stressful a workload is for an athlete.
Although some coaches use workload and training stress
interchangeably, they are very different. Merely because more work
is done by one athlete than another doesn't mean that this work is
more stressful on the athlete doing more work. The amount of stress
should be based on how much work is done and the workload capacity
of the athlete, among other factors. More work is required to
stress athletes with higher workload capacities. Additionally, how
the workload is performed also impacts how stressful it is on the
athlete. For example, 30 minutes at intensity X is more stressful
than 3.times.10 minutes at intensity X with 5 minute recoveries
between each 10-minute interval.
[0360] In the more "advanced" training programs that attempt to
quantify workload or training stress, they use the entire session
duration and multiply it by an intensity factor for the session's
average intensity level. Examples are Training Stress Scores by
TrainingPeaks and Dr. Eric Bannister's heart rate-based training
impulse (TRIMPS) measures. Duration is typically measured in
minutes. Intensity factors usually have a basis of 1.0 where 1.0
represents either threshold or maximal intensity and higher or
lower intensities are assigned intensity factors that fall
proportionally above or below 1.0. Intensity Factors in all current
workload and stress measures have a linear relationship to
heart-rate or power. (For example, a tempo run intensity slightly
under threshold could be a 0.9 factor). Example: A 45-minute run
session might include a 30-minute tempo run (slightly under
threshold intensity) and a 5-minute warm up and 10-minute cool down
run at easy pace. Other training programs would calculate the
workload as follows: 45 minutes multiplied by the tempo intensity
factor of 0.9. They do not account for how the work is performed,
the workload capacities of the athlete, differences in scaling
intensities for each discipline, increases in stress at constant
intensity as duration increases, sub-session efforts such as
repeats and intervals, and much more. The TriDot System's
calculation and use of workloads and training stress can accomplish
all of these.
[0361] The TriDot System defines, calculates, and uses work and
stress as follows:
[0362] Workload is an absolute measure of duration
(minutes).times.effort (intensity factor). In an embodiment of the
present invention, Intensity Factors can be different for each
discipline and non-linear in relationship to other intensity
measures such as heart rate, pace, or power. Example: If the
Intensity Factor for threshold effort is 1.0, the Intensity Factor
for 50% and 90% of threshold heart rate or power are not
necessarily 0.5 and 0.9, respectively, as with other scales and
rating systems.
[0363] With the TriDot System, as intensity (heart rate, pace, or
power) increases toward (or past) specific benchmark intensity such
as threshold, the intensity factor increases at an increasing rate.
Unlike other systems, workload isn't calculated by session average
intensity and total duration. It is calculated at the sub-session
level and aggregated to a session workload total. Workload is
measured by repetition, interval, session, week, and other periods
for each discipline and by each intensity level to establish
Workload Histories and Workload Capacities for each.
[0364] TriDot System training and race sessions are prescribed for
each athlete with specific durations and intensity levels. A single
session can be comprised of one or more parts commonly called sets,
intervals, and repetitions.
[0365] The duration for each part of a session is multiplied by the
Intensity Factor based on the intensity level to produce a Workload
value for the session part.
[0366] All session parts are totaled to produce a session Workload
value.
[0367] Workload Stress is a relative measure of how stressful a
specific type and volume of effort is to an athlete. It includes
duration, intensity, and stress. Stress Factors in accordance with
an embodiment can be applied to Workload calculations and based on
the athlete's Workload Histories and Workload Capacities and other
athlete criteria such as height, weight, BMI, age, gender, and so
forth. The result is Workload Stress.
[0368] Workload stress for the athlete is a function of the
athlete's workload capacity. The same workload is less stressful on
an athlete with a higher capacity to do work as measured in the
system for the prior week's sessions or prior single-sessions
successfully performed.
[0369] Unlike Workload where the Intensity Factor is constant for a
particular effort level, an athlete's Stress Factor will increase
with duration even if the athlete's effort is constant. For
example, an athlete performing a 40-minute session at a constant
threshold intensity will be stressed far greater in the final few
minutes of the session than in the initial few minutes. The Stress
Factor is progressive with both intensity and duration, but
relative to the athlete's abilities and capacities. During training
sessions, the Stress Factor diminishes or resets to an initial
value based on recovery during the session. For example, for two
20-minute intervals with 10 minutes' rest between, the Stress
Factor would increase during the first 20-minute interval and then
be diminished during the 10-minute recovery and then resume at a
lower value than the end of the first 20-minute interval and
increase again during the second 20-minute interval. Recovery
Factors can be used to determine the amount of Stress Factor
reduction based on elapsed time.
[0370] Stress Increase Triggers are durations at which the Stress
Factor for a specific intensity level increases. These Stress
Increase Triggers are unique for each intensity level based on
physiological factors and are unique for each athlete to account
for the athlete's Workload History, Workload Capacity, height,
weight, BMI, age, gender, and so forth. For example: When
performing at threshold intensity during a bike session, an athlete
may have Stress Increase Triggers at 20 minutes, 35 minutes, and 53
minutes. At each of these trigger durations, the Stress Factor is
increased for each additional minute of exertion. Stress for the
first 20 minutes may be quantified as Duration (20).times.Intensity
Factor (1.0).times.Stress Factor (1.0). Stress for the next 15
minutes may be quantified as Duration (15).times.Intensity Factor
(1.0).times.Stress Factor (1.2). Stress for the next 18 minutes may
be quantified as Duration (18).times.Intensity Factor
(1.0).times.Stress Factor (1.4). Stress for exertion beyond the 53
minute trigger may be quantified as Duration (X).times.Intensity
Factor (1.0).times.Stress Factor (1.8). Stress factors need not be
only multipliers but can be other forms of calculated increases
such as exponents, based upon which non-linear mathematical
relationship has the best correlation between the Workload Stress
when calculated using a particular mathematical relationship and
the athlete's performance on race day. The Stress Factors are
determined based upon statistical averages of performance data for
many athletes, normalized to the equivalent performance that would
be expected for athletes having the same TriDot values in each of
the respective disciplines.
[0371] The measure or rating of Workload Stress for a session is
used to determine if the prescribed workload is sufficient to
maintain a previously achieved adaptations, stimulate a new
adaptations, exceed the athlete's physiological ability to absorb
training (adapt), cause injury, and so forth. Workload Stress is
also predictive of how long it will take the athlete to recover
from the session. The TriDot System uses Workload Stress to
calculate and athlete's time required to recover by multiplying a
Recovery Factor by Workload Stress.
[0372] The TriDot System uses calculations and measures of
Workload, Workload Stress, Workload History, Workload Capacity for
multiple intensity levels specific to each discipline to prescribe
training The workloads and stress attributable to specific
intensity levels are used as parameters to guide the amount and
type of training in each intensity level during a given period for
each discipline depending on the target race distance.
[0373] Calculation of Power-to-Total-Weight Ratio and other
factors
[0374] An athlete's power-to-weight ratio is a commonly used
industry standard for evaluating an athlete's cycling ability
and/or fitness. It's typically calculated by dividing an athlete's
threshold power output by his/her weight. This measure allows us to
benchmark an athlete's fitness over time. When comparing athletes
of similar weight, their power-to-weight ratios are a somewhat
reliable way of measuring or predicting performance ability. All
else being equal, if two athletes weigh the same, the athlete with
the higher power-to-weight ratio is capable of outperforming the
other.
[0375] However, when power-to-weight ratio is used for things such
as comparing athletes of different weight, predicting performance
ability, predicting potential for performance gains, and so forth,
this measure can become unreliable. This is due to several
factors.
[0376] A straight power-to-weight ratio doesn't take into account
the athletes' bike weight. The power generated by an athlete must
propel the athlete and the bike. If two athletes have the same
power-to-weight ratio but one weighs 50 pounds more than the other,
the impact of the bike's weight will have a much greater negative
effect on the lighter athlete than the heavier athlete. All else
equal, the heavier athlete will perform better despite having the
same power-to-weight ratio as the lighter athlete.
[0377] A straight power-to-weight ratio also doesn't take into
account the body composition of the athletes. Body composition
includes characteristics such as height, weight, BMI, body type,
and so forth. For example, if two athletes have the same
power-to-weight ratio but significantly different BMIs or body
types, the athlete with the higher BMI or larger body type will
typically create more drag resistance when riding due to their
increased surface area. This athlete will have less performance
ability despite having the same power-to-weight ratio. Regarding
potential for performance gains, if two athletes both have
relatively high power-to-weight ratios and one has a much higher
BMI, that athlete with the higher BMI will typically have much more
capacity to improve performance by improving body composition
(losing weight) than the other athlete has to increase fitness.
Furthermore, some very heavy athletes may be at or near their peak
potential of fitness with the only realistic performance gain
potential being achieved through improved body composition. Using
power-to-weight ratios alone ignores all of these factors.
[0378] The TriDot System uses an athlete's threshold power in
addition to other athlete data including height, weight, BMI, and
body type along with other athlete data to measure fitness, ability
to perform, and potential for improvement gains over specific time
periods.
[0379] The TriDot System adds the weight of the athlete's bike to
the athlete's weight to compute a more reliable power-to-weight
ratio for the bike. The athlete's threshold power is divided by the
total weight of the athlete and his/her bike. If the athlete's bike
weight is unknown, a default value is used based on the athlete's
height (taller athletes will typically have slightly larger and
heavier bikes), using statistical averages of bike weights for
athletes of different heights.
[0380] After this power-to-total-weight ratio is calculated, the
system can apply further multiple factors to this figure when
computing current performance ability and comparing athletes. These
factors are based on characteristics such as height, weight, BMI,
and body type, based upon normalized values determined from
statistical averages of many athletes. These factors make it
possible to more accurately predict performance abilities and
outcomes and compare athletes. The result value correlates
relatively reliably to the athlete's bike TriDot value.
[0381] Additionally when predicting the athletes' potential for
performance gains, the system can use the power-to-weight and
power-to-total-weight ratios and apply an additional set of factors
based on athlete characteristics such as height, weight, BMI, and
body type, based upon normalized values determined from statistical
averages of many athletes, and then can be further adjusted
proportionately for an individual athlete. These factors allow the
system to determine what type of training will produce the most
significant training and what the potential performance gains are
for a given training period. For example, by computing the
power-to-weight and power-to-total-weight ratios and factors, as
discussed above, the system can determine that one athlete with a
certain power-to-weight or power-to-total weight ratio might
benefit most or have the most potential performance gains from
increasing his/her functional threshold power while another athlete
with the same ratios but a higher BMI (for example) might benefit
most or have the most potential performance gains from improving
body composition (losing fat). In each case, based upon the
system's calculation of the power-to-weight and
power-to-total-weight ratios and additional factors, the system can
automatically prescribe different training for each athlete and
compute different rates of improvement based on these additional
factors.
[0382] Calculation of Pace-to-Weight Ratio and other factors
[0383] Similar to the process and calculations above for using an
athlete's cycling power-to-weight ratio along with other factors
related to the athlete's body composition to prescribe the most
effective type of training and the potential performance gains for
a give training period, the TriDot System calculates a
pace-to-weight ratio for running This ratio is the athlete's
running pace at threshold intensity divided by his/her weight.
[0384] Typical training programs only take into account the
athletes' actual pace at different intensities without regard for
the athlete's other body composition characteristics. Ignoring
these factors makes prescribing training for athlete's mere
guesswork--non-productive and potentially harmful to the athlete.
For example: Most training programs or coaches would prescribe
running training for all athletes with a 9:00 per mile threshold
pace the same. However, a 9-minute-per-mile athlete with a 1.9 BMI
and ectomorph build would be a relatively mediocre athlete from a
fitness perspective. This athlete would not benefit much from body
composition improvement but would benefit greatly from training
such as improving form, increasing strength or power, increasing
cardio capacity, and so forth. A different 9-minute-per-mile
athlete with a 3.2 BMI and endomorph build would deliver the same
race-day performance, however (setting aside the excess weight)
this athlete is very fit and is likely not going to see much
benefits from the training described above for the smaller athlete.
In fact, the training prescribed for the smaller athlete would
likely cause great harm to a larger athlete. The larger athlete
would benefit greatly from training that preserved current
"fitness" but improved his/her body composition.
[0385] The TriDot system calculates each athlete's pace-to-weight
ratio and then applies factors related to the athlete's other body
composition characteristics to determine what type of training to
prescribe and the anticipated potential for performance gain during
a specific training period, in the same manner as described above
for determining power-to-total-weight ratio for the bike, and for
determining factors based upon normalized values determined from
statistical averages of many athletes. Furthermore, if desired,
these factors can be further adjusted proportionately for an
individual athlete, based upon the ratio of that athlete's
historical increase in TriDot values for the run for a given
workload, divided by the average athlete's increase in TriDot
values for a given workload.
[0386] Although the foregoing has been described with respect to
the running pace-to-weight ratio, a similar methodology can be
employed for determining pace-to-weight ratio for the swim.
However, for the swim, a pace-to-drag ratio can be used.
[0387] Process for Producing Plan from Athlete Data
[0388] Athlete characteristic data is input into the system and
stored in system memory 140, including data such as age, gender,
height, weight, BMI, body type, number of years training in each
discipline, and so forth.
[0389] Immediate next training phase data is input and stored in
system memory 140 when the athlete or coach on athlete's behalf
requests a new training plan. Training phases are generally between
8 and 20 weeks in duration. Data input includes phase start date,
phase end date or race date, phase time (in season or off season),
race distances for each discipline, prior best time at this race
distance, current long training session durations for each
discipline, current weekly training volume for each discipline,
average training volume for prior period (such as 6 weeks), maximum
hours available week to train, desired weekly training hours or
range, attitude toward determining training hours (minimalist,
enough to deliver strong effort, whatever it takes to maximize
results), and so forth.
[0390] Subsequent training phase data is input and stored including
as much of the same data for the immediate next training phase as
possible. This data is for the training phase that will follow the
one being produced currently.
[0391] Athlete current performance data is input and stored
including assessments for each discipline.
[0392] Any data that is already in the system from the athlete's
prior training phases need not be entered again or
re-calculated.
[0393] To the extent possible, all processing and calculations
described below are done on a discipline-independent basis,
cumulative basis, and combination basis (combining bike and run; or
combining bike, run, and weight training or other
cross-training)
[0394] Current (or initial) abilities are calculated such as TriDot
values from current assessments, current workloads for various
periods (single session, weekly, weekly average), and factors
described elsewhere. If the athlete's prior training phase is
already in the system, this data can be used rather than
re-calculating. Workloads and training duration measures are
calculated and stored at the intensity-zone level. If these values
are unknown for a new athlete, default distributions of intensity
are used such as 70% of training duration is in zone 2 (easy), 20%
of training duration is in zone 3 (moderate), and 10% of training
duration is in zone 4 (threshold) or above. All of the above are
collectively referred to as "Abilities".
[0395] Phase duration is calculated by subtracting the input phase
end date from the phase start date.
[0396] Required abilities are calculated. Based on the athlete's
current abilities described above, the projected fitness gains
based on improvement factors, duration of the phase, end-of-phase
required abilities (based on projected time to complete race),
beginning-of-next-phase requirements, the end-of-phase required
abilities are calculated. These abilities are the greater of the
abilities required to perform the end-of-phase race at the desired
level or the abilities required to begin the next phase. The
increase in abilities required to complete the race at the end of
the next phase may necessitate more increases in the current phase
that only the end-of-current-phase race would require.
[0397] Initial abilities are subtracted from required abilities to
determine required increases in all abilities.
[0398] The system can then break phase into mesocycles (training
blocks) generally three to five weeks long based on the duration of
the phase. Five-week mesocycles are used as lead-in mesocycles with
taper for longer races. Three- and four-week mesocycles are
generally used for the remainder of the phase duration. Mesocycles
typically have one week of testing and recovery and remaining weeks
are "work" weeks where training workloads can be increased.
[0399] "Increasable weeks" are totaled to determine the number of
weekly increases possible for workloads, intensities, durations,
and other sequential training progressions.
[0400] Calculation of Weekly Increases
[0401] Based on the athlete's abilities and other factors, weekly
increase capacities are calculated for each discipline. Weekly
increase capacities are totaled to determine the possible or
potential end-of-phase abilities.
[0402] With reference now to FIG. 7, the manner in which weekly
increases are calculated will be described. In FIG. 7, the
abbreviations are:
[0403] Key to Abbreviations:
[0404] Metric: S.1w=Swim weekly volume (duration), S.SS=Swim
single-session volume, B and R represent Bike and Run
[0405] Min.Minutes=Safe weekly minutes that it's always safe to
increase from week to week
[0406] Min.Per.W=Percent of weekly minutes that it's always safe to
increase from week to week
[0407] Min.Per.W.Minutes=Safe weekly minutes increase based on
Min.Per.W and athlete's actual weekly value
[0408] Min.Per.SS=Safe single-session minutes increase as a percent
of single session duration
[0409] Min.Per.SS.Minutes=Safe single-session minutes increase
based on Min.Per.SS and athlete's actual single-session value
[0410] Prelim1.Increase=This is the max of Min.Per.W.Minutes and
Min.Per.SS.Minutes and represents the amount of increase that is
always safe
[0411] Max.Minutes=Maximum weekly minutes that it's safe to
increase from week to week
[0412] Max.Per.W=Maximum percent of weekly minutes that it's safe
to increase from week to week
[0413] Max.Per.W.Minutes=Maximum safe weekly increase minutes based
on Max.Per.W and athlete's actual weekly value
[0414] Max.Per.SS=Maximum single-session minutes it's safe to
increase as a percent of single session duration
[0415] Max.Per.SS.Minutes=Maximum safe single-session minutes
increase based on Max.Per.SS and athlete's actual single-session
value
[0416] Prelim2.Increase=Minimum of Max.Minutes, Max.Per.W.Minutes,
and Max.Per.SS .Minutes
[0417] Increase=Maximum of Min.Minutes and the minimum of
Prelim1.Increase and Prelim2.Increase
[0418] Min.Per.W.Minutes.NP=Safe weekly minutes to increase based
on Min.Per.W and the athlete's weekly value at the beginning of the
Next Phase
[0419] Min.Per.SS.Minutes.NP=Safe single-session minutes to
increase based on Min.Per.SS and the athlete's single session value
at the beginning of the Next Phase
[0420] Prelim1.Inc.NP=Maximum of Increase (from prior phase),
Min.Per.W.Minutes.NP
[0421] Max.Per.W.Minutes.NP=Maximum safe weekly increase minutes
based on Max.Per.W and the athlete's weekly value at the beginning
of the Next Phase
[0422] Max.Per.SS.Minutes.NP=Maximum safe single-session minutes
increase based on Max.Per.SS and the athlete's single-session value
at the beginning of the Next Phase
[0423] Prelim2.Inc.NP=Minimum of Max.Minutes, Max.Per.W.Minutes.NP,
Max.Per.SS.Minutes.NP
[0424] Increase.NP=Maximum of the Min.Minutes and the minimum of
Prelim1.Inc.NP and Prelim2.Inc.N
[0425] The table of FIG. 7 is table 700 showing an example of
volume (duration) increase capacities. Actual athlete values are
not shown but can be calculated from formulas and results shown.
Similar tables, calculations, and methods are used for increases in
overall workload, workload by discipline, and workload by intensity
level, including combinations of these and other measures. Minimum
and maximum minute (or workload unit) increases and percentage
increases are determined by applying various factors based on
athlete characteristics including performance level, age, height,
weight, years training in each discipline, and so forth, as
previously described.
[0426] The end-of-phase target abilities including workloads and
durations and other related measures are the lesser of the required
abilities (based on race or next phase) and the possible abilities
(based on increasable potential).
[0427] Based on the amount of increase in abilities between
beginning and end of phase, training focus, the system chooses an
increase strategy and applies increases across mesocycles and weeks
of training For example, if the increases required are nearly equal
to capacity, then increases are applied evenly throughout. If
minimal increases are required, these increase may be applied based
on hours available to train, desired training hours, and other
considerations, as determined by the preference input by the
user.
[0428] Based on the amount of increases required during each
mesocycle, weekly training progressions are selected that fit the
mesocycle duration, the training focus, and other criteria. For
example, if an athlete requires 30 minutes' of increases in his or
her single-session long run over a 3-week mesocycle, the system can
simply increase the athlete's long run by 10 minutes each week
provided that the athlete's increase capacity is 10 minutes or
greater. If the athlete's single-session long run is sufficient to
meet requirements, but the system determines that a 90-minute
increase in weekly duration is needed to meet the total workload
required to meet the goal, and at least 30 minutes per week of
weekly duration increase is possible, then the system can increase
two runs per week by 15 minutes each or add an additional 30-minute
run each week. If single-session and weekly volumes already meet
requirements, that athlete's workload or workload at a specific
intensity can be increased in the same manner.
[0429] Workload Stress limits are used in conjunction with workload
increase capacities in determining how much increase can be added
during a specific period of time or individual session.
[0430] The TriDot System's Workload Stress measures are also
incredibly valuable for athletes who do not need to increase
duration or workload in any way. The TriDot System can introduces
Workload Stress in one area while decreasing it in another to
stimulate a specific training response, while keeping total
Workload Stress within limits that are safe and within limits
desired by the user.
[0431] Based on weekly training progressions, an athlete's time
available to train, preferred training volume, training focus, and
other criteria, one or more individual training sessions are
constructed for each discipline for each week. Individual sessions
are selected from a list of training sessions based on their
session type, workload, workload allocation by intensity, target
training response, and so forth.
[0432] Each session can be uniquely constructed by the system based
on the individual athlete's performance abilities and other
criteria or characteristics, as described above. Each session in
the list of available sessions has a set of instructions for how
the session is to be constructed. For example if Bike Session XYZ
is selected, it could prescribe the following instructions for
constructing the session: Warm Up is 10' at easy pace; Main set is
as many 5-minute intervals at threshold pace that will fit into the
athlete's current threshold-pace single-session workload capacity
and not exceed 40 minutes with one minute rest between each
interval; Cool down is 15' at easy spin. Instructions can also
include relationships between the current session and a similar
prior session.
[0433] When training is completed, that athlete may manually enter
"completed as prescribed" or upload training data from a training
device such as a heart-rate monitor or power meter. This data is
fed back into system to measure training success and update system
thresholds and variables in conjunction with data from other
athletes with similar variables.
[0434] Individual training session data for an athlete may also be
used to dynamically re-calculate future training sessions. For
example, if the athlete successfully completes a key bike sessions
at prescribed wattage, the system can recognize that the athlete's
fitness has improved in increased TriDot value to re-calculate
exact current abilities and remainder of phase. Similarly, other
indicators (such as lower heart rate, higher wattages, faster
paces, quicker recovery for subsequent sessions, and direct athlete
feedback) are used to recognize fitness gains and trigger training
plan re-calculation for future sessions.
[0435] With reference now to FIG. 8-10, the system of the present
invention can be implemented on either a local computer system 80
or a central server 90 in communication with one or more computers
80a to 80x over a publically available telecommunication system
such as the telephone system or the internet 800. In either case, a
user can use a computer terminal 80 as depicted in FIG. 8, or one
of computer terminals 80a to 80x (for the internet-based embodiment
depicted in FIGS. 9-10.
[0436] Computer system 80 includes a display screen or monitor 81,
a computer 82 (including a CPU, RAM and/or ROM memory, data
storage, communication cards and I/O interfaces), a floppy disk
drive 83, a CD-ROM drive 84, a printer 85, a computer mouse 86, a
network adapter 87 for communication to the internet 800, a
keyboard input device 88, and a USB port 89. Network adapter 87 may
be implemented using protocols such as Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) and/or Internet Protocol (IP), well known in the
relevant arts. In general, in TCP/IP environments, a IP packet is
used as a basic unit of transport, with the source address being
set to the TCP/IP address assigned to the source system from which
the packet originates and the destination address set to the TCP/IP
address of the target system to which the packet is to be
eventually delivered.
[0437] Where the invention is implemented on a local computer such
as computer 80, software 200 on paper, magnetic, optical (such as a
DVD or CD), flash memory or other media embodying the steps of the
method of the invention would be loaded onto computer 82 by means
of floppy drive 83, CD-ROM drive 84, USB port 89, from the internet
over network adapter 87. The software 200 can also include data
correlating to normalized performance values (i.e. TriDots) in each
of the disciplines of interest and for a variety of times,
distances and the like, and/or historical results from a large
number of athletes in each of the disciplines of interest,
permitting computation of the normalized performance values and/or
pre-computed look-up tables of the normalized performance values or
such data can be loaded onto computer 82 separately. Since the data
representing the normalized performance values and/or historical
information for a large number of athletes and the mathematical
relationships between TriDots and expected performance that are
employed by the system to create the customized training plans and
to predict competitive performance, though relatively stable, can
change over time, it is desirable to periodically re-load updated
versions of the software 200 and/or data.
[0438] To use the invention, a user (who may be the athlete himself
or herself or someone acting on their behalf) would input the
athlete's personal information (such as the individual athlete's
BMI, prior competition results, etc.) by means of one or more input
devices, such as keyboard 88, mouse 86, floppy drive 83 or the
like. The personal data input by the user is stored in the computer
82 in either or both of RAM or local storage that also stores the
data correlating to the Tri-Dots and mathematical relationships.
When instructed to do so by the user, the specially-programmed
computer 82 implementing the invention will then process the data
to create the customized training plans and/or predicted
performance results etc., in accordance with the invention. The
customized training plans and/or predicted performance results etc.
can then be displayed to the user on display screen 81 and/or
output in printed form by means of printer 85.
[0439] With reference now to FIGS. 9-10, the invention is
implemented on a central server system 90 communicating with one or
more local computers 80a to 80x by means of the internet. Software
200' embodying the steps of the method of the invention and data
correlating to normalized performance values (i.e. TriDots) in each
of the disciplines of interest and for a variety of times,
distances and the like, and/or historical results from a large
number of athletes in each of the disciplines of interest,
permitting computation of the normalized performance values and/or
pre-computed look-up tables of the normalized performance values,
would be loaded onto the central server system 90. The data
representing the normalized performance values for a large number
of athletes and the mathematical relationships between TriDots and
expected performance that are employed by the system to create the
customized training plans and to predict competitive performance,
though relatively stable, can change over time. Thus, it is
desirable to periodically re-load updated versions of the software
200' stored on the central server system 90. In the internet-based
embodiment of the invention, users are constantly inputting their
own data relating to their performance at competition by means of
computer systems 80a to 80x, during assessments and the like, to
the central server system 90 over the internet 800. Thus, the
system of the invention can be updated to used such new information
on a near-real time basis.
[0440] In an internet-based embodiment of the invention, to use the
invention, a user (who may be the athlete himself or herself or
someone acting on their behalf) would use one of computer systems
80a to 80x to access and log-on to permit communication with the
central server, after signing up as an authorized user (which may
require payment of a fee). The configuration of each of computer
systems 80a to 80x would generally be the same as computer system
80 and need not be further described. The log-on information would
typically include a user identification number or code and a
password.
[0441] Once logged-on and authenticated, the user would input the
athlete's personal information (such as BMI, prior competition
results, etc.) by means of one or more input devices, such as
keyboard 88, mouse 86, floppy drive 83 or the like into the user's
computer 82. The personal data input by the user can be at least
temporarily stored in the user's computer 82 in either or both of
RAM or local storage. When instructed to do so by the user, the
user's computer 82 will transmit the user's data over the internet
800 to the central server system 90. Central server system 90
includes a specially-programmed computer 92 having data storage 94
loaded with software 200' implementing the invention, along with
the usual monitor 91 and keyboard 98. Computer 92 includes a CPU
901, memory (RAM and/or ROM) 902, an I/O interface 903, a
communication device 904 and software 905 (which is the executable
version of software 200').
[0442] Central server system 200' will then process the data to
create the customized training plans and/or predicted performance
results etc., in accordance with the invention. When requested by a
user, central server system 200', which will commonly be operating
as a website 93, will then transmit the customized training plans
and/or predicted performance results etc. to the user's computer 82
as a webpage or by other means. The customized training plans
and/or predicted performance results etc. can then be displayed to
the user on display screen 81 and/or output in printed form by
means of printer 85.
[0443] Those skilled in the art to which this application relates
will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions,
substitutions and modifications may be made to the described
embodiments.
* * * * *