Method and apparatus for monitoring user effectiveness during operation of an exercise machine

Abstract

A method of monitoring user effectiveness during cyclic operation of an exercise machine () having a pair of human limb-operable drive members () coupled for cyclic movement. The method comprises the steps of: (i) measuring and monitoring the drive force applied to the drive members () during cyclic movement of the drive members () and generating one or more force signals indicative thereof; (ii) using the one or more force signals to derive for each cycle of movement of the drive members () at least one maximum user effectiveness coefficient signal indicative of variation of force relative to a maximum force value measured for that cycle of movement and at least one minimum user effectiveness coefficient signal indicative of variation in force relative to a minimum force value measured for that cycle of movement; (iii) using the maximum and minimum user effectiveness coefficient signals derived in step (ii) to generate a user effectiveness score signal that is indicative of user effectiveness in driving cyclic movement of the drive members; and (iv) using the user effectiveness score signal in recording, displaying, printing, storing, downloading, uploading or transmitting one or more indicia representative of the user effectiveness score signal.