GB2432282A

GB2432282A - Mobile communication terminal with means for performing physiological measurements and generating workout information

Info

Publication number: GB2432282A
Application number: GB0523255A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yuh-Swu Hwang; York-Yih Sun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-15
Filing date: 2005-11-15
Publication date: 2007-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-15
Also published as: GB2432282B; GB0523255D0

Abstract

A mobile phone apparatus (1) for performing sports physiological measurements and generating target workout information includes a motion detector (60), a physiological parameter detector (70), a portable housing (50) and a processing module (80). The motion detector (60) detects motion of a user performing exercise, the physiological parameter detector (70) detects physiological parameters of the user, the portable housing (50) houses the processing module (80), and the processing module (80) is coupled to the motion detector (60) and the physiological parameter detector (70). The processing module (80) establishes a series of workout stages having varying exercise intensities, estimates at least one of a maximum oxygen uptake quantity (<FLA>V ß </FLA>O2max) and an anaerobic threshold (AT) of the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by the motion detector (60) and the physiological parameter detector (70), and generates target workout information to the user performing exercise.

Description

MOBXLE PHONE APPAXtATUS FOR PERFORMIZW SPORTs PHYSIOLOGICAL

MEASUREMENTS AND 4EWERATING WORKOUT IN?ORMATION The pre5ent invention relates to a mobile phone S apparatus for performing sports physiological measurements and generating target workout iriformat ion.

The use of physiological parameters to gauge physical fitness, and to enhance the effectiveness and safety of exercise has become widespread. As an example, most fitness clubs offer exercise equipment capable of performing such measuring of physiological parameters.

The Obtained data may then be used to establish target zones inline withdesiredexercise goals, such as weight reduction and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness.

Many portable devices have also been developed that are capable of measuring of physiological parameters -Such portable devices are particularly useful when exercising outdoors. Some portable devices are able to store dataandoutput the same to, forexample, apersonal computer.

Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional apparatus for performing sports physiological measurements and providing workout support includes a processor (CPU) 201, a clock circuit 202, a keypad 203, an alarm device 204, adisplay2os, areadon].ymemory (ROM) 206, a random access memory (RAM) 207, abus 208, a pulse rate detector 209, and a body motion detector 210.

The processor 201 controls the other elements via the bus 208. The ROM 205 stores program instructions executed by the Processor 201. The RAM 207 temporarily stores obtained data, as well as data resulting from calculations conducted by the processor 201. The pulse rate detector 209 detects the pulse rate of the user performing exercise. The body motion detector 210 may be configured as an accelerometer, and is used to detect movement by the user performing exercise. A detector interface 211 samples analog output of the pulse rate detector 209 and the motion detector 210, converts the sampled data into digital signals, and provides the digital signals to the processor 201 via the bus 208.

The keypad 203 allows for user input of settings for the apparatus, in addition to various personal information, such as height, weight, and sex. The alarm device 204 is controlled by the processor 201 to emit sounds for alerting the user to various situations, such as exceeding a recommended heart rate level. The display 205 displays various information to the user by control of the processor 201. The clock circuit 202 is used to keep track of elapsed time.

In comparing the above apparatus with a conventional mobile phone, nearly all the components may be used interchangeably. Therefore, by adding to the cOnventional mobile phone the necessary detectors and associated program instructions, the mobile phone may be equipped to perform sports physiological measurements and provide workout support.

An example of such a device is disclosed in US Patent No. 6,817,979 (D79patent), entitled"systemandMethod for Interacting With a User's Virtual Physiological S Model Via aMobile Terminal" Inthe 979 patent, various physiological data are acquired from a user performing exercise in real-time through use of a mobile communication device, and the data are used to generate fitness data. The physiological data are transmitted by the mobile communication device to a network server, which integrates the physiological data into a virtual physiological model of the user.

The 979 patent, however, is not without drawbacks.

For example, in the specification of the 979 patent, there is no disclosure with respect to the estimation of maximumoxygen uptake quantity (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold (AT) . These two measures are widely used by exercise physiologists as a predictor of performance in sports requiring endurance, and are highly helpful in establishing an effective and safe exercise regimen.

In addition, the system of the 979 patent includes a fitness data engine that is operable at a network server.

That is! the fitness data engine, which is supported by the network server, processes all data obtained by the mobile communication device of the 979 patent. This complicates the structure and operation of the network server, and places a greater processing burden on the n same -Therefore, the obiect of this invention is to provide a mobile phone apparatus for performing sports physiological measurements and generating target workout information, in which maximum oxygen uptake quantity (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold (AT) may be easily and effectively measured, and used to provide The mobile phone apparatus for performing sports physiologica' measurements and generating target workout information, according to this invention comprises: a motion detector for detecting motion of a user performing exercise a physiological parameter detector adapted to be placed in contact with the body of the user performing exercise, the physiological parameter detector detecting at least one physiological parameter of the user performing exercise; a portable housing, the physiological parameter detector being mounted at least partially external to the portable housing; and aprocessing module mounted in the portable housing and coupled to the motion detector and the physiological parameter detector.

The processing module includes: a workout training program for establishing a series of workout stages having varying exercise intensities to be targeted by the user performing exercise, a performance estimating monitor for estimating at least one of a maximum oxygen n uptake quantity (VQ2max) and an anaerobic threshold (AT) of the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by the motion detector and the physiological parameter detector, and a target performance indicator for generating target workout information to the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by the motion detector and the physiological parameter detector, as well as the workout training program.

Other features and advantages of the present inventionwilibecomeapparent inthefollowingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. lisa schematic block diagram of a conventional apparatus for performing sports physiological measurements and providing workout support; Fig 2 is a simplified functional block diagram of a mobile phone apparatus for performing sports physiological measurements and generating target workout information according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the mobile phone apparatus of Pig. 2; Fig. 4 is another schematic block diagram of the mobile phone apparatus of Fig. 2, illustrating a connection between a mobile phone assembly and a detecting assembly of the mobile phone apparatus when the detecting assembly is mounted external to the mobile phone assembly; Fig. S shows anexampleof anAstrand-Rhymingnomogram used in the present invention; S Pig. 6 is a chart showing examples of age correction factors applied to the Astrand-Rhymjng nomogram of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a graph showing an exemplary relation between heart rate and exercise intensity; Fig. B is a graph showing an exemplary relation between entropy and exercise intensity; Fig. 9 are graphs showing the relation between power of heart rate variability and exercise intensity; Fig. 10 is a flowchart of control processes involved in progressively increasing exercise intensity according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a flowchart of control processes involved in measuring maximum oxygen uptake quantity (VO2xnax) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a flow chart of control processes involved in measuring anaerobic threshold (AT) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a flow chart of control processes involved in providing workout support according to a preferred embodj,ment of the present invention; n Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 15 shows the holder of Fig. 14 ma state securing S a mobile phone apparatus; Fig. 16 is a schematic view, illustrating the mobile phone apparatus of the present invention in different states of use, Such as use during running, and real-time monitoring during exercise via a mobile phone network; Fig. 17 is a schematic view used to describe how the mobile phone apparatus of the present invention may be used to transmitdata to and from a personal computer; Fig. 18 is graph to illustrate an exemplary use of a linear regression method to determine heart rate deflection point (HRDP) utilizing lactate turning points; Fig. 19 is a graph to illustrate an exemplary use of a third-order curvilinear regression method (Omax) to determine tiRD; and Fig. 20 is a graph to illustrate an exemplary logistical growth function for determining HRDP.

FIg. 2 is a simplified functional block diagram of a mobile phone apparatus 1 for performing sports physiological measurements and generating target workout information according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile phone apparatus 1 includes a portable

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housing 50, a motion detector 60, a physiological parameter detector 70, a processing module 80, and an environment detector 90 -The motion detector 60 detects motion of a user performing exercise, and may be mounted in or externally of the portable housing 50. The physiological parameter detector 70 is mounted at least partially external to the portable housing 50, and is adapted to be placed in contact with the body of the user performing exercise. The physiological parameter detector 70 detects at least one physiological parameter of the user performing exercise. The processing module is mounted in the portable housing 50, and is coupled detector 70.

The processing module 80 includes a workout training program 81 for establishing a series of workout stages having varying exercise intensities to be targeted by the user performing exercise, a performance estimating monitor 82 forestimatingat least one of amaximumoxygen uptake quantity (VO2max) and an anaerobic threshold (AT) of the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by the motion detector 60 and the physiological parameter detector 70, and a target performance indicator 23 for generating target workout information to the user performing exercise with reference to data obtainedby the motion detector 60 and the physiological parameter detector 70, as well as the workout training program 61.

The environment detector 90 is coupled to the processing module 80, and is operable so as to detect environmental condjtjon to obtain environmental data.

The performance estimating monitor' 82 suitably factors in the environmental data when estimating the VQ2rnax and the AT of the user performing exercise.

In this embodiment, the processing module 80 includes a processor and a programmemory coupled to the processor.

The program memory stores program instructions executed by the processor for configuring the processing module to include the workout training program 81, the performance estimating monitor 82, and the target performance indicator 83.

Figs. 3 and 4 show an exemplary embodiment of the mobile phone apparatus 1 of Fig. 2. In this example, the mobile phone apparatus 1 includes a mobile phone assembly 10, a transmission line 11 (see Fig-4) , and a detecting assembly 12 having a motion detector 121, a physiological parameter detector 122, and an environment detector 123.

The mobile phone assembly 10 includes a microprocessor 117 such as a digital signal processor, a read only memory (ROM) 113, a random access memory (RAM) 114, asubscriberidentitymodule (SIM) card 115, a power supply and management unit 116 having a battery 118, an antenna lOt, a radio frequency (PS) unit 102 fl having a transmitter, a receiver, and a frequency synthesizer (all not shown), a baseband unit 103, a microphone 134, a buzzer unit 105, a speaker 106, a display unit 107 configured as a liquid crystal display, a user interface log configured as a keypad, a clock circuit 109, a vibration alert unit 110, a first port 111 such as an RS-232 port or a US port for wired communications, a second port 112 such as an infrared port or Bluetooth port for wireless communications, a detectorinterface 100 (see Fig. 4) , andade-niultiplexer 119 (see Fig. 4) -The ROM 113 includes program instructions that are executed by the microprocessor 117 to enable full duplex telecommunications by the mobile phone assembly 10 in a conventional manner, as well as to perform sports physiological measurements and to generate target workout information. The microprocessor 117 performs overall control of the mobile phone apparatus 1, in addition to executing the program instructions stored in the ROM 113 -The RAM 114 temporarily stores data input by the User pertorming exercise, as well as results of calculations performed by the microprocessor 117 The microprocessor 117 controls the microphone 104, the buzzerunit 105, and the speaker 105 through the baseband Unit 103. The first port 111 and the second port 112 may be used transmit and receive data to and from a personal computer (to be described hereinafter)

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The motion detector 121 may be configured as an accelerometer, and functions to detect movement of the user performing exercise. The motion d?tector 121 is able to convert movement of the user performing exercise S to electrical signals in a conventional manner. The converted electrical signals may then be used to calculate number of paces per unit time, motion speed, distance traveled, arid work exerted by the user performing exercise in power units. This wilt be described in greater detail below.

The physiological parameter detector 122 is used to detect physiological parameters of the user performing exercise. The physiological parameter detector 122 detects heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, etc. Different detectors may be used for the different measurements.

For example, when VO2max and AT are measured by an indirect method (to be described below), a pulse rate detector (not shown) maybe used. To simplify detection, the obtained pulse rate may be considered equivalent to the heart rate (beats/rain) of the user performing exercise. The pulse rate may be measured in a variety of ways, such as by using a piezoei.ectrjc detector to take a radial pulse, or by using an optical pulse reader that measures movement of blood in the capillaries of the finger. Since these and other techniques are well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will n be omitted herein ior the sake of brevity.

The environment detector 123 is operable so as to detect environmental conditions toobtainenvironmental data representative of, for example, ambient temperature and air pressure. The microprocessor 117 factors in the environmental data when estimating the TO2rnax and the AT of the user performing exercise in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The physiological paThthétr detector 122 iE mbuntéd at least partially external to the mobile phone assembly to allow for contact *w th the body of the user performing exercise. The environment detector 123 and the motion detector 121 may be mounted in or external to the mobile phone assembly 10. Further, the motion detector 121, the physiological parameter detector 122, and the environment detector 123 are coupled to the microprocessor 117 through the detector interface 100 (see Fig. 4) . Whentheseelementeareexternallymounted, the detector interface 100 may allow for a wired or wireless connect ion for coupling to the microprocessor 117.

Fig. 4 shows the connection between externally disposed detecting units and the mobile phone assembly 10. A plurality of detecting units, e.g., a first detecting unit 124, a second detecting unit 125, and an nth detecting unit 126, maybe coupled through a wired or wireless connection to the microprocessor 117 of the mobile phone assembly 10.

In the example shown in Pig. 4, the first and second detecting units 124,125 are coupled via a wired connection to the microprocessor 117 through a multiplexer 128, the transmission line 11, the de-multiplexer 119, and the detector interface 100, the latter two of which are part of the mobile phone assembly 10. The nth detecting unit 126, on the other hand, is wirelessly coupled to the microprocessor 117 of the mobile phone assembly 10 through the deteotor interface 100. In this case, a transmitter 127 is associated with the nth detecting unit 126. The transmitter 127 wirelessly transmits signals to the detector interface in any known manner, such as through inductive coupling, infrared transmission, microwave transmission, radio frequency transmission, Bluetooth transmission, etc. The theory and principles behind the operation and use of the mobile phone apparatus twill nowbe described.

At the onset, user-speciticdata, suchasheight, weight, age and sex of the user performing exercise, are inputted through the keypad 108 or through conventional data transmission techniques for storage in the RAM 114 upon switching the mobile phone apparatus 1 to a mode for performing sports physiological measurements and for generating target workout information. Exercise measurements are performed using the motion detector fl 121, that is, by measuring the physical movement of the user performing exercise. The data obtained by the motf on detector 121 may be used by the microprocessor 117 to determine speed, displacement, work, and power. Power is equivalent to exercise intensity, and its units are kp.-m/min (i.e., kilopond-meters per minute). The kp-m/min unit corresponds to the kg-rn/nUn unit (kilogram-meter per minute) The motion detector 121 is secured to a specific area.

of the body of the user performing exercise. The motion detector 121 generates analog voltage pulse signals corresponding to the level of acceleration. when the motion detector 121 is positioned on the wrist of the user, for example, the motion detector 121 outputs voltage pulse signals corresponding to acceleration resulting from the swinging of the user's arms dunn9 exercise. Through frequency analysis and using a fast Pourier transform (FPT) algorithm, the required signals may be obtained from the pulse signals, then converted to calculate, for example, the number of paces per unit time.

Stride of the user performing exercise is indicated in units of meters per step (rn/step) By multiplying stride by the number of steps per unit time, speed may 23 be obtained in units of meters per minute (rn/mm). By multiplying the speed by the weight of the user performing exercise, exercise intensitymaybe obtained n in units of kilopond-meters per minute (kp-m/min) or kilogram-meters per minute (kg-rn/thin) as described above.

Stride Cm/step) maybe obtained directly through user input and stored in the RAM 114. Alternatively, stride may be obtained indirectly as a function of the height of the user performing exercise, or as a function of both the height and weight of the user performing exercise. Using the knowledge that stride v&ries with speed, adjustments to the input or calculated stride may be made according to the calculated speed of the user performing exercise.

The mobile phone apparatus 1 of the present invention is able to calculate VO2max and AT of the user performing exercise. These two indices may then be used to provide workout support if desired. VQ2max and AT are extremely important in sports physiology and allow for the quantitative evaluation of an individual's endurance.

That is, VO2max and AT may be used to quantitatively measure fitness, as well as to quantify, compare, and confirm the effects of training.

In exercise physiology, maximum oxygen uptake quantity (VO2nlax) indicates the maximum rate of oxygen that can be utilized by the body during severe exercise.

The measurement is ideally taken at sea level. VO2max n provides an indication of cardio-respiratory endurance.

By dividing VQ2max by the weight of the user, a relative value (mi/kg/mm) may be obtained, which is an internationally recognized standard measure of an S individual's cardio-respiratory fitness.

In addition to quantitatively evaluating an individual's endurance and confirming the effects of exercise training, VO2max may also function as an index of exercise training load, For example, by exercising at an exercise intensity of SO-SS% of an individual's VO2max, it is believed (by exercise physioloqists) that the greatest benefit from exercise may be obtained.

Anaerobic threshold (AT) is an important indicator in exercise physiology and is defined as the point at which lactate (lactic acid) begins to accumulate in the bloodstream, AT is obtained by taking measurements in a known manner while the intensity of exercise is incrementally increased. AT defines the boundary between aerobic and anaerobic systems of the human body.

AT may also be used to quantitatively evaluate an individual's endurance, confirmthe effects of training, and as an index of exercise training load similar to the manner in which VO2rnax is used. According to recent research, AT is believed to be a better measure of endurance than VO2max.

The method of measuring VO2max will now be described -VQ2max may be measured directly or indirectly. In the * direct method, which is typically performed in a laboratory setting, exhalation amounts are measured while the test subject is undergoing an incrementally intensive exercise load, fly taking the ratio of the oxygen content to carbon dioxide content in the air exhaled by the subject, the maximum oxygen uptake quantity per minute may be obtained. A drawback of such a direct method, however, is that it is necessary for the test subject to eventually reach a level of maximum exercise intensity. This is not suitable for all persons (e.g.. children and older people).

Therefore, an indirect method has been devised by specialists in the field to replace the direct method of measuring VQzmax. In the indirect method, the test subj ect need not exercise to a maximum intensity, thereby allowing for safe application to all persons. The indirect method is particularly useful when no medical professionals are present for the test, the physical condition of the test subject is unknown, and/or the test subject leads a sedentary lifestyle and is not used to exercising to maximum intensity.

In the indirect method, the subject undergoes a progressively increasing exercise intensity to a sub-maximal level, during which physiological parameters arerneasured, e.g., heart rate. Next, VO2rnax is estimated using a look-up table, an Ast rand-Rhyming nomogram, or a mathematical formula.

Since the heart rate (beats/mm) of a normal person is equivalent to his or her pulse rate, the pulse rate is commonly used as a measure of heart rate due to the relative ease of measuring the former, particularly during exercise.

Fig. 5 shows anexampleof anAstrand-Rhymingnomogram that isusedtoestjmateVO2nax. The heart rate isplotted on the left axis, and the e4rcise intensity is plotted onthepairof right axes. tObnaxisplottedona straight, inclined axis between the heart rate and exercise intensity axes. Gender symbols are shown at the top of each of the axes (pair of 4es for exercise intensity) to indicate the differeijit measurements used for different sexes. The Astranc1[-Rhyming nomogram is formed on the presumption that tiere is a linear relation between a test subject's eercise intensity and heart rate. For this reason, wheA using the Astrand-Rhyming nomogram to measure tO2maxj. it is necessary to first verify that there is such a 1 nearly increasing relation between the exercise inten ity and the heart rate of the particular test subject.

Referring to Fig. 7, a example of the relation between the heart rate and e ercise intensity of a test fl subject is shown in a graph. In general, when exercise intensityisbelowaspeci,fic level, therelationbetween the heart rate and exercise intensity is such that heart rate increases in direct proportion to exercise intensity as shown in Fig. 7. When the exercise intensity of the test subject exceeds a specific level, however, such a linear relation ceases to exit, with the rate of increase in the heart rate becoming less than the rate of increase in exercise intensity. eventually, saturationoccursandadditional increases inheart rate are no longer possible.

The point at which the linear relation between the heart rate and exercise intensity ends is commonly referred to as the heart rate deflection point (HRDP) The straight line up to the HRDP is related to the fitness level of the test subject. That is to say, the slope of the straight line provides an indication of the overall fitness of the test subject. For example, measurements for a first test subject that result in a more horizontal line than measurements for a second test subject indicates that the first test subject is able to undergo a greater exercise intensity at the same heart rate level than the second test subject.

The indirect method for estimating VO2rnax involves progressive incremental exercise testing during which heart rate is measured. In order to determine whether a linearrelationshipexists, it isnecessarytomeasure exercise intensities at a minimum of three points, and determine the heart rate at each point. The obtained exercise intensity-heart rate pairs have to confirm the existence of a straight-line relationship by linear regression analysis.

After determining that a linear relation between exercise intensityandheart!cate exists, it is necessary to know Only the gender of the test subject in order to determine VO2max by applying the obtained data to an Astrand-Rhyrning nomogram, such as that shown in Fig. 5. In addition, since \TOzrnax varies according to age, VO2nlax may be adjusted by an age correction factor. Fig. 6 shows a chart of various age correction factors that may be applied to the Astrand-Rhyming nomogram of Fig. 5.

The method of measuring anaerobic threshold (AT) will now be described. AT is defined as the point at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the bloodstream as explained above. The determination of AT involves at least one of measuring lactate in the blood, gas exchange, and heart rate: AT obtained by measuring lactate in the blood is referred to as lactate threshold, AT obtained by measuring gas exchange is referred to as ventilatory threshold, and AT obtained by measuring heart rate is referred to as heart rate threshold. AT determined by measuringheartrateisthesipl55 Regardless of which

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method is used, measurements are performed while the test subiect is undergoing exercise of a progressive intensity. In the gas exchange method, carbon dioxide in the air exhaled by the test subject, as well as the S oxygen in the air inhaled by the test subject, are measured. The information is then provided to a computer to determine AT. This final method is referred to as a V-slope method.

Referring again to Fig. 7, heart-rate threshold may be determined from such a plot of heart rate versus exercise intensity. Conconi et al. developed the concept of heart-rate threshold. They found that when exercise intensity is below a specific level, there is a linear relation between heart rate and exercise intensity.

However, when exercise intensity exceeds a given value (i.e., the specific level), increases in the heart rate slow down until saturation occurs. That is, after this specific value referred to as HRDP as mentioned above, the linear relation between heart rate and exerciseiritensityceasestoexist. Althoughslightlyhigherthan the true anaerobic threshold value, the HRDP is viewed to be roughly equivalent thereto.

One common exercise test used to estimate AT is the Conconi test, which is a simple, convenient and non-invasive test. In this method, exercise intensity is progressively increased, during which heart rate is monitored and recorded. The resulting HRDP is determined r to be the heart rate threshold.

A variety of methods of determining HRflP have been dcvelcpedinordertoimprovetheprecjsjonof estimating AT therefrom. The methods have developed from simple visual inspection to more recent methods involving computer-aided regression analysis. Regression techniques include simple linear regression, third-order curvilinear regression, and logistical growth function. Regardless of which method is used, HRDP is estimated.

In each of the following examples for determining }iRDP, exercise load is progressively increased at increments of 15W (1W=G.l2 kp-m/min) and at two-minute intervals after a test subject has completed a warm-up is exercise stage (e.g., SOw exercise intensity for 5 minutes) until maximal exercise intensity and heart rate levels are reached.

Fig. 18 shows a graph used to illustrate the linear regression method of calculating HRDP. tn the graph, a first lactate turn point (LTP1) and a second lactate turn point (ITP2) are utilized, in which the LTP2 is the AT value. A second-degree polynomial represents a heart rate curve in this method. Two minimum standard deviation regression lines are drawn through data points of the LTP1 and of maximum exercise intensity, and the heart rate corresponding to the point at which these two regression lines intersect is the HRDP. It may be determined if the heart rate curve is increasing or decreasing by examination of the slopes of these two regression lines.

Fig. 19 shows a graph used to illustrate the third-'order curvilinear regression method (]Jmax method) of calculating HRDP. Heart rate data as a function of time is first plotted on the graph. The points on the graph are then used to obtain the heart rate regression curve, Next, ends of the regression curve are connected by a straight line. The heart rate corresponding to the point on the regression curve farthest from the straight line is the HRDP.

Fig. 20 shows a graph used to illustrate the logistical growth function method of calculating HRDP.

The logistical growth function is commonly used in establishing a growth rate model for biological organisms since slowing growth with eventual saturation is typical of the growth experiencedwjth such biological organisms, the làgistical growth function [= l/(abx + c)] into which are input heart rate and exercise intensity is a basic computer program, The logistical growth function can generate a heart rate curve that increases at a specific growth rate until reaching the HRDP, where the rate of increase in the curve decreases until reaching the maximum heart rate.

If heart rate is (H) and exercise intensity is (P) the logistical growth function may be expressed by the fl equation H=l/ (ab (1/rn)), where rn is the maximum heart rate, a is the y-intercept, and b is the slope. This equationmaybere-arrangedtoobtainthelinearequation, (lJM)-(l/m)=ab. By multiplying both sides of this linear equation by the natural log, the following equationmaybeobtained: ln((l/N)-(1/m)) =lna+(lnb)P.

Therefore, the linear equation of the logistical growth function may be used in regression analysis to convert data (i.e., heart rate and exercise intensity data).

As shown in Pig. 20, the upperportion of the obtained logistical growth function curve is converted into a derivative curve for use in performing calculation and analysis. The y-axis coordinates and their corresponding x-axis coordinates (exercise intensity) of the derivative curve may be used to obtain the slope of the given curve (i.e., the logistical growth function curve) . Therefore, exercise intensity and heart rate may be obtained from a specific y-axis coordinate of the derivative curve, and this particular point represents the HRDP. In order to prevent drift in the analyzedcurves, it is necessary that the startingpoints of exercise intensity values remain constant.

The concept of analyzing heart rate variability during exercise to measure the AT point has been developed in recent times. Heart rate variability involves analysis of changes in R-R interval times associated with consecutive heart beats, in which the

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R-R. interval time is the heart beat cycle whereas the heart rate is its inverses The theory and method of utilizing entropy (2) to determine AT will now be described. After performing a warm-up exercise (e.g., 5 minutes of exercise at an intensity of SOW, where LW=6.12 kp-m/min), the test subject progressively increases exercise intensity, for example, at a rate of 15W every two minutes. At the same time, the R- R interval value (i.e., the period of tO one heart beat in units of milliseconds) of the heart rate signals is measured, and indicated as R-R(n), where n is the continuous number of heart beats. Further, the inverse of the period of one heart beat cycle is the heart rate (beats/mm) - 1.5 A continuous heart beat cycle value is defined as (R-R(n) R-R(n+l)], where 1 n N-i, N indicating the total number of heart beats within a predetermined time period. An increase in the heart rate indicates that the current heart beat cycle has shortened relative to the previous cycle. Therefore, the continuous heart beat cycle value is positive when the heart rate increases, and is negative when the heart rats decreases.

In addition, the above continuous heart beat cycle may be indicated by a percent index (Pt) . P1 may be obtained by the following Equation 1: P1 (n)%= CR-R(n) -R-R(n+l) J /R-R(n) xlOO% (1) where 1 n N-i. fl

In order to obtain more precise data, the last 100 heart rates may be used to calculate P1.

Frequency f(i) indicates the number of times P1(n) occurs within, a predetermined interval, where "i" is an integer. Furthermore, probability p(i) may be obtained by Equation 2 below: pCi) = f(i) / f (2) where = E Therefore, entropy may be defined by the following Equation 3: = -p(i) lcg2p(i) (3) Fig. 8 isagraph showing the relationbetweenentropy and exercise intensity. In the graph, an increasing exercise intensity accompanied by a decreasing entropy indicates that the test subject has not reached AT. In order to obtain AT, exercise intensity must be progressively increased, during which the P1 values and entropy are measured. The point at which entropy begins to increase indicates the AT of the test subject.

The theory and method for determining AT using the power of heart rate variability will now be described.

After performing a warm-up exercise (e.g.., 5 minutes of exercise at an intensity of SOW, where lW=6.l2]cp-m/min), the test subject progressively increases exercise intensity, for example, at a rate of 15W every two minutes. At the same time, the R-R

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interval value (i.e., the period of one heart beat in units of milliseconds) of the heart beat signals is measured, and indicated as RR(n), where n is the continuous number of heart beats. rurther, the inverse S of the period of one heart beat cycle is the heart rate (beats/mm) The power of heart rate variability (i.e., Power(n), withunits of ms2) is the square of the difference between consecutive heart beat cycle values. Power(n) may be obtained by the following Equation 4: Power(n)r(R-R(fl)-tZ-R(n 1))2 (4) where 1 n N-i, N indicating the total number of heart beats within a predetermined time period.

Next, the average value of Power(n) within a unit tine is calculated. The unit time may be, for example, 30-secondperiodswithina 2-minute interval. Therefore, the exercise load may be progressively increased at intervals until the maximutn heart rate is reached.

Referring to Pig. 9, a curve can be obtained through regression analysis of the average values of Power(n) thus obtained. As evident from Fig. 9, the power of heart rate variability [Power(n)1 decreases with increases in exercise intensity until it is approximately zero.

This characteristic can be used to estimate the anaerobic threshold (AT) point. In particular, the AT is point is one where the Power(n) value is lower than a preset lower limit, and the slope [Power(n-1)-Power(n)] is n lower than a preset value.

Regardless of which method is used to estimate VOzmax or AT, measurements of physiological parameters are performed while the test subject is undergoing exercise of a progressive intensity. Testing is typically performedusingmachinesthatallowforprecisesettings, such as a bicycle ergometer, a treadmill, or a step machine.

In the past, measurements were performed using the Conconi method inwhicha "fixed distance, fixedamount" modewasusedwhileincreasingspeed. However, the "fixed distance" isnowcomruonlyreplacedwitha "fixed interval (of time) ." In the present invention, an accelerometer fixed at a suitable position of the user's body and an indication mechanism (i.e., the target performance indicator S3 of Fig. 2) are used to simulate the use of exercise equipment in a laboratory setting. The user performing exercise is alerted to progressively increase his or her exercise intensity at fixed intervals and by a fixed amount. In other words, after converting the electrical pulse signals obtained from the accelerometer attached to, for example, the user's wrist, the number of paces per unit time (i.e., steps/mm) may be obtained.

Furthermore, bymultiplyingthenumberofpacesperunit time (steps/mm) by stride (rn/step), speed (rn/mm) may be obtained. Next, by multiplying the weight of the user

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bythe.speed, exercise intensitymaybeobtainedinunits of kilogram-meters per minute (kg-rn/mm) or kilopond-ineters per minute (kp-m/min) . Therefore, through the indication mechanism of the present S invention, the user performing exercise may be instructed to adjust the number of paces per unit time to thereby effect changes in exercise intensity. At the same time, by establishing workout stages, exercise intensity may be progressively increased at fixed intervals and by a fixed amount.

Referring to Fig. 10, the use and operation of the mobile phone apparatus 1 of the present invention will now be described. For the following discussion, it is assumed that the mobile phone apparatus 1 is configured as the mobile phone shown in Fig. 3.

First, in step Sal, the user is prompted by control of the microprocessor 117 to select a desired workout training program through manipulation of the user interface 108. As an example, there maybe provided five levels of workout training programs, in which the higher the level, the greater will be the increase in exercise intensity for the different workout stages. If it is further assumed for this example that each workout stage lasts two minutes, that a first level has been selected, and exercise intensity increases at a rate of 20W (where lW=E. 12 kp-m/min) for the first level, then the user performing exercise must increase exercise intensity by 20W every two minutes following a period of warm-up exercise as described below.

Next, in step Sa2, the microprocessor 117 of the mobile phone apparatus 1 performs control to output a warm-up indication to the user performing exercise. The progressive exercise intensity process of this invention includes a warm-up stage in which the user performs exercise at a predetermined exercise intensity for a predetermined time. As an example, the warm-up stage may involve exercising for five minutes at an exercise intensity of SOW.

Subsequently, in step Sa3. the detecting assembly 12 of the mobile phone apparatus 1 detects the user's heart rate and exercise intensity during the warm-up stage. Next, in step Sa4, the microprocessor 117 of the mobile phone apparatus 1 compares the detected values with predetermined values, and determines if the detected values are within predetermined ranges, exceed the predetermined ranges, or are lower than the predetermined ranges. If the detected values exceed the predetermined ranges, then an indication is provided to the user in step Sa7 that the actual exercise intensity is too high. If the detected values are lower than the predetermined ranges, then an indication is provided totheuserinstepsasthattheactualexerciseifltensity is too low. Finally, if the detected values fall within the predetermined ranges, then a "suitable" indication is provided to the user in step SaG. The user performing exercise is able to adjust his or her exercise intensity as needed according to the indications thus provided.

After any of the steps SaS, Sa6, and Sa7, it is determined if the time interval associated with the warm-up stage has elapsed in step SaB. If the time interval of the warm-up stage has not elapsed, then the flow returns to step 8a3. However, it the time interval of the warn-up stage has elapsed, the microprocessor 117 performs control in step Sa9 to output an indication to the user performing exercise to begin progressive increasee in exercise intensity. Based on this indication, the user starts to increase exercise intensity.

Next, in step SalO, the detecting assembly 12 detects the heart rate and exercise intensity of the user performing exercise. Subsequently, in step Salt, the mobilephone apparatus idetermines if the detectedheart rate exceeds the heart rate limit (HRT,,) of the user, where the HRL is calculated as follows; HRL O.S5(220-age).

If the detected heart rate exceeds or is equal to the HRL of the user, then step Sa20 is performed and all intervening steps are skipped. In step 9a20, the microprocessor 117 performs control to record and store obtained exercise data and estimated values in the RAM 114, after which an indication may be provided to the

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user performing exercise to discontinue exercise.

However, if the detected heart rate is less than the HRL in step Sail, then the microprocessor 117 performs a comparison of the detected heart rate and exercise intensity with corresponding predetermined ranges in step 8a12. It the detected values are less than the predetermined ranges, then an indication is provided to the user performing exercise in step 5a13 that the actual exercise intensity is too low. If the detected values exceed the predetermined ranges, then an indication is provided to the user performing exercise in step Sa15 that the actual exercise intensity is too high. Finally, if the detected values fall within the predetermined ranges, then a "suitable" indication is provided to the user in step 5a14. The user performing exercise may adjust his or her exercise intensity as needed based on the indications thus provided.

After any of the steps sa13, Sa14, and Sa15, the microprocessor 117 performs calculations based on the obtained exercise data to estimate exercise performance indicia (e.g., VOiniax and AT) in step SalG. During such progressive increases in exercise intensity, following an increase in. exercise intensity by a fixed amount for each workout stage, a predetermined exercise intensity is maintained for the duration of the workout stage.

This allows for the physiological parameters detected in each workout stage to be more precisely obtained.

Next, instepGal7, themicroprocessorll7 determines if estimation of the exercise performance indicia has been successfully performed. If riot, it is determined in step Sa1S if the current workout stage has ended.

If the current workout stage has not ended, then the flow returns to step SalO. However, if the current workout stage has ended in step SalS, then the microprocessor 117 performs control in step SetS to provide an indication to the user performing exercise to perform a subsequent stage of exercise intensity, after which the flow returns to step Sa9. However, if estimation of the exercise performance indicia has been successfullyperformed in step Sa].7, then, instep 8a20, the microprocessor 117 of the mobile phone apparatus 1 records and stores exercise data and estimated values in the RAM 114. Following step 3a20, an indication may be provided to the user performing exercise to discontinue exercise (not shown) Fig. 11 shows an example of processes involved in estimating VO2max.

First, in step Sin, the user manipulates the user interface 108 to place the mobile phone apparatus 1 in a measure VO2maJ( mode. Next, in step Sb2, the microprocessor 117 performs control to selectively receive exercise data In step Sb3, the microprocessor 117 of the mobile phone apparatus 1 performs control to allow for input of user-specific data, suchas height, weight, sex, andage. subsequently, instep Sb4, control processes associated with progressively increasing exercise intensity are performed. Next, in step 5b5, the detecting assembly 12 detects exercise intensity andheart rate. TnstepSb6, themicroprocessOr 117 stores the obtained average exercise intensity data for each workout stage with their corresponding average heart rate data in the PAM 114.

Next, in step Sb7, the microprocessor 117 determines if three or more data pairs of exercise intensity and heart rate have been obtained. This step is performed since there must be at least three data pairs of exercise intensity and heart rate to determine if there is a linearly increasing relationship between these parameters. If there are less than three data pairs of exercise intensity andheart rate, then the flow returns to step CbS.

However, if three or more data pairs of exercise intensity and heart rate have been obtained, it is determined in step ShE if there is a linear relation between the detected exercise intensity and heart rate.

If there is no such linear relation, then the mobile phone apparatus 1 outputs an end exercise prompt to the user performing exercise in step Sb9, after which the process is ended.

However, if there is a linear relation between the detected exercise intensity and heart rate in step SbS, the microprocessor 117 estimates VO2max of the user performing exercise in step Sbao. Adjustments may be made for the estimation of the VQ2max, suchasbyapplying S an age correction factor. In this embodiment, an Aserand-Rhyming nomogram is used to estimate VO2rnax in step SblO, in which the gender of the user performing exercise maybe used to obtain a more precise estimation.

Subsequently, in step sbll, the microprocessor 117 calculates O2max/wt. That is, the estimated VO2max is divided by the user' s weight to thereby obtain VOtzmax/wt (mi/kg/mm), which is an internationally recognized standard measure of an individual' s cardio-respiratory fitness. Finally, in step Sb12, the microprocessor 117 performs control to display the obtained VOznnx/wt value on the display unit 107, and to store the same in the RAM 114.

Fig. 12 shows an example of processes involved in estimating anaerobic threshold (AT) First, in step Sd, the user manipulates the user interface 108 to place the mobile phone apparatus 1 in a measure AT mode. Next, in step Sc2, the microprocessor 117 performs control to selectively receive exercise data. In step Sc], the microprocessor 117 performs control to allow for the input of user-specific data, such as height, weight, sex, and age. Subsequently, in step Sc4, contro]. processes associated with progressively increasing exercise intensity are perorrned. Next, in step ScS, the detecting assembly 12 detects exercise intensity and heart rate. In step ScG, themicroprocessor 117 of themobilephone apparatus 1 determines if the heart rate is greater than or equal to the heart rate limit (HRL) of the user. If the heart rate of the user performing exercise is at or exceeds his or her Hfl1, then step Scil is performed, in which the microprocessor 117 performs control to display, record, and store obtained exercise data of the user, after which the process is ended.

However, it the heart rate of the user performing exercise is less than his or her HRL, then entropy is calculated in step Sc7.. Next, in step ScB, the microprocessor 117 determines it the AT point has been reached. If exercise intensity is increasing andentropy is decreasing, this indicates that the AT point has not been reached as discussed above, in which case it is necessary to continue to increase exercise intensity and calculate P1 and entropy values. If the AT has not been reached, then in step 5c9, the microprocessor 117 determines if the current workout stage has ended. If the current workout stage has not ended, then the flow returns to step SoS. However, if the current workout stagehas ended, thenthe exercise intensity is increased in step SclO, after which the flow returns to step Sc5.

When entropy is at a minimum, then the AT point can be obtained in step SoS. That is, if the AT point has been reached in step 8c8, then step Scll is performed, in which the microprocessor 117 performs control to display, record, and store the obtained AT and exercise data of the user performing exercise, after which the process is ended.

Fig. 13 shows an example of processes involved in a workout support function of the mobile phone apparatus 1 of the present invention.

First, in step Sdl, the user manipulates the user interface 108 to place the mobile phone apparatus 1 in a workout support mode. Next, in step 862, the microprocessor 117 performs control to selectively receive exercise data. Instep 2d3, the user is prompted by control of the microprocessor ill to check and change (if necessary) user-specific data, such as height.

weight, sex, and age. As an example, the microprocessor 117 mayperformcontrol toprompt the uservia the display unit 117, and the user may then manipulate the user interface 108 to perform the required input.

Subsequently, in step 864, the user is prompted by control of the microprocessor 117 to select a particular exercise and an exercise goal. For example, the user may select one of jogging, walking, and cycling as the exercise he or she intends to perform, and may select one of cardio-respiratory fitness and weight reduction as the exercise goal. Next, in step SdS, the user is prompted by control of the microprocessor 117 to select exercise intensity and exercise time. The exercise intensity may be established based on the previously measured and stored VO2max and AT, or may he determined based on program instructions stored in the ROM 113.

As an example of the former method, when the user has selected a weight reduction exercise goal, the exercise intensity may be set at 80 of AT.

Next, in step Sd6, the microprocessor 117 performs control to prompt the user to begin exercising and increase exercise intensity as needed. This may inolude a prompt for the user to first perform a warm-up stage of exercise, after which the user performing exercise is prompted to increase exercise intensity as needed.

Next, in step 8d7, the detecting assembly 12 of the mobile phone apparatus 1 detects heart rate and exercise intensity. After this step, the microprocessor 117 compares the detected values with predetermined values in step Sd to determine if the detected values are within set goal ranges. If the detected values are less than the goal ranges, then the microprocessor 117 performs control to provide indication to the user performing exercise in step Sd9 that the exercise intensity is too low. If the detected values exceed the goal ranges, then the microprocessor 117 performs control to provide an 1) indication to the user performing exercise in step Sdll that the exercise intensity is too high. Finally, if the detected values fall within the set goal ranges, then a "suitable" indication is provided to the user performing exercise in step 9db. The user performing exercise may adjust his or her exercise intensity as needed -After any of the steps 8d9, SdlO, and Sdll, the microprocessor 117 determines if a predetermined time has elapsed in step Sdl2. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, then the flow returns to step 9d7. However, if the predetermined time has elapsed, then the microprocessor 117 performs control to record and store the data obtained during exercise in the RAM 114, In the present invention, regardless of whether VO2rnax or AT is estimated and of the method used in measuring VO2max or AT, exercise intensity must be progressively increased, and physiological parameters (such as heart rate or pulse rate) must be monitored to ensure that they are within satety ranges. While the safety limit in the preferred embodiment is HRL0.85 (220-age) , the present invention should not be limited thereto. In other embodiments, a maximal heart rate (Hrmax) equal to (220-age) canbe applied as a heart rate limit indicative of the condition that the exercise load has reached a maximal value. Furthermore, it is also possible to reach a conclusion that the AT point has been reached with reference to the heart rate. That is, HR(AT) 0.55(220-age).

Referring to Figs. 1.4, 15, and 16, a holder 13 may be used to secure the mobile phone apparatus 1 of the present invention on the user performing exercise. It will be assumed for the following discussion that the mobile phone apparatus 1 is configured as the mobile phone shown in Fig. 3. The holder 13 allows for real-time remote monitoring, and fully secures the mobile phone apparatus 1 so that the user may perform exercise without the mobile phone apparatus 1 being removed from the holder 13 The holder 13 may also serve as an external detector for the mobile phone apparatus 1 (i.e., a pulse detector) Toperformthese functions, theholder 13 must satisfy a plurality of conditions (assuming once again that the mobile phone apparatus 1 is configured as a mobile phone) First, the holder 13 must be able to firmly secure the mobile phone apparatus 1 to the body of the user performing exercise such that the motion detector 121 of the detecting assembly 12 is able to accurately detect movement of the user's body. Second, the holder 13 must be able to conveniently detect physiological parameters, such as pulse rate. Third, the holder 13 must allow for convenient access to the mobile phone apparatus 1 so that the user may easily manipulate the user interface lUPi. Finally, the holder 13 must allow the user to easily

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view or sense signals output by the mobile phone apparatus 1, such as display signals, audio signals, and vibration alert signals.

The holder 13 according to a preferred embodiment S of the present invention includes a securing strap 133, first and second fastening belts 131,132, a detecting unit including first and second detecting elements 136,138, andfirst andsecondtransmissionljnes 137,139 to facilitate coupling between the detecting unit of the holder 13 and the mobile phone apparatus 1. The strap 133 is used to secure the mobile phone apparatus 1 to the holder 13. The second fastening belt 132 is used to secure the holder 13 to the wrist of the user. The second detecting element 138 is positioned at an inner surface of the second fastening belt 132, and may be configured as a piezoelectric microphone to detect the pulseof theuserperforming exercise. The detectedpulse signals are received by the mobile phone apparatus 1 through the second transmission line 139. In addition, the first detecting element 136 is positionedat an inner surface of the first fastening belt 131, and may be configured as an optical pulse reader which measures movement of blood in the capillaries of the finger to thereby generate pulse signals that may be used to calculatepulse rate, and that are provided to the mobile phone apparatus 1 through the first transmission line 137.

Referring to Fig. 16, the user may set up the mobile phone apparatus 1such that exercise data obtainedduring exercise are transmitted to another mobile communication device 91 via a mobile phone network 90.

Theothermobilecommunicationdevice9lmaybeconnected toapersonalcomputer (PC) 92 inaknownmannertothereby allow for processing of the exercise data by the personal computer 92. The personal computer 92 may also send instructions back to the mobile phone apparatus 1 in the same manner, thereby realizing real-time remote monitoring and control.

Referring to Fig. 17, the mobile phone apparatus 1 maybe used to transmit data signals to and from a personal computer 81. Following completion of exercise, the mobile phone apparatus 1 may transmit, either through a wire 82 or by wireless connection, the exercise data stored in the mobile phone apparatus 1 to the personal computer 81. The higher computational capability of the personal computer 82 may then be used to process the data, and the results of such processing may then be displayed on a display 811 of the personal computer 81.

The data may also be stored in the personal computer Si for future reference or for comparison with other exercise data so that other workout training programs may be designed accordingly.

In the mobile phone apparatus 1 of the present invention described above, sports physiological measurements of the user performing exercise are detected. The obtained data may then be used to estimate VQ2max. and AT. These exercise performance indicia may then, in turn, be used to provide workout support through video, audio and/or vibration alert interaction with the user. Hence, the user performing exercise may easily and effectively obtain highly useful information regarding his or her state of physical fitness, and may be aided during his or her exercise regimen to perform exercise in a safe and effective manner.

In sum, the present invention basically utilizes a mobile phone apparatus 1 including three detectors 121, 122, 123 to generate two biological indexes during exercise. Therefore, there are at least four marked distinctions between the present invention and USP 6,817,979.

First, the biological sports physiology indexes, i.e., VO2max and AT, have clear and strict definitions in sports physiology. The aforesaid lISP 6,817,979 is totally silent on this &spect.

Second, the present invention simulates and replaces the control functions of costly exercising apparatuses (such as bicycle ergometers, treadmills, step exercisers, etc.) in laboratories or health clubs that can be precision-set to progressively increase exercise intensities (fixed time intervals and fixed amount).

Third, the present invention employs computational software to further perform integration, computation and determination of the heart rate, physical fitness data, and exercise intensities so as to obtain the two biological sports physiology indexes disclosed in this invention.

Using the computational software, the present invention can then apply the two biological sports physiology indexes to make exercising load settings, perform exercises, and monitor exercise performanceS In addition, the mobile phone apparatus 1 of the present invention may be configured for data processing using solely the computational software stored in the ROM fl3, and does not need to process data through a network serveras taught inthe aforesaidUs? 6,817,979.

Finally, through use at the configuration of the present invention described above, i.e., the configuration providing the mobile phone apparatus 1 with exercise measuring and workout support capabilities, and through use of the inherent wireless transmission capabilities of the mobile phone apparatus 1, real-time monitoring and control during exercise is made possible.

Claims

CLAIMS; 1. A mobile phone apparatus for performing sports physiological

measurements and generating target a motion detector for detecting motion of & user performing exercise; a physiological parameter detector adapted to be placed in contact with the body of the user performing exercise, said physiological parameter detector detecting at least one physiological parameter of the user performing exercise; a portable housing, said physiological parameter detector being mounted at least partially external to said portable housing; and a processing module mounted in said portable housing and coupled to said motion detector and said physiological parameter detector, said processing module including a performance estimating monitor for estimating at least one of a maximum oxygen uptake quantity (VOzmax) and an anaerobic threshold (AT) of the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by said motion detector and said physiological parameter detector, a workout training program for establishing a series of workout stages having varying exercise intensities to be targeted by the user performing exercise, and 1) a target performance indicator for generating target workout information to the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by said motion detector and said physiological parameter detector, as S well as said workout training program.

2. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidprocessing module includes a processor and a program memory coupled to said processor, said program memory storing program instructions executed by said processor for configuring said processing module to include said workout training program, said performance estimating monitor, and said target performance indicator.

3. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display unit coupled to said processing module and operable so as to show the target workout information thereon.

4. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a vibration alert unit and a buzzer unit coupled to said processing module and operable so as to provide an alert signal corresponding to the target workout information.

S. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motion detector and said physiological parameter detector are disposed externally of said portable housing.

6. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motion detector includes an accelerometer associated operably with said processing module to enable said performance estimating monitor to determine exercise intensity of the user performing exercise.

7. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 6, wherein said performance estimating monitor determines at least one of number of paces per unit time, motion speed, distance traveled, and work exerted by the user peLforming exercise in power units with reference to data obtained by said accelerometer.

8. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said physiological parameter detector is adapted to detect at least one of a heart rate and a pulse rate of the user performing exercise.

9. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an environment detector coupled to said processing module and operable so as to detect environmental conditions to obtain environmental data, said performance estimating monitor suitably factoring in the environmental data when estimating the VOzmax and the AT of the user performing exercise.

10. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a subscriber identity module card mounted in said portable housing and coupled to said processing module.

11. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user interface coupled to said processing module and operable so as to input user-specific data, said performance estimating monitor suitably factoring in the user-specific data when estimating the Ozmax and the AT of the user performing exercise.

12. The mobile phone apparatus of Claim 11, wherein said user interface includes a keypad mounted on said

portable housing.

113. The mobile phone apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the user-specific data includes at least one of height, weight, age, and sex of the user performing exercise.

14. The mobile phone apparatus of Claim 13, wherein said performance estimating monitor determines at least one of number of paces per unit time, motion speed.

distance traveled, and work exerted by the user performing exercise in power units with reference to data obtained by said motion detector, and further calculates exercise intensityas a functionof the number of paces per unit time, a stride distance parameter, and the weight of the user performing exercise.

15. The mobile phone apparatus of Claim 14, further comprising an environment detector coupled to said processing module and operable so as to detect environmental conditions to obtain environmental data, said performance estimating monitor estimating the VO2xnax from: (a) at least three sets of the data from said physiological parameter detector and the calculated exercise intensities associated respectively therewith, said at least three sets having a linear relationship; (b) the sex, age and weight of the user performing exercise; and Cc) the environmental data.

16. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 14, wherein said performance estimating monitor estimates entropy for different exercise intensities, said performance estimating monitor associating the AT with the smallest entropy estimated thereby.

17. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 14, wherein said performance estimating monitor estimates power of heart rate variability for different exercise intensities, said performance estimating monitor associating the AT with the power of heart rate variability estimated thereby.

18. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target workout information generated by said target performance indicator is for indicating to the user performing exercise as to times when the exercise intensities to be targeted by the user are to be progressively increased starting from a warm-up stage in accordance with said workout training program.

19. The mobile phone apparatus of claim l8 wherein said target performance indicator alerts the user performing exercise if the data obtained by said physiological parameter detector is not within a safety range, and enables progressive increase in the exercise n intensity between successive workout stages with reference to said at least one of the VO2max and the AT estimated by said performance estimating monitor.

20. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a holder for securing said portable housing to the user performing exercise, said holder including a securing strap for securing said portable housing to said holder, and a fastening belt adapted to secure said holder to a body part of the user performing exercise, at least one of said motion detector and said physiological paratrieter detector being mounted on said holder.

21. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 20, wherein said holder further includes a transmission line unit for coupling said processing module to said at least one of said motion detector and said physiological parameter detector mounted on said holder.

22. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 11 wherein said performance estimating monitor estimates AT of the user performing exercise with reference to data obtained by said motion detector and said physiological parameter detector using a regression analysis method.

23. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 22, wherein the regression analysis method cdmprises a linear regression method.

24. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 22, wherein the regression analysis method comprises a third-order curvilinear regression method.

25. The mobile phone apparatus of claim 22, wherein the regression analysis method comprises a logistical growth function method.

26. The mobile phone apparatus substantially as herejrthefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 2-20.