Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to training machines. In particular, the present disclosure relates to motor driven training machines.

Background

Medical Training-Therapy (MTT) is an essential step to recover from an injury or surgery associated with a joint, the core and/or upper or lower extremity and to obtain a normal joint, core and/or upper or lower extremity function for daily activities. During the MTT therapy, training machines for fitness and rehabilitation may be used to assist a user or patient in performing exercises to regain a full range of motion, joint flexibility and strength of the musculoskeletal system.

Known training machines for fitness and rehabilitation comprise plate-loaded, weight stacks, elastic bands and hydraulic/air pressure cylinders training load technologies. Although some of these mechanical training machines may have been effective in recovering from specific injuries, these training machines have been replaced or supplemented by motor driven training machines. These motor driven training machines comprise isometric, isotonic and isokinetic modes and can create a variable force, which imitates and opposes the variable force generated by an involved muscle group of a user throughout its range of motion.

For example, US 5 244 441 A discloses an active isokinetic exercise and rehabilitation system wherein isokinetic velocity is maintained in response to position of and torque applied to a patient attachment unit. However, motor driven training machines that oppose the variable force generated by an involved muscle group may not be the best training machine for rehabilitation from specific injuries. For example, for treating femur-patellar cartilage degeneration or a chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-instability, or an ACL-rupture, it may be beneficial to perform exercises on a mechanical training machine that is based on a plate-loaded technology for rehabilitation due to the training load specific characteristics and effects of this mechanical training machine.

Accordingly, there is a need to address the problem of providing an improved training machine that efficiently and effectively can be used for strength training and rehabilitation. Additionally, there is a need for a training machine that allows for an increased training variability, which provides for an increased training efficiency. In view of the problem that some exercises or movements are counterproductive or dangerous for a user in view of an injury or a medical condition, there is a need for an improved training machine that can be operated in a safe manner.

Summary

To address the challenges in the state of the art, a novel motor driven training machine for simulating a plurality of existing training systems is disclosed.

In an embodiment, a motor driven training machine for simulating a plurality of existing training systems comprises an interface, such as a graphical user interface (e.g. a touchscreen), configured to receive, based on one or more user inputs, a selection of an existing training system from a plurality of existing training systems for an exercise and at least one training parameter for the exercise. Each of the plurality of existing training systems for the exercise is associated with a respective load profile of a plurality of load profiles. The motor driven training machine is configured to simulate the selected existing training system, by controlling one or more motors of the motor driven training machine in accordance with the respective load profiles and the received at least one training parameter. The plurality of existing training systems may comprise one or more of a plate loaded training system, a training system that is based on weight stacks, a training system that is based on weight stacks with integrated synergistic muscle group specific muscle- physiologic max torque (based on muscle length) adaptation by a scientifically proven EXZENTER (CAM), a training system that is based on elastic bands, a training system that is based on hydraulic cylinders, a training system that is based on air pressure cylinders, and a training system that is based on an electric-motor. The at least one training parameter may define at least one of a maximum resistive force, a maximum velocity, a range of motion and a maximum torque. Each of the plurality of load profiles may be associated with at least one of an isometric mode, an isotonic mode and an isokinetic mode of the motor driven training machine.

By simulating the selected existing training system, by controlling one or more motors of the motor driven training machine in accordance with the respective load profiles and the received at least one training parameter, an improved motor driven training machine for efficient and effective strength training and rehabilitation is provided. The motor driven training machine allows for an increased training variability, individual, indication specific optimized training loads and provides an increased training efficiency.

According to aspects, the motor driven training machine comprises processing means configured to receive an identification of a user of the motor driven training machine, and to obtain data comprising information associated with a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. The information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user may comprise information about at least one of an injury related to the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a time related to the injury, joint-specific aspects, an indication regarding a stability of the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a medical condition regarding the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a concentric-eccentric strength ratio of the user, and a flexor- extensor ratio of the user. The processing means may further be configured to determine one or more restrictions for training parameters of the motor driven training machine for the exercise based at least in part on the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. The processing means may be configured to determine one or more recommended training parameters for the exercise based at least in part on the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, and wherein the interface is configured to display the one or more determined recommended training parameter for selection by a user. The data may further comprise additional user information, comprising at least one of an age of the user, a gender of the user, a height of the user, a weight of the user and a sport of the user. The motor driven training machine may be configured to determine at least one recommended training parameter for the exercise based at least in part on the additional user information for selection by a user.

In aspects, the motor driven training machine may be configured to indicate at least one alarm based on at least one of the selection, the received at least one training parameter and the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. The at least one alarm may comprise at least one of a reminder regarding the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a restriction regarding one or more training parameters of the training parameters, and an exclusion of the exercise or of a simulation of an existing training systems and/or a suggestion of a different exercise or a different existing training system. The reminder may represent a first level of the at least one alarm, the restriction may represent a second level of the at least one alarm and the exclusion may represent a third level of the at least one alarm. The level of the at least one alarm may be determined based on at least one of the selection, the received at least one training parameter and the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user.

By indicating the at least one alarm, an improved training machine configured to operate in a safe manner is provided. In particular, the motor driven training machine can protect from injuries and/or overload, and the motor driven training machine allows better coaching independent of the trainer qualification. In aspects, the motor driven training machine comprises a radio-frequency identification, RFID, reader component configured to automatically identify a tag associated with the user of the motor driven training machine. Alternatively, the user of the motor driven training machine is identified based on a user input.

According to aspects, the motor driven training machine is further configured to automatically adjust at least one movable component, such as a seat, of the motor driven training machine based on biometric data of the user.

In aspects, the at least one training parameter may define a range of motion for at least one movable component, such as a lever arm assembly, of the motor driven training machine. The motor driven training machine may comprise at least one of (i) a plurality of light sources configured to indicate the range of motion for the at least one movable component of the motor driven training machine, (ii) a first safety component configured to electronically restrict the motion of the user based on the range of motion for the at least one movable component of the motor driven training machine, and (iii) a second safety component configured to mechanically restrict the motion of the user based on the range of motion for the at least one movable component of the motor driven training machine.

In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises the steps of receiving an identification of a user of a motor driven training machine for simulating a plurality of existing training systems by controlling a motor of the motor driven training machine in accordance with load profiles, obtaining information about the user based on the identification of the user, receiving, based on one or more user inputs, a selection of an existing training system from a plurality of existing training systems for an exercise and at least one training parameter for the exercise, determining, based on the information about the user, at least one of one or more restrictions of training parameters for the exercise and an exclusion of an exercise, and determining an alarm condition when at least one of the selection and the received at least one training parameter or a part of the selection and the received at least one training parameter fall under the at least one of the one or more restrictions of training parameters for the exercise and the exclusion of the exercise. The information about the user may comprise at least one of an age of the user, a gender of the user, a height of the user, a weight of the user, a sport of the user, an injury related to a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a time related to the injury, joint-specific aspects, an indication regarding a stability of the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a medical condition regarding the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a concentric-eccentric strength ratio of the user, and a flexor-extensor ratio of the user. Each of the plurality of existing training systems for the exercise may be associated with a respective load profile of the load profiles.

In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method. The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide a more detailed understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Figures

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification for the purpose of explaining the principles of the embodiments. The drawings are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments to only the illustrated and described embodiments of how they can be made and used. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following and more particularly from the description of the embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a motor driven training machine for simulating a plurality of existing training systems in accordance with at least one embodiment,

Fig. 2 illustrates configurations of motor driven training machines for simulating a plurality of existing training systems in accordance with at least one embodiment,

Fig. 3 illustrates an overview of milestones of existing training systems and respective training load specific characteristics and effects, Fig. 4 illustrates different example views shown on a graphical user interface of the motor driven training machine, and

Fig. 5 illustrates a process flow diagram of an exemplary method for determining an alarm condition associated with an exercise to be performed on a motor driven training machine in accordance with at least one embodiment. Detailed Description

Described herein are motor driven training machines for simulating a plurality of existing training systems. For purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. Embodiments as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein. The illustrative embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings wherein elements and structures are indicated by reference numbers. Further, where an embodiment is a method, steps and elements of the method may be combinable in parallel or sequential execution. As far as they are not contradictory, all embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

Fig. 1 illustrates a motor driven training machine 100 for simulating a plurality of existing training systems for an exercise (e.g. a single exercise, such as a leg extension exercise or a leg curl exercise) according to an embodiment.

The motor driven training machine 100 comprises an interface 120, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), configured to receive, based on one or more user inputs, a selection of an existing training system from a plurality of existing training systems for an exercise and at least one training parameter for the exercise. A user, e.g. a patient, an athlete, a therapist, or a trainer, may select the existing training system. Each of the plurality of existing training systems for the single exercise is associated with a respective load profile of a plurality of load profiles.

The motor driven training machine 100 is configured to simulate the selected existing training system, by controlling one or more motors of the motor driven training machine in accordance with the respective load profiles and the received at least one training parameter. The simulation may comprise simulating specific training loads, load characteristics and/or load effects of the existing training systems. For example, the motor driven training machine 100 may simulate one or more of plate loaded, weight stacks, weight stack with integrated synergistic muscle group specific muscle-physiologic max torque (based on muscle length) adaptation by a scientific proven EXZENTER (CAM), elastic bands, hydraulic cylinders, air pressure cylinders, and electric-motor training load technologies or existing training systems comprising these technologies. The existing training systems may comprise at least one of existing mechanical training systems and existing motor driven training systems for fitness and rehabilitation.

The at least one training parameter for the exercise can define a range of motion for at least one movable component, such as lever arm assembly 140, of the motor driven training machine. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one training parameter for the exercise can define a maximum resistive force, a maximum velocity and/or a maximum torque. The motor driven training machine 100 may comprise a plurality of light sources 130, such as LEDs, configured to indicate the range of motion for the at least one movable component, such as lever arm assembly 140, of the motor driven training machine 100. For example, each position of a light source may correspond to a respective range of motion and only light sources within the range of motion defined by the at least one training parameter may be switched on during an exercise. Additionally or alternatively, the motor driven training machine 100 may comprise at least one of a first safety component configured to electronically restrict the motion of the user or the at least one movable component, such as lever arm assembly 140, based on the selected or defined range of motion for the at least one movable component of the motor driven training machine 100, and a second safety component configured to mechanically restrict the motion of the user based on the range of motion for at least one movable component of the motor driven training machine.

In an embodiment, the motor driven training machine 100 comprises an isometric mode, an isotonic mode and an isokinetic mode, in which exercises can be performed. The isometric, isotonic and isokinetic modes may be used for training and/or testing. For example, the motor driven training machine 100 may be configured to process the training data, obtained from exercises performed on the motor driven training machine 100, to determine a training progress of the user or to perform performance diagnostics. The motor driven training machine 100 may analyze the data or send the data via a network to a server for further processing.

Isometric exercises comprise a type of low-impact exercises that involve straining muscles of a user of the motor driven training machine 100 without moving or bending joints of the user. Isometric exercises are good for maintaining a person’s strength and stability and are often recommended for people who are recovering from an injury, or who suffer from joint pain like arthritis.

Isotonic exercises involve putting a constant amount of weight or tension on the muscles of the user, while moving the joints of the user through a full range of motion. An example is simulating a bench-pressing-system by the motor driven training machine 100, where the amount of weight stays the same and the joints of the user can be bent and straighten all the way during the exercise. Isotonic exercises can help strengthen and build muscles so that an athlete can move through all types of motion with greater ease.

Isokinetic exercises comprise a type of workout that involves specialized motor driven training machines, such as motor driven training machine 100, which may be configured to keep muscles of the user moving at a consistent speed. This can help athletes like baseball pitchers or javelin throwers learn to use their maximum force at higher speeds. Isokinetic exercises can also be used to assess the muscle function of athletes or people with specific injuries.

The motor driven training machine 100 comprises processing means, which may be configured to receive an identification of a user of the motor driven training machine. For example, the motor driven training machine 100 may comprise a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader component configured to automatically identify a tag identifying the user of the motor driven training machine 100 and provide the identification of the user. In aspects, the user of the motor driven training machine 100 may be identified based on a user input from the user or another user.

Additionally, the processing means may be configured to obtain data comprising information associated with a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. The information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user may comprise information about at least one of an injury related to the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a time related to an injury of the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, joint-specific aspects, an indication regarding a stability of the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a medical condition regarding the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a concentric-eccentric strength ratio of the user, and a flexor-extensor ratio of the user. The processing means can be configured to determine one or more restrictions for the training parameters of the motor driven training machine for the exercise based at least in part on the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the processing means may be configured to determine at least one recommended training parameter for the motor driven training machine for the exercise based at least in part on the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user for the selection. The recommended training parameter may be displayed on the graphical user interface 120 for a selection by a user.

In an embodiment, the motor driven training machine is configured to determine at least one recommended training parameter for the motor driven training machine for the exercise, based on at least one of the information associated with a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user and additional user information. The additional user information may comprise at least one of an age of the user, a gender of the user, a height of the user, a weight of the user and a sport of the user.

In embodiments, the motor driven training machine 100 comprises artificial intelligence to determine the one or more restrictions for the training parameters of the motor driven training machine for the exercise based at least in part on the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, and/or to determine at least one recommended training parameter for the motor driven training machine for the exercise based at least in part on the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user for the selection.

The motor driven training machine 100 may comprise at least one movable component 110 for supporting the user of the motor driven machine 100. For example, the at least one movable component 110 may form or may be part of a support structure, such as a seat. The motor driven training machine 100 may automatically adjust the at least one movable component 110 based on biometric information of the user. The biometric information may be comprised in the data obtained by the processing means of the motor driven machine 100. For example, the motor driven training machine 100 may obtain biometric information, such as a height, a length of one or more body parts or the weight, of the user and move one or more movable components of the at least one movable component 110 so that an axis relating to a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user corresponds to an axis 150 of the motor driven training machine 100. The axis 150 may be an axis of rotation for a lever arm assembly 140 of the motor driven training machine 100. The motor driven training machine 100 may comprise one or more lever arm assemblies 140. The lever arm assembly 140 may be driven by one or more motors and a controller of the motor driven training machine 100. The one or more motors and the controller may be configured to regulate, a velocity of the lever arm assembly, or a training load or training resistance of the motor driven training machine 100 based on a selected existing training system and/or at least one selected training parameter for an exercise.

The motor driven training machine 100 may receive a selection of an existing training system and may receive training parameters, e.g. via the graphical user interface. The selection and/or the received training parameters may be accepted after comparing the selection and/or the received training parameters with restrictions and exclusions, which may be determined for the exercise based on the information about the user. The motor driven training machine 100 may use the training parameters to control the velocity of and/or torque applied to the lever arm assembly 140 or to control a resistance for a movement of the lever arm assembly 140.

Fig. 2 illustrates three different configurations of the motor driven training machine. A first configuration 202 of the motor driven training machine may be used to perform a first exercise, such as a leg extension exercise. A second configuration 204 of the motor driven training machine may be used to perform a second exercise, such as a leg curl exercise, and a third configuration 206 of the motor driven training machine may be used to perform a third exercise, such as an abdominal exercise. The motor driven training machine may simulate a plurality of different existing training systems for each of the first, second or third exercise. Other configurations of the motor driven training machine may be used to perform exercises, such as a back extension exercise, a seated chest press exercise, a seated rowing exercise, a lateral pull exercise, a triceps press exercise, a leg press exercise, a hip extension exercise, a hip flexion exercise and a hip adduction exercise.

The main axis 150 of the motor driven training machine may be aligned with a joint, e.g. the knee joint of a user 210 for the first and second configuration 202 and 204. A movable component 110, which is a movable contact point of the user 210 may be used to position the user 210, e.g. by performing an actuator adjustment 230. This actuator adjustment may be performed automatically in response to an identification of the user 210, and may be based on biometric information about the user 210. The actuator adjustment can be used to align a joint of the user 210 with the main axis, as, for example, shown for the third configuration 206 in Fig. 2. The motor driven training machine may further comprise one or more passive contact points 212 to position the user 210. Other movable contact points 240 and 260 may be used to perform an exercise. For example, movable contact points 240 and 260 may be part of the lever arm assembly 140. Movable contact point 240 may be moved by the user during an exercise motion and movable contact point 260 may be moved in accordance with a passive adjustment.

Fig. 3 illustrates an overview of milestones of existing training systems and respective specific training loads, characteristics and effects of the existing training systems. The motor driven training machine 100 according to embodiments can be configured to simulate these existing training systems or at least a specific training load, characteristic and effect of the existing training systems. The motor driven training machine may be configured to simulate plate loaded, weight stacks, a weight stack with integrated specific muscle-physiologic maximum torque, elastic bands, hydraulic cylinders, air pressure cylinders or electric-motor training load technologies.

The existing strength training systems vary in their respective load or force profiles, and provide different benefits when used for rehabilitation. Each existing technical solution realizes training resistance with specific consequences and characteristics.

A maximum force of a muscle of a user depends on an angle of a joint corresponding to the muscle and the type of muscle contraction (e.g. concentric or eccentric contraction), as can be seen in graphs 312, 322, 332, 342 and 352. Graph 312 shows a force profile 314 of a maximum force of a user for a concentric contraction while moving the joint (e.g. knee joint) of the user through a full range of motion. Force profile 316 corresponds to a maximum force of the user for an eccentric contraction and depends on an angle of the joint. Force profiles 314 and 316 depend on the strength of the user and are the same for graphs 312, 322, 332, 342 and 352 relating to different existing training systems, but the same exercise and movement sequence of the joint of the user.

Different strength training systems may exert a different force depending on an angle of a joint, as shown in the graphs of Fig. 3. For example, an existing mechanical training system 310, which is based on a plate loaded technology, provides a different force or load profile 318 (see graph 312) compared to a force or load profile 358 of an existing motor driven training system 350 (see graph 352). Since the load of an existing motor driven training system 350 can be set individually depending on an angle, the load profile 358 may correspond to the eccentric and concentric force profiles 314 and 316. Other existing training systems, such as existing mechanical training system 320, which is based on a weight stack technology, or existing mechanical training system 330 and 340 may each be associated with a different load profile.

Existing strength training systems may have positive and/or negative effects on muscles and/or joints for specific exercises. For example, existing mechanical training system 310, which is based on a plate-loaded technology, may be more suitable for a user with a specific knee injury compared to existing training system 330. By simulating various existing mechanical training system, such as existing mechanical training system 310 to 350, which may be regarded as milestones in strength training equipment design and function, the motor driven training machine according to embodiments enables a high variation in exercise and allows individual and injury specific medical training protocols. Different existing mechanical training system may be simulated for fitness and rehabilitation. Additionally, by simulating existing training systems by controlling one or more motors of the motor driven training machine in accordance with the respective load profile of the existing training system, a user may feel the same effects and load characteristics of the existing training system and experience that has been gained on such an existing training system can be applied to the motor driven training machine according to embodiments.

Fig. 4 illustrates different example views 410 to 440 that may be shown on a graphical user interface of the motor driven training machine. The graphical user interface may be configured to display a section for selecting at least one of (i) an exercise, (ii) an existing training system or a load profile associated with the existing training system, (iii) a training mode (e.g. isotonic, isometric or isokinetic training or testing), and (iv) at least one training parameter (e.g. the number of series, the number of repetitions, a start position, an end position, a weight for a concentric contraction and a weight for an eccentric contraction). Additionally, the graphical user interface may be configured to display user information about the user using the motor driven training machine. The user information may comprise at least one of an age, a height, a weight, a sport and an injury or a medical condition of the user. In embodiments, the exercise may be preselected and cannot be selected.

Additionally, the graphical user interface may be configured to display a button for a selection, such as the “Start”-button shown in example views 410 to 440. In response to selecting, an exercise, an existing training system and/or at least one training parameter, a notification may be displayed. For example, as shown in view 410, an approval notification may be shown to the user, accepting the selection. Alternatively, an alarm notification may be shown to the user as shown in views 420, 430 and 440.

The motor driven training machine may be configured to indicate at least one alarm based on the selection of an existing training system and information associated with a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. For example, the graphical user interface may be configured to display the at least one alarm, e.g. by displaying a notification. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one alarm may be indicated by a loudspeaker in the form of an acoustic signal or by a light source, such as a led, in the form of an optical signal. The at least one alarm may comprise at least one of a reminder regarding the information associated with the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user (as shown in view 420), a restriction regarding one or more training parameters of the training parameters (as shown in view 430), and an exclusion of an exercise or an exclusion of a simulation of an existing training systems and/or a suggestion of a different exercise (as shown in view 440). The reminder may represent a first level of the at least one alarm, the restriction may represent a second level of the at least one alarm and the exclusion may represent a third level of the at least one alarm. The level of the at least one alarm may be determined based on the selection of an exercise and information associated with a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user. The information associated with a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user may comprise at least one of medical contraindications, a characteristic of an isokinetic force curve, a concentric-eccentric maximum force ratio, an extensor-flexor maximum force ratio and individual objectives. For example, the level of the at least one alarm may be determined as shown in Table 1 , where an alarm level is determined based on an indication regarding a stability of a joint of the user, such as a KT1000 value, associated with a contraindication, such as a chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-instability, or a time a contraindication, such as an ACL-rupture, has occurred. Alternatively, it may be determined that exercises are excluded based on a contraindication, as shown for the bone bruise.

Table 1 shows relations between contraindications and alarm levels.

As shown in table 2, the level of the alarm may additionally be based on a gender of the user. Other additional factors that may be considered when determining an alarm level may be an age of the user or a sport played by the user. Table 2 shows relations between contraindications and alarm levels.

Fig. 5 is a process flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 for determining an alarm condition associated with an exercise to be performed on a motor driven training machine. The method 500 comprises receiving an identification of a user of a motor driven training machine, at step 510. The motor driven training machine may be used to simulate a plurality of existing training systems by controlling a motor of the motor driven training machine in accordance with load profiles, wherein each of the plurality of existing training systems for the exercise is associated with a respective load profile of the load profiles.

At step 520, information about the user is obtained based on the identification of the user. The information about the user comprises at least one of an age of the user, a gender of the user, a height of the user, a weight of the user, a sport of the user, an injury related to a joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a time related to the injury, joint-specific aspects, an indication regarding a stability of the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a medical condition regarding the joint and/or upper or lower extremity of the user, a concentric-eccentric strength ratio of the user, and a flexor-extensor ratio of the user.

In step 530, based on one or more user inputs, a selection of an existing training system from a plurality of existing training systems for an exercise and at least one training parameter for the exercise are received.

At step 540, restrictions and/or exclusions for exercises are determined based on the information about the user. For example, specific exercises or specific settings (training parameters) may be determined to be excluded for a user associated with a medical contraindication, such as a specific injury or medical condition. The medical contraindication may be a condition or factor that serves as a reason to exclude or restrict an exercise on the motor driven training machine, due to the harm that it would cause the user or patient.

At step 550, an alarm condition is determined when at least one of the selection and the received at least one training parameter or a part of the selection and the received at least one training parameter fall under the at least one of the one or more restrictions of training parameters for the exercise and the exclusion of the exercise. The criteria for the alarm or alarm condition may be determined based on at least one of medical contraindications, a characteristic of an isokinetic force curve, a concentric-eccentric maximum force ratio, an extensor-flexor maximum force ratio and individual objectives of the user.

In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon is provided. When executed by one or more processors, the computer- executable instructions perform the method 500 for determining an alarm condition associated with an exercise to be performed on a motor driven training machine. In a further embodiment, an apparatus comprising processing circuitry is provided. The processing circuitry is configured to execute method 500 for determining an alarm condition associated with an exercise to be performed on a motor driven training machine.

While some specific embodiments have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, variations, and improvements of the embodiments may be made in light of the above teachings and within the content of the appended claims without departing from the intended scope of the embodiments. In addition, those areas in which it is believed that those of ordinary skill in the art are familiar have not been described herein in order to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Although some of the above embodiments have been described in the context of method steps, they also represent a description of a corresponding component, module or feature of a corresponding apparatus or system. Some or all of the method steps may be implemented by a computer in that they are executed by (or using) a processor, a microprocessor, an electronic circuit or processing circuitry. The embodiments described above may be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be performed using a non-transitory storage medium such as a computer-readable storage medium, for example a CD or a FLASH memory. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general- purpose or special-purpose computer system.

Generally, embodiments can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code or computer-executable instructions, the program code or computer-executable instructions being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code or the computer-executable instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. In an embodiment, a storage medium (or a data carrier, or a computer-readable medium) comprises, stored thereon, the computer program or the computer- executable instructions for performing one of the methods described herein when it is performed by a processor. In a further embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more processors and the storage medium mentioned above.

In a further embodiment, an apparatus, such as the motor driven training machine or a computer for the motor driven training machine, comprises means, for example processing circuitry like, e.g., a processor communicating with a memory, the means being configured to, or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein. A novel motor driven training machine for simulating a plurality of existing training systems is disclosed. The motor driven training machine represents a high-end strength training system for medical training therapy, prevention and performance training. The motor driven training machine is configured to assist in planning a training, controlling a training and documenting the training and effects of the training of a user. The motor driven training machine is configured to automatically position a user correctly based on an individual anatomic of the user. The motor driven training machine allows for an increased training variability (e.g. uni-/bilateral, concentric/concentric, concentric/eccentric and isometric/isotonic/isokinetic training), which provides an increased training efficiency and allows to create an optimized individual and indication-specific MTT-protocol. Further, the motor driven training machine protects from injuries and/or overload. Additionally, the motor driven training machine allows improved coaching independent of the qualification of the supervising trainer or therapist.