Automated aerobic fitness measurement from smartphone technology

Inventors

Esco, Michael R. • Fedewa, Michael V.

Assignees

University of Alabama at Birmingham UAB

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for measuring anatomical dimensions from a single two-dimensional (2D) digital image. The digital image is taken from the front/anterior view using a mobile, handheld communication device. The linear measurements are used to estimate the body volume of the individual. Total body density is calculated from estimated body volume and body weight. Body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) of the individual is derived from density using known mathematical conversion formulas. A method for estimating body composition analysis is provided. Systems and methods are provided that determine an individual's fitness by determining body composition of the individual using a picture of the individual, determining the individual's VO2 max based on the individual's movement (e.g., walking and/or running a measured distance over a measured amount of time), and determining the individual's fitness based on the body composition and the determined VO2 max.

Core Innovation

The invention is a method and system of determining fitness of an individual using a mobile device with a camera sensor to obtain a single two-dimensional (2D) image of an anterior or posterior portion of a body. The image is of the individual with hips and shoulders parallel to the camera sensor, and the mobile device is one of a smartphone or tablet. The method digitizes the single image into an array of pixels and uses a digital anthropometer on the mobile device to identify a plurality of anatomical landmarks including a waist landmark, a hip landmark, and a shoulder landmark.

The invention measures, using an automated image analysis program configured to measure the array of pixels, a cross-sectional diameter as a linear distance of pixels in the single image at each of the plurality of anatomical landmarks. A predictive model then estimates a body composition value based on the measured cross-sectional diameters. The approach determines body composition values using a predictive model and enables estimation of body composition components such as fat mass and fat-free mass, and/or body density derived from estimated body volume and individual weight, and/or relative adiposity/percentage fat via a relation linking percentage fat to body density, and/or body volume.

The invention further determines a VO2max based on a measured heart rate of the individual while walking or running a distance over an amount of time. A fitness value is then determined using the determined body composition value and the determined VO2max, where the fitness value is indicative of the individual's aerobic fitness and/or cardiovascular health. The fitness value is output to a display of the mobile device via an application executing on the mobile device and is used to monitor changes to the individual's aerobic fitness and/or cardiovascular health over time.

Claims Coverage

The document contains two independent claims: a method claim (clm-00001) and a system claim (clm-00007). Each independent claim centers on obtaining a single 2D image with hips and shoulders parallel to the camera, extracting pixel-based cross-sectional diameters at anatomical landmarks, estimating body composition via a predictive model, determining VO2max from heart rate during walking or running, and producing and displaying a fitness value for monitoring aerobic fitness and/or cardiovascular health over time.

Across both independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of single 2D image-based anatomical landmarking and pixel-based cross-sectional diameter measurement with predictive-model body composition estimation, followed by VO2max determination using measured heart rate during walking or running, and then deriving and displaying a fitness value indicative of aerobic fitness and/or cardiovascular health for monitoring over time.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications