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  Golf assessment and improvement systemUSPTO Application #: 20070065791Title: Golf assessment and improvement system Abstract: A method and system for remotely assessing the physical fitness of a golfer is disclosed. Preferably, a golfer performs one or more fitness tests to determine his/her physical fitness level. Based on the golfer's performance of each of the one or more fitness tests, a workout regimen may be generated to assist the golfer in improving his/her performance of the one or more fitness tests, as well as his/her golfing performance. It is desirable for the method and system to be remotely accessible using a webpage accessible via a data network. In this manner, a plurality of golfers may have a customized workout regimen designed for them without the expense typically associated with such services. (end of abstract) Agent: Bingham Mccutchen LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventor: Gregory Alan Rose USPTO Applicaton #: 20070065791 - Class: 434252000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Education And Demonstration, Physical Education, Golf The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070065791. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,349, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method and system for determining an athlete's fitness level or ability. More specifically, the present invention relates to method and system that generates a custom workout/exercise regimen based on an individual athlete's fitness level or ability. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Avid golf fans that watch television coverage of golf tournaments often hear announcers talking about a particular professional golfer's workout regimen. Indeed, many of the top professionals such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Vijay Singh have workout regimens designed specifically to enhance their strengths and to minimize their weaknesses. Because amateur golfers often desire the benefit of the tools available to the professionals, the demand for these services has increased due to the growing popularity of the sport. [0004] However, services such as these are often provided by golf companies, possibly in combination with professional physical fitness trainers. Though the services may vary considerably, a golfer typically goes to a facility designated by a golf company, where his physical fitness is assessed. This may involve determining the golfer's strength, flexibility, and stamina. Once the golfer's physical fitness has been assessed, a workout regimen may be designed to allow the golfer to improve their strength, flexibility, and stamina, with the goal of improving their golf game. [0005] Of course, custom services such as these are expensive, and therefore out of reach to all but professionals and a few wealthy amateur golfers. In particular, these services often require a golfer to travel to a golf company's facility to have his/her fitness evaluated. Thus, the traveling and time required are often prohibitive. Therefore, a continuing need exists for a method and system for generating a workout regimen according to an individual golfer's physical fitness level. Moreover, a continuing need also exists for a method and system that are able to generate a customized workout regimen in an affordable manner without sacrificing the quality of the assessment and workout regimen. Furthermore, a continuing need exists for a system that is capable of generating the customized workout for a plurality of golfers without requiring travel and while minimizing the expenses to a golfer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] While applying to virtually every sport, the invention will typically be discussed herein with regard to golf. According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a sports assessment and improvement method. The method includes providing a computing device accessible via a data network. The computing device preferably includes a processor and a memory. In addition, a plurality of input information about a golfer may be provided to the computing device via the data network. The input information may include at least one of a golfer's personal information and a golfer's physical fitness assessment. Finally, a workout regimen based on the input information may be generated. It is desirable for the workout regimen to include at least one of cardiovascular exercises and muscle strengthening exercises. [0007] In one embodiment, providing the golfer's physical fitness assessment includes directing a golfer to perform one or more fitness tests, and then having the golfer assess his/her performance of the one or more fitness tests based on predetermined. criteria. Then, a first golf fitness handicap may be generated based on the golfer's assessment of their performance. The workout regimen is preferably based on the golf fitness handicap. [0008] In this embodiment, a workout regimen may be generated for a predetermined evaluation period. A golfer may then perform one or more fitness tests after the evaluation period is over, and assess his/her performance based on predetermined criteria. A second golf fitness handicap based on the golfer's assessment of his/her performance may then be generated. Then, a second workout regimen based on the second golf fitness handicap may be generated for a predetermined period of time. A golfer may optionally record information about his/her workout regimen, such as the number of repetitions, the weight lifted, and the like. This information may be stored in a database operatively connected to the computing device. The fitness tests that a golfer performs may include at least one of a toe touch test, a deep squat test, a seated trunk rotation test, a hip rotation test, a single leg balance test, a pelvic tilt test, a single leg bridge test, a side bridge test, a supine latissimus dorsi test, a reach, roll, lift test, an open book test, and a shoulder rotation 90/90 test. In one embodiment, a video demonstration, audio instructions, and/or written instructions describing how to perform each of the fitness tests may be included. The workout that is generated may include any type of exercise known to those skilled in the art, such as cardiovascular exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, Pilates, meditation, and yoga. [0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a golf assessment and improvement system is provided. The system includes a server accessible via a data network. Also included is a memory that is operatively connectable to the server. The memory preferably has a computer program stored thereon, and it is also capable of storing a plurality of input information that is provided by a golfer. The plurality of input information may be provided to the memory using a webpage accessible via the data network. The webpage may optionally require the identity of the golfer to be authenticated. [0010] Further, a processor that is also operatively connected to the server may be included. It is desirable for the processor to execute computer program instructions included in the computer program so that a workout regimen based on the plurality of input information may be generated. In one embodiment, the plurality of input information comprises at least one of a plurality of personal information and a physical fitness assessment. [0011] It is desirable for the data network to comprise at least one of a local area network, wide area network, a private local area network, and a private wide area network. Moreover, the processor preferably comprises one of a microprocessor, minicomputer, and mainframe computer processor. It is possible for the golfer to be located in a remote location from the server. For instance, a server could be located at a golf company's testing facility while the golfer may be located at his/her home. [0012] A sports assessment and improvement system that includes a server may be included according to yet another aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the server includes a processor and a memory. The memory preferably includes a computer program comprising computer program instructions, and the server may be accessible via a data network. Additionally, a remotely located computing device capable of accessing the data network via a webpage may be included. Optionally, one or more video cameras may be used with the computing device. An athlete preferably provides a plurality of input information to the server using the remotely located computing device. In one embodiment, the processor is operatively connected to the memory to execute the computer program instructions in order to generate a workout regimen based on the plurality of input information. [0013] In one embodiment, the athlete can access the workout regimen, which includes a plurality of exercises, using the remotely located computing device. Once the workout regimen has been accessed, the athlete may perform the exercises according to a video demonstration, audio instructions, and/or written instructions. Information regarding the athlete's performance of the exercises may then be stored on the server. In this embodiment, a plurality of athletes may access the server to generate their own workout regimens. After each of the athletes stores information regarding his/her workout on the server, the information may be analyzed to determine, for example, which exercises are most effective and/or beneficial. Using this analysis, a more effective workout regimen may be designed. [0014] According to another aspect, the present invention comprises an interactive method of performing a sports assessment and improvement plan. The method includes using an interactive process to evaluate an athlete's physical attributes that are related to a particular sport, including acquiring a plurality of input information from fitness tests. Additionally, the method includes generating a workout regimen based on the plurality of input information. The workout regimen is preferably directed to improving the athlete's physical attributes. [0015] In one embodiment, the interactive process includes remotely accessing a server via a data network and then providing the plurality of input information to the server. The remote access may be accomplished by using a wireless computing device. The workout regimen that is generated may include at least one of cardiovascular exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, yoga, Pilates, stretching, and meditation. According to this aspect, the present invention may be used with any sport, such as baseball, hockey, basketball, football, tennis, soccer, swimming, track and field, boxing, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and field hockey. [0016] According to another aspect, the present invention comprises a golf assessment and improvement method. The method comprises determining the kinematic characteristics of a golfer's golf club swing. A fitness professional then provides a plurality of input information about a golfer. Preferably, the input information includes a fitness professional's evaluation of a golfer's physical fitness. The kinematic characteristics of the golfer's swing and the golfer's physical fitness evaluation may then be used to generate a workout regimen. [0017] In one embodiment, the evaluation of the golfer's physical fitness comprises directing the golfer to perform one or more fitness tests. The fitness professional then evaluates the golfer's performance based on predetermined criteria. Based on this evaluation, a first golf fitness handicap may be generated. [0018] The workout regimen is preferably generated for a predetermined evaluation period. After the evaluation period is over, the golfer is directed to perform one or more fitness tests. The golfer's performance of those fitness tests is then evaluated by the fitness professional. Based on this second evaluation, a second golf fitness handicap is generated. Thereafter, a second workout regimen is generated based on the second golf fitness handicap. It is desirable for the fitness professional to be able to modify the generated workout regimen, e.g., based on modality or body part. [0019] In one embodiment, the workout regimen includes a plurality of exercises. The instructions for these exercises are provided to the fitness professional over a data network. The instructions may include at least one of audio, video, and text. When the present invention is used in combination with the sport of golf, it may also be desirable for the method to further comprise determining the kinematic characteristics of a golfer's golf club swing. This may be performed, for example, through the use of a launch monitor. [0020] According to yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a physical fitness assessment and improvement method. The method includes directing an athlete to perform at least one fitness exercise. During the performance of the at least one exercise, a fitness professional preferably monitors and evaluates the athlete's performance. Based on the fitness professional's evaluation, a workout regimen directed towards improving the athlete's performance of the exercise is preferably generated. It is also desirable for the workout regimen to include a video demonstration of how to perform the one or more exercises over a data network. Because it is often desirable for an athlete to train in locations that do not have access to data networks, e.g., a gym, the present invention allows the video instructions to be transferred to a portable storage device, e.g., an iPod.TM. or the like. Continue reading... Full patent description for Golf assessment and improvement system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Golf assessment and improvement system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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