A computer-based system for safe physical fitness evaluation

Exercise evaluation is a noninvasive technique to evaluate the condition of any subject´s cardiovascular system under physical stress. A System for safe physical fitness evaluation for subjects undergoing aerobic physical stress is presented. This system has been implemented in the form of a graphical user interface in the environment of Matlab^®. Furthermore, the proposed system is designed for young subjects of age below 35 years who undergo physical stress on a Kettler ergoracer bicycle. The subject´s body mass index, target heart rate, and maximum heart rate will be calculated before starting the evaluation. A Proportional-Integral (PI) fuzzy controller is applied to control the applied physical stress to ensure not exceeding the predefined target heart rate to satisfy safety. The time of the evaluation procedure is about 4-5 minutes which is divided into: 1) 3-3½ minutes for applying an appropriate physical stress to the subject under test, 2) 1½ minute for recovery and evaluation. Based on the change in the subject´s recovery heart rate and taking into account the body mass index, an evaluation for the subject´s fitness state is carried out.