Week 8: Enhancing Training Precision with Rep Counting and Angular Thresholds

Hello everyone, and welcome back to another update on my senior project. This week, I focused on counting repetitions accurately. To achieve this, I implemented a method using angular thresholds, ensuring that every rep is not only counted but also meets a defined minimum standard of form. Let’s dive into why rep counting is essential and how we’re approaching it through angle measurements.

The Importance of Accurate Rep Counting

In any fitness regimen, the number of repetitions of an exercise is a key metric that affects both the intensity and effectiveness of a workout. Accurately counting reps will not only enable the program to grade form but also helps in several other ways:

Progress Tracking: It allows users to track their progress over time, ensuring they are pushing their limits and improving.

Intensity Management: Accurate rep counts help users maintain the right intensity level for their fitness goals, whether they are aiming for strength, endurance, or hypertrophy.

Feedback and Motivation: Knowing how many reps you have completed provides a basis for immediate feedback.

Implementing Angular Thresholds for Squat Reps

Given the importance of precise form in exercises like squats, I implemented an angular threshold method to define what constitutes a repetition in the program. Here’s how we implemented this system:

We start by determining the key angles in a squat that indicate proper form. The angle at the knee is crucial—when a user squats down, the knee angle should decrease, typically going below 90 degrees to indicate sufficient depth.

I set a maximum angle threshold (75 degrees at the knee), which must be reached for a rep to be considered complete. This ensures that all counted reps meet a minimum standard of depth. For example, if the depth reaches only 70 degrees, the rep will not be counted. However, if it reaches around 75-80, the program will recommend a deeper squat but count the rep.

As the user performs squats, the app will continuously monitor the angle of the knee using real-time pose detection technology. Each time the knee angle drops below around 75 degrees and then rises above it again, a rep should be counted. This simple yet effective method guarantees that the user maintains the necessary range of motion for effective training. By using angular thresholds for rep counting, we can enhance the accuracy of exercise tracking while increasing the overall effectiveness of workouts.

Looking Ahead

After I finish implementing and refining this feature, I’ll move on to check for injuries and common mistakes using angle thresholds.

Thank you for your continued interest in this project! Stay tuned for next week’s update.