Systems and methods for assessing and modifying an individual's physiological condition

1. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for prescribing an exercise regimen for an individual, said instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a metric indicative of said individual's physiological condition;

instructions to generate said exercise regimen using an algorithm that relates said metric to said regimen;

instructions to export said exercise regimen to said individual using an output device; and

instructions for generating a guide based on said regimen, said guide directing said individual in real-time on how to exercise, wherein said metric is based on heart rate information of an individual obtained during an exercise test.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein said exercise regimen comprises a plurality of exercise sessions to be performed by said individual, wherein each of said plurality of exercise sessions comprising:

at least one warm up cycle; and

at least one critical cycle that has a target heart rate, wherein said target heart rate is based on said metric.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising instructions to determine a capacity index based on an electronic file containing a time trace of a heart rate of said individual obtained during said exercise test that includes a plurality of test cycles and at least one maximum effort cycle, wherein said instructions to determine a capacity index comprises:

instructions to determine at least one maximum effort cycle parameter; and

instructions to determine said capacity index based on said at least one maximum effort cycle parameter.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 3 , wherein said maximum effort cycle parameter is selected from a group consisting of a first peak heart rate corresponding to a maximum heart rate monitored during said maximum effort cycle.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 3 , wherein said instructions to determine a capacity index further comprises instructions to determine another parameter for use in said capacity index, said another parameter being selected from a group consisting of a second peak heart rate monitored during another of said plurality of test cycles that is not said maximum effort cycle, an upward slope of said heart rate monitored during a part of a stress portion of at least one of said plurality of test cycles, and a downward slope of said heart rate monitored during a part of a relaxation portion of the at least one of said plurality of test cycles.

6. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for prescribing an exercise regimen for an individual, said instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a metric indicative of said individual's physiological condition;

instructions to generate said exercise regimen using an algorithm that relates said metric to said regimen;

instructions to export said exercise regimen to said individual using an output device;

instructions for generating a guide based on said regimen, said guide directing said individual in real-time on how to exercise; and

instructions for communication over links within a system wherein said links comprise an electronic network selected from a group consisting of local area networks, wireless networks, wired networks, wide area networks, the Internet and any combination thereof.

7. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for prescribing an exercise regimen for an individual, said instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a metric indicative of said individual's physiological condition;

instructions to generate said exercise regimen using an algorithm that relates said metric to said regimen;

instructions to export said exercise regimen to said individual using an output device;

instructions for generating a guide based on said regimen, said guide directing said individual in real-time on how to exercise; and

instructions for accessing linked databases including said guide, through an electronic network, wherein said network is selected from a group comprising of a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, a wireless network, the Internet and any combination thereof.

8. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for prescribing an exercise regimen for an individual, said instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a metric indicative of said individual's physiological condition;

instructions to generate said exercise regimen using an algorithm that relates said metric to said regimen;

instructions to export said exercise regimen to said individual using an output device;

instructions for generating a guide based on said regimen, said guide directing said individual in real-time on how to exercise; and

instructions for controlling a system through an electronic network, wherein said network is selected from a group comprising of a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, a wireless network, the Internet and any combination thereof.

9. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for prescribing an exercise regimen for an individual, said instructions comprising:

instructions to receive a metric indicative of said individual's physiological condition;

instructions to generate said exercise regimen using an algorithm that relates said metric to said regimen;

instructions to export said exercise regimen to said individual using an output device;

instructions for generating a guide based on said regimen, said guide directing said individual in real-time on how to exercise; and

instructions for communication external to a system through user interfaces selected from a group comprising of web pages, display monitors, terminals, modems, audio devices, wired devices, and wireless devices or any combination thereof.