Abstract: A ski-exercising and rehabilitation apparatus of the invention wherein the down-hill-run unit (22), has a system of rotatable rolls (25) mounted with bearings in external clamping beams (20) and (21) and in the central beam (26) so that their rotation axes lie in one arched plane, whereas said central beam (26) is supported on its ends with shock absorbers (27), whereas the ends of external clamping beams (20 and 21) are jointed at one end with the shorter articulated connecting rods (18 and 19) of variable lengths and at the other end with the longer articulated connecting rods (23 and 24) of variable lengths, the other ends of which are rotatably connected with respective discs of the gear wheels (13, 14, 15 and 16) mounted on the front drive shaft (11) and rear drive shaft (12), said external clamping beams (20 and 21) being also jointed to rocking levers (34 and 35) which are connected to actuators (36) mounted in the frame base (1) of the apparatus, whereas the light signs (54), imitating the positions o

Abstract: Treadmills are generally discussed herein with specific discussion to Omni-directional treadmills that incorporate powered offset casters to move a belt in the X, Y, and theta directions. The belt is positioned over a frame and the frame includes a plurality of rollers for allowing the belt to turn about the frame. The powered offset casters can be mounted under the belt or on top of the belt and are controlled by a control system, which controls the translational motion and rotational motion of the belt.

Abstract: A virtual reality system transposes a user's position and movement in real space to virtual space. The virtual reality system includes a locomotion interface that outputs signals indicative of a user's position in real space. The locomotion interface includes a pressure-sensing mat having a base layer, a plurality of pressure sensing elements formed over the base layer, and a top layer formed over the plurality of pressure-sensing elements. The plurality of pressure sensing elements output a signal indicative of pressure applied to the top layer. A virtual reality processor uses the signals output by the locomotion interface to produce an output indicative of the user's position in the virtual space corresponding to the user's position and movement in the real space. A display uses the output from the virtual reality processor to produce an image of the virtual space.

Abstract: A jump rope incorporates a sensor in at least one handle which contacts the hand of an exerciser holding the handle. The output signal from the sensor is provided to a microprocessor programmed to analyze the signal and derive a physiological factor of the exerciser such as heart rate and provide a signal of the derived factor to an output device which may be a display or an audio signal generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for promoting ischemic preconditioning in individuals are provided. Ischemic preconditioning is provided by exercise treatments. The exercise treatments consist of breathing exercise regimens with breathing sequences of oxygenating and non-oxygenating phases co-ordinated with stress-relaxation cycles. The breathing sequences are designed to induce periods of ischemia. The individualized exercise treatments can induce optimal number of periods of ischemia separated by suitable intervals to provide effective ischemic preconditioning.

Abstract: A dual purpose physical rehabilitation orthopedic and physical fitness exercise device for use within physical therapy facilities. The rehabilitation and exercise device includes a frame hosting a hydraulic or pneumatic system means for applying variable levels of resistance for specified exercise regimens; an activating assembly including a torsion bar, indexed platen, exercise arm assembly and a lever to act against hydraulic/pneumatic pressurized cylinders. The exercise arm assembly includes equally spaced ports and locking pins to allow altering the active length of the arm. Further, the platen contains ports, radially positioned around its facial surface to permit adjusting the angular displacement of the exercise arm through 90° either side of the horizontal. The platen also has inscribed degree indexes to define angular displacement from preset azimuth during the exercise routine.

Abstract: A mechanical device that performs single, orthogonal, alternate, and independent movements which, adapted in an apparatus, can be applied to the prevention of lower limb thrombosis suffered by people who spend long hours in a sitting position. The device includes a solid cylinder shaped as a horizontal axis with a solid, centered, and jointly-moving sphere with grooves on its surface, along which runs a guiding bolt that guides the movement all along the grooves. The guiding bolt is joined to one of the arms of a fork-shaped piece. On the other arm of the fork, there is a ball-holding cavity with a spring to push a ball into a depression on the sphere surface opposite to the grooves. The guiding grooves engraved on the piece, which are read by the guiding bolt, are transferred to the pedals adhered to the gym apparatus.

Abstract: To enhance precision in measurement of the number of steps even when a walk cycle changes. An acceleration detecting portion outputs a walk signal corresponding to a walk of a user detected by a walk sensor. A step number counting portion of a counting portion counts each signal which is judged to be beyond a first reference cycle range by a walk cycle comparing portion among signals from the acceleration detecting portion as the number of steps for one step, and when an extra-regulation step number processing portion judges that a predetermined number of signals each within a second reference cycle range among the signals each beyond the first reference cycle range is continuously outputted, counts the predetermined number of signals as the predetermined number of steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching and strengthening muscles from a standing or seated position with a support member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end providing a location for grasping, the bottom end providing a base surface for force distribution and support. A preferred embodiment includes the support member which is adjustable in length such that the distance between the top end and the bottom end is adjustable. A preferred embodiment includes a way for fixedly securing the adjustable support member at desired lengths.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a body for swimming in conjunction with an inclined bench of the type having a sliding top carriage comprising the steps of: a) providing i) a vibration generation unit having a housing containing vibration generation and a vibrating member; ii) a member attachment to facilitate transmission of the generated vibration to the body; and a base for the vibration generation unit capable of orienting the vibrating member in a position generally parallel to an incline of the bench; b) orienting the vibration generation unit on the base so that its vibrating member reciprocates on a plane generally parallel to the bench; and, c) positioning and securing the vibration generation unit beneath the bench. Then a swimmer lying face down on and carried by the carriage can slide the carriage cyclically along the incline by pressing his hands on the vibrating member attachment specifically conditioning his arms and upper torso.

Abstract: A wearable device having a display element, display control circuitry connected to the display element; and a flexible body for supporting the display element, wherein the body is configured and sized to be secured onto a wearer, the body includes one or more components for maintaining an imparted configuration. In this way, for example, the body can be shaped into a configuration that will support the display element at a comfortable viewing angle.

Abstract: An exercise monitoring system which includes an electronic positioning device; a physiological monitor; and a display unit configured for displaying data provided by said electronic positioning device and said physiological monitor.

Abstract: A virtual racecourse is mapped by uniting digital pictures with GPS and inclinometer data, stored in a recorded course file, presented in distance increments of the racecourse, and accessed for individual and group competition over the internet.

Abstract: A fold-out treadmill includes a deck having a rear portion mounted on a base so as to be selectively rotatable between an operational position in which the deck is positioned for operation by a user positioned thereon and a storage position in which the deck is positioned proximate to the handrail. The fold-out treadmill includes a fold-out assembly configured to allow the handrail to rotate into a storage configuration when the deck is rotated from the operational position into the storage position which comprises a leg and an elongated support. The fold-out treadmill includes a mechanism that is configured to vary the inclination of the deck relative to a support surface while the deck is in the operational position and to automatically move the deck between the operational position to the storage position.

Abstract: A system for advising an exerciser about his physical activities, associated either with displacement of the exerciser itself or of an object displaced by the exerciser, or an object displaced simultaneously with the exerciser. The system comprises a first unit for monitoring the activities. This unit is not in physical contact with the exerciser or the object, displaced by the exerciser. The first unit is capable to collect raw data defining the activities either in terms of distance or acceleration. The first unit transmits the collected raw data in a wireless fashion to a second unit, which receives the transmitted raw data, processes it and calculates various parameters, defining the said physical activities, and represents the calculated parameters in a form recognizable by the exerciser. The system enables tracking, recording and updating the relevant information, provides improved feedback and thus helps to the exercising individual to improve his performances.

Abstract: A group program for resistance exercise training is disclosed. The group program for resistance exercise training includes the steps of: providing a plurality of convertible multi-position exercise units; providing instruction and operating the plurality of exercise units for performing a first exercise in a first configuration; providing instruction in converting the plurality of exercise units from the first configuration to a second configuration; and providing instruction in operating the plurality of exercise units in the second configuration. The exercise units include a frame, a seat positioned on the frame and an adjustable resistance engine attached to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a stress management device which relates to the field of health and is a portable device with auditory messages. The device can be carried by a user and used privately with ear phones or can be auditory and used with speakers. The present invention relaxation device can be used as needed when tension arises, or on a regular basis as a way to prevent tension buildup that can contribute to health problems. The battery operated device is activated by the user and has sequential recorded messages that remind the user at his or her pace to relax and release physical and mental tension.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an exercise device where there is a central panel to retain the user's head and neck, and a pair of handles, the handles being attached to the central panel by an upper and lower strut, the overall strut shape being C-shaped, so that the handles may be threadedly retained thereon and adjusted in a rotatable and tiltable fashion, to maintain the head and neck in an immovable condition during abdominal exercise.

Abstract: A computer-based system for monitoring and improving a user's exercise compliance by providing the user with multiple forms of feedback designed to encourage adherence to an exercise schedule. In one embodiment the system comprises a personal computer having a commercially available telephony card and a cellular telephone carried by the user. The system calls the user after each scheduled workout and prompts the user to input whether they completed the workout. The system accepts and stores the input, calculates whether the user is achieving their workout goal, and gives the user positive or negative audio feedback based on whether the user is meeting their workout adherence target.

Abstract: To carry out step number measurement more precisely even when a walk signal enough to be detected is not obtained. After a fixed noise of a signal detected by an acceleration detecting portion having an acceleration sensor is removed by a filter portion of a counting portion, a walk cycle comparing portion compares a cycle of the resultant signal with a moving average value calculated by a walk cycle calculating portion, and each signal within a predetermined cycle range is counted as the number of steps for one step by a step number counting portion. A signal within a range similar to a cycle n times as large as a predetermined cycle of the signals each beyond the predetermined cycle range is judged as the number of steps for n steps by an extra-regulation step number processing portion and is counted as the number of steps for n steps by the step number counting portion. Data on the number of steps obtained through the counting in the step number counting portion is displayed on a display portion.