Abstract: A process for accommodating, improving or transmuting random static and dynamic human functions to an object is provided. A device is selected which includes a proximal member and a distal member which articulate relative to one another at an interface. Energy is transmitted through the interface with a predetermined and variable efficacy. The interface is configured to permit static force to have perpendicular and parallel components relative to a primary plane of the interface and to permit a dynamic force to have a parallel component relative to the primary plane.

Abstract: A passive repeating plyometric muscle strengthening method and an apparatus for the method, wherein, the amplitude and frequency of up and down moving of the pedal can be adjusted, a trainee is continuously born with a load for exercising in a passive mode to do a plyometric and eccentric contraction muscle training in a short time with a large amount of acting units. Combination of the eccentric contraction and the concentric contraction for muscle training can enhance muscle strength and power, and danger resided in pure muscle training with eccentric contraction can be reduced thereby, a larger effect of muscle training can be obtained to meet the requirement of high acting-speed movements in practical competitions. The method can excite large amount of acting units of a human body in a very short moment. The elastic components in the muscle organization are sufficiently used to make muscle contraction able to generate larger strength and power. The effect of increasing the power is evident.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a tread board of a treadmill has an actuating device, a transmission device and a connecting member. The actuating device is pivotally connected to a bottom of the tread board. The transmission device is connected to the actuating device. The connecting member is connected to the transmission device with a first end and has a second end pivotally attached to the tread board. The connecting member has a middle point pivotally attached to a stand. Accordingly, the actuating device and the transmission device can actuate the connecting member to rotate relative to the stand, and the angle of the tread board relative to the ground is adjusted. Because the transmission device can pivotally rotate relative to the tread board, a large force will not be applied to the transmission device. Consequently, the load bearing of the transmission device is reduced.

Abstract: Springs (10) or other elastic connectors used to support a bed (14) within the frame of a trampoline or the like are attached using methods that systematically vary the tension (or the travel distance required to reach limit of elasticity) between adjacent (or sets of adjacent) springs (10). These spring attachment methods increase the time it takes a given trampoline to absorb a given amount of energy, increasing the shock absorption time and thereby reducing the likelihood of an injury.

Abstract: Left and right hand exercisers are formed based upon a modification of the handgrips disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,015, wherein a throughbore is made through the grip, generally vertically through the elongation of the grip, at an angle between 82 and 88 degrees. A flattened tube of nylon webbing, or equal, is disposed through the throughbore, and is either connected to itself to form an endless loop spaced from the body of the grip in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the webbing passing through the bottom end of the grip is retained in place by one of several means. The end of the webbing emanating from the top of the grip may be attached directly to an elastic tube or band, or to a swivel split ring. If the latter, cables or other devices can be appended to the split ring as is known to the art.

Abstract: A treadmill including a support structure and a tread base pivotally mounted to the support structure. The tread base having a front portion and a rear portion rotatably coupled together by way of a folding mechanism that allows the rear portion to fold toward the front portion so that lower surfaces of the front and rear portions are substantially adjacent one to another. The folding mechanism can include a means for releasably locking the front portion to the rear portion to create a surface upon which a belt can move and upon which an individual can exercise. The treadmill can include a motion assembly that inclines and declines the tread base, while optionally causing the belt to rotate about two rollers mounted within the front portion and rear portion respectively.

Abstract: A system for treating orthopedic injuries by presenting a set of treatment protocols; approving a treatment protocol from among the presented set of treatment protocols; capturing information identifying the approved treatment protocol from among the set of presented protocols; and generating information from the captured information into a form compatible with a handheld computer adapted for connection to an orthopedic sensor system. The generated information includes parameters of the identified approved treatment protocol. The process may also include the steps of basing the presented set of treatment protocols upon a database of historic patients, orthopedic injuries, treatment protocols and outcomes, and retaining information about the current patient, the patient's injury, treatment protocol and outcome.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically managing the operation of an exercise device includes a timer that determines if a predetermined time interval has elapsed, and an embedded processor that identifies if the exercise device has submitted an indication that it is operational. If the exercise equipment is not operational, the embedded processor transmits a reset signal to the exercise device when the predetermined time interval has elapsed causing the equipment to restart operation properly.

Abstract: A sled exerciser used, for example, in tackling or blocking practice in football training, comprises a sled, slidably attached to a frame, where the sled includes padding on one side. An adjustable weight mechanism is attached to the sled and provides continuous resistance against an individual as the sled is pushed, as in tackle/blocking practice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control console automatically planning a personal exercise program in accordance with the physical condition measured through the whole exercise session. The control console is in connection with a heartbeat detector for any fitness equipment. A microprocessor is fitted within the control console and used to record the related change and the interactive relationship of the heartbeat value under exercise parameters of distance, speed, duration and slope during the whole exercise session whenever the operator uses the electric treadmill. Therefore, the current physical state of the certain operator can be exactly detected so as to automatically plan an optimal exercise program according to the personal physical state. In addition, this program will be saved and used for next time when the operator uses the electric treadmill again. Meanwhile, the current physical condition will be measured again so as to renew another optimal exercise program for the certain operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapy and training device for the shoulder joint (43) with a trunk base (21), having a rotational joint base (22) two shoulder extensions (27), respectively associated with a shoulder, rotational around a vertical axis of a shoulder rotational joint means, having an arm extension, respectively spaced apart from the rotational joint base for connection with an arm (42, 48), which is rotationally connected with the shoulder extension (27) around a transverse axis (37) by an upper arm rotational joint means (30), wherein said shoulder extension and/or said arm extension are coupled in movement such that a rotational movement of one shoulder extension, or respectively, one arm extension, causes a rotational movement of the other shoulder extension, or respectively, the other arm extension.

Abstract: There is provided a system capable of estimating biological data such as a pulse at the time of walking (exercise) with good reproducibility. Biological data at the time of walking is estimated indirectly by acquiring a relationship between biological data and exercise stress levels in body burden capacity acquiring means 21 prior to walking, acquiring an exercise stress level at the time of walking in means 22 for acquiring an exercise stress level at the time of walking, and relating the exercise stress level at the time of walking to the relationship between biological data and exercise stress levels in means 23 for estimating biological data at the time of walking. Further, a walking amount is also computed by use of the biological data at the time of walking in walking amount computing means 24.

Abstract: A exerciser includes a base having a hub for rotatably receiving a spindle which has a radially extended peripheral plate, a rotary member rotatably engaged onto the spindle, a unidirectional driving device having a frame engaged between the peripheral plate and the rotary member, and a pair of cranks coupled to the spindle for driving the rotary member unidirectionally with the driving device. The frame includes a bore for receiving the peripheral plate of the spindle, and having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spindle.

Abstract: A treadmill with an adjustable cushioning mechanism configured to adjustably cushion the impact of a user exercising on the treadmill. The adjustable cushioning members allow the user to select the amount of cushioning provided by adjusting the cushioning members to individualize the amount of cushioning for a specific user as well as for a particular type of exercise. The cushioning members are positioned on opposing sides of the treadmill frame and are interconnected such that movement of one of the cushioning members results in corresponding movement of the other of the cushioning members. The cushioning members are configured to be adjusted so as to selectively position a portion of the cushioning members between the frame and the deck of the treadmill. The cushioning members may optionally be adjusted manually or mechanically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic control multifunctional exercise apparatus with double cable sheave. The exercise apparatus includes a base frame having a seat pad and an adjustable back pad. Two upright bars and one support frame are disposed at rear and front ends of the base frame. The base frame further has a magnetic control retarding mechanism provided with two cable sheaves and disposed at the bottom of the rear end of the base frame. Two pull cables are connected with two drive cables of the magnetic control retarding mechanism by means of a plurality of guide pulleys. Furthermore, a flywheel of the magnetic control retarding mechanism is coupled for unidirectional rotation, thereby reaching the expected effect of the magnetic control retarding mechanism.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a handle device disposed on a seat, a tread base rotatable between a downward working position and an upward folding position. Two arms and two levers and two bars are pivotally secured between the tread base and the seat, for allowing the tread base to be rotated relative to the seat. A tube may be secured to the arms, a bolt is threaded with the tube, and a motor may be coupled to the bolt for rotating the bolt to move the tube away from and toward the bolt, and thus to rotate the tread base between the downward working position and the upward folding positions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.

Abstract: An exercise system includes a local system having an exercise apparatus and an associated local computer, where the local computer controls and monitors the operation and use, respectively, of the exercise apparatus. The system further includes a remote system having a remote computer, and a transmission medium including a telephone line that couples the local system to the remote system for data communication between the local system and the remote system. The remote system may receive local system data from the local system concerning the use of the exercise apparatus, and the local system may receive remote system data from the remote system concerning the operation of the exercise apparatus. The local computer preferably controls the operation of the exercise apparatus based upon a modifiable script stored in a read/write memory of the local computer, which can be updated by the remote system.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide an exercise aid device which can be used for various kinds of exercise and which enables the user to perform aerobic exercise safely and comfortably at the level best suited to that person, and a method which employs this device. In order to achieve this object, the level of intensity of aerobic exercise which is most suitable for the person is considered to be 80% of the AT (Anaerobic Threshold) value as determined by analyzing the pulse rate while that person is exercising. The pulse wave is detected by this headphone-type exercise aid device. The pulse rate is measured at the superficial temporal artery, which is near the right ear. The pulse wave is detected by a sensor of either an optical sensor or an ultrasonic blood velocity meter. Once the optimal exercise is calculated, it is transmitted to the exerciser as the corresponding rhythm through the fitness headphone for maintaining the optimal exercise.

Abstract: A training machine including a load unit (13) and a pedal (12) or the like for providing an exerciser with predetermined exercise and a display (17) for displaying an image, further including a storage unit (24) for storing a reference range of the heart rate of the exerciser being exercising, a storage unit (24) for storing a plurality of types of images, a heart rate sensor (21A) for sensing the heart rate of the exerciser, a sensor signal detection processing unit and display-audio output processing unit (27B, 27A) for judging whether the exercising state of the exerciser is proper, wherein the display-audio output processing unit (27A) retrieves the image corresponding to the exercising state from the storage unit (24) and displays it on a display unit (17).