Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for use by a physiotherapist, for measuring the force exerted by a patient, and for exercising a patient, particularly in a rehabilitation program. The apparatus is of the kind wherein the patient is required to exert a force against resistance beam arrangement and in the first aspect of the invention, there is a pre-set rest duration indicator which is adapted to issue a "count-down" signal to the patient up to a predetermined starting time at which the patient is required to exert force against the beam. This feature avoids the patient jerking a limb or body part when a force is required to be exerted against the beam. The indicator includes a graphic display device which has a presetable target force display. Hence the patient is able to obtain a visual indication as to when the force he is applying is equal to the target force.

Abstract: A high-speed, portable computer interfaced, fluid-filled, foam-padded, heavy bag with local electronic force indicator is provided along with a mechanically-driven paper chart recorder with digital output, split screen video data recording system, and printer for automatic data analysis used to measure a fighter's individual, peak, and total applied force on a target. Such target is constructed so that the fighter feels both familiar and comfortable for each hit, each session, and for such fighter's entire training career spent practicing a bag connected in the system of the present invention. Such system is accurate enough to determine at which point a fighter'punching or kicking muscle groups undergo initial fatigue and subsequent tetanus, or tightening.

Abstract: An apparatus for positive muscle training has a motor-driven auxiliary force device for applying a force to aid the force applied by the trainee to overcome a weight or other counterforce. A control device senses the speed of movement of a cable caused by the force applied by the trainee and actuates the motor of the auxiliary force device when the speed falls below a predetermined value. The control device causes the auxiliary force to increase gently from zero until the predetermined value is reached once more.

Abstract: An exercising machine which uses an electromagnet assembly as the resistance to be overcome in moving of the movable section of the exerciser relative to the fixed section of the exerciser. This electromagnetic assembly can be adjusted so that the force required to be overcome in moving of the movable section relative to the fixed section can be increased or decreased. The force encountered is maintained constant during moving of the movable section relative to the fixed section.