Antigravity Muscle Exerciser and Methods of Using Same
The invention provides exercise device (1) comprising a pair of opposed longitudinal handles (2, 3) which are rigidly separated at their proximal ends by a spacing member (4). The spacing member has a central portion (5) which is displaced from the handles. The central portion includes an indicator (6) of a force applied by way of the device. The invention further provides methods of exercise which utilise the subject device.
Latest GRAVITY FITNESS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. Patents:
The invention described herein relates generally to an exercise device which can be used to enhance the stability of the spine, shoulder girdle and upper limb joints, and to promote muscle and bone health in the region. In particular, the invention is directed to the use of the exercise device for specifically activating the antigravity posture muscles which support and protect the spine from injury.
BACKGROUND ARTThe spine, shoulder girdle and upper limb are necessarily very mobile parts of the body which take part in a huge variety of everyday movements needed for normal activities as well as sports and recreation.
Due to the continual vertical force of gravity on the body, it is also necessary to have strong muscles to protect the skeleton (bones and joints) from injury. To prevent deterioration in bone and muscle health and the development of conditions such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, the body requires a strong antigravity muscle system to stabilise and protect the skeleton and counteract the potentially harmful effects of gravity.
It is known that gravity is responsible for the ‘heaviness’ or ‘weight’ of the body. In addition gravity is also responsible for the compressive forces on the spine and other joints of the body. These compressive forces increase with increased body weight as well as with various body positions and unstable exercise surfaces. If these high joint compressive forces are not counteracted by antigravity muscle activity, the health of the joints deteriorates due to wear and tear caused by the increased compressive forces.
Antigravity muscle strength is gained by using the antigravity muscles in a way that pushes the skeleton in an upwards direction, in order to lift, as well as lower, the body weight. This upwardly directed antigravity muscle force is also required to counteract the compressive force of gravity on the joints. This type of exercise is often referred to as ‘weightbearing’ exercise.
It is the axial strength and stiffness of the spine that is the most important requirement to counteract the vertical, compressive forces of gravity and therefore is the most critical element for the protection of the spine from injury.
Stability of the spine has been demonstrated to be enhanced under axial loads directed through the vertebral bodies (Patwardhan et al., 2000). This compressive load needs to be directed through a spine when it is in a ‘lordotic’ or neutral spine position (see
The stabilising action of the muscles to counteract this compressive axial load on the top of the spine, is activated by postural cues—viz., stretching tall, trying to lengthen the spine, chin tuck (horizontal gaze), moving the shoulder blade down and in, and drawing in the abdominal wall. These postural cues facilitate an ‘upwardly directed’ muscle force equal and opposite to the opposing axial compressive force of gravity. There is no device available to safely provide this compressive force which is required to activate the antigravity muscles.
It is known that high compressive loads on top of the head can be hazardous to the health of the spine and has been shown to increase degenerative changes in people who carry loads of up 50-60 kg on the head (Echarri and Forriol, 2005).
For these reasons, it is critical to control how much load is applied to the head and how it is applied to the head. There is accordingly a need for an exercise device that is suitable for exercising the antigravity muscles. The requirements of such a device are that in use:
-
- 1. the axial compressive load applied to the head can be quantified;
- 2. the axial load is equal and opposite to the upwards antigravity muscle force generated through postural cues; and
- 3. the axial load is applied through the axis of the spine (through the ear, shoulder, and hip in sagittal plane) when the spine is in a neutral, lordotic posture.
Objects of the invention are to provide an exercise device that meets this need and to provide methods utilizing the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn a first embodiment, the invention provides an exercise device comprising:
a pair of opposed longitudinal handles which are rigidly separated at their proximal ends by a spacing member, wherein the spacing member has a central portion which is displaced from the handles and the central portion includes an indicator of a force applied by way of the device.
In a second embodiment, the invention provides a method of strengthening and increasing the stability of the spine by providing a self resisted axial head load, the method comprising the steps of:
-
- a) holding the device according to the first embodiment by said handles;
- b) positioning the central portion of the device against the top of the head;
- c) applying pressure on the device via the hands holding the device while counter-acting that pressure with an opposite axial force, wherein said applied pressure generates a force no greater than a maximum force signal given by the indicator included in the device;
- d) relaxing the applied pressure while reducing the counteractive force; and
- e) repeating steps (c) and (d).
In a third embodiment, the invention provides a method of maintaining upper trunk postural alignment and spinal stability during lower limb exercise, the method comprising the steps of:
-
- a) holding the device according to the first embodiment by said handles;
- b) positioning the central portion of the device against the top of the head; and
- c) holding the upper trunk in postural alignment while exercising the lower limbs.
In a fourth embodiment, the invention provides a method of graduated unstable weight-bearing exercise for the spine, shoulder girdle and arms, the method comprising the steps of:
-
- a) holding the device according to the first embodiment by said handles;
- b) positioning the device against a surface;
- c) bending and extending the arms to move the body towards or away from the surface; and
- d) maintaining a neutral spine position and postural cues during said exercise.
With reference to the first embodiment defined above, the handles can have hand-grips associated therewith to aid the gripping of the handles. Furthermore, the distal end of each handle advantageously comprises a knob which serves to space the hand-grip portions of the handle away from a surface when the device is used in the method of the fourth embodiment.
A knob can comprise a mere flattening of the end of a handle. Alternatively, the knob can be a separate member that is fitted to an end. Such fitment can be by any suitable means.
The indicator included in the central portion of the device according to the first embodiment can be a deformable member or spring. Such a member can be connected to a user selectable audible or visual alarm and can be mechanical or electronic in its operation. In this manner a therapeutic regime can be prescribed and monitored. Loading can be prescribed by the therapist and a user selectable indication or alarm provided which is activated on reaching the required axial load. Electronic measurement and recording of the axial force applied can also be implemented. Such electronic means advantageously interface to a personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or ambulatory electronic display device (iPod) for storage of recordings and display of performance.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar with the mechanical and electronic devices that can act as a suitable indicator.
The central portion of the device can be padded to afford greater comfort when the device is applied to the head of a user. The indicator can be incorporated into the padding.
The exercise device can be manufactured from any suitable material including metals and plastics. Typically however, the device is manufactured from aluminium or steel. Devices according to the invention will be described in greater detail below.
As indicated above, the second embodiment provides a method of strengthening and increasing the stability of the spine by providing a self resisted axial head load, to give simulated axial compression of the spine. The method is generally employed with at least the torso of the user upright. In this mode of use, the downward pressure applied by the arms holding the device acts as a resistance to the upwardly directed muscle activity created by postural cues. It is important to ensure that the axial load is applied through axis of the spine (through the ear, shoulder, and hip in sagittal plane) when the spine is in a neutral, lordotic posture. An added advantage of this ‘isometric’ exercise is that the downward pressure or force on the device is provided by a simultaneous action of bringing the shoulder blades downwards and inwards. This action of the shoulder girdle is, in turn, also reinforcing the postural cues involved in the ‘stretch tall’ action. In addition, this method of increasing the stability of the spine by self resisted isometric exercise can be applied in a variety of body positions, not just in upright (vertical) positions which are demonstrated below. For example, the same antigravity muscle action (i.e., antigravity exercise) can be initiated when in a horizontal (supine) position. In this case the exercise is performance of ‘simulated’ weightbearing.
In step (b) of the second and third embodiment methods, the central portion of the device is applied to back part of the crown of the head, just above the ears. This positioning is aided by the device having appropriately shaped padding associated with the central portion. It is important in step (c) of the second embodiment method to ensure that the axial load is applied through the axis of the spine (see below).
In certain methods, the exercise device can be used in conjunction with the posture indicator described in International Application No. PCT/AU2007/000685 (WO 2007/134380), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by cross-reference. This aspect of the invention will be exemplified below.
With reference to the method according to the fourth embodiment, the surface is typically a vertical surface or a horizontal surface such as a wall or a floor, respectively. However, the surface can be at any angle between vertical and horizontal.
Use of the device in the methods of the invention will be explained in greater detail below.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In
Spacing member 4 has a central portion 5 which can be seen to be displaced from handles 2 and 3. It can be further appreciated from
Device 1 has an overall length of about 920 mm and the handles are about 450 mm apart. Central portion 5 has a length of about 100 mm and a width of about 170 mm. The device can be hinged at a convenient site in central portion 5 for ease of storage.
The components of the force indicator referred to above are shown in greater detail in
An alternative form of the exercise device of the invention is shown in
With reference to
It can be appreciated from
It can be further appreciated from
The handles 14 and 15, and spacing member 16, of device 13 are unitary with this unitary article typically being manufactured from steel tubing. The unitary article can also be manufactured as an aluminium moulding. In the latter instance, broadened area 21 can have an opening through there into which a unitary article comprising padding 22 and 23 is fitted. As with device 1 of
Device 13 as illustrated in the drawings has a length of 850 mm while curved member 16 separates handles 14 and 15 by about 350 mm. The overall height of the device (see
Methods of using the exercise device according to the invention are depicted in
In
The same configuration can prevail even when the legs of individual 24 are bent.
Use of the device in accordance with the second embodiment method is depicted in
The third embodiment method is depicted in
Use of the device in accordance with the fourth embodiment method is depicted in
Application of device 1 to a surface such as floor 44 as shown in
The rolling capability described in the previous paragraph can be eliminated by laying the device flat so that is it applied to the surface by its knobbed ends, 7 and 8, and the spacing member 4 (see
As noted above, use of a device of the invention in accordance with the
As also noted above, devices in accordance with the invention can be used in conjunction with the WO 2007/134380 posture indicator. The combined use of a device and posture indicator is illustrated in
With reference to
The foregoing embodiments are illustrative only of the principles of the invention, and various modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways and in other embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The term ‘comprise’ and variants of the term such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.
REFERENCES
- Echarri, J. J. and Forriol, F. (2005) Influence of the type of load on the cervical spine: A study on Congolese bearers. Spine 5(3):291-6.
- Patwardhan et al. (2000) Load Carrying Capacity of the human cervical spine in compression is increased under a follower load. Spine 25 (12):1548-54.
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising:
- a pair of opposed longitudinal handles which are rigidly separated at their proximal ends by a spacing member, wherein the spacing member has a central portion which is displaced from the handles and the central portion includes an indicator of a force applied by way of the device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said handles are angled away from a plane normal to a central plane of the device at up to 10°
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said handles have hand-grips associated therewith to aid the gripping of the handles.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of each handle comprises a knob.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said force indicator comprises a deformable member or spring.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said force indicator comprises an electronic device which emits an auditory or visual signal when a desired force is applied.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the force at which an auditory or visual signal is emitted by the indicator is adjustable.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said central portion of the device is padded to afford greater comfort when the device is applied to the head of a user.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said padding is shaped to accommodate the head of a user.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein said force indicator is incorporated into said padding.
11. The device of claim 1 which further includes a hemispherical member detachably fitted to the outer surface of the central portion.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is of a unitary or structure with a bifurcation which forms said central portion.
13. A method of strengthening and increasing the stability of the spine by providing a self resisted axial head load, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) holding the device according to claim 1 by said handles;
- b) positioning the central portion of the device against the top of the head;
- c) applying pressure on the device via the hands holding the device while counter-acting that pressure with an opposite axial force, wherein said applied pressure generates a force no greater than a maximum force signal given by the indicator included in the device;
- d) relaxing the applied pressure while reducing the counteractive force; and
- e) repeating steps (c) and (d).
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said method is performed with a user in a vertical or supine position.
15. A method of maintaining upper trunk postural alignment and spinal stability during lower limb exercise, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) holding the device according to claim 1 by said handles;
- b) positioning the central portion of the device against the top of the head; and
- c) holding the upper trunk in postural alignment while exercising the lower limbs.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said method is performed with a user wearing a posture indicator comprising:
- an adjustable belt formed from a flexible but inextensible material; and
- a solid and impervious spine contact member comprising a plurality of ridges fixed to the inside surface of said belt at a portion thereof which spans the lumbar region of a wearer when said belt is in situ such that in use, the spine contact member is positioned within the lumbar curve of the wearer and the ridges are in contact with the lumbar spine and adjacent lumbar regions, thereby providing tactile feedback regarding posture to the wearer without providing passive support.
17. A method of graduated unstable weight-bearing exercise for the spine, shoulder girdle
- and arms, the method comprising the steps of: a) holding the device according to claim 1 by said handles; b) positioning the device against a surface; and c) bending and extending the arms to move the body towards or away from the surface.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein said method is performed with a user wearing a posture indicator comprising:
- an adjustable belt formed from a flexible but inextensible material; and
- a solid and impervious spine contact member comprising a plurality of ridges fixed to the inside surface of said belt at a portion thereof which spans the lumbar region of a wearer when said belt is in situ such that in use, the spine contact member is positioned within the lumbar curve of the wearer and the ridges are in contact with the lumbar spine and adjacent lumbar regions, thereby providing tactile feedback regarding posture to the wearer without providing passive support.
19. The device of claim 7 wherein said device is of a unitary or structure with a bifurcation which forms said central portion.
20. The device of claim 8 wherein said device is of a unitary or structure with a bifurcation which forms said central portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2010
Applicant: GRAVITY FITNESS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. (Auchenflower, QU)
Inventor: Carolyn Anne Richardson (Warana)
Application Number: 12/746,819
International Classification: A63B 26/00 (20060101);