U.S. patent application number 10/772014 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for structure and method for increasing proprioceptive demands on foot, ankle and lower leg.
Invention is credited to Manser, Karl.
Application Number | 20050170935 10/772014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34808566 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050170935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manser, Karl |
August 4, 2005 |
Structure and method for increasing proprioceptive demands on foot,
ankle and lower leg
Abstract
An exercise surface for increasing the proprioceptive demands on
the foot, ankle and lower leg. The exercise surface includes a
plurality of projections extending upward therefrom, and is adapted
for use as an exercise mat or a treadmill belt.
Inventors: |
Manser, Karl; (Englewood,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO MORIN & OSHINSKY LLP
Richard LaCava
1177 Avenue of the Americas
41st Floor
New York
NY
10036-2714
US
|
Family ID: |
34808566 |
Appl. No.: |
10/772014 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ;
482/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101;
A63B 26/003 20130101; A61H 2201/1284 20130101; A61H 2201/1692
20130101; A61H 2201/1695 20130101; A61H 2201/169 20130101; A63B
22/0285 20130101; A61H 7/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 ;
482/023 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/02; A63B
026/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a base having a plurality of
projections extending upward from the base; and at least one
removable overlay having a thickness and apertures corresponding to
the plurality of projections.
2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least
two of the plurality of projections have different heights.
3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least
two of the plurality of projections have a different modulus of
elasticity.
4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are
at least two removable overlays having different respective
thicknesses.
5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are
three removable overlays having different respective
thicknesses.
6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
respective thicknesses of the three removable overlays are 1/4
inch, 1/2 inch and 1 inch.
7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of projections are randomly spaced.
8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a surface treatment covering at least one of the base and the
plurality of projections.
9. A belt kit for a treadmill, the belt kit comprising: at least
two belts dimensioned for use on the treadmill, the at least two
belts each comprising a base having a plurality of projections
extending upward from the base, wherein the at least two belts are
different from each other in at least one of a size of the
plurality of projections and a surface treatment.
10. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein at least two of the
plurality of projections on one of the at least two belts have
different heights.
11. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein at least two of the
plurality of projections on one of the at least two belts have a
different modulus of elasticity.
12. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of
projections of one of the at least two belts are different in
height than the plurality of projections of a second of the at
least two belts.
13. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of
projections of one of the at least two belts has a different
modulus of elasticity than the plurality of projections of a second
of the at least two belts.
14. An exercise system comprising: at least two exercise mats, the
at least two exercise mats each comprising a base having a
plurality of projections extending upward from the base, and
wherein the at least two exercise mats are different from each
other in at least one of a size of the plurality of projections and
a surface treatment.
15. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein at least two
of the plurality of projections on one of the at least two exercise
mats have different heights.
16. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein at least two
of the plurality of projections on one of the at least two exercise
mats have a different modulus of elasticity.
17. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the
plurality of projections of one of the at least two exercise mats
are different in height than the plurality of projections of a
second of the at least two exercise mats.
18. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the
plurality of projections of one of the at least two exercise mats
has a different modulus of elasticity than the plurality of
projections of a second of the at least two exercise mats.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a structure and method for
increasing the proprioceptive demands on the foot, ankle and lower
leg. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
exercise surface which includes a plurality of projections
extending upward therefrom.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Foot, ankle and lower leg sprains are probably the most
common injuries in sports. Of these injury classifications, the
ankle sprain is the most common type. Ankle sprains are generally
classified into grades 1, 2, 3, which correspond to mild, moderate,
or severe involvement. They are also classified into three anatomic
types: lateral, medial, and syndesmosis. More than 85% of all ankle
sprains occur in the lateral ligaments. The surrounding
musculature, articular surfaces and the associated neural
structures may also be affected. These injuries are known to recur
and create prolonged disability. A number of studies have
demonstrated that if left unresolved, these injuries will lead to
chronic instability, which may affect future athletic performance
and put an athlete at greater risk for re-injury.
[0005] Treatment of ankle and lower leg sprains may include
intervention ranging from surgery and immobilization, to early
active and passive ankle mobilization. Early mobilization protocols
for many injuries can help the patient return to activity
significantly sooner than with immobilization. Rehabilitation of
grades 1 and 2 sprains has generally been divided into three
phases. Phase 1 rehabilitation is rest, ice, compression, and
elevation (RICE) and protected weight bearing as needed. Phase 2
consists of restoring ankle motion, strength, and proprioception
and can begin when the patient can place some weight on the ankle.
Phase 3 includes activity-specific drills before return to full
activity.
[0006] Specific exercises have been designed for recreational
athletes and nonathletes, who have neither the time nor the
inclination for more intensive supervised rehabilitation.
Competitive athletes usually engage in a formal physical therapy
evaluation and treatment plan incorporating more intensive
strengthening and exercises.
[0007] Regardless of athletic level, balance exercises are
generally used to improve joint stability and proprioception at
joints that have been injured. Joint stability occurs when
ligaments have healed, muscles have strengthened and neurologic
function is restored. Proprioception is the body's ability to know
where it is in space. For instance, if a person closes his eyes and
moves his arm, proprioceptors are stimulated in the shoulder
muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint surfaces, and the brain knows
where the arm is in space, even though the person can not see.
Sensory nerve cells, called proprioceptors, allow the nervous
system to detect pressure, tension in tendons, direction of
movement and position of joints to help maintain balance during
various forms of movement. When the nerve cells are injured, such
as in a sprain, the nerve pathways must be retrained to quickly
conduct information from the injured joint to the spinal cord and
brain.
[0008] Balance board activities are a very common form of
proprioceptive training used to rehabilitate ankle, knee and other
lower extremity injuries. Other classes of exercises include
strength training to stabilize the ankle and stretching to increase
activation of the proprioceptors. The balance boards facilitate
certain improvements in joint stability and a level of reduction in
re-injury rates. Balance boards work by re-training the
proprioceptors to recognize the position of the ankle or knee.
Repetitive use of balance boards stimulates neurological pathways
from the injured joint to the brain. The result is decreased
latency in neurologic conduction in pathways to the brain,
improving function at the foot, ankle and lower extremity in
general.
[0009] The goal of any rehabilitation program is to safely return
an individual to his or her sport or activity of daily living with
as little risk of re-injury as possible. Generally, rehabilitation
exercises performed by non-athletes, recreational athletes and
competitive athletes are performed on flat and level surfaces. Flat
and level surfaces are not the only types of terrain on which an
athlete competes, especially those who compete in sports played on
natural or synthetic turf surfaces. In addition, individuals
encounter many uneven and unexpected obstacles on sidewalks, in
parks or in carpeted homes. Therefore, proprioceptive training on
flat and level surfaces is only effective to a certain degree in an
individual's rehabilitation and ease of return to competition or
activity of daily living with minimal risk of re-injury.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus and method which increases the proprioceptive
demands on the foot, ankle and lower leg and which mimics the
terrain normally encountered by athletes and individuals so that
effectiveness of training can be improved and rehabilitation time
decreased.
[0011] In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an exercise surface which includes a
base having a plurality of projections extending upward from the
base and at least one removable overlay. The removable overlays
include apertures that correspond to the plurality of projections.
Preferably, there are three overlays of different thickness.
[0012] Rehabilitation training on the exercise surface of the
present invention generally provides stimuli to the foot/ankle
complex, knee, hip joints and lower limbs in general, as well as
the vestibular components of balance. Sequential removal of the
overlays during rehabilitation training provides for a progressive
increase in the perturbations to the above-mentioned
structures.
[0013] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, different exercise surfaces are provided in a set of at
least two exercise mats. The exercise surfaces in the set of mats
preferably differ from each other in the heights of the plurality
of projections, the modulus of elasticity of the plurality of
projections, and/or in the surface treatment. During rehabilitation
training, the healthcare professional can progress the athlete
through the different mats in the set, thereby changing the
proprioceptive demands placed on the foot, ankle and lower leg.
[0014] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention, different exercise surfaces are provided in a set of at
least two belts adapted for use on a treadmill. Preferably, the set
of belts are provided as a belt kit. The exercise surfaces in the
set of treadmill belts preferably differ from each other in the
heights of the plurality of projections, the modulus of elasticity
of the plurality of projections, and/or in the surface treatment.
During rehabilitation training, the healthcare professional
progresses the athlete through the different belts in the set,
thereby changing the proprioceptive demands placed on the foot,
ankle and lower leg.
[0015] In summary, since individuals encounter many uneven and
unexpected obstacles on a field of play, on sidewalks, in parks or
in carpeted homes, these types of perturbations are incorporated
into the individual's rehabilitation program and training with the
apparatus and methods of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The features and
advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description of the invention that refers to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exercise surface in accordance with
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exercise surface in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a second embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0020] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a third embodiment
of the exercise surface of the present invention adapted for use on
a treadmill.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first
embodiment of the exercise surface 1 of the present invention. The
exercise surface 1 includes a base 2 having a plurality of
projections 4 extending upward from the base 2 and at least one
removable overlay 6. The removable overlay 6 includes apertures 8
that correspond to the plurality of projections 4. The plurality of
projections 4 and corresponding apertures 8 in the overlay 6 can be
either randomly spaced or spaced in a repeating pattern.
[0022] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the exercise surface 1 is
provided with three removable overlays 9, 10 and 11 having
different respective thicknesses. Each of the overlays 9, 10 and 11
have apertures 12, 13 and 14 that respectively correspond to the
plurality of projections 4. In the most preferred embodiment, the
plurality of projections 4 have a height of two inches and the
three removable overlays 9, 10 and 11 have respective thicknesses
of 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 1 inch. These dimensions are merely
exemplary and other various projection heights and overlay
thicknesses may be used as desired by the healthcare professional
administering the rehabilitation program.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the three removable overlays 9, 10 and
11 are preferably placed over the base 2 such that the 1/4 inch
overlay 9 is at the top, the 1/2 inch overlay 10 is in the middle
and the 1 inch overlay 12 is at the bottom and closest to the base
2. The removable overlays 9, 10 and 11 are designed so that the
height of the projection 4 can easily be varied by sequentially
removing each of the overlays as rehabilitation of the athlete
progresses. For example, with the arrangement shown in FIG. 2,
rehabilitation can begin with an exercise surface having a
projection of 1/4 inch height (all three overlays 9, 10 and 11 are
used over the base), and then progress through an exercise surface
having projections of 1/2 inch (1/4 inch overlay 9 is removed), 1
inch (1/4 inch overlay 9 and 1/2 inch overlay 10 are removed), and
then 2 inches (all three overlays 9, 10 and 11 are removed). This
sequential removal of the overlays 9, 10 and 11 during
rehabilitation training provides for a progressive increase in the
perturbations to the foot/ankle complex, knee, hip joints and lower
limbs in general, as well as the vestibular components of
balance.
[0024] In addition to providing the overlays, the plurality of
projections 4 can be formed having different heights between each
other. The use of projections 4 having different heights on a
single exercise surface increases the proprioceptive demands placed
on the foot, ankle and lower leg during rehabilitation by providing
an exercise surface having a varying contour with each step.
[0025] Further, the projections 4 can be formed having the same or
similar modulus of elasticity, or a differing modulus of elasticity
on a single exercise surface. The use of projections having
different modulus of elasticity will further increase the
proprioceptive demands during rehabilitation by providing an
exercise surface having varying a "rebound" with each step.
[0026] As a further modification, the plurality of projections 4
can be formed with both varying heights and varying modulus of
elasticity in a single exercise surface so as to further increase
the proprioceptive demands during rehabilitation. The exercise
surface can also be provided with a surface treatment which mimics
the terrain on which the athlete competes, such as for example an
artificial turf, so as to provide further proprioceptive
training.
[0027] As an option to providing overlays, a second embodiment of
the present invention provides a set of exercise mats 20 and 22,
such as those shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, wherein each of the
exercise mats 20 and 22 in the set have a different exercise
surface 23. The exercise surfaces 23 in the set of mats preferably
differ from each other in at least one of the heights of the
plurality of projections, the modulus of elasticity of the
plurality of projections, and/or in the surface treatment which
mimics the terrain on which the athlete competes, such as for
example an artificial turf. Although only two exercise mats 20 and
22 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it will be readily apparent that
more than two different types of mats can be provided.
[0028] During rehabilitation training, the healthcare professional
can progress the athlete through the different mats in the set,
thereby changing the proprioceptive demands placed on the foot,
ankle and lower leg.
[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a third embodiment of the exercise
surface of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the
exercise surface is adapted for use as a belt kit for a treadmill.
The belt kit includes at least two belts 30 and 32 each having an
exercise surface 33. Each exercise surface 33 includes a plurality
of projections 34 extending upward therefrom, and each of the at
least two belts 30 and 32 have a different exercise surface 33. The
exercise surfaces 33 are preferably different from each other in at
least one of the heights of the plurality of projections, the
modulus of elasticity of the plurality of projections, and/or in
the surface treatment which mimics the terrain on which the athlete
competes, such as for example an artificial turf as shown in FIG.
4B.
[0030] Preferably, the treadmill belts have staggered irregular
projections which range in height from 1/4 inch to 1 inch. Although
only two belts, are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it will be readily
apparent that more than two different types of belts can be
provided in the belt kit.
[0031] When the exercise surface of the present invention is
provided on a treadmill, the athlete is required to produce a
higher energy output to run than that required of a standard flat
treadmill belt. The belts in the belt kit are designed to either be
interchanged on a single treadmill, or placed on individual
dedicated treadmills having the different belts. Thus, during
rehabilitation training, the healthcare professional progresses the
athlete through the different belts in the set, thereby changing
the proprioceptive demands placed on the foot, ankle and lower
leg.
[0032] The balance mats and overlays described herein are
preferably formed of a resilient material, such as a foamed rubber,
or any other analogous resilient material. The treadmill belts are
preferably formed from standard treadmill belt material and include
a laminated layer of projections. Other materials and methods for
forming the various embodiments of the present invention will be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations
and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present
invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but
only by the appended claims.
* * * * *