U.S. patent application number 11/767092 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for exercise arrangement.
Invention is credited to Frederik Ryk Ludolph Neethling Eksteen.
Application Number | 20070298947 11/767092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38874233 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070298947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eksteen; Frederik Ryk Ludolph
Neethling |
December 27, 2007 |
Exercise Arrangement
Abstract
The invention provides an exercise arrangement comprising a
tiltable body support supported on a roller board. The exercise
arrangement includes a tiltable or rockable body support for at
least partially supporting a body part of a person. The body
support is supported above a roller board, thereby allowing the
exercise arrangement to not only tilt, but also to roll freely over
a support surface. This arrangement allows users to exercise
numerous muscle groups by a combination of tilting and rocking
movements, combined with lateral movements. The exercise
arrangement is especially suited for balance exercises and
increases proprioception by providing a dynamic training
environment.
Inventors: |
Eksteen; Frederik Ryk Ludolph
Neethling; (Nelspruit, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH HOPEN, PA
180 PINE AVENUE NORTH
OLDSMAR
FL
34677
US
|
Family ID: |
38874233 |
Appl. No.: |
11/767092 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/ZA05/00187 |
Dec 21, 2005 |
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11767092 |
Jun 22, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/1236 20130101;
A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 22/18 20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101;
A63B 22/20 20130101; A63B 2022/0033 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/068 20060101
A63B021/068 |
Claims
1. An exercise arrangement including: a body support in the form of
a tiltable exercise device for at least partially supporting a body
part of a person: a roller board defining a base on which the body
support is supportable, the roller board having rolling means
operatively arranged below the base, in use to permit the support
structure to roll freely over a support surface; and a pivot point
between the body support and the base about which the body support
can tilt in any direction relative to the roller board.
2. The exercise arrangement of claim 1, wherein in the pivot point
comprises articulation mean in the form of a ball and socket joint
defining the pivot point in the centre of the ball.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the ball is disposed on
an operatively lower surface of the exercise device, with the
roller board having a socket projecting operatively upwardly for
engagement with the ball.
4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the socket is at least
partially countersunk in an operatively upper surface of the roller
board.
5. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the socket is defined by
a central cut-out in a frictional or abrasive material layer
disposed upon or placed on the operatively upper surface of the
roller board.
6. A body support for at least partially supporting a body part of
a person, the body support comprising a board on which a body part
of a person is supportable, the board having gripping means
providing a grip between the board and the body part of the person,
the board having pivot means arranged operatively below the board,
in use to support the board above a support surface and defining a
pivot point between the support surface and the board about which
the body support can tilt in any direction relative to the support
surface.
7. The body support of claim 6, wherein the gripping means is in
the form of one or more handles.
8. The body support of claim 6 wherein the gripping means is
defined by a frictional surface or abrasive surface, in use to
prevent slipping of the body part of the person from the support
means, when the board is tilted about the pivot point.
9. The body support of claim 6, wherein the pivot means includes at
least one roller, castor, or bearing, which is receivable within a
socket disposed on the operatively underside of the support means,
about which the body support may pivot or tilt.
10. A roller board including: a body support for at least partially
supporting a body part of a person, the body support including
gripping means for providing a frictional grip between the body
support and the body part of the person; and rolling means located
below the body support operable to roll over a support surface.
11. The roller board of claim 10, wherein the gripping means is in
the form of a gripping surface disposed upon an operatively upper
surface of the body support to provide sufficient purchase for a
person to grip the roller board.
12. The roller board of claim 10, wherein the body support includes
at least one handle or cut-out which allows a user to obtain a
steady grip on the body support.
13. The roller board of claim 10, wherein the body support has a
domed operatively upper surface, to facilitate gripping of the
board with one hand.
14. An exercise kit including: at least one body support as
described in claim 6; and at least one roller board as claimed in
10.
15. The exercise kit of claim 14 which includes a roller mat having
a smooth upper surface over which the roller board can roll.
16. The exercise kit of claim 15, wherein the roller mat includes
end stops preventing the roller board from rolling off its upper
surface, thereby to limit the extent of movement of the roller
board on the roller mat, the end stops extending peripherally along
substantially the total outer perimeter of the roller mat.
17. A method of exercising, which includes supporting at least one
body part of a person on or over an exercise arrangement as claimed
in claim 1, and, whilst supporting the body, moving the at least
one body part in a lateral direction over the exercise arrangement,
and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the body
supported above the exercise arrangement, wherein a body support of
the exercise arrangement is tilted relative to the horizontal to
exercise the muscles of the body, either contemporaneously with
laterally inward and outward movements, or interspersed between
such lateral movements.
18. The method of exercising as claimed in claim 17, which includes
supporting either a lower part or an upper part of a body of a
person on the exercise arrangement, and, whilst supporting the
body, moving the lower or upper part of the body in a lateral
direction over the support surface, and/or tilting it relative to
the horizontal, keeping the body supported above the support
surface.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein, if the body is supported on a
hand, elbow or a part of the arm, the arm is moved laterally
towards and away from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to
exercise muscles of the upper body, and, wherein, if the body is
supported on a foot, a knee, or on part of a leg, the leg is moved
laterally inwardly and outwardly from the torso or trunk of the
person, thereby to exercise muscles of the lower body.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the muscles or muscle groups
are exercised by the person attempting to contain or limit lateral
and/or tilting movement of the exercise arrangement.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/ZA2005/000187, filed on Dec. 21, 2005 by the
same inventor, which International Application claims the benefit
of priority to prior filed South African provisional patent
application Serial No. 2005/4250 filed May 25, 2005 and South
African provisional application Serial No. 2004/10352 filed Dec.
23, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an exercise arrangement. More
particularly, this invention relates to an exercise arrangement, to
a body support, to a roller board, to an exercise kit, and to a
method of exercising.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are various prior art exercise devices known to the
Inventor that comprise a controlled rocking or tilting motion to
exercise various muscles or muscle groups of a person, mostly
focusing on the lower extremities. A shortcoming of such devices is
that they are usually not suitable for use in exercising the upper
torso or upper extremities of a person, as they are designed
primarily to be stood upon. In addition, when attempting to use
such prior art devices to exercise the upper body and upper
extremities, the angle of rocking frequently forces the person to
adopt an uncomfortable stance or joint angle when approaching any
of the angular extremes during such rocking exercises. Furthermore,
the number of muscle groups exercised by such devices are usually
limited, as only a rocking or tilting movement is allowed by such
prior art devices due to their static nature. It is an object of
the present invention to address at least some of the shortcomings
of prior art rocking exercise devices, by providing a dynamic
training environment suited to developing enhanced proprioception
and muscle control, for most major muscle groups of the body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
an exercise arrangement, which includes: a body support for at
least partially supporting a body part of a person; a support
structure defining a base on which the body support is supportable,
the support structure having rolling means arranged operatively
below the base, in use to permit the support structure to roll
freely over a support surface; and a pivot point between the body
support and the base about which the body support can tilt in any
direction relative to the support surface.
[0005] The body support may be in the form of a tiltable exercise
device. The support structure may be in the form of a roller
board.
[0006] The pivot point may be defined by articulation means. The
articulation means may be in the form of a ball and socket joint
defining a pivot point in the centre of the ball. Alternatively,
the articulation means may comprise a concave support seat defined
on the support means or roller board within which a convex support
surface of the exercise device may be receivable. The convex
support surface may be in the form of a semi-spherical
protrusion.
[0007] As another alternative, the support seat or ball may be
disposed on an operatively lower surface of the exercise device,
with the support means or roller board having an operatively
upwardly extending protrusion or socket for engagement with the
support seat or ball.
[0008] For example, if the body support is in the form of a
tiltable exercise device, and the support structure is in the form
of a roller board, the roller board may define a socket on its
upper surface into which the semi-spherical protrusion is
receivable. The socket may be at least partially countersunk in an
operatively upper surface of the roller board. The socket may be
defined further by a central cut-out in a frictional or abrasive
material layer disposed upon or placed on the operatively upper
surface of the roller board. The cut-out may be dimensioned to
snugly receive the ball or protrusion in a slight interference fit
manner.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a body support, which includes: gripping means providing a
grip between the body support and the body part of the person; and
pivot means arranged operatively below the body support, in use to
support the body support above a support surface and defining a
pivot point between the support surface and the body support about
which the body support can tilt in any direction relative to the
support surface.
[0010] In one embodiment, the body support may be in the form of a
board on which a body part of a person is supportable. In
particular, the board may be dimensioned to receive any one or more
of a hand, an elbow, an arm, part of an arm, a foot, a knee, a leg
or a part of a leg of a person. In addition, the board may be
dimensioned to receive a torso of a person, including supporting
the abdominal area, back, or shoulder area.
[0011] The gripping means may be in the form of one or more
handles. For example, the gripping means may be in the form of a
raised gripping member, or a cut-out in the board. The gripping
means may be defined by a frictional surface such as an abrasive
surface, in use to prevent slipping of the body part of the person
from the body support, when the board is tilted about the pivot
point.
[0012] The pivot means may define a protrusion extending
operatively downwardly from the body support to define a pivot
point on or adjacent to the support surface.
[0013] The pivot means may be in the form of a semi-spherical,
conical or frusto-conical protrusion extending operatively
downwardly from a lower part of the body support, for rolling over
the support surface. Advantageously, the pivot means may define a
pivot point proximal to or at a centre of the semi-sphere, thereby
providing a more stable support platform than when the pivot point
is located on the support surface. It is also to be understood that
the pivot means may be in the form of at least one roller, castor,
or bearing, which is receivable within a socket disposed on the
operatively underside of the support means, about which the body
support may pivot, tilt, or roll.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a support structure in the form of a roller board which
includes: a body support for at least partially supporting a body
part of a person; and rolling means located below the body support
operable to roll over a support surface.
[0015] The rolling means may be in the form of one or more castors
or bearings. The castors or bearings may be counter-sunk or
recessed into an operatively lower surface of the body support.
[0016] The support structure may have gripping means providing a
frictional grip between the support structure and the body part of
the person. The gripping means may be in the form of a gripping
surface for allowing a person to grip the roller board.
Alternatively, or additionally, the support structure may include
at least one handle or cut-out which allows a user to obtain a
steady grip on the support structure. The gripping means may be
disposed upon an operatively upper surface of the support
structure. In one embodiment, the support structure may have a
domed operatively upper surface, to facilitate gripping of the
roller board with one hand.
[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an exercise kit, which includes at least one body support
as described above; and at least one support structure or roller
board as described above.
[0018] The kit may include a roller mat having a smooth upper
surface over which the roller board can roll. The roller mat may
include end stops preventing the roller board from rolling off its
upper surface, thereby to limit the extent of movement of the
roller board on the roller mat. The end stops may extend
peripherally along substantially the total outer perimeter of the
roller mat.
[0019] The invention extends also to a method of exercising, which
includes supporting at least one body part of a person on any one
of an exercise device, a roller board and/or an exercise
arrangement, as described above and, whilst supporting the body,
moving the at least one body part in a lateral direction over the
support surface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal,
keeping the body elevated above the support surface.
[0020] For example, if the body is supported on a hand, or on part
of an arm, the arm may be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly
from the body thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body.
Additionally, or alternatively, the exercise device of the
invention may be tilted relative to the horizontal to exercise the
muscles of the body, either contemporaneously with the laterally
inwardly and outwardly movements, or interspersed between such
lateral movements.
[0021] The invention extends further to another method of
exercising, which includes supporting either a lower part or an
upper part of a body of a person on any one of an exercise device,
a roller board or an exercise arrangement, as described above and,
whilst supporting the body, moving the lower part of the body in a
lateral direction over the support surface, and/or tilting it
relative to the horizontal, keeping the body supported above the
support surface.
[0022] For example, if the body is supported on a hand, elbow or a
part of the arm, the arm may be moved laterally towards and away
from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles
of the upper body. Similarly, if the body is supported on a foot, a
knee, or on part of a leg, the leg may be moved laterally inwardly
and outwardly from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to
exercise muscles of the lower body.
[0023] Furthermore, muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by
the person placing a body part on any one or more of an exercise
device, a roller board or an exercise arrangement, as described
above and, whilst supporting the body, attempting to limit the
escape of the exercise device, roller board or exercise
arrangement, from below the person or body part. As such, the
muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by attempting to contain
or limit lateral and/or tilting movement of the exercise
arrangement, exercise device, and/or roller board.
[0024] The exercise device, may be used by itself either in the
fashion described above or by inverting it so that the body support
is placed facing the ground and the protrusion extends operatively
upwardly, away from the ground. In this inverted form, with a user
supporting himself or herself over the board, gripping the
protrusion, muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by the user
doing a series of push-ups, balance exercises, or stability,
strength, endurance, co-ordination or proprioception exercises,
whilst gripping the protrusion, either with one hand or both hands.
Similar exercises may obviously be done using the exercise device
in the regular fashion, or with the roller board, or with the
exercise arrangement of the invention.
[0025] In addition, a combination of the above exercises can be
combined to exercise more than one group of muscles during an
exercise session. The invention is especially useful in attaining
symmetry between the right and left-hand sides of persons using the
device.
[0026] Furthermore, a plurality of any one or more of the exercise
device, roller board, or exercise arrangement may be used in any
combination suitable for exercising a desired muscle, muscle group,
or muscle groups.
[0027] By body part is meant any limb, body member, appendage, or
upper or lower body portion of a user.
[0028] Further aspects of the invention will now be described, by
way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] In the drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1a is a three-dimensional exploded view, from below, of
an exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing
both an operatively superior exercise device in accordance with the
invention, as well as an operatively inferior roller board in
accordance with the invention;
[0031] FIG. 1b is a similar three-dimensional exploded view, from
above, of an exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention,
showing both an operatively superior exercise device in accordance
with the invention, as well as an operatively inferior roller board
in accordance with the invention;
[0032] FIG. 2a is a top plan view of an exercise device in
accordance with the invention;
[0033] FIG. 2b is a bottom plan view of an exercise device in
accordance with the invention;
[0034] FIG. 3a is a top plan view of a roller board in accordance
with the invention;
[0035] FIG. 3b is a bottom plan view of a roller board in
accordance with the invention;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a medially sectioned view through an exercise
arrangement in accordance with the invention;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a side view of a person using the exercise
arrangement in accordance with the invention to exercise muscles of
the upper body;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a side view of a person using the exercise
arrangement in accordance with the invention to exercise muscles of
the lower body;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a side view of a person using the roller board in
accordance with the invention to exercise muscles of the upper and
lower body simultaneously.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] With reference to the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers
generally to an exercise arrangement of the invention.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 1, an exercise arrangement 10
includes a body support in the form of a tiltable exercise device
12 and a roller board 14.
[0042] The exercise device 12 comprises a substantially circular
top board member 16 on which a body part or member of a person can
be supported, the top board member 16 having operatively upper 18
and lower 20 surfaces. Both surfaces 18 and 20 are substantially
planar and parallel to one another.
[0043] The upper surface 18 of the board member 12 has a cover
sheet 22 disposed thereupon, as may best be seen in FIG. 4. The
covering sheet 22 is affixed to the operatively upper surface 18 of
the board member 16 by commercially available adhesive (not shown)
and is comprised of commercially available rubber sheeting, with a
suitable friction coefficient. The main function of the frictional
covering sheet 22 is to assist users (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7)
in maintaining their grip on the upper surface 18 of the exercise
device 12 when exercising, as discussed below.
[0044] The roller board 14 similarly comprises a body support or
exercise device support in the form of a substantially circular
board member 24 having planar operatively upper 26 and lower 28
surfaces, with a similar frictional covering sheet 30 attached to
or disposed upon the upper surface 26 of the board member 24. The
function of the frictional covering sheet 30 is both to provide
users with ample grip when exercising with the roller board 14 by
itself, as well as to locate the exercise device 12 upon the
operatively upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller
board 14 when in combined use as an exercise arrangement 10, best
seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.
[0045] As may be seen in FIGS. 1a, 2a and 2b, and 4, the exercise
device 12 includes a centrally located, operatively downwardly
extending semi-spherical protrusion 32. As may best be seen in FIG.
4, the protrusion 32 provides a contact surface 34 which serves as
a fulcrum for an operatively second order lever, whether the
exercise device 12 is employed in combination with the roller board
14, or by itself 12.
[0046] When in use, it is to be understood that the exercise device
12 is tiltable or rockable in any direction, relative to the
horizontal, about a pivot point 36 which is defined within the
semi-spherical protrusion 32, between the board member 16 and the
contact surface 34 of the protrusion 32. The location of the pivot
point 36 is a function of the dimensions of the semi-spherical
protrusion 32.
[0047] As may be seen in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, and 4, the roller
board 14 has five semi-recessed captive bearings 38.1, 38.2, 38.3,
38.4, and 38.5 partially countersunk into the lower surface 28 of
the board member 24. The castor bearings are commercially available
under the trade name ALWAYSE ENGLAND. The castor bearings 38.1-38.5
allow the roller board 14 to be rolled in any lateral direction by
a user of the device, as discussed below.
[0048] The upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller
board 14 has a centrally located cut-out in the abrasive sheeting
30 which serves to define a location point or convex seat 39 (as
also shown in FIG. 1b) for the exercise device 12 to be tiltably or
rockably located in. It is to be understood that the location point
39 may be further defined by being slightly countersunk in the
upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller board 14, so
as to complement the contact surface 34 of the semi-spherical
protrusion 32 of the exercise device 12. This arrangement prohibits
the lateral movement of the exercise device 12 when used in
combination with the roller board 14 as an exercise arrangement
10.
[0049] Alternatively, the above pivot arrangement may be inverted,
with the protrusion extending upwardly from the roller board, while
the countersunk location point or convex seat is located on a lower
surface of the exercise device (not shown).
[0050] Advantageously, the exercise device 12 has a plurality of
cut-outs 40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5, 40.6 defined within the
board member 16, best shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b.
[0051] As may be seen from FIGS. 2a and 2b, the cut-outs 40.1-40.6
serve as grips for users obtain or maintain some purchase on the
board 16 when exercising. The cut-outs are arranged in
substantially radially opposed pairs, each pair being arranged
substantially equidistantly from a centre point 24 of the board 16.
The cut-outs 40.1-40.6 have the additional utility that they serve
to protect the fingers of a user (not shown) by preventing finger
injuries when the board 16 of the exercise device 12 or exercise
arrangement 10 is tilted.
[0052] A first pair comprises finger grip 40.1, finger grip 40.2,
thumb grip 40.3 and thumb grip 40.4. The fingers of the right hand
(not shown) extend through 40.3, with the right-hand thumb
extending through 40.4. Similarly, the fingers of the left hand
extend through the finger grip 40.1 and the left-hand thumb through
thumb grip 40.2.
[0053] Alternatively, should the user wish to exercise another
group of arm muscles, the hand grips 40.5 and 40.6 may similarly be
utilized. Suitable thumb grips, although not shown, may also be
incorporated into the board member 16.
[0054] It is an express aim of this invention that the roller board
14 may be used by itself for a variety of exercises, the exercise
device 12 may be used by itself for a variety of exercises, and the
roller board 14 and exercise device 12 may be used in combination
for a variety of exercises, including as an exercise arrangement
10.
[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it is evident that a person
42 may choose to use the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device
12, or roller board 14 in any combination that may be required to
exercise a desired muscle group, whether forming part of the lower
or the upper torso, or any of the limbs.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a person 42 using the exercise arrangement 10
to exercise the muscles of the arms 44, chest, shoulders 46, back
48, abdominal muscles 50, and general upper torso region 52. An
exercise regimen may include moving the arrangement 10 away from
and towards the upper torso region 52 in a controlled manner, as
indicated generally by arrow 54. At the same time, or interspersed
with the lateral roll movements, the person 42 may elect to tilt or
rock the exercise device 12, as indicated by arrows 56.1 and 56.2,
in order to provide additional strength exercises to the muscle
groups in the abovementioned areas.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a person 42 using the exercise arrangement 10
to exercise the muscles of the feet 58, calves 60, thighs 62, lower
back 64, abdominal muscles 66, and general lower torso region 68.
An exercise regimen may include moving the exercise arrangement 10
away from and towards the torso 68 in a controlled manner, as
indicated generally by arrow 70. At the same time, or interspersed
with the lateral roll movements, the user may elect to tilt or rock
the exercise device 12, as indicated by arrows 72.1 and 72.2, in
order to provide additional strength exercises to the muscle groups
in the abovementioned areas.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows a person 42 using two roller boards 14 in
combination, by moving them laterally in any lateral direction,
indicated generally by arrows 74.1 and 74.2. This allows for a
full-body work-out, targeting most large muscles groups. Although
not shown, it is to be understood that the exercise arrangement 10
of the invention may also be employed in this manner, as well as
the exercise device 12. In the case of the exercise device 12 being
used by itself in this manner, the user obviously cannot include
moving the device laterally, and most movements will then be
limited to a rocking or tilting motion.
[0059] It is to be borne in mind that each of the exercise
arrangement 10, exercise device 12 or roller board 14 may be
positioned and moved by any one or more limbs of a person 42, or
other regions of the body. This allows a person 42, for example, to
engage the exercise arrangement 10 of the invention with the upper
torso area and arms (not shown), while using two roller boards 14,
one being placed under each foot. Any such suitable combination can
thus be used, depending on the skill, dexterity and muscle tone of
the person 42.
[0060] Balancing exercises may also be performed using the
arrangement, device, or roller board of the invention, provided
persons exercise the required caution in doing so. As such, a
person may elect to stand on the exercise arrangement 10, exercise
device 12, or roller board 14 with one or more feet and attempt to
maintain their balance while doing so.
[0061] Persons may also gain advantage from the invention in
exercising their muscles groups, while attempting to limit the
movement of the arrangement 10, device 12, or roller board 14
during an exercise routine. Benefit may be had by positioning and
re-positioning the body so as to limit the escape of the
arrangement 10, device 12, or roller board 14 from underneath the
person. In this way, target muscles groups may be exercised in a
strenuous, though controlled, exercise manner.
[0062] FIGS. 4 and 5 each also show a roller mat 76, which may be
sold together with or apart from the exercise arrangement 10,
exercise device 12 or roller board 14. The roller mat 76 is made
from a hard plastics material, which is resistant to abrasion. The
roller mat 76 may have a low friction coefficient on the
operatively upper surface thereof in order to allow the roller
board 14 to roll relatively freely in any lateral direction
thereupon. However, the roller mat 76 may have varying grades of
abrasiveness (not shown) in order to tailor-make the use thereof
for novice, intermediate, or advanced users. The roller mat 76 is
provided peripherally with end-stops 78 which serve to limit the
lateral travel of the roller board 14. This ensures that persons
using the invention do not hurt themselves or strain or tear
muscles or ligaments when using the arrangement, device, or roller
board of the invention, either in combination or separately. It is
to be understood, however, that users may choose to use the
arrangement, device or roller board without the roller mat, or with
a roller mat lacking end-stops.
[0063] The exercise device and roller board may be manufactured
from wood, or from any suitable high-impact plastics materials,
metalliferous compounds or alloys, or other suitable wear-resistant
materials.
[0064] The Inventor is of the belief that he has invented an
exercise arrangement, an exercise device, a roller board, and a
method of exercising using the apparatus of the invention which is
useful in assisting persons in training or exercising muscles or
muscle groups, whether for rehabilitative, exercising, or
body-aesthetic purposes in a dynamic environment. The arrangement
of the exercise arrangement allows the user to laterally roll and
tilt the exercise arrangement in order to stretch and tone numerous
muscle groups. Advantageously, as the exercise device is tiltable
relative to the horizontal or the roller board, the angle of the
exercise device relative to the horizontal may be continuously
adjusted during the controlled movements required to exercise the
muscles, thereby ensuring that less strain is placed on the joints
and cartilage of persons using the arrangement.
[0065] Accordingly, the exercise arrangement of the invention
provides a dynamic training environment in a closed kinematic
chain. This is achieved by providing an unstable platform or body
support that can tilt in a multidirectional manner. Accordingly, a
unilateral force applied to the platform or body support will move
the apparatus in an opposite direction, thereby exercising numerous
muscle groups when attempting to contain the movement of the
exercise arrangement.
[0066] Another advantage is the fact that any combination of the
exercise arrangement, exercise device and/or roller board can be
used to exercise or tone muscles or muscle groups of a person using
the device. This allows for easy modification of training regimens,
or customization of exercise programmes. In addition, the system is
useful for persons of all sizes, ages and weights.
[0067] When moving/training in a dynamic environment, a person can
strengthen his or her prime movers (large muscle groups), but at
the same time strengthen their stabilizer muscle groups, as this
forms the base for the prime movers. Stability ball training is one
method known to the Inventor of placing the body in an unstable
environment forcing a person to utilize the stabilizer muscles and
to stay balanced in a given position or through a particular
motion. However, using the exercise arrangement of the invention, a
user can increase balance, endurance, co-ordination and stability,
thereby increasing core muscle stability.
[0068] Surface Electromyography (EMG) was used to compare the
effectiveness of stability ball-based exercises and exercises done
using the exercise arrangement of the invention in recruiting the
core stabilizers during bridging exercises. This was achieved by
using EMG to measure the activity of the stabilizer muscles
(Transversus abdominus (TA) and Multifidus (MF)) while bridging on
a stability ball and on the exercise arrangement of the invention,
respectively. The maximum and average recruitment of all muscle
fibres (TA and MF) were respectively 16% and 18% greater on the
exercise arrangement of the invention in comparison to the
stability ball.
[0069] The Inventor is also of the belief that the exercise
arrangement of the invention allows a person to move in greater
ranges of movement during dynamic exercises. In various sports,
sportspersons develop a dominant side and muscle imbalances in the
body often occur, and the exercise arrangement addresses such
imbalances by correcting body asymmetry, thereby leading to better
performance overall.
[0070] Advantageously, the exercise arrangement may also be
provided as a kit which includes the exercise device, and a roller
board. The rollers of the roller board may be sold separately or as
part of the kit, and a roller mat with defined peripheral end-stops
which limit the movement of the arrangement or roller board may
also be sold as part of the kit. The inclusion of the mat (with
end-stops) assists in containing the lateral movement of the
exercise device, roller board or exercise arrangement, thereby to
prevent the over-stretching and tearing of muscles, ligaments, or
tissues. The size of the roller mat may be tailored to suit users
of different lengths, weight, or ages, and a number of pre-defined
sizes of roller mat may be sold as part of the kit, or
separately.
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