US 2010/0145233 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRAINING HUMAN SUBJECTS TO IMPROVE OFF-AXIS NEUROMUSCULAR CONTROL OF THE LOWER LIMBS

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured knee ligament in sports-related activities, especially in pivoting sports. Considering that the knee is free to flex/extend but has much more limited motions about the off-axis (tibia rotation and valgus/varus), ACL injuries are often associated with excessive off-axis loadings. A pivoting/sliding mechanism combined with sagittal plane movement/exercise is described as a diagnostic tool to evaluate off-axis neuromechanical and anatomical risk factors of noncontact ACL injuries. The pivoting/sliding mechanism is also described as an intervention tool for off-axis training, possibly based on the diagnosis, to reduce the incidence of ACL injuries. Training outcome can also be evaluated using the pivoting/sliding mechanism. In general, the pivoting/sliding mechanism can be used with many sagittal plane exercise machines and used to improve off-axis control of the lower limbs and reduce lower limb injuries.

Claims25

Dependent claims

In a human exercise coordinate system wherein a generally vertical Z axis defines an axial axis, a generally front to back horizontal Y axis defines a coronal axis and a generally left to right X axis defines a sagittal axis, a lower limb exercise apparatus comprising:

a foot plate;
a mount for said foot plate, said mount including a pivot and a slide, said pivot being substantially around at least one of said X, Y, or Z axes and said slide being along at least one of said X, Y, or Z axes;
a sensor, said sensor being operatively engaged with at least one of said pivot or said slide to sense a resistance force of said foot plate during movement of said foot plate relative to movement of one of said pivot or said slide;
and
said foot plate mounting being independent of a second foot plate mounting.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for training human subjects to improve off-axis neuromuscular control of the lower limbs

Life of this patent

System and method for training human subjects to improve off-axis neuromuscular control of the lower limbs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25