Abstract:
A method of increasing strength, flexibility, and coordination that may establish a person&#39;s baseline strength, flexibility, and coordination, while identifying any deficiencies to establish an exercise regimen to address those deficiencies. The method may also include a systematic and consistent warm-up step that will ensure the proper building of strength, flexibility, and coordination while minimizing any potential injury. Lastly, the method may be capable of accurately measuring the progress of the person&#39;s training regimen.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/067,507, entitled “Method for Improving Strength, Flexibility, and Coordination,” filed on Feb. 28, 2008, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a method for increasing strength, flexibility, and coordination, by assessing a person&#39;s baseline capabilities, providing a training regimen based on the person&#39;s baseline capabilities, and assessing the training regimen results, enhancing the core network development of the human body. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Adequate strength, flexibility, and coordination is important for all people to help prevent injuries and to minimize or mitigate, for example, the adverse impact of falls or collisions. It is also important to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination in all people, particularly persons recovering from injury or surgery. 
         [0004]    Conventional exercises and exercise programs that attempt to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination, suffer from a number of deficiencies. For example, exercise programs commonly used do not begin with any baseline evaluation or measurement of a person&#39;s strength, flexibility, or coordination so that the person does not have an appropriate exercise regimen in the first place. Also, such exercise programs typically rely on the person to prepare for the exercise program by stretching. Often however, the person does not (or is physically unable to) properly stretch, such that the exercises may do more harm than good. In addition, conventional exercises and exercise programs do not address the need to increase coordination, which is an important factor in preventing or mitigating injuries. Further, such exercises and exercise programs do not evaluate the progress of the exercise regimen with respect to strength, flexibility, and coordination. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method of increasing strength, flexibility, and coordination that establishes a person&#39;s baseline strength, flexibility, and coordination, while identifying any deficiencies to establish an exercise regimen to address those deficiencies. In addition, there is a need for a method that includes a systematic and consistent warm-up step that will ensure the proper building of strength, flexibility, and coordination while minimizing any potential injury. Lastly, there is a need for a method that is capable of accurately measuring the progress of the person&#39;s training regimen. Additional information will be set forth in the description that follows, or may be learned by practicing the teachings set forth in the description. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A method for improving strength, flexibility and coordination of a person. The method may prepare the person for their initial assessments utilizing a biomechanical stimulation device, assess the strength of the person, and compare the strength assessment results to a database of standards. Based on that comparison, a strengthening exercise regimen is determined and then performed. The method may also assess the coordination of the person and compare the coordination assessment results to a database of standards. Based on that comparison, a coordination exercise regimen is determined and then performed. Lastly, the person is warmed down utilizing a biomechanical stimulation device. 
         [0007]    The method may establish a person&#39;s baseline strength, flexibility and coordination to establish an exercise regimen to address deficiencies. The method may prepare the person for assessment utilizing a biomechanical stimulation device. After warm up, the method may assess the person&#39;s strength and coordination to determine a baseline fitness level and then evaluate the baseline fitness level by reviewing the results of the strength and coordination assessments. After comparing the person&#39;s baseline fitness level to a fitness level database, a plurality of strength and coordination exercise regimens for the person are identified based on the baseline fitness level. The plurality of exercise regimens to improve the person&#39;s strength, flexibility and coordination are performed and then the person may be warmed down after the exercise regimens. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Operation of the preferred embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for improving strength, flexibility, and coordination. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of preferred embodiment of a warm-up device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative position for the warm-up device of FIG.  2 . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4-8  illustrate different positions for a preferred embodiment of a strength assessment device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an assessment device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  illustrates a close up view of the assessment device of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 11-18  illustrate preferred embodiments of strength exercise equipment and types of exercises. 
           [0016]      FIG. 19  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a coordination assessment device. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 20-23  illustrate preferred embodiments of coordination equipment and exercises. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    While the present invention is described with reference to embodiments described herein, it should be clear that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments herein is merely illustrative of the present invention and will not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0019]    Moreover, while the present method  10  is described in the context of exercise assessments and exercise regimens, it will be appreciated that the method  10  may be used in a variety of different and appropriate contexts, and, as such, any included examples are illustrative in nature and not meant to be restrictive in any way. In addition, the description of the embodiments provided may refer to a specific order of the method  10  steps, however, this should not limit the scope of the embodiments as claimed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the steps of method  10  may be applied in any appropriate order, may be utilized in any number of various circumstances and may be utilized with any appropriate equipment, devices or systems. 
         [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the accompanying  FIGS. 1-23 . As generally described herein and with reference to  FIGS. 1-23 , the present embodiment provides a method  10 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the present method  10  may include a warm-up step  100 , a strength assessment step  150 , a strengthening step  200 , a coordination assessment step  250 , a coordination step  300 , and a warm-down step  350 . It is to be understood, that the strength assessment step  150  followed by the strengthening step  200  may be performed in reverse order with the coordination assessment step  250  and the coordination step  300 , so that the coordination assessment  250  and coordination regimen  300  occur before the strength assessment  150  and strengthening regimen  200 . In addition, the strengthening step  200  and coordination step  300  may also increase flexibility in the person  158 . 
         [0021]    Accordingly, the present method  10  may be capable of conducting a wide variety of measurements and tests directed to determining the strength, flexibility, and coordination of a person  158 . Results from the assessment steps  150 ,  250  may be compared to a set of standards measured from other persons to provide an appropriate baseline and to determine if a person meets those standards and how far off from those standards that person may be. A targeted exercise regimen  200 ,  300  may then be provided based on the measurements from the assessment steps  150 ,  250  to improve any deficiencies or areas of interest to the person  158  in order to increase the strength, flexibility, or coordination of the person. The method  10  may also be capable of such versatility by incorporating several measurement devices to evaluate the progress of the exercise regimen. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the warm-up step  100  may be performed using a biomechanical stimulation device  202 , and as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/663,254, filed Mar. 19, 2007 (and claiming priority to PCT/EP2005/054536) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Biomechanical Stimulation (BMS) is based on mechanical influences on the body using vibrations at a respective particular frequency and with a particular amplitude, which may be selected according to the desired application. The vibrations resemble and imitate the natural vibrations of the body and may act on tensed or stretched muscles along the muscle fiber. By influencing the body&#39;s own vibration parameters, BMS improves, for example, the circulatory and lymph systems among others. 
         [0023]    The BMS device  202  may generate stimulation with a uniform circular or elliptical movement. Thus, the BMS device  202  exerts not only a vertical force, but also a tensile force that acts in a substantially parallel manner, resulting in improved BMS of that part of the body that may be situated on the BMS device  202 . The BMS device  202  may include a bottom unit  204  and a stimulation unit  206 . The stimulation unit  206  may contain a drive motor that, during operation, provides the elliptical or circular movement. It is to be understood that the BMS device  202  may also include a variety of other appropriate parts or configurations that may be required in order to operate. 
         [0024]    In use, the BMS device  202  may be capable of targeting specific areas for stimulation. For example, selected parts of the back, thigh muscles, calves, and arms, among others may be stimulated. The BMS device  202  may stretch and contract the muscles, thereby providing the necessary motion to adequately warm-up the muscles for training  200 ,  300  or assessment  150 ,  250 . Accordingly, the BMS device  202  may be set on a timer and set at an appropriate frequency to ensure consistency of the warm-up step  100 . The warm-up  100  may be especially important for persons, including, but not limited to, unable to perform conventional stretching exercises. In addition, the consistency of the warm-up step  100  may provide the necessary starting point to determine a person&#39;s  158  baseline strength and coordination, as well as the progress of the training regimen, as will be discussed below. 
         [0025]    The strength assessment step  150 , shown in  FIG. 1 , provides an objective and quantifiable way to test and measure a person&#39;s  158  strength or mobility in order to provide for an accurate strength training regimen  200 . Mobility and flexibility are the basic requirements for functioning of the arthro-musculature system. Movement restrictions, often muscularly conditioned, may cause significant malfunctions and play a role in the emergence of back pain. The assessment step  150  may utilize a force-measuring device and system  152 , such as the device and system in U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,767, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0026]    The strength measurements and tests performed on a person  158  may include, but, are not limited to, the following: (1) measuring the force-exerting ability of the abdominal muscles and the sacrospinal muscle, see  FIG. 4 , (2) measuring the force-exerting ability of the side and trunk muscles, see  FIG. 5 , (3) measuring the force-exerting ability of the flexors of the cervical spine and the cervical muscles, see  FIG. 6 , (4) measuring the force-exerting ability of the of the upper back muscles and the triceps and pectoral muscles, see  FIG. 7 , and (5) measuring the force-exerting ability of the abductor muscles, see  FIG. 8 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4-8  illustrate sample applications of a force-measuring device  152 . The force-measuring device  152  may include a variety of pressing elements  154  and force-measuring units  156 . The pressing elements  154  may be in the form of cushions, as shown in  FIGS. 4-8 . The arrangement of the pressing elements  154  and force-measuring units  156  may be arranged in any appropriate manner. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the pressing elements  154  may be arranged for measuring the force-exerting ability of the abdominal muscles and the sacrospinal muscle. In the sample embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the hip area of the person  158  may be fixed with the two middle pressing elements  154 . The two left and right top pressing elements  154 , each of which has a force-measuring unit  156 , may lie against the back and chest area of the person  158 . Pressing forward on the right force-measuring unit  156  may measure the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  abdominal muscles, while pressing backward on the left force-measuring unit  156  may measure the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  sacrospinal muscle. 
         [0029]    In the design shown in  FIG. 5 , the hips of the person  158  may again be fixed by the middle pressing elements  154 . The two top pressing elements  154 , each connected with force-measuring units  156 , may lie against the top outside of the upper arms of the person  158 . Pressing to the left or right on the respective pressing elements  154  connected with force-measuring units  156  may determine the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  side trunk muscles (lateral flexion). 
         [0030]    In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6 , the person  158  is fixed approximately at chest height by the middle pressing elements  154 . The pressing elements  154  connected with the force-measuring units  156  may be located approximately in the area of the back of the person&#39;s  158  head and the forehead. Pressing the person&#39;s  158  forehead against the pressing element  154  in on the right side of the force-measuring device  152  may determine the force-exerting ability of the flexors of the cervical spine. Pressing the back of the person&#39;s  158  head against the pressing element  154  on the left side of the force-measuring device  152  may determine the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  cervical muscles (extensors of the cervical spine). 
         [0031]    In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7 , the lower left pressing element  154  may serve as a sitting surface. The upper left pressing element  154  arranged above it may stabilize the lumbar spine of the person  158 . The top right pressing element  154  connected with a force-measuring unit  156  may lie against the chest area of the person  158 . The hands of the person  158  may grip the horizontal stay bar. Pulling the person&#39;s  158  chest or the upper body against the pressing element  154  in the right part of the force-measuring device may determine the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  upper back muscles. 
         [0032]    As an alternative to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7 , the upper left pressing element  154  connected with a force-measuring unit  156  may be laid against the area of the shoulder blades of the person  158 . In such an arrangement, if the arms are pressed forward against the stay bar, then pressing the person&#39;s  158  back against the pressing element  154  may determine the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  triceps and pectoral muscles. 
         [0033]    In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 8 , the left middle-pressing element  154  may lie in the outside area of the right thigh of the person  158 . In the approximate area of the opposite knee, the right pressing element  154  connected with a force-measuring unit  156  may lie against it on the outside. Pressing the person&#39;s  158  left leg against the cushion set at knee height makes it possible to determine the force-exerting ability of the person&#39;s  158  abductors. 
         [0034]    In addition to the muscle groups analyzed by the force-measuring device  152  shown in  FIGS. 4-8 , it is to be understood that other force-exerting abilities may also be tested. Further, the force-measuring device  152  may be incorporated with a multi-functional system for the testing and measurement of the strength of various muscle groups, such as those of the person&#39;s  158  back, for example. Therefore, the device  152  may allow a person  158  to attain postural situations, thereby enabling meaningful and accurate measurement of any imbalance or deficiencies of various muscle groups. The force-measuring device  152  may also include a software system that enables a data based documentation of the testing. The person&#39;s  158  results may then be compared to stored information regarding the physical characteristics of, for example, particular age groups, sex, height, weight, and numerous other factors in order to assess the person&#39;s  158  deficiencies. 
         [0035]    In addition, a computer-aided device  160 , such as the Spine-Check-Mouse or SpinalMouse® manufactured by idiag AG, may be included in the assessment step  150  to determine the spinal shape and mobility of the person  158 . Such a system and device  160  is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,278, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It is to be understood that any other appropriate device  160  may be utilized as well. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the device  160  may positioned along the spine of the person  158  to measure the outline of the back and the measurements taken may be sent to a receiving station, such as a computer, to provide examination results in the form of tabulations and graphics. The device  160  may be capable of identifying issues such as functional spinal assessments, scoliosis and other spinal disorders, hypo and hyper mobile vertebral joints or deviations from reference values, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine information, motion and posture for each vertebral joint, pre- and post-measurements to show impact and success of therapy, load test to identify postural weakness, and other joint measurements such as knees, arms, and elbows. 
         [0037]    Based on the information provided by the assessment step  150 , a targeted strength exercise regimen may be provided at step  200  to improve any deficiencies identified in the strength assessment  150 . As shown in  FIGS. 11-18 , such strength exercise regimen  200  may include a variety of appropriate exercises. For example and illustrative purposely only, these exercises may utilize various types and forms of equipment, including, but not limited to, equipment manufactured by Dr. WOLFF® Sports &amp; Prevention GmbH. Preferably, the following types of Dr. WOLFF® Sports &amp; Prevention GmbH equipment may be used: lumbal-trainer  208 , lateral-trainer  210 , gluteus-trainer  212 , abdominal-trainer  214 , lower abdominal-trainer  216 , Neck-trainer  218 , posture stabilizer  220 , and rotation and stabilization-trainer  222 . 
         [0038]    With further reference to  FIGS. 11-18 , the lumbal-trainer  208  may effectively exercise the complete back extensor and gluteal muscles without overloading the back. Strain on the leg flexor may also be reduced. The lateral-trainer  210  may exercise the lateral torso muscles to stabilize the posture. The gluteus-trainer  212  may strengthen the gluteus muscles to aid in preventing incorrect posture of the pelvis. The abdominal-trainer  214  and the lower abdominal-trainer  216  may exercise the stomach muscles without straining the back. The neck trainer  218  may exercise the bending and stretching muscles of the upper back and neck. The posture stabilizer  220  may increase the activity of the posture stabilizing interscapular muscles. The rotation-and-stabilization trainer  222  may exercise the person  158  while in a seated position so not to strain the person  158 . It is to be understood that any combination of exercises utilizing the above equipment may be used and that the equipment may be used in any appropriate order. It is also to be understood, that a variety of other additional exercises or equipment may be used alone or in combination with any of the aforementioned illustrative equipment examples. 
         [0039]    With additional reference to  FIG. 1 , a coordination assessment  250  of the person&#39;s  158  coordination, followed by targeted exercises in coordination step  300  may be provided to improve coordination based at least in part on the weaknesses identified in the assessment step  250 . For example and illustrative purposes only, the coordination assessment  250  may be performed with, but not limited to, equipment manufactured by the MFT® S3 Stability Check system  252 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . The MFT® S3 Stability Check system  252  may include a S3 Check measuring Disc  254  and software package  256 . 
         [0040]    Such a coordination device and system  252  is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,172, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The stability check system  252  may measure a person&#39;s  158  movements to evaluate that person&#39;s  158  level of coordination in the coordination assessment step  250 . The data that the system  252  measures may give insight into the person&#39;s  158  stability, senso-motoric regulation and symmetry in side and forward-backward tilt. The person&#39;s  158  results may then be compared to stored information regarding the physical characteristics of, for example, persons of a particular age group, sex, height, weight, and numerous other factors to assess the person&#39;s status and any possible deficiencies. 
         [0041]    Based on the results of the coordination assessment  250 , a coordination exercise training program  300  may then be strategically developed to improve any deficiencies and overall coordination. As shown in  FIGS. 20-23 , the coordination exercise regimen  300  may include any variety of appropriate exercises, including, but not limited to, the use of stability discs. Preferably, the following types of The MFT® Stability equipment may be used: Sport Disc  302 , Fit Disc  304 , Trim Disc  306 , and Fun Disc  308 . 
         [0042]    The coordination exercise regimen  300  using the MFT® Stability equipment, may increase body stability, which may support your spine, safeguard your joints and work against strains affecting the boy during movements. Coordination may provide you with more security in everyday life when encountering unexpected situations and aids in protection against injuries. It is to be understood that a variety of other types of appropriate exercises or equipment may be used alone or in combination with any of the aforementioned illustrative examples of exercises and equipment. 
         [0043]    Lastly, a warm-down step  350  may also be provided. The warm-down step  350  may be performed with the BMS device  202 . Post workout, in the warm-down step  350 , the BMS device  202  may provide the necessary pump-like motion to facilitate new blood flow in the targeted areas to decrease the recovery time. 
         [0044]    It is to be understood that the assessment steps  150 ,  250  may also be utilized to measure the progress of the strengthening and coordination steps  200  and  300 . For example and illustrative purposes only, a progress assessment may be made at weekly intervals to determine whether to continue the current training regimen or to make modifications. It is to be understood that the exercise regimen steps  200  and  300  may be performed in different orders, and combinations thereof. It is also to be understood that a variety of assessments  150 ,  250 , exercise regimens  200 ,  300  and intervals are envisioned within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0045]    Accordingly, a method  10  is provided for improving strength, flexibility, and coordination. The method  10  includes steps  150 ,  250  to assess a person&#39;s  158  baseline, implement exercise regimens  200 ,  300  targeted to improve any deficiencies, and document the success or progress of the training regimens  200 ,  300 . Such a method  10  allows for fine-tuning of the training regimens  200 ,  300  to obtain greater improvement of the core network of the body. In addition, the method  10  includes a warm-up step  100  that is capable of properly warming up a person  158  for exercise or assessment in a consistent manner in order to ensure that any data obtained in the assessment steps  150 ,  250  is accurate. 
         [0046]    The invention has been described above and modifications and alternations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.