Method and apparatus for controlling repetitive movements

Abstract

Method and apparatus for controlling movement patterns in repetitive movements, in particular in cyclical or alternating movements defined by the parameters of the amplitude and frequency of the movement, in which these parameters are correlated with the mean velocity of a body effectively or fictively driven forward by the movement as well as a device for realizing the method.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT / EP2005 / 010076, entitled “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING RECURRENT MOVEMENTS” by Korfmacher and filed Sep. 19, 2005, which in turn claims priority from German Patent Application No. DE102004045140, entitled same and filed Sep. 19, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is related to a method for controlling movement patterns in repetitive movements, in particular in cyclical or alternating movements defined by the parameters of the amplitude (A) and frequency (F) of the movement, as well as a device for realizing the method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Such method are well known in training or therapy devices in the form of bicycle or rowing devices (ergometers) where the person concerned is obliged to exercise against (a) resistance or depending on his pulse m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention, thus, proposes a method and apparatus, wherein the mechanical complexity of currently known devices is largely avoided so as to essentially simplify the method and apparatus and enable the understanding by the person exercising by a minimum of parameters, and wherein the person exercising is not stressed by pulse numbers or other simulations, in particular when under permanent load, but just by the optimum use of his body energy, for the control of which only one single objective parameter is necessary.

[0018] The device according to the invention in particular has no energy storing masses and thus there are no complex mechanics or controls that correlate energies and losses with medical key values as in well known devices. The device according to the invention, therefore, works much more precisely and is essentially less prone to failures.

[0019] Due to the absence of masses to be moved, the device according to the invention is particularly suited for children, elderly and people who are not, or are only insufficiently, able to control their movements. Due to the simplicity of its design even bed-rest patients in a supine position can use it. By properly choosing the value for V it is possible to determine movement patterns from slow walk to fast run without overstressing the patient energetically. As there is no mass to be moved in the device according to the invention, it can also be used under weightlessness conditions for the controlled training of astronauts.

[0021] This applies e.g. for a long distance runner. It is easy to determine the mean speed to achieve a desired performance. The runner will train according the method and apparatus of the invention with the aim to reach the optimum frequency or step length at optimum energy performance adequate for that mean speed. With this knowledge he then will use known means and methods to train for special stress situations during the starting phase, for intermediate or final sprints.

[0022] The situation is different for a patient who shall be reeducated e.g. after an accident to regain his optimum energy performance. Here again, the target speed would be walking, jogging, running etc. as well as the optimum Strouhal number of 0, 3. For a given movement amplitude of a bicycle or rowing type device it is possible to bring the patient progressively back to his optimum frequency. Pulse measurements may serve to control that there will be no risk of overstress for the circulatory system in particular for a rehabilitation measure. In this case, the pulse frequency is not used as a determining parameter, yet just for the purpose of monitoring. With St=0,3 and an adjustment of A and F feasible for the patient the optimum pulse frequency will come, so to say, automatically by the time. In the same way it is possible to imagine an over-weight person who is not immediately able to reach or hold a frequency given for a certain movement amplitude over a longer time. It is well possible to help the person to lose weight by means of well known methods. The method according to the invention will then serve to determine the long term energy performance on the basis of objective, reproducible and repeatable criteria.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, it needs explanation and very often is misunderstood or misinterpreted by the person considered.

This may lead to erroneous demands on the circulatory system or to counter-indicated results.

In particular, constant loads may result in undesirable collateral effects or even damage.

These measurements have to be correlated and adjusted by complex medical equations, which frequently are not understood by the person exercising, and therefore induce to errors.

These devices are inadequate to train stabilizer muscles which are recruited at lesser loads.

Furthermore, currently known devices such as rowing ergometers necessitate a relatively high and complex mechanical design comprising a fly-wheel for storing the energy between two strokes (simulation of the inertia moment of the boat), a handle element connected to the fly-wheel through a chain, belt or cable (simulation of the paddle), a damping mechanism on the fly-wheel (simulation of the friction between the hull and the water) as well as haul-back mechanism (simulation of the starting situation).

Thus, one has to do with numerous simulations, which inevitably, alone or in their combination, are subject to errors.

On the other hand they do not reach their goal if they do not make optimum use of their energy.

A frail person may not immediately be able to reach or hold a frequency calculated for him over a longer period of time.

Images