Method and Apparatus for Athletic Training

Abstract

A method of use of resistant and assistant forces of increasing values applied timely to the legs of an athlete, whereby an athlete's central nervous system is acclimated toward a pattern of enhancement of use of the legs of the athlete and resultant overall enhancement of the stride of the athlete. In one embodiment, apparatus comprising of a pair of ankle bands which are interconnectable by a variety of elastic cords, each of a predetermined length but with varying degrees of elasticity, is provided. After a time period of workout with a first configuration of elastic cord having a first resistance to elongation, a second configuration of elastic cord of a second, greater resistance to elongation is employed. After a time period of workout with the second configuration, a third configuration of elastic cord having a third, greater resistance to elongation than that of the second configuration is employed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableFIELD OF INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to methods and apparatus useful in training an athlete with respect to his / her (hereinafter, “their”) leg movements, and is especially useful for enhancement of the stride (length) of the displacement movements of the legs of the athlete and the speed (turn over rate) of such stride.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0004]In the prior art there are numerous training routines for athletes, such as for example runners, some standing alone and some having apparatus associated with the routine. Most commonly, such routines emphasize resistance, as opposed to assistance, training routines. For example such routines concentrate on increasing the strength of the legs of an athlete, especially a runner, but not on the combination of stride turn over rate and the stride length of the athlete. These two factors are mu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the present inventor has found that through the use of resistance / assistance-type forces of changing values applied timely to the legs of an athlete, the athlete's central nervous system may be acclimated toward a pattern of unusual enhancement of both the turn over rate and length of stride of the runner.

Problems solved by technology

These two factors are mutually independent, so that in the known prior art training routines, the athlete fails to achieve optimization of the speed (turn over rate) of the movement of their legs when running, and especially does not move toward optimization of both their turn over rate and the length of their stride.

Second, there is often inconsistent pull or tug upon each one of the runners; hence often the individual needs of neither runner are met.

Also, such cords often break with undesirable, often dangerous, effects on one or both of the runners.

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