Stability Platform

Abstract

An improved exercise device comprises a rigid platform and a plurality of flexible elements attached to the bottom side of the platform in such a way as to render the platform able to move freely in the lateral direction, while not able to tilt. The platform is of sufficient strength to support the weight of a person, as well as the weight of any exercise implements the person may be using. The exercise device thus enables the user to exercise on a slightly unstable surface, which is beneficial to the user's stabilizer muscles and sense of balance. Since the exercise device provides only a mildly unstable surface, it is safe to use as a physical therapy aid for seniors or people recovering from injuries or surgery.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of PCT App. No. PCT / US12 / 59305, filed Oct. 9, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 545,392, filed Oct. 10, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention pertains to exercise equipment, particularly to exercise equipment intended to improve the user's balance and stability.BACKGROUND[0003]Many studies have been done about the benefits of performing physical exercises such as squats on an unstable surface. The effort of keeping one's balance on an unstable surface engages the stabilizer muscles of the spine and legs, thus resulting in greater muscular exertion. Furthermore, training on an unstable surface improves one's balance, which is especially important for seniors, who are vulnerable to falls, as well as for people recovering from injuries or surgery.[0004]There are many stability board designs on...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a device for physical therapy that can be used for balance training, recovery from injuries or surgery, and is safe for elderly users or users with balance problems. It consists of a rigid platform that the user can exercise on and flexible elements attached to the bottom of the rigid platform. These flexible elements provide lateral motion of the platform without allowing it to tilt to any significant degree. The instability of the device can be adjusted and several models can be provided, each with different levels of instability, to meet different needs. The flexible elements can be small inflatable spheres, which can be inflated by the user and their inflation pressure adjusted. The rigid platform can be a single piece of material or folded for easy transportation. The top surface of the rigid platform is rough to prevent slipping for the user while exercising.

Problems solved by technology

The effort of keeping one's balance on an unstable surface engages the stabilizer muscles of the spine and legs, thus resulting in greater muscular exertion.

Such a device provides an unstable surface for exercise or physical therapy.

However, while all of these designs are helpful in improving the user's balance or stability, they are not safe for a beginner, a person with balance trouble, or a senior.

Due to their substantial instability, they greatly increase the user's risk of falling.

However, it is seniors and people with balance trouble who need such a device the most, as improving their balance will help them in their daily life.

One of the problems with balance boards of those designs is that they can tilt greatly and have very little lateral movement.

Some devices address that problem, but they are not unstable enough.

However, since half of each ball is contained within the hemispherical depression in the board, the board's lateral motion is very limited.

Such a design would only tilt, and not very much.

In other words, this device is not unstable enough.

Furthermore, the balls in Dadbeh are not held securely on the board, and thus are vulnerable to being lost.

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