Aquatic Exercise Apparatus and Method of Aquatic Exercising for Improving Mobility

Abstract

Proposed are an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for exercising aimed at improving mobility of a user by exercising in water. The apparatus consists of base support and a balance board, which is connected to the base support via a resilient body that allows tilting of the balance board in any direction and a mechanism that provides free rotation of the balance board. Exercising in water allow people with mobility deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain, and improving cardiovascular return.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for exercising therapy and, more particularly, to an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for Improving mobility of a user by exercising in water. More specifically, the apparatus and method of the invention are suitable for improving mobility, balance, and strengthening joints of a human body by executing exercises in water. The apparatus and method are especially useful for seniors who are more prone to falls.[0002]Seniors struggle with a range of problems that can negatively affect their mobility, especially those associated with age-related conditions such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, osteoporosis, loss of vision, heart disease, shuffling gait, and in some cases, imbalances caused by prescribed medications, which can cause dizziness and weakness, in particular, when several of these factors combine. In older people, these conditions significantly increase a risk of losing ba...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving mobility and balance ability, more particularly, to an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for Improving balance ability of a user by exercising in water. More specifically, the apparatus and method of the invention are suitable for improving balance ability in handicapped, post-operative, unfitted people and seniors by strengthening their hips, knees, and ankle joints for preventing falls and traumas by executing exercises in water.

[0015]The apparatus of the invention for improving balance ability is intended to be used in water, e.g., in a swimming pool, in any closed water-containing vessel, or in an open water basin, e.g., in a river, lake, or the like. The apparatus consists of two main easily connectable and disconnectable units, i.e., a balance board unit and a board support unit. The balance board is connected to the board support unit via a resilient or flexible member, one end of which is connected to the balance board, and the other end is rigidly attached to a tube slidingly installed in the board support unit. A vertical position of the tube, and hence of the balance board connected to the board via the resilient member, is adjustable and fixable relative to the board support unit. Such an adjustment makes it possible to install the balance board at different depths from the surface of the water depending on the height of the user and exercise requirements. In order to enhance flexibility of the resilient body it is made in the form of a body of revolution that has a concave outer surface and a crossovers diameter thinning from the edges of the body to the center.

[0016]It is recommended that the user be provided with a floating means that possesses buoyancy, e.g., with an appropriate wet west which does not interfere with the arm motions. Without such a vest, it will be difficult for the user to assume a standing position on the balance board. Furthermore, in order to place the apparatus into water and pull it out from water, the apparatus is provided with a flexible line, e.g., a rope connected to the base part of the device and at the other end, via an easily disconnectable lock, to the balance board in the area accessible to the user, so that when the exercise session is over, the user may give the end of the rope to a person on the land.

Problems solved by technology

Without such a vest, it will be difficult for the user to assume a standing position on the balance board.

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