Device for generating therapeutic and physiological exercise stimuli for stabilizing the locomotor apparatus by vertical impulses

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for generating therapeutic and physiological exercise stimuli for stabilizing the locomotor apparatus by vertical impulses, wherein the device (1) comprises a platform (10) which, independently of the weight of the human or animal load that is to be moved, is set in a vertically directed movement by at least one drive (11), wherein the platform (10) is formed of a plurality of individual plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') which can be set in a vertically directed movement, changing alternately in a manner dependent on one another and / or alternately in a crosswise manner and / or alternately in pairs, via the at least one drive (11). The device (1) according to the invention is characterized in that each of the individual plate elements (100' 100'', 100''', 100'''') is guided vertically on the device (1) in such a way that the plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100''''), with their planes (PE), are always oriented substantially parallel to a substantially horizontal plate plane (E).

Description

Device for generating therapeutic and training physiological stimulus for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system through vertical impulses DESCRIPTION Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system by means of vertical impulses. Title according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Functional and physiological principles

[0002] In human sports physiology, the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC for short; reactive force behavior, plyometric muscle activity) has now been well researched and described. It describes a combination of eccentric (yielding) and concentric (shortening) muscle activity that follow one another directly, as is the case, for example, with the work of the plantar flexors (ankle flexors) while running. The special feature of the SSC lies in its performance potentiation in the concentric phase of the movement. This occurs through the storage of energy in the connective tissue structures of the tendon-muscular system. This primarily affects the entire myofascial chain, i.e., the functional chain of muscles and connective tissue, and the amplification of muscular activation via the monosynaptic stretch reflex triggered in the eccentric phase of the movement.

[0003] The amortization phase, in which the myofascial functional chain changes from stretching to shortening, is described in the literature as particularly relevant for the performance of the DVZ. This amortization phase is organized differently in humans than in horses due to the structure of the arch of the foot and the ankle joint, with their ability to perform muscularly guided pronation and supination movements. In horses, the toe joints, the adjacent carpal joint (corresponding to the human wrist), and the ankle joint are muscularly guided only in flexion and extension, but not in other directions of movement.

[0004] The invention surprisingly discovered that the horse's independent DVZ mechanism is much more efficient than in humans. For example, a foal can reach the same speed as the rest of the herd via the DVZ shortly after birth, once it has stabilized its leg axes.

[0005] A talented show jumper can clear a jump of more than 1.8 m at the age of three. Even on an Olympic course, the jump height is limited to 1.65 m. This means that the horse's maximum performance is genetically determined by the German Horse Show Federation (DVZ). Many young show jumpers are therefore highly talented and capable. However, only a few can maintain this performance until the age of eight or nine. Many already decrease this performance between the ages of four and eight while they are being technically prepared for show jumping competitions.

[0006] Similar mechanisms can be found in every other sport horse, as well as in leisure horses. There are virtually no muscle fiber injuries like in humans, but there are many chronic tendon and ligament injuries.

[0007] According to the invention, it was further surprisingly discovered that the DVZ, especially during the amortization phase, plays an essential role in this context, in relation to the load on the connective tissue during this phase, when stretching is reversed into shortening. This occurs precisely when the limb passes through the vertical position during the movement sequence of the supporting leg phase.

[0008] If one follows the research studies on the development and maintenance of the integrity of connective tissue (van den Berg), then permanent movement (alternating tension and unloading) is essential for the function and health of the system.

[0009] If you bring these two functions together and combine them with the findings of sports physiology, various insights emerge.

[0010] This ancient principle of training theory describes the body's tendency to adapt to its current stress situations. Assuming that humans are still at the hunter-gatherer stage of development with regard to their musculoskeletal system, the amount of exercise needed to develop and maintain the stability of the musculoskeletal system can be measured in approximately 10 km (10,000 movement impulses) of walking per day, interspersed with rest periods, but also with periods of running and sprinting.

[0011] Any reduction in this need for movement leads to a lack of stimulation and thus to a negative adaptation (weakening) of the structures of the musculoskeletal system. If these structures are then briefly subjected to full strain (lifting a load, a short sprint to the tram, stumbling), structural tissue destruction occurs at the macro level (direct injury such as a herniated disc, muscle or tendon tear) or at the micro level (chronic, often inflammatory changes). structural disorders or coordination disorders such as loss of segmental stabilization). State of the art

[0012] Mechanical vibrations are now used for muscle stimulation in human fitness training and medical training therapy. Such devices for generating therapeutic and physiological training stimuli usually comprise a platform that is vibrated by at least one drive, independent of the weight of the human or animal load to be moved. The human or animal stands with their body weight on the vibrating platform. These mechanical stimuli transmit impulses to the active movement system of muscles, nerves, and connective tissue, and the body responds with direct activation. These mechanical stimuli are said to have various positive effects on the body: stimulation of the development of bone and connective tissue, stimulation of the neuromuscular system, and muscle building.

[0013] Various products on the market attempt this in different ways. The non-specific vibrations are usually generated by an unbalanced motor, similar to a soil compactor in road construction. However, due to their limited range of motion and undifferentiated direction of action, these impulses are more suitable for relaxation than for actually building and strengthening the structures of the musculoskeletal system.

[0014] A device is also known that generates these impulses through a rocking motion, and the positive effects on the muscles and bone structures have been proven in scientific studies. It generates a side-alternating vibration by rotating a fixed plate around a fixed horizontal (forward and backward) axis. th) axis alternately rocks up and down. Due to the biomechanical structure of the human leg axis, the side-alternating vibration is useful for activating the muscles. The ankle joint has a muscularly guided range of motion in pronation and supination (lateral tilting), which is stabilized by laterally located muscle groups. Thus, the stabilization of the human leg axes begins in the arch of the foot and the pronation and supination movement. Studies show that strengthening the muscles also indirectly strengthens the bone structure. However, the rocking movement has a crucial disadvantage in the movement cycle. The impulse is not transmitted directly to the functional unit of muscle, tendon and joint in a true-to-axis manner. This significantly reduces the effect, especially on the development of connective tissue.However, new findings in fascia research see this as the crucial component within the integrity of the functional chain.

[0015] It's different with animals, or rather horses. In contrast to humans, horses stand on the end joint of their middle finger or toe axis. Although the horse's hoof joint is saddle-shaped and can perform a certain passive compensatory movement towards lateral tipping, there is no active muscular system to stabilize this movement. Thus, active functional stabilization of the leg axis only begins in the area of ​​the shoulder or knee joint. In contrast to humans, dogs stand on their five fingers or toes and can also only develop the stability of their leg axes through the activity of their hip and shoulder joints. A rocking movement of the plate is therefore not advisable for quadrupeds. The inventive claim is therefore a technical solution for generating the side-alternating stimulating impulses perpendicular to the animal's leg axis.

[0016] The side-alternating rocking motion of a plate around a fixed axis is therefore sensible and effective in humans due to the specific mobility of the ankle joints and their muscular stabilization. The movement can be seamlessly transmitted throughout the body, all the way to the spine, within the functional chains of muscular stabilization of the leg axes. However, these plates and their effects are transferred one-to-one from humans to horses. This ignores the completely different biomechanical alignment of the animal in the quadrupedal position.

[0017] Normal everyday movement and exertion in humans should normally generate sufficient stimulus to maintain the stability of bone, tendon, and joint structures, as well as muscle function. However, these stimuli are tailored to the hunter-gatherers of early human history and no longer to modern humans in the industrial age. Lack of exercise also means a lack of mechanical stimuli to maintain the passive and active structures of the human body. Humans transfer this deficiency equally to the animals they domesticate. Horses have a natural need for exercise of about 12-14 hours to feed and change pastures. Dogs, as a genetic variation of the wolf, also have the exercise needs of a hunting herd animal. Due to this absolute lack of exercise, the lack of stress stimuli, the active and passive musculoskeletal system adapts and becomes weaker. (See also:Adaptation processes, van den Berg, physiology of connective tissue) Bones lose density, tendons lose resilience and articular cartilage loses elasticity.

[0018] Various devices for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system through vertical impulses are already known from the state of the art. Such devices, such as those described in DE 10 2013 007 131 B4, can be set into a vertically directed movement by at least one drive, regardless of the weight of the load to be moved, a human or an animal, comprise platforms which are formed from a plurality of individual plate elements and which, dependent on one another, can be set into a simultaneously oblique and vertically directed movement by means of a drive, alternatingly changing and / or alternating crosswise and / or alternating in pairs.

[0019] A disadvantage of the known devices is that no direct and exclusively vertical movement of the plate elements is achieved, which, moreover, can be adjusted by adjusting the driving force to the body weight of the horse to be set in motion and which also cannot be changed by the weight shifting of the horse from right to left and from back to front per support plate. Description of the invention

[0020] The present invention is based on the object of eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages and creating a device by means of which physiological impulses can be generated that stimulate the bodies of humans and animals (four-legged animals, horses, dogs, camels) to undergo physiological adaptation processes to strengthen the musculoskeletal system. The impulses should be designed in such a way that they act axially on the respective leg axis of the human and animal. The body of the human and animal should be able to react to the impulse with its own weight and be able to shift its own weight onto the respective part of the plate by shifting its weight in order to vary the impulse strength in a self-controlled manner.

[0021] According to the invention, the above object is achieved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the device according to the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims.

[0022] The device according to the invention for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system through vertical impulses comprises a platform that is set into a vertically directed movement by at least one drive, independent of the weight of the load to be moved, a human or animal. The platform is formed from several individual plate elements that can be set into a vertically directed movement via the at least one drive, alternatingly and / or alternatingly crosswise and / or alternatingly in pairs, depending on one another.

[0023] According to the invention, the present device is characterized in that each of the individual plate elements is guided vertically on the device in such a way that the plate elements with their planes are always aligned substantially parallel to a substantially horizontal plate plane.

[0024] According to the invention, the following parameters are also crucial for the design of the device. The drive must be designed to ensure an absolutely correct (i.e., with respect to its horizontal alignment of the plate plane) stroke in the vertical direction and at a specified amplitude. It is particularly advantageous that the time required to initiate the stroke reversal, the "amortization phase," is as short as possible, preferably less than 200 ms.

[0025] No matter what weight is on the respective plate, regardless of the horse's weight or the shift of the weight from the horse on the respective leg, the amplitude of the stroke, the speed (set heart rate, from 0 to 25 Hz) must preferably not be influenced.

[0026] The precise and unadulterated vertical impulse generated by the invention reaches and activates the horse's myofascial chain during the amortization phase while the horse is standing, and can reach this point by activating the muscle spindle. This creates an optimal training stimulus to strengthen and accelerate the amortization phase, which activates the muscles while simultaneously protecting the connective tissue from overstretching.

[0027] In contrast to the state of the art, this effect is achieved through a direct and exclusive vertical movement of the plate elements, with a solution that adapts the motor power to the horse's body weight being moved, which can vary depending on the horse's weight shift from right to left and from back to front. The alternating movement always remains within the selected spectrum in terms of time and space (frequency and vertical stroke) (see Figs. 9a-9c for illustration).

[0028] The inventive achievement lies in the following solution: A drive was chosen that—as will be outlined in more detail below—is based on an eccentric drive. This ensures the high requirement for power transmission from rotating to absolutely correct vertical movement and the shortest possible reversal direction (amortization phase) of the vertical impulse.

[0029] The requirements for the drive, with regard to changing torque adjustments, caused by unpredictable movements and thus changing weight on the various sections of the plate elements (horse legs), are preferably solved by a method for controlling the drive by means of at least one electronic controller of a control circuit, which is adapted to the respectively required reacts to the required torque and constantly adjusts the torque according to the load.

[0030] This is preferably achieved by continuously measuring the load to be lifted or by measuring the actual torque on the drive. The control loop can then generate the corresponding target torque from the electric motor.

[0031] The load can preferably be measured by at least one force sensor designed accordingly (e.g. a weight sensor, pressure sensor or the like), which is arranged, for example, on and / or below or above the plate elements or on or within the drive elements (drive motor, lifting element, etc.).

[0032] This combination of electronic control loop and mechanical lifting mechanism ensures the necessary accuracy of the stroke (amplitude) and the number of beats per unit time (Hz), generating the precise and unadulterated vertical impulse that must reach the horse's myofascial chain during the amortization phase and is necessary for activating the muscle spindle. The invention of the plyometric impulse generator is thus technically realized. This ensures that the horse maintains its maximum performance capacity when applying the vertical impulse.

[0033] The frequency of the movement is preferably between 0-35 Hz.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amplitude, i.e. the vertical stroke, is adjustable between 2mm and 12mm.

[0035] Humans and animals generate their stabilization against gravity through a tensile structure (tensegrity). According to van den Berg (development of connective tissue), the static permanent tensile load on tendon tissue is followed by a so-called creeping - Effect: Like a permanently stretched rubber band, the connective tissue loses elasticity and thus its elastic restoring power within the movement sequence.

[0036] Compared to humans, horses stabilize themselves in a system with significantly different statics. Firstly, the quadrupedal stance leads to a different power transmission. While humans are vertically organized due to their upright posture and try to keep the torque forces against gravity as low as possible, the weight of the viscera within the musculoskeletal system exerts a constant torque of approximately 1000 Nm on the connection to the limbs.

[0037] Since stabilization through pure muscle activity is not possible, the animals have developed a so-called passive standing mechanism. In this mechanism, forces are organized through tensile stress lines (cf. tensegrity). These tensile stress lines generate a permanently high tension throughout the connective tissue components of the muscle-tendon-fascia-joint functional chain.

[0038] The functional and physiological basis of the invention is a biomechanical model for horses (dogs, camels). This biomechanical concept draws on the principles of sports science regarding the so-called stretch-shortening cycle (plyometrics), training theory, and the latest findings from fascia research. It combines these elements in a meaningful way and relates them to the movement of these four-legged animals.

[0039] From a functional perspective, the basis of training a riding horse is a change in the coordination processes within stabilization against gravity. Without training, the weight on the rider's back would only be an additional strain on the connective tissue. web-like system, since muscle activity is fundamentally not designed for stabilization against gravity. The horse's trainer alters the horse's coordination structure by encouraging the horse to alter its balance so that it begins to stabilize its torso against gravity using sensibly organized muscle chains. The development of connective tissue is fundamental to this.

[0040] Therapeutic effects to strengthen the connective tissue, stimulate and accelerate the healing process of the connective tissue are just as possible as impulses to strengthen or relax the muscular parts of the functional chain within the leg axes and further into the trunk muscles of the horse.

[0041] In addition, the alternating vertical vibration is simultaneously synchronized between the forehand and hindquarters to accommodate the horse's rhythmic movement. This creates a completely new therapy and training device that conforms to all the principles of the biomechanical model. Brief description of the drawings

[0042] Further objects, features, advantages and possible applications of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0043] The drawings show

[0044] Fig. 1 shows the device according to the invention in a perspective view without plate elements;

[0045] Fig. 2 the device in perspective view with plate elements;

[0046] Figs. 3 to 7 show a lifting element of the device in different views;

[0047] Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention with an inclinable platform consisting of several plate elements;

[0048] Figs. 9a, 9b, 9c a horse in motion, in 9a eccentrically rebounding, in 9b the reversal phase in the vertical position and 9c a concentric rebound. Implementation of the invention

[0049] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the platform 10 of the device 1 according to the invention preferably comprises four plate elements 100', 100", 100" ', 100" ", which can be set in a vertically directed movement in an alternating manner and / or alternating crosswise and / or alternating pairwise via the at least one drive 11, depending on one another.

[0050] Particularly preferably, each of the individual plate elements 100', 100", 100' ”, 100" ” is guided vertically on the device 1 in such a way that the plate elements 100', 100", 100' ”, 100" ” with their planes PE are always aligned substantially parallel to a substantially horizontal plate plane E.

[0051] Between at least two plate elements 100', 100", 100' ”, 100" ”, a web 13 can advantageously be provided which is aligned in the longitudinal direction L of the device 1 and projects upwards beyond the plate elements 100', 100", 100' ”, 100" ”.

[0052] In a further conceivable embodiment of the invention, it comprises four plate elements 100', 100", 100'", 100"", wherein two of the plate elements 100', 100" and 100'", 100"" are arranged and / or aligned in pairs substantially parallel.

[0053] The drive 1 1 can preferably comprise at least one drive motor 1 10 and at least one lifting element 1 1 1 assigned to each plate element 100', 100", 100" ', 100" ", wherein the lifting elements 1 1 1 are preferably driven in pairs via a belt 1 12 driven by the drive motor 1 10, a driven belt or other flexible power transmission means.

[0054] The drive 11 is advantageously designed such that a resulting sine curve of amplitude is flatter or steeper depending on the frequency (variance of the deflection over time), but the reversal point remains sharp, thus ensuring that the reversal of the stroke is initiated by the peaks in less than 200 ms. The deflection of the sine curve remains uniform within a set training frequency and is not distorted by any influences (described as a weight- and patient-independent movement sequence).

[0055] The drive 11 is further advantageously designed so that the amplitude of the stroke does not influence the speed. For this purpose, the drive 11 is transmitted directly to the vertical stroke via fixed power transmission elements, and the drive power is redirected to the vertical stroke via fixed, non-variable elements. This prevents any delay, deviation, or other influence on the vertical impulse.

[0056] A further preferred aspect of the invention provides that the lifting elements 1 1 1 comprise a bearing block 1 1 10 for supporting an eccentrically mounted lifting part 1 1 1 1, by means of which the lifting movement of a plate element 100', 100", 100' ”, 100" ” is triggered.

[0057] For this purpose, the device 1 can preferably comprise at least one tensioning member 113, by means of which the belt 112, the band or the other flexible force transmission means can be tensioned.

[0058] The plate elements 100', 100”, 100” ', 100” ” can be incorporated in a frame 101.

[0059] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, forced guide elements 12 are provided for the linearly directed movement of the plate elements 100', 100", 100'", 100"", wherein it may be advantageous for the forced guide elements 12 to be surrounded by a spring 120 on which at least one plate element 100', 100", 100'", 100"" rests and which is designed to compensate for the weight of the load acting on the plate elements 100', 100", 100'", 100"".

[0060] In a further embodiment of the invention - as can be seen from Fig. 8 - the platform 10 and / or individual plate elements 100', 100", 100'", 100"" are designed to be tilt-adjustable, wherein it is particularly advantageous that the platform 10 and / or individual plate elements 100', 100", 100'", 100"" are angularly adjustable in the longitudinal direction L by rotation / tilting about an inclination axis provided transversely to the longitudinal direction L with respect to the longitudinal axis. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 1, the platform 10 is preferably raised at the front by means of a height-adjustable drive 14, wherein the platform 10 is received at its rear on the frame 101 in an articulated manner 15. List of reference numbers 1 device 10 Platform 1 1 drive 12 positive guide elements 13 jetty 14 height-adjustable drive 15 Joint (joint axis / bearing unit) 100', 100”, 100' ”, 100” ” Panel elements 101 Frame 1 10 Drive motor 1 1 1 lifting element 1 12 belts 1 13 Clamping device 120 Spring of the forced guide elements 1 1 10 Bearing block 1 1 1 1 Lifting part E horizontal plate plane L Longitudinal direction of the device PE levels of the plate elements

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS Device (1) for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system by means of vertical impulses, wherein the device (1) comprises a platform (10) which is set into a vertically directed movement by at least one drive (11) independently of the weight of the load to be moved, a human or an animal, wherein the platform (10) is formed from a plurality of individual plate elements (100', 100", 100" ', 100" "), which are set into a vertically directed movement in an alternating manner and / or alternating crosswise and / or alternating pairwise via the at least one drive (11), characterized in that each of the individual plate elements (100', 100", 100' ', 100" ") is guided vertically on the device (1) in such a way that the plate elements (100', 100", 100' ”,100” ”) with their planes (PE) always aligned substantially parallel to a substantially horizontal plate plane (E). Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that between at least two plate elements (100', 100”, 100' ”, 100” ”) there is provided at least one web (13) aligned in the longitudinal direction (L) of the device (1) and projecting upwards beyond the plate elements (100', 100”, 100' ”, 100” ”). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four plate elements (100', 100”, 100' ”, 100” ”), wherein two of the plate elements (100', 100” and 100' ”, 100” ”), are arranged and / or aligned in pairs substantially parallel. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (11) comprises at least one drive motor (110) and at least one lifting element (111) assigned to each plate element (100', 100", 100"', 100""), wherein the lifting elements (111) are each driven in pairs via a belt (112) driven by the drive motor (110), a driven band or other flexible power transmission means. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lifting elements (111) comprise a bearing block (1110) for supporting an eccentrically mounted lifting part (1111), by means of which the lifting movement of a plate element (100', 100", 100'", 100"") is triggered.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one tensioning element (113) by means of which the belt (112), the band, or the other flexible force transmission means can be tensioned. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate elements (100', 100", 100'", 100"") are mounted in a frame (101). . Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Forced guide elements (12) are provided for the linearly directed movement of the plate elements (100', 100", 100" ', 100" "). Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the forced guide elements (12) are surrounded by a spring (120) on which at least one plate element (100', 100", 100' ", 100" ") rests and which is designed to compensate for the weight of the load acting on the plate elements (100', 100", 100' ", 100" "). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical stroke is adjustable between 2 mm and 12 mm. 1 . Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (10) and / or individual plate elements (100', 100", 100'", 100"") are designed to be adjustable in inclination.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (10) and / or individual plate elements (100', 100", 100'", 100"") are / are angularly adjustable in the longitudinal direction (L) by rotation / inclination about an inclination axis provided transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) with respect to the longitudinal axis. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (11) is designed such that a resulting sine curve of the amplitude is flatter or steeper depending on the frequency, but the reversal point remains sharp, in order to achieve that the reversal of the stroke is initiated by the peaks in less than 200ms. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (11) is designed such that the amplitude of the stroke does not influence the speed, wherein the drive 11 is transmitted directly to the vertical stroke by fixed power transmission elements and the drive power is redirected to the vertical stroke via fixed, non-variable elements.Method for controlling the drive (11) of a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torque of the drive (11) is continuously adjusted according to the load by means of at least one electronic controller of a control loop, which reacts to the respectively requested required torque. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that a measurement of the load to be lifted or a measurement of the actual torque at the drive (11) is carried out, and the corresponding target torque is generated by the drive (11) using the detected values ​​by the control loop. Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the combination of an electronic control circuit and the drive produces the necessary accuracy of the stroke and the number of cycles per unit of time and, concomitantly, the exact and unadulterated vertical impulse is generated which must reach the horse's myofascial chain at the moment of the amortization phase and which is necessary for the activation of the muscle spindle.

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