Athletic Training Sled with Stretch Cord Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic training sleds and pulley systems fail to provide resistance to arm and shoulder movements, limiting the training of upper body strength and power, and require users to push with their hands, restricting natural arm movement during training.
Innovation Solution
A sled training device with a vertically oriented pole for attaching weights, a system of stretch cords through pulley systems, and an attachment for pushing the sled with the shoulders, allowing free arm movement and providing resistance to arm movements in both forward and backward directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sled provides resistance only to backward motion of the legs, then the resistance training for leg strength is improved, but the training for arm and shoulder strength and power deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The training system is segmented into independent resistance mechanisms: the sled provides resistance to leg movement while the stretch cords provide separate resistance to arm and shoulder movements. This allows each body part to be trained independently with appropriate resistance, resolving the contradiction between leg strength training and upper body training capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The training device achieves multi-functionality by combining the sled for lower body resistance training with the stretch cord system for upper body resistance training. This universal system can train both legs and arms simultaneously or separately, eliminating the limitation of single-function sleds.
2Ease of operation
If the user pushes the sled with hands on a handle, then the pushing function is achieved, but natural arm movement is restricted and arms cannot be trained dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing function is segmented from the arm training function. The sled handles provide the pushing capability while the stretch cords provide independent resistance for arm movements. This segmentation allows the user to push with hands while arms simultaneously perform dynamic movements against stretch cord resistance, resolving the contradiction between pushing capability and arm movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretch cords act as intermediaries that provide resistance to arm movements independently from the pushing action. This mediator system allows natural arm movement during pushing without direct mechanical constraint, enabling both pushing function and dynamic arm training simultaneously.
3Force
If the sled provides resistance to ground stroke, then force application strength is improved, but resistance to forward movement of the returning leg is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The leg training is segmented into two phases: ground stroke phase trained by sled resistance and returning leg phase trained by stretch cord resistance. This segmentation allows comprehensive training of the full leg movement cycle, resolving the contradiction between ground stroke force training and returning leg training.
4Device complexity
If arms are not trained with resistance, then the sled training simplicity is maintained, but upper body strength and power development deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The training system achieves multi-functionality by integrating the sled for lower body training with the stretch cord system for upper body training. This universal system maintains relative simplicity while adding upper body power development capability, eliminating the trade-off between simplicity and power training.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables comprehensive resistance training for the arms and shoulders, improving overall running mechanics by allowing natural arm movement and balancing force application during training, thus enhancing strength and power development.
Implementation Method 1
athletic training systems utilizing stretch cords, tubes or bands... that provide resistance to both running and jumping by means of attachment to the user's ankles and/or wrists
Implementation Method 2
a system of stretch cords through pulley systems
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a novel sled training device generally consisting of a sled with vertically oriented pole for attaching, a detachable cuboidal structure that attaches to the sled and holds pulley systems with stretch cords running through them and then to the ankles and wrists of the user. A rope or stretch cord attaches to the front of the sled and runs to an attachment point on a harness worn by the user when the apparatus is configured to be pulled by the user. The apparatus may be configured to be pushed by the user by means of an attachment that connects to the vertically oriented pole for attaching weights, and which has padded structures to be pushed by the subject's shoulders and/or forehead. The detachable cuboidal structure may be removed from the sled and attached to any stationary structure for use without the sled.