Elastic Hamstring Support via Waist-Heel Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hamstring injuries in sports players often lead to prolonged rehabilitation periods, disrupting their ability to return to play, and existing solutions do not adequately support the muscle during recovery and return to practice.
Innovation Solution
A hamstring support assembly comprising a waist strap, a heel cup, and an adjustable elongated biasing element that connects the waist strap to the heel cup, providing support and stability to the injured hamstring during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hamstring support methods are used, then the hamstring muscle is supported during recovery, but the support is insufficient during return to sports activities and practice
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly uses an elongated biasing element that dynamically adjusts its support characteristics based on the leg's position and movement intensity. The biasing element provides greater support during high-intensity sports activities when the hamstring is more susceptible to injury, while allowing greater freedom of movement during low-intensity rehabilitation exercises. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between providing reliable support and adapting to different activity levels.
2Reliability
If the hamstring is fully supported during rehabilitation, then injury risk is reduced, but mobility and range of motion are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element's support characteristics change based on physical parameters such as leg position, movement speed, and force applied. During rehabilitation exercises with slow, controlled movements, the biasing element remains relatively relaxed, allowing full range of motion. During sudden or high-force movements that could cause injury, the biasing element engages to provide protective support. This parameter-based adaptation resolves the contradiction between injury prevention and mobility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used, then stability is improved, but comfort and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly uses a flexible biasing element rather than a rigid structure. The biasing element maintains stability through its elastic properties and geometric configuration, while its flexibility ensures user comfort during wear and movement. The heel cup and waistband also use flexible materials that conform to the body's contours, resolving the contradiction between stability and comfort.
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
The support assembly helps in reducing the risk of further injury and aids in a smoother transition from rehabilitation to returning to sports activities by providing adjustable support and stability to the hamstring muscle.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated biasing element extending between the waist band and the heel cup
Data Source
AI summary
A hamstring support system comprising a waist strap, a heel cup and an elongated biasing element assembly elastically extending between the waist strap the heel cup. The waist strap is secured to a waistline of a patient having an injured or recovering hamstring injury. The heel cup is secured to a heel of an injured leg of the patient. A length of the biasing element assembly is adjusted to a neutral or slight biasing force when the injured leg is bent, thus providing a supporting force when the injured leg is extended. A pliant material can be placed between the heel cup and the heel. A shoe is preferably worn over the heel cup.