Stride Sticks for Sensorimotor Reintegration Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enhancing walking and running performance, particularly in physical therapy and for improving stride length, balance, and reducing injury risk, are inadequate in effectively engaging the sensorimotor complex to adapt stride and mobility with age, often leading to decreased balance and increased fall risk.
Innovation Solution
The Sensorimotor Awareness Reintegration Training (SMART) method utilizes 'Stride Sticks' held at shoulder-width distance from the acromion to acromion, bridging the sensorimotor complex and cerebellum, creating a sensorimotor illusion that lengthens stride, balance, and stability by engaging proprioception and motor systems through specific exercises and stretches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional exercise devices are used, then physical exercise is provided, but sensorimotor engagement is insufficient leading to inadequate stride adaptation and balance improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the exercise device with extended portion) that mediates between the user and their sensorimotor system. The extended portion acts as a physical intermediary that provides tactile feedback and proprioceptive input, enabling the user to engage and adapt their sensorimotor complex more effectively than with traditional hand-held weights alone.
2Strength
If hand-held weights are used for exercise, then muscle strength is improved, but stride length and balance adaptation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the exercise device beyond the traditional hand-held weight by adding an extended portion that protrudes forward. This dimensional extension allows the device to interact with the user's body in new ways - providing tactile feedback on the chest or abdomen - thereby enabling stride length and balance adaptation in addition to muscle strengthening.
3Productivity
If exercise intensity is increased, then physical fitness improves, but injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended portion of the exercise device provides continuous tactile feedback to the user during exercise. This feedback mechanism allows users to monitor their form, balance, and movement patterns in real-time, enabling them to increase exercise intensity safely while maintaining proper technique and reducing injury risk.
Data Source
AI summary
The method for engaging a person's sensorimotor complex includes providing a pair of lightweight sticks of equal length and weight; measuring a shoulder width from a first shoulder blade acromion of the person to a second shoulder blade acromion of the person; selecting from the plurality of devices a first lightweight stick and a second lightweight stick each having a length approximately equal to the width from the first shoulder blade acromion of the person to the second shoulder blade acromion of the person; grasping the first and second lightweight sticks with a respective first and second hands at a grasping position along the stick that is one shoulder width from a distal end of the stick; swinging the first and second hands back and forth between a first position and a second position; and walking while swinging the first and second hands back and forth.