Specialized mass distribution footwear and handwear to modify the internal leverage of athletes

Abstract

Athletic performance is enhanced based on methods and articles for customizing the mass distribution of footwear and handwear, as appropriate to the athletic movements involved. The enhancements of such performance can be explained and implemented by analysis of leverage points associated with the musculature of the athlete. The customized mass distribution may be achieved by a carrier mateable or insertable with the footwear or handwear, or by integral manufacture of footwear or handwear whose effectiveness is based on leverage point principles.

1 . An adapter for customizing the mass distribution of athletic footwear according to performance characteristics of the wearer, comprising: a mass carrier configured to mate with the footwear and adapted to receive mass elements which are selectable in amount and positionable within the carrier in accordance with such performance characteristics.  
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the mass carrier is mateable with the sole of the athletic footwear.  
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the mass carrier is insertable within the athletic footwear.  
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the mass carrier comprises a body having a plurality of spaced openings, each opening being suited for selective receipt of a mass element to customize the mass distribution.  
     
     
         5 . An article of athletic footwear customizable to the performance characteristics of the wearer including a member of the footwear having a plurality of spaced openings, each opening being suited for selective receipt of a mass element to customize the mass distribution.  
     
     
         6 . A method for determining the customized mass distribution for athletic footwear based on analysis of leverage points comprising the steps of: 
 measuring leverage points for one or more users of the footwear; and    modifying the mass distribution of the footwear article to change the leverage points of each associated user to achieve those determined to be optimal.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of modifying the mass distribution is performed by comparison to a predetermined reference.  
     
     
         8 . A method of enhancing athletic performance comprising the steps of: 
 a) measuring the performance of one or more persons in a predetermined athletic movement;    b) modifying the weight distribution of the footwear worn when performing the predetermined athletic movement;    c) repeating the steps (a) and (b) until suitable performance enhancement has been attained.    
     
     
         9 . An article of athletic footwear manufactured according to the method of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         10 . An adapter for customizing the mass distribution of athletic handwear according to performance characteristics of the wearer, comprising: a mass carrier configured to mate with the handwear and adapted to receive mass elements which are selectable in amount and positionable within the carrier in accordance with such performance characteristics.  
     
     
         11 . The adapter of  claim 10  wherein the mass carrier is mateable with the athletic handwear.  
     
     
         12 . The adapter of  claim 10  wherein the mass carrier is insertable within the athletic handwear.  
     
     
         13 . The adapter of  claim 10  wherein the mass carrier comprises a body having a plurality of spaced openings, each opening being suited for selective receipt of a mass element to customize the mass distribution.  
     
     
         14 . An article of athletic handwear customizable for mass distribution according to the performance characteristics of the wearer including a member of the handwear having a plurality of spaced openings, each opening being suited for selective receipt of a mass element to customize the mass distribution.  
     
     
         15 . A method for determining the customized mass distribution for athletic handwear based on analysis of leverage points comprising the steps of: 
 measuring leverage points for one or more users of the handwear; and    modifying the mass distribution of the handwear article to change the leverage points of each associated user to achieve those determined to be optimal.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of modifying the mass distribution is performed by comparison to a predetermined reference.  
     
     
         17 . A method of enhancing athletic performance comprising the steps of: 
 a) measuring the performance of one or more persons in a predetermined athletic movement;    b) modifying the weight distribution of the handwear worn when performing the predetermined athletic movement;    c) repeating the steps (a) and (b) until suitable performance enhancement has been attained.    
     
     
         18 . An article of athletic handwear manufactured according to the method of  claim 17.