Apparatus for use in exercising

Abstract

Apparatus for use in exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus, wherein the means for engaging is adapted to retard movement of the foot as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position.

1 . Apparatus for use in exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus, wherein the means for engaging is adapted to retard movement of the foot as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for engaging is also adapted to engage a portion of said leg above the knee of said leg.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein said means for engaging is in the form of an endless loop that is at least partially elastically deformable, said loop being positionable beneath the user's foot and above the knee of said leg.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus claimed in any one of the preceding claims  1 , wherein the means for engaging the foot includes a foot pedal for engaging an underside of the foot.  
     
     
         5 . Exercising apparatus including elastic means positionable to extend from beneath the foot of one leg of a user to a position on that leg above the knee and being elastically deformable so that, when so positioned, the user may exercise by repetitive downward pivotal movement of the foot about the ankle joint alternating with upward pivotal movement under the influence of the elastic means.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said elastic means is in the form of an endless loop.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus claimed in any one of claims  3  and  6 , wherein the endless loop is adjustable to permit adjustment of the length of the endless loop.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus claimed in any one  claim 2  to  7 , wherein the apparatus includes a belt, the belt being positionable around the waist of the user to thereby prevent a portion of the apparatus from moving with respect to the knee.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the belt is adjustable to permit adjustment of the length of the belt.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for use in exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus and a second portion of said leg, wherein the means for engaging retards movement of the foot as the foot pivots about a respective ankle from a first position towards a second position.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said foot is in said first position when the heel of the foot is substantially in contact with a surface and when the ball of said foot is elevated above the surface and the foot moves from the first position towards the second position as the foot pivots and the ball of the foot moves towards the surface.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 10  or  claim 11 , wherein the means for engaging is in the form of an endless loop that is at least partially elastically deformable, said loop being positionable beneath the foot of the user and said second portion of said leg.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for use in exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus, wherein, in use, the means for engaging retards movement of the foot as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position and the means for engaging substantially prevents movement of the foot with respect to the means for engaging.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the means for engaging at least partially receives the foot of the user.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus claimed in  claim 13  or  claim 14 , wherein the foot moves from the first position towards the second position as the foot substantially pivots about a respective ankle joint.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 13  to  15 , wherein the means for engaging includes an endless loop, wherein the endless loop is at least partially elastically deformable and is positionable above the knee of said leg.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the means for engaging includes a foot piece.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for use in exercising, including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus, wherein, in use, the means for engaging retards movement of the foot as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position and the means for engaging includes a strap to substantially prevent movement of the foot with respect to the means for engaging.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said strap is formed first and second strips, the strips being positionable for mutual engagement over the foot of the user to thereby substantially prevent movement of the foot with respect to the means for engaging.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the strips are at least partially elastically deformable and are thereby positionable for mutual engagement over the foot of the user.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus claimed in  claim 19  or  claim 20 , wherein the first and second strips include corresponding hook and loop velcro portions positionable for mutual engagement over the foot of the user.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 ,  12 ,  16 ,  17 , and  20 , wherein the endless loop includes a handle, the handle being graspable by the user to thereby hold a portion of the endless loop in a position above the knee of said leg.  
     
     
         23 . A method of exercising using an apparatus including an elastic means which is at least partially elastically deformable, including the steps of: 
 positioning the elastic means so that it extends beneath the foot of one leg of a user to a position on that leg above the user's knee; and    alternately pivoting the foot about the ankle joint of the foot between first and second positions under the influence of the elastic means.    
     
     
         24 . A method claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the elastic means is an at least partially elastically deformable endless loop.  
     
     
         25 . A method of preventing deep vein thrombosis by administering to a person an apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  22 .  
     
     
         26 . A method of effecting a muscle pump action in a leg of a user of an apparatus, the apparatus including an elastic means which is at least partially elastically deformable, including the steps of: 
 positioning the elastic means so that it extends beneath the foot of one leg of a user to a position on that leg above the user's knee; and    alternately pivoting the foot about the ankle joint of the foot between first and second positions under the influence of the elastic means.    
     
     
         27 . A method claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the elastic means is an at least partially elastically deformable endless loop.  
     
     
         28 . A method of effecting a muscle pump action in a leg of a user of an apparatus claimed in any of  claims 1  to  22 , including the steps of: 
 positioning the apparatus so that it extends beneath the foot of one leg of a user to a position on that leg above the user's knee; and  
 alternately pivoting the foot about the ankle joint of the foot between first and second positions under the influence of the elastic means.