Device for enhancing bilateral dexterity and methods therefor

Abstract

A bola-like device for enhancing bilateral dexterity includes an elastic member having a first end and a second end, a first hand held object connected with the first end of the elastic member cord, and a second hand held object connected with the second end of the elastic member. At least one of the hand held objects has visual indicia for distinguishing the first hand held object from the second hand held object.

1 . A bola-like device for enhancing bilateral dexterity comprising: 
 an elastic member having a first end and a second end;    a first hand held object connected with the first end of said elastic member cord;    a second hand held object connected with the second end of said elastic member, wherein at least one of said hand held objects has visual indicia for distinguishing said first hand held object from said second hand held object.    
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second hand held objects are balls having outer surfaces and said visual indicia appear on the outer surfaces of said balls.  
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said visual indicia include one or more numbers.  
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said visual indicia include one or more colors.  
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said hand held objects has an asymmetrical exterior surface.  
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic member has a length of greater than one (1) foot and less than five (5) feet.  
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic member has a length of between approximately 2-4 feet.  
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the visual indicia indicate a physical characteristic of the hand held objects.  
   
   
       9 . A system for conducting bilateral dexterity exercises comprising: 
 a plurality of bola-like devices, each said bola-like device including first and second hand held objects and an elastic member interconnecting said first and second hand held objects;    said hand held objects of a first one of said bola-like devices having a first physical characteristic;    said hand held objects of a second one of said bola-like devices having a second physical characteristic that is different than the first physical characteristic for changing a difficulty level of bilateral dexterity exercises.    
   
   
       10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said hand held objects of said first one of said bola-like devices and said hand held objects of said second one of said bola-like devices are the same size, and wherein said second one of said bola-like devices is heavier than said first one of said bola-like devices.  
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said hand held objects of said first one of said bola-like devices are larger than said hand held objects of said second one of said bola-like devices.  
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said hand held objects of said first one of said bola-like devices are harder than said hand held objects of said second one of said bola-like devices.  
   
   
       13 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said elastic member of said first bola-like device has a greater tensile strength than said elastic member of said second bola-like device.  
   
   
       14 . A method of exercising a body having hands for improving bilateral dexterity comprising: 
 a) providing a bola-like device including an elastic member having a first end and a second end, a first hand held object attached to the first end of said elastic member and a second hand held object attached to the second end of said elastic member;    b) grasping said first hand held object in a first hand;    c) directing said second hand held object away from said first hand held object until the elastic member is under tension, wherein said elastic member transfers tension force to said second hand held object for redirecting said second hand held object from a path away from to a path toward said first hand held object;    d) catching said second hand held object with the second hand; and    repeating steps a) through d) by reversing the order of the hands contacting said hand held objects so as to exercise in a bilateral manner.    
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second hand held objects have a primary component of motion that is parallel to the ground.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second hand held objects have a primary component of motion that is vertical to the ground.  
   
   
       17 . A method of exercising a body having hands for improving bilateral dexterity comprising: 
 providing a bola-like device including an elastic member having a first end and a second end, a first hand held object attached to the first end of said elastic member and a second hand held object attached to the second end of said elastic member;    grasping said first hand held object in a first hand;    directing said second hand held object along a path including a segment extending away from said first hand held object until the elastic member is under tension, wherein the elastic member transfers tension force to said second hand held object for redirecting said second hand held object from the segment extending away from said first hand held object to a path toward said first hand held object;    releasing said first hand held object from the first hand as said second hand held object approaches said first hand held object; and    catching said second hand held object with the first hand.    
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 after the catching step and while grasping said second hand held object in the first hand, grasping said first hand held object with the second hand;    stretching said elastic cord by moving said second hand held object grasped in the first hand away from said first hand held object grasped in the second hand;    releasing said second hand held object from the first hand for directing said second hand held object along a path including a segment that extends away from said first hand held object until said elastic cord is under tension, wherein said elastic cord transfers tension force to said second hand held object for redirecting said second hand held object from the segment that extends away from said first hand held object to a path toward said first hand held object;    as said second hand held object approaches said first hand held object, releasing said first hand held object from the second hand for freeing said second hand;    catching said second hand held object with the second hand.    
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising continuously repeating the steps of claims  17  and  18 .