Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method

Abstract

Proprioceptive or kinesthetic exercise methods and apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a proprioceptive treadmill is described that comprises a foot-contact running surface that rotates about a pair of spaced pulleys, the running surface comprising at least one protuberance protruding upwards from the running surface. Proprioceptive exercise surfaces, exercise bicycles, steppers, ski machines, rowing machines and elliptic exercise machines are also described.

1 . Exercise apparatus comprising:
 a foot-contact surface adapted to support a user's foot thereon;   an actuator adapted to move said foot-contact surface during an exercise plan; and   a bumping mechanism operative to disrupt a balance of a user on said foot-contact surface.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said bumping mechanism is operative to move the user in six degrees of freedom, comprising translation in three mutually orthogonal directions and rotation about these axes. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller adapted to control operation of said bumping mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foot-contact surface rotates about a pair of spaced pulleys and forms a treadmill thereby, and said bumping mechanism comprises at least one protuberance protruding upwards from said foot-contact surface. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of said protuberances, wherein at least two of said protuberances have a different configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of said protuberances, wherein at least two of said protuberances have a variable configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of said protuberances, wherein at least two of said protuberances have different material properties. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one protuberance comprises an inflatable element. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a controller adapted to control inflation and deflation of said at least one protuberance. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one protuberance is movable in at least one of a translational and rotational motion. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foot-contact surface is part of a pedal that forms an exercise bicycle, and wherein said bumping mechanism is connected to at least one of a front axle, rear support and seat of said exercise bicycle. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foot-contact surface comprises part of an exercise stepper that comprises pedals and a controller operative to vary a resistive force offered by said pedals. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said controller varies an angle of said pedals. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foot-contact surface comprises part of a ski machine which comprises ski platforms and a controller operative to vary a resistive force offered by said ski platforms. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said controller varies an angle of said ski platforms. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foot-contact surface comprises part of an elliptic exercise machine. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said foot-contact surface comprises part of a rowing machine. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 performing a proprioceptive exercise comprising overcoming a balance-disruptive force while moving in translational motion.   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 performing an exercise on an exercise machine that is initially devoid of balance-disruptive forces, and deliberately applying a balance-disruptive force while exercise on said exercise machine.