Biomechanical stimulation training method and apparatus

Abstract

A method for implementing biomechanical stimulation training includes application of a preselected dynamic force concurrent with a local proprioceptive stimulus at an engagement member and performing at least one dynamic training activity. The method also includes applying a preselected isometric training force concurrent with another local proprioceptive stimulus at the engagement member, and performing an isometric training activity. An apparatus to facilitate performance of dynamic and isometric training activities includes an engagement member structured to facilitate operative engagement with a portion of a person's body, a force generation assembly structured to generate dynamic and isometric training forces at the engagement member, and a vibration generation assembly structured to generate local proprioceptive stimuli at the engagement member.

1 . A biomechanical stimulation training apparatus comprising:
 an engagement assembly comprising an engagement member structured to facilitate operative engagement with at least one portion of a person's body,   a force generation assembly structured to generate at least one dynamic training force at said engagement member,   a vibration generation assembly structured to generate at least one local proprioceptive stimulus at said engagement member corresponding to and concurrent with said at least one dynamic training force, wherein said at least one local proprioceptive stimulus comprises a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency,   said engagement member structured to facilitate application of said at least one dynamic training force and said at least one local proprioceptive stimulus to the at least one portion of the person's body during the training session,   said force generation assembly further structured to generate at least one isometric training force at said engagement member,   said vibration generation assembly further structured to generate at least one other local proprioceptive stimulus at said engagement member corresponding to and concurrent with said at least one isometric training force, wherein said at least one other local proprioceptive stimulus comprises a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency, and   said engagement member structured to facilitate application of said at least one isometric training force and said at least one other local proprioceptive stimulus to the at least one portion of the person's body during the training session.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said vibration generation assembly is further structured to generate said at least one local proprioceptive stimulus having said predetermined amplitude in a range of about 0.003 to 0.20 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said vibration generation assembly is further structured to generate said at least one local proprioceptive stimulus having said predetermined frequency in a range of about 5 to 400 cycles per second. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is further structured to facilitate operative engagement with the person's hands. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said engagement member is further structured to facilitate operative engagement with the person's feet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said force generation assembly is further structured to generate each of a plurality of dynamic training forces at said engagement member during the training session. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said force generation assembly is further structured to generate each of a plurality of isometric training forces at said engagement member during the training session. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said vibration generation assembly is further structured to generate a plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli at said engagement member during the training session, wherein each of said plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli comprises a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a control assembly structured to facilitate operation of said force generation assembly and said vibration generation assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  wherein said control assembly comprises a programmable memory module structured to store a plurality of predetermined training regimens corresponding to each of a plurality of personal training sessions for each of a plurality of persons. 
     
     
         11 . A biomechanical stimulation training apparatus comprising:
 a control assembly structured to facilitate implementation of a predetermined training regimen,   a support assembly comprising a support sensor and a support actuator,   said support assembly further comprising a personal adjustment member structured to facilitate support of a person in an operative position in accordance with said predetermined training regimen,   an engagement assembly structured to facilitate operative engagement with at least one portion of a person's body,   said engagement assembly comprising an engagement member and an engagement orientation actuator structured to position said engagement member in accordance with said predetermined training regimen,   a force generation assembly structured to generate a plurality of dynamic training forces at said engagement member during the training session,   a vibration generation assembly structured to generate a plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli at said engagement member, at least one of said plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli corresponding to and concurrent with a different one of each of the plurality of dynamic training forces,   said engagement member structured to facilitate application of each of said plurality of dynamic training forces and a corresponding one of said plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli to the at least one portion of the person's body during the training session,   said force generation assembly further structured to generate a plurality of isometric training forces at said engagement member during the training session,   said vibration generation assembly further structured to generate a plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli at said engagement member during the training session, at least one of said plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli corresponding to and concurrent with a different one of each of the plurality of isometric training forces,   said engagement member structured to facilitate application of each of said plurality of isometric training forces and a corresponding one of said plurality of local proprioceptive stimuli to the at least one portion of the person's body during the training session,   said control assembly structured to analyze the person's performance during the predetermined regimen, and   said control assembly further structured to modify said predetermined training regimen based upon said analysis of the person's performance.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said control assembly comprising a display device structured to allow the person to visually monitor their performance during the training session. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said control assembly comprises an input device structured to permit modification of at least one parameter of said predetermined training regimen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said control assembly comprises an output device structured to generate a performance report based upon the person's performance during the training session. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said force generation assembly further comprises a force sensor structured to measure an applied force. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said vibration generation assembly further comprises a vibration sensor structured to measure an applied local proprioceptive stimulus. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said engagement assembly further comprises an engagement orientation sensor structured to detect a present orientation of said engagement member. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said control assembly is programmed to provide position-feedback-control. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein said control assembly is programmed to provide force-feedback-control. 
     
     
         20 . A biomechanical stimulation training method for implementation by a person utilizing a biomechanical stimulation training apparatus during a training session, wherein the biomechanical stimulation training apparatus comprises an engagement assembly including at least one engagement member structured to operatively engage at least one portion of the person's body during the training session, the method comprising:
 applying at least one preselected dynamic training force to a portion of the person's body via an engagement member during the training session,   applying at least one local proprioceptive stimuli to the portion of the person's body corresponding to and concurrent with the preselected dynamic training force via the engagement member,   performing a plurality of dynamic training activities while operatively engaging the engagement member,   applying at least one preselected isometric training force to the portion of the person's body via the engagement member during the training session,   applying at least one local proprioceptive stimulus to the portion of the person's body corresponding to and concurrent with the preselected isometric training forces via the engagement member, and   performing a plurality of isometric training activities while operatively engaging the engagement member.