Rotational resistance system

Abstract

A rotational resistance system is described herein, the system being adapted for a user so as to facilitate exercise of muscles throughout upper and lower extremities of the user's body. The system may include one or more rotational resistance devices arranged on one of a vertical planar surface or a horizontal planar surface. Each device may further include a rotatable plate thereon and internal resistance means therein for providing resistance and release of resistance against rotation of the plate. Performance of various exercise protocols by the user with the system activates selected under active muscles of the user and releases selected overactive muscles thereof to inherently effect myofascial balance therebetween.

1 . A rotational resistance system, comprising:
 one or more rotational resistance devices arranged on one of a vertical or horizontal planar surface,   each of the one or more rotational resistance devices including a rotatable plate thereon and internal resistance means therein for providing resistance and release of resistance against rotation of the plate, each plate adapted so that a user, with one of a corresponding foot or hand on of the one or more rotational resistance devices, is enabled to perform a given exercise to active selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the system including a pair of separate rotational resistance devices in side-by-side relation on a horizontal planar surface for placement of a corresponding hand or foot of a user thereon, each device further including:
 a base adapted for placement on the horizontal planar surface, and   a support structure attached within the base and supporting the internal resistance means, wherein the plate serves as part of the top surface of the base and is connected to the internal resistance means.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the rotatable plate and top surface is inclined at an upward angle relative to horizontal as taken from the rear of the base to the front thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is configured so that the user, with their feet on the plates and their back supported by the wall, is enabled to perform a hip rotation exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a combination of exercise thereon with the user's body in a supported, unloaded position on the devices inherently effects myofascial balance between the under active and overactive muscles. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the angle of inclination is between 6 and 26 degrees from horizontal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein
 muscles activated through the hip rotation exercise include at least one or more of the gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata, adductor magnus, semimembranosis, rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, hamstrings, internal abdominal oblique, transverse abdominis, tibialis anterior, and tibialis posterior muscles, and   muscles released include at least one or more of the piriformis, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, obturator internus, obturator externus, quadratus femoris, external abdominal oblique, lower paraspinal muscles, and peroneus longus muscles.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system is configured so that the user, with their feet on the plates and their back supported by the wall, is enabled to perform an exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles in and around the pelvic bone so as to strengthen muscular support of the bladder in the user's body. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein
 muscles activated by the exercise thereon in and around the pelvic bone so as to strengthen muscular support of the bladder include at least one or more of the elevator ani-pubococcygeus (pubovaginalis, puborectalis), iliococcygeus, and coccygeus (ischiococcygeus), and   muscles inhibited and released include at least one or more of the piriformis and obturator internus.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each plate is adapted so that the user, with a corresponding foot on each device and their back being supported by the wall, is enabled to perform a squat-type exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein
 muscles activated through the squat-type exercise include at least one or more of the tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and peroneus longus muscles, and   muscles and tendons released include at least one or more of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and the Achilles tendon.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each plate is adapted so that the user, with a corresponding hand thereof on each device and in a kneeling position on the horizontal surface, is enabled to perform a shoulder rotation exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein
 muscles activated through the shoulder rotation exercise include at least one or more of the rhomboids, infraspinatus, teres minor, posterior deltoid, serratus anterior, lower trapezius, serratus posterior inferior, and pectoralis minor muscles, and   muscles released include at least one or more of the latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, teres major, upper trapezius, serratus posterior superior, and pectoralis major muscles.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an elongate member adapted to be held between crossed arms of the user against their chest, wherein   the pair of rotational resistance devices are configured to be arranged in opposite facing relation to one another on the horizontal surface, and   the user, holding the elongate member with a corresponding foot on each plate and in a bent knee position with upper body leaning slightly forward at the trunk, is enabled to perform an exercise based on rotation of their trunk maximally to either direction, with inward foot rotation on each side of rotation, to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles, thereby enhancing range of motion.   
     
     
         16 . A rotational resistance system, comprising:
 a pair of rotational resistance devices arranged in spaced, adjacent relation on a horizontal planar surface, each device further including:
 a base having a support structure therein, 
 a rotatable plate serving as a contact surface of the support structure, the plate inclined at an upward angle relative to horizontal as taken from the rear of the base to the front thereof, and 
 internal resistance means within the support structure for providing resistance and release of resistance against rotation of the plate, wherein 
   each plate is adapted so that a user, with one of a corresponding foot or hand on the rotational resistance devices, is enabled perform a given exercise to active selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein a combination of exercise thereon with the user's body in a supported, unloaded position on the rotational resistance devices inherently effects myofascial balance between the under active and overactive muscles. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising only a single rotational resistance device supportable by the user against the vertical planar surface, the device including a handle enabling the user to perform shoulder and forearm-related exercise protocols. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein, in a standing position facing the vertical surface with arm extended and the hand thereof grasping the handle on the plate, the plate bearing against the vertical surface, the user is enabled to perform a posterior shoulder rotation exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein
 muscles activated through the posterior shoulder rotation exercise include at least one or more of the infraspinatus, teres minor, posterior deltoid, and   muscles released include at least one or more of the latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, teres major, anterior deltoid.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein, in a standing position facing parallel to the vertical surface with arm extended and the hand thereof grasping the handle on the plate, the plate bearing against the vertical surface, the user is enabled to perform a forearm pronation exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein
 muscles activated through the forearm pronation exercise include muscles in the forearm to provide for strong gripping and throwing action, and muscles in the shoulder to aid in pulling actions and decelerate when throwing and swinging to prevent rotator cuff-type injuries, and   muscles released include fibers that attach to the elbow which are responsible for tendonitis issues and ulnar collateral ligament injuries, and the latissimus dorsi.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein, in a standing position facing parallel to the vertical surface with arm extended and the hand thereof grasping the handle on the plate, the plate bearing against the vertical surface, the user is enabled to perform a forearm supination exercise to activate selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein muscles activated through the forearm supination exercise include the muscles that pronate the forearm and muscles released include muscles that supinate the forearm. 
     
     
         25 . A rotational resistance system, comprising:
 a base having a plurality of legs designed to come into flush contact with a vertical planar surface when held in contact thereto by a user,   a rotatable plate on the base,   a handle attached to the plate, and   internal resistance means within the base for providing resistance and release of resistance against rotation of the plate so that a user is enabled to perform a given exercise to active selected under active muscles and release selected overactive muscles in the forearm, shoulder and back.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , the base further including:
 a cavity containing the internal resistance means, the internal resistance means sandwiched between the base and rotatable plate, and   a foot provided on the underside at a distal end of each leg for contacting the vertical surface.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the internal resistance means further includes:
 a central spring terminating in a pair of extended tine ends   a hollow columnar extrusion formed in the base and capturing the spring on an outer surface thereof   a first semi-circular ramp stop formed in the base in spaced relation around the spring, each first ramp stop end thereof adapted to be a tensioner for a corresponding tine end of the spring, and   a second semi-circular ramp stop formed on an internal surface of the plate, each end of the second ramp stop adapted to bear against a spring tine end depending on direction of rotation of the plate relative to the base.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein
 the plate further includes a center post formed on an internal surface, and   the base includes a central hollow, columnar extrusion adapted to receive the center post therethrough, a distal end of the post secured by a fastener through a bottom central surface of the base so that the plate is attached to the base and internal resistance means.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising a bearing ring arranged in the base and adapted to facilitate rotation of the plate relative to the base. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein
 the base further includes a circular grooved track accommodating the bearing ring therein, and   the plate further includes a circular grooved rib adapted to ride on the bearing track as a user rotates the handle of the plate.   
     
     
         31 . A rotational resistance system adapted for a user so as to facilitate exercise of muscles throughout upper and lower extremities of the user's body, comprising:
 one or more rotational resistance devices arranged on one of a vertical or horizontal planar surface, each device further including a rotatable plate thereon and internal resistance means therein for providing resistance and release of resistance against rotation of the plate,   wherein performance of various exercise protocols by the user with the system activates selected under active muscles of the user and releases selected overactive muscles thereof to inherently effect myofascial balance therebetween.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bearing ring adapted to facilitate rotation of the plate, wherein the internal resistance means further includes a spring element adapted to impart resistance to rotation of the plate in either direction.