Balance measurement systems and methods thereof

Abstract

Balance measurement systems and methods thereof include at least one measurement device or indicator and an unstable or dynamic device or surface or other balance device. In example forms, the at least one measurement device is generally removably mounted to a portion of the body of a user (and/or to a portion of the balance device) such that the movements and body behavior of a user (and/or the balance device) can be measured as the user attempts to balance on the balance device. According to one example form, the unstable device includes a suspended rope or slackline. According to other example forms, the balance device includes a generally unstable platform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A balance measurement system comprising:
 one or more measuring devices to be worn or generally removably coupled to a user; and   a dynamic or unstable device or surface, the user attempting to balance on the device or surface while the one or more measuring devices obtain measurements produced by movement of the user reacting to the dynamic or unstable device or surface that the user is attempting to balance on.   
     
     
         2 . The balance measurement system of  claim 1 , further comprising a network generally in communication or linked to the one or more measuring devices. 
     
     
         3 . The balance measurement system of  claim 2 , further comprising an electronic device generally linked or in communication with the network and/or the one or more measuring devices. 
     
     
         4 . The balance measurement system of  claim 3 , wherein the electronic device provides a user interface for the balance measurement system. 
     
     
         5 . The balance measurement system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more measurement devices obtain real time measurements of the movement and body behavior of the user while attempting to balance. 
     
     
         6 . The balance measurement system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more measuring devices each comprise at least one of a gyrometer, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer. 
     
     
         7 . The balance measurement system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply for powering the one or more measurement devices. 
     
     
         8 . A system for measuring the movement and behavior of a user balancing comprising:
 a balancing device;   at least one component coupled to the user or balancing device;   a measurement system to track in real time the movement and behavior of the at least one component while the user balances on the balancing device.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one component comprises at least one of a gyrometer, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the measurement system comprises an electronic device generally linked or in communication with the at least one component. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one component comprises an identifiable marker for being tracked by one or more motion capture cameras. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of identifiable markers coupled to the user and balancing device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the balancing device comprises a stabilization component such that the allowable movement of a platform can be adjusted between a substantially loose configuration and a substantially tensioned configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein in the substantially tensioned configuration the platform is restricted to minimal side-to-side movement or oscillation of between about 0.25-4 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein in the substantially loose configuration the platform is capable of side-to-side movement or oscillation of between about 12-35 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a motor and linkage coupled to the stabilization component such that adjustment to the stabilization component can be controlled remotely in real time. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the balance device comprises a central member, a pair of outer bow members coupled to the central member, a pair of upper arm members coupled to the outer bow members and providing a plurality of height settings, a pair of leg members coupled to the outer bow members, a slackline generally positioned at one of the plurality of height settings of the upper arm members, and a platform positioned atop the line to provide a standing platform for the user to stand on when attempting to balance. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a tensioning mechanism coupled to a portion of the platform to provide adjustment to the allowable side-to-side movement of the platform. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein a generally resilient band couples between the platform and the tensioning mechanism, and wherein the tensioning mechanism can be manipulated to increase or decrease the tension of the band and thereby adjust the allowable side-to-side movement of the platform. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a brain scanner for scanning the brain of the user while the user balances on the balancing device. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more measuring devices for tracking the eye movement of the user while the user is balancing on the balancing device. 
     
     
         22 . A method of measuring balance comprising:
 providing an unstable or dynamic device or surface;   providing one or more measuring devices;   removably mounting the one or more measuring devices on a user's limbs, other body portions thereof and/or to the device;   placing at least a portion of the user's body on the unstable device or surface attempting to balance thereon;   obtaining measurements of the one or more measuring devices as the user attempts to balance on the unstable device or surface; and   processing and calculating a balance value based off of the measurements obtained from the one or more measuring devices, wherein an electronic device comprising software or an application is generally linked or in communication with one or more of the measurement devices such that the measurements obtained therefrom can be collected, stored and processed by the software or application of the electronic device.