US20020198080A1

US20020198080A1 - Training device

Info

Publication number: US20020198080A1
Application number: US10/144,724
Authority: US
Inventors: Martin Reck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-16
Filing date: 2002-05-15
Publication date: 2002-12-26
Also published as: DE10221775A1; DE10221775B4

Abstract

A training device is proposed which has actuating elements which can be moved continuously in rotation and are connected to one another and are intended for a pair of limbs of a person, drive means for driving the actuating elements, and an electronics unit for regulating and/or controlling the movement of the actuating elements, with means being provided for visual, acoustic, touch-based or smell-based notification or display of a training parameter objective and of an actual value which can be compared with it, or of a training parameter target deviation in relation to an actual value, and the training parameter target being the speed of rotation, the torque or the actuating element position, or a variable derived therefrom. Moreover, a side-related and an angle-related training parameter objective with corresponding notification or display is proposed. In addition, part of the invention is a training device which, in isokinetic training, changes a desired speed of rotation as a function of cardiovascular variables or the driving torque applied to the actuating elements by the person doing the training.

Description

The invention relates to a training device which has actuating elements which can be moved continuously in rotation and are connected to one another and are intended for a pair of limbs of a person, drive means for driving the actuating elements, and an electronics unit for regulating and/or controlling the movement of the actuating elements.[0001]

PRIOR ART

Training devices of the type mentioned above have already been made known in a wide variety of forms.

European laid-open specification EP 0 865 804 discloses a training device for the physically disabled which is designed in particular for persons who either have very low residual muscle power or who can exert muscle power only over part of a revolution. With a conventional training device, such persons would find it difficult to bring about any movement at all, not least a circular movement.

In the case of patients with signs of paralysis on one side, for example as a result of a stroke, it is true that the training device disclosed in the European laid-open specification can in fact also be used, but the person doing the training is not specifically induced to consciously engage the impaired side in the movements in order finally to recover his full range of mobility.

For a more targeted and more conscious movement of one half of the body when using a training device of the type mentioned at the outset, European laid-open specification EP 0 998 961 A1 proposes that an electronics unit be provided which divides the crank movement within one revolution into at least two parts, and that the electronics unit define different functions for the crank movement in relation to these parts.

In this way it is possible to arrange the training in such a way that the person doing the training receives different training possibilities within one revolution of the crank arms of the training device, and thus work can be concentrated on an impaired, paralyzed limb. It has also been found that, in particular in the case of patients paralyzed on one side, the coordination of their movements can also be improved in this way. However, the person doing the training is somewhat unconscious of this, for which reason an increase in efficiency is possible in this respect.

OBJECT AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to make available a training device, in particular for physically disabled persons, with which device it is possible to improve coordination, i.e. the link between brain functions and targeted muscle activity.

This object is achieved by the features of

claims

1, 6, 7, 9 and 10.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In a first possible solution of the invention, the training device of the type mentioned at the outset is developed further by providing means for visual, acoustic, touch-based or smell-based notification or display of a training parameter objective and of an actual value which can be compared with it, or of a training parameter target deviation in relation to an actual value, the training parameter target being the speed of rotation, the torque, preferably the torque applied by the person doing the training, or the actuating element position, e.g. the position of an actuating element, in particular the position of a pedal crank, or a variable derived therefrom, for example the force on the actuating elements, the physical performance, or another link between speed of rotation, torque or actuating element position. This procedure is based on the person who is doing the training attempting quite consciously, i.e. by targeted use of the muscles, to achieve a training parameter target and preferably maintaining the latter. In other words, only those parameters which the person doing the training can influence, at least to a certain extent, through his own will are suitable as training parameter target. For example, a target performance level and the instantaneous actual performance level are displayed. The objective can also be displayed by two symbolic cursors moving on a screen, one of these being a cursor preset by the electronics unit and the other cursor representing the person doing the training. As a function of the predetermined target speed of rotation, the “electronics unit cursor” moves at a defined speed, and the “cursor for the person doing the training” moves at the same speed as the “electronics unit cursor” as long as the person doing the training is training with the target speed of rotation. Within the meaning of the invention, sequences of the stated training parameters can also serve as training parameter targets, e.g. torque, speed of rotation or performance level as a function of the position or angle of the actuating elements. For example, the training parameter target is the speed of rotation. This can be raised at a defined position, i.e. in a position-dependent manner, as new target to a predetermined value or is to be kept constant as target through one revolution. In another training variant, a defined torque can be used as “target”. In addition, this torque can be increased or lowered as new target at a predetermined position. This can be adapted, for example, to the tread phase of the respective leg. In the event that the actuating element position is the training parameter target, a sequence (function) of this variable can be that the actuating element assumes a defined position and maintains this.

If operating with a deviation from the training parameter target, this deviation can be indicated qualitatively or quantitatively, e.g. “too fast” or “too slow” or “tread is o.k.”, “tread is not o.k.” or in brief: “o.k.”, “not o.k.”. However, the deviation can also be indicated quantitatively, e.g. “too fast by “5””. However, a mixed indication is possible, e.g. in the form of a trend display. When indicating the “deviation”, the training parameter target can also be displayed for better orientation of the person doing the training. By means of all the measures mentioned, the coordination abilities of a person training are improved.

However, by changing the training parameter objective, a training sequence can also be performed specifically for an improved coordination if the electronics unit is designed to automatically change the training parameter objective as a function of predetermined criteria. With a change in the training parameter objective, an actual target deviation of course also automatically changes if this is being used. The change can also be effected according to a time scale or can be approached, reached or maintained in the manner of a target.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the change in the training parameter objective results in a change in a training parameter which is regulated or controlled by the electronics unit. In this way, even where the training parameter objective changes, it is possible, for example, to perform a form of training in which the person doing the training is nevertheless intended to reach a constant performance level. For example, in isokinetic training in which the speed of rotation is regulated and the predetermined training parameter target is a torque to be achieved by the person doing the training, the desired speed of rotation can be changed such that the product of speed of rotation and torque, namely the physical performance, remains unchanged when the target torque changes. In the case of isotonic training in which the braking torque is regulated and the training parameter target is the speed of rotation, the braking torque can be changed in such a way that the product of target speed of rotation and desired braking torque again remains unchanged when the target speed of rotation changes.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronics unit is designed to change a regulated or controlled training parameter as a function of predetermined criteria. In this context, such criteria are, for example, the automatic course of a defined time plan according to which the regulated or controlled training parameter is changed, or the way in which the training parameter target is approached, reached or maintained. The target preferably remains constant in this type of training. This imposes similar coordination requirements as when the training parameter target is changed in the case of a constant regulated or controlled training parameter. In isokinetic training, the speed of rotation is the regulated or controlled training parameter, for example the torque to be reached being the training parameter target.

The electronics unit can also be designed to change an external stimulation parameter as a function of predetermined criteria. For example, the person doing the training attempts to reach a predetermined training parameter target under application of an external muscle stimulation. By specifically changing the muscle stimulation, the person doing the training can be forced, in order to reach a defined target, to show greater initiative in training, which in turn improves the coordination abilities.

In a further possible solution to the object, the pre-setting of the training parameter target is side-related, in which case the training device described above is provided with means for visual, acoustic, touch-based or smell-based notification or display of the side-related training parameter objective and of an actual value which can be compared with it, or a training parameter target deviation in relation to an actual value. In particular for persons paralyzed on one side, this measure permits different coordinated training for the healthy side and the diseased side. Accordingly, for example, the torque to be achieved on the healthy side is a much higher objective than on the diseased side. With increasing success in training, the objective for the diseased side can be adapted to the healthy side, which to a large extent increases motivation. Likewise, it is possible to predetermine the target that a training parameter is to be identical on both sides or should be in a defined relationship between each side. The difference in sides can be provided, for example, on the basis of the tread phase of the legs or by means of a side-differentiated measurement, in particular measurement of torque or power. However, the objective can also be such that on one side a target value is set which is to be reached by the other side. For example, the power on one side serves as objective for the other side.

A still more differentiated possibility of working on a pair of limbs is obtained if training can be carried out, not only side-related, but also angle-related. That is to say, for example in a rotation movement, a plurality of angle sections can be defined in which in each case different training parameter objectives are operative. The training parameter objective can be, for example, that the training parameters are identical in at least two angle sections.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronics unit is designed to evaluate the manner in which training parameter targets are achieved, for example how many objectives are achieved or how a single target is achieved.

In a further possible solution to the object set, the training device indicated above is refined in that the electronics unit, in the context of isokinetic training, is designed to regulate the speed of rotation to a desired speed of rotation, the desired speed of rotation changing automatically as a function of cardiovascular variables, for example pulse, blood pressure or oxygen saturation of the blood, of the person doing the training, or as a function of the torque applied to the actuating elements by the person doing the training and which drives the actuating elements, e.g. depending on the course of one of these parameters. In this variant, the focus of the training lies in improving fitness, since signs of fatigue of the person training are in particular taken into account, so that the person doing the training is not overstressed. At the same time, however, the person doing the training is afforded the possibility of carrying out the training with deliberate coordination, taking into account the fact that overstressing regularly acts negatively on clean coordination during exercise.

Finally, the object is achieved by refining the above-described training device such that the drive means, by at least partial driving of the actuating elements, assist a person doing the training to achieve a training parameter objective. By this measure, it is made easier for a person doing training to reach a predetermined target, which has the effect of increasing motivation and thus improving the result of the coordination training.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail together with further advantages and particulars. [0021]
The FIGURE shows a [0022] movement device 1 represented diagrammatically in functional blocks. The movement device 1 comprises a crank 2 with pedals 3 for the legs of a person training (not shown), and an electric motor 4 which is connected to a shaft 6 of the crank 2 via a belt drive 5, for example.
The [0023] electric motor 4 is connected via a connecting line 7 to an electronics unit 8 and via a further connecting line 9 to an input and display device 10. The input and display device 10 has a screen 11 and an input panel 12.
The [0024] training device 1 can additionally have an incremental encoder (not shown) by means of which the speed of rotation of the crank 2 and its exact angle position can be determined.
In this way, it is possible in particular to be able to carry out training with an angle-related training parameter objective with appropriate display. [0025]
In a variant embodiment, a training parameter objective, e.g. a torque to be achieved by the person training, can be pre-set via the [0026] input panel 12 on the screen 11 at the location 11 a. The torque actually applied to the crank 2 by the person training is then shown at the location 11 b. While at all times keeping an eye on the actual value and the “target”, the person training must now try to bring the actual value as close as possible to the objective.
However, it is also possible to indicate, at [0027] location 11 b, only the deviation from an input target, e.g. a deviation in torque, speed of rotation or level of performance, etc.
In side-related training, the objective can also consist in training parameters for in each case one leg being displayed at the [0028] locations 11 a and 11 b, in which case the person training is to try to achieve identical values of the training parameter, e.g. the level of performance, for both sides.
In accordance with the discussion of the claims, a large number of further possibilities are conceivable with respect to how it is possible to work to an objective according to the invention with the [0029] movement device 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE LABELS

[0030] 1 movement device
[0031] 2 crank
[0032] 3 pedal
[0033] 4 electric motor
[0034] 5 belt drive
[0035] 6 shaft
[0036] 7 connecting line
[0037] 8 electronics unit
[0038] 9 connecting line
[0039] 10 input and display device
[0040] 11 screen
[0041] 11 a location
[0042] 11 b location
[0043] 12 input panel

Claims

1. Training device which has actuating elements which can be moved continuously in rotation and are connected to one another and are intended for a pair of limbs of a person, drive means for driving the actuating elements, and an electronics unit for regulating and/or controlling the movement of the actuating elements, characterized in that means are provided for visual, acoustic, touch-based or smell-based notification or display of a training parameter objective and of an actual value which can be compared with it, or of a training parameter target deviation in relation to an actual value, the training parameter target being the speed of rotation, the torque, or the actuating element position, or a variable derived therefrom.

2. Training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics unit is designed to automatically change the training parameter objective as a function of predetermined criteria.

3. Training device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the change in the training parameter objective results in a change in a training parameter which is regulated or controlled by the electronics unit.

4. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics unit is designed to change a regulated or controlled training parameter as a function of predetermined criteria.

5. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics unit is designed to change an external stimulation parameter as a function of predetermined criteria.

6. Training device according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics unit is designed for side-related pre-setting of a training parameter target, and in that means are provided for visual, acoustic, touch-based or smell-based notification or display of the side-related training parameter objective and of an actual value which can be compared with it, or of a training parameter target deviation in relation to an actual value.

7. Training device according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics unit is designed for angle-related pre-setting of a training parameter target, and in that means are provided for visual, acoustic, touch-based or smell-based notification or display of the angle-related training parameter objective and of an actual value which can be compared with it, or of a training parameter target deviation in relation to an actual value.

8. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics unit is designed to evaluate the manner in which training parameter objectives are achieved.

9. Training device according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronics unit, in the context of isokinetic training, is designed to regulate the speed of rotation to a desired speed of rotation and to automatically change the desired speed of rotation as a function of cardiovascular variables of the person doing the training and/or the driving torque applied to the actuating elements by the person doing the training.

10. Training device according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means, by at least temporary driving of the actuating elements, assist a person doing the training to achieve a training parameter objective.