Measuring and testing – Muscular force
Patent
1991-09-23
1994-07-26
Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
Measuring and testing
Muscular force
601 23, A61B 500
Patent
active
053318510
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method for measuring muscular functionality. By muscular functionality is meant the working condition of muscles.
The present invention also relates to a measuring and training system for measuring muscular functionality and for muscle training.
In the prior art there are known methods for measuring muscular functionality, utilizing integrated systems which include mechanical devices for straining muscles, connected measuring equipment and a data processing unit, whereto the measuring results are transferred and processed therein, and output equipment.
Muscular functionality is measured with mechanical devices, which are essential and inseparable elements in the measuring system. The said mechanical devices comprise a lever arm connected to a dynamometer, such as a mechanical gyroscope arrangement, the velocity of which lever arm can be limited in a desired fashion. In addition to this, the mechanical equipment includes an adjustable seat or chair, to the frame whereof the dynamometer can be attached. By means of different auxiliary elements, the lever arm can be connected to the extremities, trunk or part of the trunk of the person in question, in order to measure and train the various muscles in these parts of the body.
Muscular functionality is measured so that the angular velocity of the path of motion is, prior to the measurement, adjusted to a standard value, whereafter the person in question pushes the lever arm with the muscles under examination. When the pushing is stopped, the lever arm stops, adjusted by the dynamometer, without straining the muscles to be used. Thus the lever arm does not strain the muscles, but the muscles themselves create the load. This principle of measurement is called the isokinetic principle.
The obtained results are fed into a data processing unit, whereby for instance the torques of the muscles under examination are calculated at a chosen angular velocity. The results are furnished through an output device, such as a printer or a monitor, either as digital data or as graphic curves.
A problem with the prior art methods and arrangements is that by means of mainly one mechanical device, comprising one lever arm, there is performed the measuring and training of practically all possible muscle groups. The adjusting and focusing of the position of the lever is cumbersome and complicated, and often the connecting of the muscle group under examination to the lever arm does not succeed in a similar fashion as for instance in the previous measurement of the same person. As a result, the measurements are not fully comparable with each other. Moreover, the motions performed by the muscles are not ergonomically or biomechanically correct, because the connecting of the lever arms and the muscle groups under examination is difficult owing to the reasons stated above.
Another problem with the known systems is that the system as a whole is reserved for one single person only, both during the measurement and during the training. When the fact that the systems are expensive is taken into account, the efficiency and the degree of utilization can be considered poor.
Yet another problem with the current measuring methods is that the readings obtained in the measurements are not compatible with any existing method of training.
The current measuring methods also have the drawback that on the basis of the measurements it is only possible to find out whether the strength level of the person has gone up, but on the basis of the results it is not possible to define for instance training loads for training.
Yet another problem is that the measurements with the mechanical devices of the measuring system are generally carried out in different positions than in the training exercise proper, which is normally performed with a separate exercise device. When the measurement is carried out in a different environment and conditions than the training exercise, both the measurement and the exercise are performed inadequately.
A further problem with the prior art measuring
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Lyomio Jukka
Parviainen Arno
Biegel R.
Chilcot Jr. Richard E.
David Fitness & Medical Ltd. Oy
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