Method and apparatus for torso muscle lengthening

• US 20060234841A1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cynthia N. Koch
• Original Assignee: Cynthia N. Koch
• Inventors: Koch, Cynthia N.
• Application Number:
  US11/108,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20060234841A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously

Abstract

Posture improvement by conducting a set of stretch protocols with an inelastic strap which lengthen front torso muscles in order to reduce forward head position, and to decrease rounded shoulders. Posture improvement is monitored by periodically taking hip to rib, sternum to shoulder, and shoulder to shoulder measurements. The protocols may be performed at home, or in groups such as company sponsored activity. The strap may include markings to permit a participant to readily determine desired hand positions on the strap for a stretch protocol.

Claims

1. A method of improving the posture of a human by lengthening the muscles of the torso, the human having a head, left arm, left hand, right arm, right hand, and rib area, the method comprising

performing a left Archer stretch protocol comprising

grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,

positioning the strap behind the head,

inhaling a breath,

extending the left arm,

bending the right arm, such that the upper portion of the right arm contacts

the rib area, and

applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;

performing a right Archer stretch protocol comprising

grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,

positioning the strap behind the head,

inhaling a breath,

extending the right arm,

bending the left arm, such that the upper portion of the left arm contacts

the rib area, and

applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;

performing a left Liberty stretch protocol comprising

grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,

positioning the strap behind the head,

inhaling a breath,

extending the left arm above the head with the left elbow bent,

extending the right arm at a downward angle, such that the right arm and

the left elbow lie approximately along the same line, and

applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;

performing a right Liberty stretch protocol comprising

grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,

positioning the strap behind the head,

inhaling a breath,

extending the right arm above the head with the right elbow bent,

extending the left arm at a downward angle, such that the left arm and the

right elbow lie approximately along the same line, and

applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;

performing a Victory stretch protocol comprising

grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,

positioning the strap behind the head,

inhaling a breath,

extending the left arm at an upward angle above the head,

extending the right arm at an upward angle above the head, and

applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly; and

performing a Balance stretch protocol comprising

grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,

positioning the strap behind the waist,

bending the left arm, such that the upper portion of the left arm contacts the rib area,

bending the right arm, such that the upper portion of the right arm contacts the rib area,

inhaling a breath,

extending the left hand approximately horizontally from the left elbow,

extending the right hand approximately horizontally from the right elbow, and

applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the stretch protocols are performed with a non-elastic strap.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the stretch protocols are performed with instruction.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein

the instruction is provided through a television monitor.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein

the instruction is provided through a computer monitor.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein

the instruction is provided with an instructor.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein

the instruction is provided with a poster, such that the poster illustrates the position of each stretch protocol.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising

periodically taking a measurement of posture improvement, the measurement selected from the group consisting of

a hip to rib measurement,

a sternum to shoulder measurement, and

a shoulder to shoulder measurement.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein

the periodic measurements are recorded.

10. A method for monitoring posture improvement, the method comprising

measuring a first hip to rib distance at a first time;

performing, for a plurality of days, a set of lengthening stretches comprising

a left Archer stretch protocol,

a right Archer stretch protocol,

a left Liberty stretch protocol,

a right Liberty stretch protocol,

a Victory stretch protocol, and

a Balance stretch protocol.

measuring a second hip to rib distance at a second time; and

determining improvement by calculating the difference between the first and second hip to rib distances.

13. An exercise strap for use in torso lengthening exercises, the strap comprising

a non-elastic fabric strip having

a length,

a width, such that the length is much greater than the width, and

a top surface;

and

a plurality of reference markings on the top surface, such that

a first desired hand position may be determined from the reference markings; and

’

a second desired hand position may be determined from the reference markings, such that the second hand position is spaced apart from the first hand position.

14. A system for executing stretching protocols over a plurality of days, from a start day to an end day, and for monitoring the results of the stretching protocols, the system comprising

an instruction for performing a set of lengthening stretches comprising

a left Archer stretch protocol,

a right Archer stretch protocol,

a left Liberty stretch protocol,

a right Liberty stretch protocol,

a Victory stretch protocol, and

a Balance stretch protocol;

a log for recording

measurements of posture at the start day and the end day, the measurement selected from the group consisting of

a hip to rib measurement,

a sternum to shoulder measurement, and

a shoulder to shoulder measurement,

the performance times, for each of the plurality of days, of the set of lengthening stretches; and

an inelastic strap for performing the stretch protocols.

11. The method of claim 14 further comprising

measuring a first sternum to shoulder distance at the first time;

measuring a second sternum to shoulder distance at the second time; and

determining improvement by calculating the difference between the first and second sternum to shoulder distances.

12. The method of claim 14 further comprising

measuring a first shoulder to shoulder distance at the first time;

measuring a second shoulder to shoulder distance at the second time; and

determining improvement by calculating the difference between the first and second shoulder to shoulder distances.