Machine and method for measuring strength of muscles with aid of a computer

• US 6,228,000 B1
• Filed: 01/26/1998
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MEDX 96 Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MEDX 96 Incorporated
• Inventors: Jones, Arthur A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULCAHY, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US09/013,290
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 73/379.01, 73/379.06, 73/379.08, 73/379.09, 482/8, 482/9, 482/91, 482/909, 482/134, 482/100, 482/137, 482/133, 482/901, 482/902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0632 the weights being lifted by rigid means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/152 Bowden-type cables
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/155 Cam-shaped pulleys or other non-uniform pulleys, e.g. conical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0488 by spreading the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

Method and apparatus for testing the muscle strength of a subject wherein both static and dynamic strength tests are conducted on the subject during which forces exerted by the muscles are measured by devices which are connected to a computer and a display screen for displaying the strength of the muscles at different positions of a subject'"'"'s body part. In the dynamic strength test, the subject moves a movement arm by exerting the muscles to be tested. The movement arm is connected to a resistance weight to oppose movement by the subject. In the static strength test, the movement arm is fixed in position and the subject exerts a body part against the movement arm upon exertion of the muscles to be tested. Force and angle measuring devices are connected to the movement arm and the computer for enabling the muscle strength to be displayed in terms of torque at various angular positions of the body part.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the working condition of muscles, wherein muscles are placed under load by mechanical training devices, the working condition of the muscles is measured, and the results obtained are registered, comprising the steps of:

providing a mechanical training device for placing the muscles of a subject under load, and for measuring the working condition of the muscles;

providing a data processing unit having a measuring program corresponding to said mechanical training device and including a plurality of measurements of the working condition of the muscles;

connecting said data processing unit to said mechanical training device;

activating said measuring program to obtain a desired measurement of the working condition of the muscles, wherein said load is generated by said mechanical training device by a counterbalance weight, and said load is opposed by the action of the subject against a balanced lever arm, and wherein said plurality of measurements of the working condition of muscles includes determining a range of motion of a subject, measuring the static strength of the subject and measuring the dynamic strength of the subject until the subject becomes fatigued.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein during said static strength measurement, said lever arm is maintained at a predetermined angular position, the torque directed to said lever arm being measured statically.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the load used in the dynamic strength measurement is determined on the basis of the results of the static strength measurement for maximum torque.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the results of the measurements on a display unit.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of surveying the results of the measurements on a display unit.

6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the working condition of the muscles is measured in terms of positive and negative work performed by the muscles.

7. The method defined in claim 1 wherein during the dynamic strength measurement the arms are held in a fixed position relative to said lever arm.

8. The method defined in claim 1 wherein during the dynamic strength measurement the resistance weight used is less than the maximum static strength of the muscles.

9. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the person whose muscle condition is being measured is seated on a seat and a hip pad located adjacent the rear end of the seat, and there is included the step of rotating the hip ends of the femurs of the person downwardly against the seat and the hip pad to secure the pelvis of the person against movement during measurement of the working condition of the muscles.

10. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the person whose muscle condition is being measured is seated on a seat and a hip pad located adjacent the rear end of the seat, and there is further included the step of applying a force to the front end of the person'"'"'s legs at an angle to the legs and below the knees to secure the femurs against the seat and hip pad to secure the pelvis against movement during measurement of the working condition of the muscles.