A ground-effect footplate against which a user applies plantar force and moves their foot in 3D across all seven lower-extremity biomechanical axes to accomplish specific as well as global ambulatory objectives related to lower extremity performance improvement, injury prevention and rehabilitation. A device comprising at least one articulating leg connected to a ground-effect footplate and a surface for a user to position against. The device can be used in conjunction with software to create virtual ambulatory environments that mimic GRFVs and cause moments of force that initiate muscular activations that substantially mimic human ambulation, and can couple those movements with non-functional movements in order to improve ROM, speed, strength, and proprioception.

A monitoring system includes a shoe and a sole integrated into the shoe. The monitoring system also includes a connection mechanism attached to an underside of the sole and is shaped to connect the sole to a pedal. A pressure sensor is incorporated into the shoe that senses a force exerted on the pedal when the shoe is connected to the pedal through the connection mechanism.

The invention is embodied in an exercise system that can allow its user to counterbalance the effects associated with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle though a fitness device that comprises a combination of (a) supporting the lower body in a manner that permits a user's upper body to act as a third class lever with the user's hips operating as fulcrum and (b) engaging in resistance exercises with the upper body in a horizontal position, unsupported above the greater trochanter.

Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, a neck and spine strengthening device. The strengthening device includes a spinal resistance assembly configured to apply a resist force or to resist rotation about at least a first axis, and a head affixing assembly configured to secure to a head of a user during use. The strengthening device is instrumented with sensors and an embedded computing system configured to securely exchange exercise performance and configuration data with local client devices, and to monitor and record exercise activity and exercise performance data.

Methods for instructing a user to perform head and neck exercises with head and neck apparatuses are disclosed. The apparatus may include a member operatively arranged with a valve mechanism with a threshold pressure. The apparatus may further include an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element that may be configured to respond when the pressure within the member is greater in magnitude than the threshold pressure. The head and neck exercise apparatus may also include a member operatively arranged with an acoustic apparatus, membrane, chromogenic material, or moveable element that may be configured, without a valve mechanism, to respond when the absolute pressure within the member is greater in magnitude than a threshold absolute pressure.

A chair includes a seat (2) and also includes a pair of thigh support elements (17) pivotal n a generally downwardly direction about front pivot axes (20) from a first state forming with a central seat element (15) a substantially common plane, to a second downwardly extending state. The elements (17) are also pivotal about second pivot axes in a generally rearwardly direction for urging the user's thighs away from each other for stretching the adductor muscles. Foot support members (49) extend transversely and sidewardly on respective opposite sides of the chair (1) from a support element (46) for supporting the foot during a stretching exercise with the corresponding thigh of the subject extending downwardly from the seat (14) and the lower leg extending from the knee in a upwardly inclined direction to the foot support member (49) for stretching the quadriceps and the hip flexor muscles of the subject.

A method and apparatus for Activity Environment Generator (“AEG”) is provided. The AEG allows a user in a variety of settings such as: domestic settings, office chairs, TV chairs, train seats, airplane seats, domestic or hospital beds. The AEG is particularly useful in the fields of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, injury prevention, falls prevention, training and wellness in general and may also provide recreational and/or entertainment elements. The AEG provides dynamically controllable forces with which the user interacts in the course of his/her activity. In one aspect of the invention, the forces provided by the AEG are generated by a magnetic field. In another aspect of the invention, the forces provided by The AEG are generated by a pneumatic actuator. The AEG is optionally scalable and/or modular and, in specific embodiments, may include one or more of the following: a Remote Trainer, an AEG-Accessory, an AEG-Wearable, optimization by Big Data and machine-learning.

A person support apparatus includes a support surface having a patient facing surface and includes a head section, a seat section, and a foot section, the head section and the foot section being rotatable with respect to the seat section. One or more actuators are provided to rotate the head section and the foot section with respect to the seat section. At least one strain gauge is provided proximate the patient facing surface of the support surface to detect a change in pressure against at least one of the head section and the foot section. A controller is configured to transmit a signal to one or more of the actuators to rotate a corresponding one of the head section or the foot section in response to receiving data from the at least one strain gauge indicating a change in pressure that exceeds a predetermined reduction in pressure.

A gamification balance exercise system including: a balance board in which a central axis is continuously changed while user's feet are seated; a gyro sensor which is installed in the balance board to detect a slope of the balance board; a communication module which transmits slope data measured by the gyro sensor; a game application which receives and analyzes the slope data to classify the analyzed slope data into direction and acceleration data and moves a character in a predetermined game content based on the direction and acceleration data; and a display which is embedded with the game application and displays the game content and the movement of the character.

Provided herein are embodiments of a barbell spotting apparatus having all the benefits of a free-floating, unconstrained barbell in both the horizontal and vertical axes with the safety of a dedicated spotting mechanism, while addressing safety, noise, and space concerns raised by typical barbell apparatus. The embodiments herein permit a loaded barbell to be positioned in line with the axis of motion of the lift to be performed at both the beginning and end of the lift.