Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a signal responsive to a cyclically-varying arterial blood flow at a location on a head of a user; providing a recurrent prompt at a frequency of the heart pump cycle using the signal, such that the signal correlates with a magnitude of blood flow adjacent to the location, and the recurrent prompt is provided to guide the user to time performance of a component of a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity with the recurrent prompt; and guiding the user to adjust a timing of the component of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity to substantially maximize a magnitude of the signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes generating the recurrent prompt by amplifying the sound generated by the blood flow in or in proximity to an ear of the user.

A system for stretching the piriformis muscle may comprise a thigh strap, calf strap and one or more handles. A handle may be pulled to urge the piriformis muscle into a more elongated position. The thigh strap and calf strap may be of equal or unequal length. An optional knee void may be used for alignment purposes and may be found beneath a handle.

An adjustable force exoskeleton hip joint system. The system includes a hip joint. The hip joint includes a first member rotatable about a hip joint rotation axis, the first member configured to be coupled to one of a lower body link or an upper body link. The hip joint further includes a second member rotatable about the hip joint rotation axis, the second member configured to be coupled to the other of the lower body link or the upper body link. The system further includes an adjustable force mechanism coupled to at least one of the first member and the second member. The adjustable force mechanism includes an actuator coupled to the first member, the actuator comprising a motor configured to selectively apply an adjustable force to the second member to inhibit rotation of the first member with respect to the second member.

A lower exoskeleton for a user including a pelvic element (1) with a mechanism for securing to an upper part of the user's body; two lower supports (2) with a mechanism for securing to the user's lower limbs and which rest on the ground during stance phases, each of the supports having a thigh segment and a tibia segment connected by a knee link to allow flexion and extension; and hip links for connecting the two lower supports to the pelvic element. The pelvic element has a an inner segment (30) extending symmetrically in relation to a central sagittal plane; and two outer segments (33) extending symmetrically and connected to respective distal ends of the inner segment by linking members (31, 32, 34; 31′), allowing flexion between the inner segment and each outer segment along two orthogonal axes.

A knee range of motion device utilizing tangential joint translation and distraction is disclosed. The device includes a carriage connected to a base, the carriage having a base attachment section; a thigh support section pivotally attached to the base attachment section; and a lower leg support section pivotally connected to the thigh support section. The device further including a carriage support extending between the thigh support section and the base, the carriage support pivotally connected to the thigh support section and adapted to slide in slots on the base; a first actuator connected to the lower leg support section to extend and retract the lower leg support section, thereby causing a foot support connected to the lower leg section to move; and a second actuator connected to the lower leg support section to raise and lower a calf support, causing an anterior and posterior tibial translation.

To provide a joint support unit, etc. capable of being worn on both left and right joints. A joint support unit includes a first link worn on one end side of a joint portion, a second link worn on the other end side of the joint portion, and rotatably coupled to the first link, a driving unit configured to perform rotation driving of the second link, and a rotation regulating unit configured to regulate a rotation direction and a rotation range of the second link. The rotation regulating unit includes an engagement body provided in one of the links, and an engagement part provided in the other one of the links, and engaging with the engagement body, the engagement part includes two guiding paths and that guide the engagement body moving according to the rotation direction of the second link in different directions, and a communication path.

There is provided a multifunctional apparatus for the passive physical rehabilitation comprising a main frame (1), and a second frame (2) which incorporates a seat (3) and a backrest (20) for supporting a user (10), the apparatus is characterized in that is movable onto a surface while performing the physical rehabilitation exercise, and in that it further comprises first supporting means (41) for supporting the lower limbs ends of the user (10) associated to a transmission shaft (40), said first supporting means being mounted in oscillating manner onto said main frame (1); and second supporting means (43,44) for supporting the upper limbs ends of the user (10) associated to said transmission shaft (40), said supporting means (44) being mounted in oscillating manner relative to said main frame (1); the arrangement being such that as a result of the motion of the apparatus the same causes a reciprocating elliptical motion of said first supporting means (41) and said second supporting means (44) for supporting the limbs ends of the user (10) with a predetermined amplitude.

An exercise device for alternating movement of arms and legs by which users perform alternating active exercises and passive exercises repetitively is revealed. The exercise device includes a base, a hand driving member, and a leg driving member. Both the hand and leg driving member are pivotally connected to the base while the leg driving member is arranged under the hand driving member. One end of the hand driving member and one end of the leg driving member are configured to be pivotally rotated on the base. The hand and leg driving members are pivotally connected by a linkage. By the pivotal connections of the above parts, the hand and leg driving members are linked and moved with each other so as to lift up or press down arms and legs for stretching. The stretching of arms and legs also generates pressure on the abdomen of the user to exercise his or her abdomen.

An assistance apparatus includes wires, each of which couples an upper-body belt and one of left and right knee belts to each other, and a motor. To promote implementation of first assistance for a user in walking while carrying an object, the motor generates a tension greater than or equal to a third threshold value in a second wire and a fourth wire, a tension greater than or equal to the third threshold value in the second wire and a third wire, and a tension greater than or equal to the third threshold value in a first wire and the fourth wire. During execution of the operation described above, upon receipt of determination of implementation, to indicate that implementation of the first assistance is determined, the motor generates a tension greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value in the second wire and the fourth wire, a tension greater than or equal to the fourth threshold value in the second wire and the third wire, and a tension greater than or equal to the fourth threshold value in the first wire and the fourth wire.

An apparatus for automated walking training includes a frame or treadmill having a driven treadmill belt and a pelvis attachment to support a position and weight of a user. The pelvis attachment includes a displacement unit for allowing a movement of the user's pelvis held by attachment elements transverse to and/or rotating about a perpendicular axis to the walking direction of the treadmill to provide a more natural and physiological gait during training. A weight suspension unit having a cable guided over a guide roller positioned above and attached to the pelvis attachment may include a displacement unit adapted to move the guide roller perpendicular to the diverted section of the cable to influence the transverse position of an upper body of the user as well as to prevent a pendulum effect of the trunk of his body.