A balance and/or gait perturbation system is disclosed herein. The balance and/or gait perturbation system includes a balance and/or gait perturbation device and a data processing device. The balance and/or gait perturbation device includes one or more displaceable components configured to be displaced at a plurality of different positions, and having one or more surfaces for receiving one or more respective limbs of the person; and one or more first actuators coupled to the one or more displaceable components to adjust the displacement position of the one or more displaceable components. The data processing device is configured to generate a stochastic signal for introducing a perturbation to the one or more displaceable components, and to control the displacement position of the one or more displaceable components using the stochastic signal such that the one or more displaceable components perturb a balance and/or gait of the person.

An apparatus and method of improving hand-eye coordination wherein the present invention includes a throw member that is operable to product a different return trajectory versus a projected trajectory when thrown against a vertical wall. The present invention includes a throw member that is configured to be utilized by a user. The throw member includes a body that is elliptical in shape so as to have circumferential radius that will produce a second trajectory that I s different from that of a first trajectory. The first trajectory occurs when the throw member is hurled at a vertical support surface. Furthermore, the second trajectory is the return trajectory. The method incorporates steps such as but limited to tracking the throw member during its travel on it projected directory and its return trajectory.

A method for adaptive user training and gaming utilizing a media player is disclosed. The method includes operations of receiving, by control logic, data pertaining to selection of a first training program, transmitting, by the control logic, media instructions to cause activation of a media player configured to display visual data corresponding to the first training program, and transmitting, by the control logic, ball-throwing instructions to cause activation of a ball-throwing machine configured to impart motion to one or more balls in accordance with the first training program. The method includes additional operations of recording, by the control logic, an indication of the first training program in a player profile. Additional operations includes recording, by the control logic, training data indicating metrics associated with performance of the first training program.

This invention provides sports ball having asymmetrical traction and/or asymmetrical surface structure. The asymmetrical traction is useful for differentially controlling ball spin and trajectory height as the ball is projected from a pitching machine. The asymmetrical surface structure is useful for differentially controlling the lateral component of the ball's trajectory. Optionally, the ball is a pitching machine ball. The method also provides a method of projecting the ball from a pitching machine.

The sports training system includes a first housing including a transmitter; a second housing including a receiver and a wireless communication module; a plurality of illuminating targets in communication with the wireless communication module; and a remote control in wireless communication with the transmitter, the receiver, and the plurality of illuminating targets. In operation, the transmitter projects a transmission and the receiver is positioned laterally away from the transmitter and receives the transmission. In response to an object passing between the transmitter and receiver, the receiver is blocked from receiving the transmission. In response to the receiver being blocked from receiving the transmission, a selected one of the targets illuminates. Input from the remote control controls operation of one of the transmitter, the receiver, or one of the plurality of illuminating targets.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

A punching bag training comprises a flexible housing adapted to be wrapped around a punching bag. The housing supports a strike pad array. Each strike pad in the array comprises a force sensor to detect strikes, together with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are positioned around the force sensor and that are lit when the user strikes the pad accurately (e.g., within a predetermined strike zone, and within a predetermined time). In addition, each strike pad has associated therewith an extension (or connecting) portion that couples the strike pad to the center portion. The connecting portion advantageously includes a set of LEDs that are selectively lit to telegraph a hit point to the user, namely, the strike pad associated with the connecting portion. The LEDs arranged on the connecting portion serve as a runway with the LEDs being lit progressively from the center portion and outward toward the strike pad to be hit next in a programmed hit sequence. As the user interacts with the system, speed, timing and accuracy preferably are measured to determine a score. The lighting elements are controlled using a controller unit that may be integral with the housing, attached thereto, or coupled to the housing wirelessly. The controller unit outputs one or more programmed hit sequences (i.e., to provide the control signals that activate the LEDs), and to detect and record electrical signals generated by the force sensors as the user strikes the pads.

An apparatus and method for physical therapy includes a base structure, a roller table positioned on the base structure including a plurality of free motion rollers, at least one motor and/or and at least one air compressor connected to the base structure, a plurality of powered rollers or a contact plate located within the base structure being in contact with the plurality of free motion rollers, at least one pneumatic block with a pneumatic piston connected to the at least one air compressor and being configured to raise and lower the power rollers and/or the contact plate, a load cell in communication with the apparatus being configured to measure and record a patient's response to the transition of the roller table and/or the contact plate, and a programmable logic controller.

An athletic game, or sport where a player interacts with ricocheting ping pong balls emitting from an apparatus, challenging the player's reaction speed, and dexterity. The apparatus is wall mounted at about eye-level, or higher, said apparatus containing one or more ball retaining, and dispensing apertures that are controlled by a programmed chip. The game is played by a player anticipating a series of balls, that have no predictable sequence, being dropped from any one of several orifices, seeing each ball drop, strike a shelf, then bounce upward, giving the player an attempt to catch, net, hit, or shoot at a time interval controlled series of balls, before any can reach the floor.

A flexible sporting apparatus includes an elongated and flexible body (2), which can be gripped, connected to the body of a person or connected to another identical or different apparatus, wherein the body (2) includes at least one flexible connection element (10, 11, 12) extending between a first end (3) and a second end (4) of the body (2), at least for a part of its length, a plurality of masses (20, 21, 22), distributed between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the body (2), joined integrally to the at least one connection element (10, 11, 12) so that their position, in the direction of the length of the body, is maintained substantially unchanged when the apparatus is moved or bent; and optionally a containment element (30) that surrounds the at least on connection element (10, 11, 12) and the masses (20, 21, 22).