The invention determines an efficiency value (E) denoting preferably the relative period of muscle fibre activity during a recorded period of exercise, and a strength value (S) representing the number of muscle fibres recruited during a movement as part of the exercise or of a muscle contraction, and a temporal value (T) representing the frequency with which muscle fibres are activated repeatedly during exercise, and finally combines the efficiency value (E), the strength value (S) and the temporal value (T) by a linear combination to obtain an index value (ESTi) indicative of the fitness level of the individual. The obtained ESTi Score is useful for assessing the training level of an animal or human individual and the individual's potential for different types of sports and other activity. Also the effect of past training or diet can be assessed, and the possible need for changes in training or diet can be assessed.

A soft-inflatable exosuit for knee rehabilitation is fabricated in two different beam-like structures (I and O cross-section actuators) and mechanically characterized for their torque performance in knee-extension assistance. The fabrication procedure of both types of actuators is presented as well as their integration into a light-weight, low-cost and body-conforming interface. To detect the activation duration of the device during the gait cycle, a soft-silicone insole with embedded force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) is used. In evaluation studies, the soft inflatable exosuit device is tested for its ability to reduce muscle activity during the swing phase of the knee. Using sEMG (surface electromyography) sensors, the rectus femoris muscle group of a healthy individual is recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed, with and without the soft device.

There is described an integrated unweighted gait training system having an unweighting system comprising a computer controller; a gait measurement system in communication with the controller; and a display in communication with the computer controller adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the integrated unweighting gait training system. The unweighting system may be a differential air pressure (DAP) unweighting system or a non-DAP unweighting system.

An Internet of Thing (IoT) device includes a body with a processor, a camera and a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor.

Systems and methods for evaluating the performance of an athlete using a strain gauge is described. In some embodiments, the measurement system comprises a strain gauge and a central processing device. The strain gauge can include a power source, an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) comprising a load cell, a microcontroller, and a wireless communication module. The strain gauge can be configured to output strain data at a rate of at least 1kHz and the central processing device can be configured to receive the strain data transmitted from the wireless communication module.

In one aspect, an active exercise chair comprising seat support, wherein the seat support is rigidly affixed to a top section of a shaft of the gas spring; a seat, wherein the seat is connected to the seat support; a seatback support, wherein the seatback support is pivotably connected to the seat support about a discrete pivot point; a seatback carriage, wherein the seatback carriage is slidably connected to the seatback support, wherein the seatback carriage is connected to a seatback, and wherein the seatback traverses a translational path defined by the geometry of the seatback carriage and the seatback support.

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 Kegel muscle exercising apparatus includes various exercise programs that adaptively change depending on a user's exercise performance. This apparatus includes an insertable device for inserting into the body of a user, computer program code that contains exercise programs that specify operation of a stimulation mechanism by a controller, a stimulation mechanism that directs a user to contract her Kegel muscles according to an exercise program, a sensor that measures Kegel muscle contraction activity, and a controller that receives feedback from the sensor. This feedback comprises the results of an exercise program, and depending on the results, the apparatus can determine a different exercise program appropriate for the user. Following the different exercise programs allows a user to improve her Kegel muscle strength.

An apparatus for testing and exercising pelvic floor musculature, the apparatus comprising an elongate housing adapted for a pelvic floor aperture. The housing accommodates an oscillator and an accelerometer connected to a signal processor configured for communicating signals representative of values read from the accelerometer. A result is calculated from an applied oscillation and a response measured, and used for characterizing the musculature. In one embodiment the frequency resulting in the greatest response from the musculature is measured, and this frequency is applied during exercise.

A method for identifying and correcting muscular and skeletal disbalances through exercise includes recording, by a processor, using at least one sensor coupled to the processor, an exercise motion performed by a user, identifying, by the processor, a motion deficiency of the user based on the detected exercise motion, formulating, by the processor, a corrective motion based on the detected motion deficiency, and providing, by the processor, the corrective motion to the user, which also includes identifying motion deficiencies as far as range of motion, balance, symmetry, smoothness, strength, stamina and other motion characteristics, formulating corrective exercise program that involves multiple training machines, formulating exercises in terms of number of repetitions, cadence (frequency) or motion, range of motion, added resistance levels, communicating the corrective exercise program via the screen embedded on each machine, and guiding the user through each exercise, directing user to change exercise machines.