Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements has a main-frame with a seat and upwardly extending columns at either side to support a “U” shaped sub-frame, mounted so that it pivots about a horizontal axis passing very nearly through the ankles of a seated user and interconnecting linkages simultaneously enforcing ankle inversion, with plantarflexion and then ankle eversion, with dorsiflexion, about perpendicularly intersecting axes, while resisting such movements, so as to provide bidirectional ankle exercises according to a progressive resistance program, thus strengthening the ankle muscle groups for enhanced balance and dynamic stability.

An exercise apparatus includes a base and a floor interface configured to facilitate movement of the exercise apparatus relative to the floor. The apparatus includes various configurations allowing for numerous different exercises and therapies to be performed by a user.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods for providing extension and flexion assistance. A device manipulates a foot of a user, thereby providing extension or flexion assistance to an ankle of the user, and includes a footplate positioned at a pre-determined distance from the user and adapted to pivot about an axis defined by the ankle as the foot extends or flexes about the ankle; and a force application system comprising a force applicator connected to the footplate, and a force application mechanism, wherein the force application mechanism is configured to apply a force to the force applicator, thereby providing the extension or flexion assistance to the foot about the ankle.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods for providing extension and flexion assistance. A device manipulates a foot of a user, thereby providing extension or flexion assistance to an ankle of the user, and includes a footplate positioned at a pre-determined distance from the user and adapted to pivot about an axis defined by the ankle as the foot extends or flexes about the ankle; and a force application system comprising a force applicator connected to the footplate, and a force application mechanism, wherein the force application mechanism is configured to apply a force to the force applicator, thereby providing the extension or flexion assistance to the foot about the ankle.

An apparatus includes a brace assembly and a force-application assembly. The brace assembly includes a muscle-origin portion configured to connect proximate to a muscle origin of a muscle. The brace assembly also includes a muscle-insertion portion configured to connect proximate to a muscle insertion of the muscle. The force-application assembly is configured to connect to the muscle-origin portion and the muscle-insertion portion. The force-application assembly is also configured to extend between the muscle-origin portion and the muscle-insertion portion once coupled to do just so.

An activity is provided for promoting the development of one or more of foot strength, motor skills, balance, and sensory awareness. In one example, an activity mat comprises a body portion comprising a foam, the body portion having a first density, and one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features has a second density, the second density different than the first density. Each of the one or more surface features may be either raised or recessed relative to the top surface of the activity mat providing an uneven surface with variable density.

An activity is provided for promoting the development of one or more of foot strength, motor skills, balance, and sensory awareness. In one example, an activity mat comprises a body portion comprising a foam, the body portion having a first density, and one or more surface features included on a top surface of the body portion, wherein at least one of the one or more surface features has a second density, the second density different than the first density. Each of the one or more surface features may be either raised or recessed relative to the top surface of the activity mat providing an uneven surface with variable density.

The embodiments herein provide a portable hamstring stretcher for stretching hamstring muscles and inner thigh muscles. The portable hamstring stretcher comprises a primary board, a secondary board (leg pieces), a plurality of hinges, a chain, a plurality of ratchet straps, a ratchet, a plurality of hinges, and a plurality of adjustable straps. A user lies down on the primary board and wraps his legs using the adjustable straps on the secondary board to exercise the hamstring muscles.

A training guidance instrument 200 includes a pressor part 2091, a heel placing part 2092A, and a control unit including rotary members 210 and 214, support members 211 and 215, rotary parts 202A and 202B, support members 212 and 216, and telescopic members 219 and 220. The control unit is configured to move the heel placing part 2092A toward the ground in response to application of a force Pw2 toward the ground which is stronger than upward force applied on the heel placing part 2092A when the heel placing part 2092A is positioned above and away from the ground and move the heel placing part 2092A upward in response to application of weaker force toward the ground than the force Pw2 on the heel placing part 2092A, while the second joint and third joints of the toes of the trainee are pressed by the pressor part 2091 and the heel is placed on the heel placing part 2092A.

A training guidance instrument 200 includes a pressor part 2091, a heel placing part 2092A, and a control unit including rotary members 210 and 214, support members 211 and 215, rotary parts 202A and 202B, support members 212 and 216, and telescopic members 219 and 220. The control unit is configured to move the heel placing part 2092A toward the ground in response to application of a force Pw2 toward the ground which is stronger than upward force applied on the heel placing part 2092A when the heel placing part 2092A is positioned above and away from the ground and move the heel placing part 2092A upward in response to application of weaker force toward the ground than the force Pw2 on the heel placing part 2092A, while the second joint and third joints of the toes of the trainee are pressed by the pressor part 2091 and the heel is placed on the heel placing part 2092A.