Overspeed Trainer to Improve Maximal Running Speed in Human Subjects

Abstract

Disclosed is a machine that functions by a human subject standing on a stationary base with one foot on the base and the other foot on a pedal. The foot on the pedal is positioned such that the hip and knee joints are in the flexed position. On command, the human subject will force the flexed hip and knee joints to full extension. The full extension is followed by relaxation of the engaged muscles allowing the elastic bands to force the hip and knee joints back to the flex position (or starting position). This action is repeated for as many times as is possible within a given period of time. Upright bars (support structure) allow the individual to stabilize themselves during the action. Adjustments can be made to the pedal height of the machine in order to allow proper training for human subjects who differ in height.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising: a. a support structure; b. one or more pedals pivotally attached to said support structure; and c. a means of resisting a pivoting force applied to said pedal by the leg of a human being in one direction and providing a force returning said pedal in the other direction when said pivoting force is removed; whereby said leg of a human being can repeatably force said pedal in one direction faster than said leg of a human being can move when running which improves the maximum running speed of said human being.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is an elastic material attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

3. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a spring attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a pneumatic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

5. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a hydraulic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

6. The machine of claim 1 wherein said support structure has a base resting on the ground and a frame for said human being to hold onto.

7. A method of exercise that improves the maximum running speed of a human being, comprising: a. providing a support structure; b. providing a means of resisting a pivoting force applied to said pedal by the leg of a human being in one direction and providing a force returning said pedal in the other direction when said pivoting force is removed; whereby said leg of a human being can repeatably force said pedal in one direction faster than said leg of a human being can move when running which improves the maximum running speed of said human being.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is an elastic material attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

9. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a spring attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

10. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a pneumatic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

11. The machine of claim 7 wherein said means of resisting a pivotal force is a hydraulic actuator attached to said pedal at one end and attached to said support structure at the other end.

12. The machine of claim 7 wherein said support structure has a base resting on the ground and a frame for said human being to hold onto.

Description

DRAWING—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0016] 10 support structure [0017] 12 pedal [0018] 14 a means of resisting force applied by the leg of a human being [0019] 16 elastic material [0020] 18 base [0021] 20 vertical support columns [0022] 22 hinge [0023] 24 wheels [0024] 26 holes in the vertical support columns [0025] 28 post to support weight plates

Detailed Description—FIG. 1

[0026] The embodiment of the Overspeed Trainer is illustrated in FIG. 1. The major components of the trainer are a support structure 10, one or more pedals 12 pivotally attached to support structure 10, and a means of resisting a pivoting force applied to said pedal by the leg of a human being 14 such as an elastic material 16. Support structure 10 consists of base 18 with substantially vertical support columns 20 that a human being can hold for support. Pedal 12 is pivotally attached to base 18 such that a human being can force it down with a foot while pedal 12 remains attached to base 18. One means of a pivot attachment is a hinge 22. One means of resisting the pivotal force of a human leg is provided by an elastic material 16 attached to the support structure 10 and pedal 12. Other means of resistance are springs, electric actuators, pneumatic actuators, and hydraulic actuators. When force is removed from pedal 12, elastic material 16 forces pedal 12 to rotate about hinge 22 and return to its original position. Wheels 24 can be attached to support structure 10 to allow easy movement of the trainer. Holes 26 in the vertical support column 20 permit height adjustment of pedal 12. Small posts 28 can be fixed to base 18 for adding weight plates for increased stability.

Operation—FIG. 1

[0027] The leg of a human provides downward force on pedal 10 forcing pedal 10 to pivot about hinge 22 and overcome resistance from elastic material 16. When the human releases the downward force, elastic material 16 forces pedal 10 to rotate about hinge 22 in the opposite direction and return to its original position. This repeated adding and removing of leg force to pedal 12 is similar to the motion of running but can be faster which improves the maximum running speed of said human being.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0028] The OverSpeed Trainer device is unlike any other method of overspeed training that currently exists. It is compact; easy to use; a large number of athletes can be trained in a relatively short period of time; and it is effective in improving the maximum running speed (i.e., sprint speed) of any human subject that trains using the device. In addition to the improvements in maximum running speed, the device is helpful for rehabilitative purposes. These include hip and/or knee replacement, strains and/or sprains to the hip and/or knee joints. The scope for the future is to continue to develop the principle behind the current form of the OverSpeed Trainer device.