Aquatic Exercise Apparatus and Method of Aquatic Exercising for Improving Mobility

Abstract

Proposed are an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for exercising aimed at improving mobility of a user by exercising in water. The apparatus consists of base support and a balance board, which is connected to the base support via a resilient body that allows tilting of the balance board in any direction and a mechanism that provides free rotation of the balance board. Exercising in water allow people with mobility deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain, and improving cardiovascular return.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for exercising therapy and, more particularly, to an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for Improving mobility of a user by exercising in water. More specifically, the apparatus and method of the invention are suitable for improving mobility, balance, and strengthening joints of a human body by executing exercises in water. The apparatus and method are especially useful for seniors who are more prone to falls.

Seniors struggle with a range of problems that can negatively affect their mobility, especially those associated with age-related conditions such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, osteoporosis, loss of vision, heart disease, shuffling gait, and in some cases, imbalances caused by prescribed medications, which can cause dizziness and weakness, in particular, when several of these factors combine. In older people, these conditions significantly increase a risk of losing balance and falling.

On the other hand, when a person exercises in water, hydrostatic pressure supports and stabilizes the person thus allowing people with mobility deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain, and improving cardiovascular return.

Elderly people are especially prone to low-extremity and ankle joint injuries. Therefore, balance training for fall protection will be very effective when exercises are associated with strengthening these joints.

At the same time, well-known balance training apparatuses and methods are focused for people of any age mainly on the use of ground-based exercise aids. Some examples of such devices are shown below.

Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 8,678,985 issued on Mar. 25, 2014 to E. Michael Mattox discloses a balance training and exercise device that contains a rigid, shallow disc adapted to accommodate a user's feet or knees. The disk has a curved, e.g. spherical lower surface so that a user can rock on the disk by moving forwards, backwards, or rotating. Arm strengthening means can also be used in combination with the disc.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,542 issued on Jul. 26, 1988 to Donald Hudec discloses a device and a method for concomitantly correlating cerebral, neural and muscular reflexes by rocking on a foot-supporting board having a fulcrum on a curve surface of a support. The central part of the rocking board is connected to the curvilinear support via a resilient member located in the fulcrum point of rocking motions.

There exist many other exercising devices and methods based on the principles described in the two preceding patents. However, not all these devices are suitable for use by handicapped, disable, and unfitted individuals, as they do not exclude an incidence of falling and getting injuries.

Known in the art are also apparatuses and methods for improving balance function of a person by exercising in water.

Chinese Utility Model No. 204034150 issued on Dec. 24, 2014 to Xuejun Cao, et al. discloses an in-water balance function-training instrument, which comprises a bottom board, a vertical rod, a transverse rod, floaters, and weights. The bottom board is a balance board with an arc bottom face and a flat top face. The vertical rod is vertically installed in the exactly center position of the front endface of the bottom board. The transverse rod is installed on the vertical rod and perpendicular to the vertical rod. The floaters and/or the weights of different weights are arranged in the two ends of the transverse rod respectively, so that an unbalanced load-bearing state of the two ends of the transverse rod is formed. In the training process, a person stands on the bottom board. Furthermore, the training instrument comprises a handrail and an angle scale, wherein the handrail used for being held by hand and the angle scale is used for indicating the degree of inclination of the instrument. According to the in-water balance function training instrument, due to the fact that the bottom face of the bottom board is of an arc shape, the instrument swings leftwards and rightwards just like a tumbler; the transverse rod is sleeved with the floaters and/or the weights, so that the unbalanced state is created, and the difficulty of balance training is increased. In conclusion, structural design is simple and operation is convenient.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,688 issued on Dec. 30, 2018 discloses a device useful for exercising in a swimming pool or other body of water, which allows a person to be supported in a substantially seated upright position in the body of water such that the neck, head and upper shoulders of the person remain out of the water, allowing the person to exercise the legs, arms and torso while neutrally buoyant. The device is constructed of a buoyant body that is contoured to be stable and recessed laterally to be comfortably straddled by a person exercising, and includes a smaller forward portion and a larger (in volume) rear portion, upon which the person is seated while in the water. The particular shape of the device is such that the center of buoyancy of the body is positioned to substantially be disposed forward of the vertical spine (near the center of gravity) of the user for balance and stability in the water. The user may thus sit upon the body and freely move his legs and arms for exercise in a seated, upright position. In an alternate embodiment, a water paddling device, which is engageable with the feet of the user, may be suspended vertically below the buoyant body for more stringent leg exercise and may be used for transportation about the body of water, or for creating a whirlpool effect around the body of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,056,220 issue on Nov. 10, 2011 to Erik Richards, et al. discloses several embodiment of an exercycle, which is suspended by floatation devices just below the surface of the water and requires the user to exercise both upper and lower body portions to work while maintaining balance in the water. The aquatic equilibrium cycle can be used for muscle toning, physical therapy or competition. Some embodiments employ a foot pedal having hinged wings, which produce an octopus-type propulsion to move the cycle in a forward direction. Some embodiments allow the adjustment of the magnitude of floatation force to accommodate the body size of the particular end user.

The aquatic exercise devices of the type described above are complicated in construction, expensive to manufacture, and mainly are not intended for strengthening low-extremity joints, i.e., ankle, knee, and hip joints in handicapped, injured, post-surgery people, as well as in seniors, etc. Keeping this in mind, there is a demand for developing safe, simple, and inexpensive devices and methods efficient in action, suitable for placing into water in any swimming pools or water basins and adapted to improve balance abilities in people of different health and body conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving mobility and balance ability, more particularly, to an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for Improving balance ability of a user by exercising in water. More specifically, the apparatus and method of the invention are suitable for improving balance ability in handicapped, post-operative, unfitted people and seniors by strengthening their hips, knees, and ankle joints for preventing falls and traumas by executing exercises in water.

The apparatus of the invention for improving balance ability is intended to be used in water, e.g., in a swimming pool, in any closed water-containing vessel, or in an open water basin, e.g., in a river, lake, or the like. The apparatus consists of two main easily connectable and disconnectable units, i.e., a balance board unit and a board support unit. The balance board is connected to the board support unit via a resilient or flexible member, one end of which is connected to the balance board, and the other end is rigidly attached to a tube slidingly installed in the board support unit. A vertical position of the tube, and hence of the balance board connected to the board via the resilient member, is adjustable and fixable relative to the board support unit. Such an adjustment makes it possible to install the balance board at different depths from the surface of the water depending on the height of the user and exercise requirements. In order to enhance flexibility of the resilient body it is made in the form of a body of revolution that has a concave outer surface and a crossovers diameter thinning from the edges of the body to the center.

It is recommended that the user be provided with a floating means that possesses buoyancy, e.g., with an appropriate wet west which does not interfere with the arm motions. Without such a vest, it will be difficult for the user to assume a standing position on the balance board. Furthermore, in order to place the apparatus into water and pull it out from water, the apparatus is provided with a flexible line, e.g., a rope connected to the base part of the device and at the other end, via an easily disconnectable lock, to the balance board in the area accessible to the user, so that when the exercise session is over, the user may give the end of the rope to a person on the land.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general view of the entire aquatic exercise apparatus of the invention with a balance board in a horizontal position, in which a user stays in a vertical position.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate positions of the user on the balance board tilted in different directions simultaneously with rotation.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate two modifications of a mechanism for connection of the balance board with a support base of the apparatus via a resilient member and rotary joint.

FIG. 6 is a view of a wet vest suitable for the method of the invention of the type that possesses buoyancy and do not interfere with exercising motions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned above, the present invention relates to an aquatic exercise apparatus and method for exercising therapy and, more particularly, to an aquatic apparatus and a method for Improving mobility of a user by exercising in water.

The invention will be further described in more detail with reference to specific examples illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a general view of the entire aquatic exercise apparatus of the invention (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus of the invention) with a balance board in a horizontal position in which a user stays in a vertical position, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show positions of the user on the balance board tilted in directions shown by arrows T1 and T2 simultaneously with rotation in the directions shown by arrows R1 and R2.

The apparatus of the invention, which in an assembled form is designated by reference numeral 20, consists of a balance board 22 having a face side 22a and a back side 22b, a balance board support device 24 for resting on an aquatic exercise apparatus support surface B, e.g., a bottom of a swimming pool into which the apparatus of the invention is immersed, and a resilient member 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that links the balance board 22 with the balance board support device 24. Connection between the balance board 22 and the balance-board support device 24 is carried out via a connection mechanism 28, which in FIG. 1 is shown as an encircled zone A and is embodied in two modifications 28A and 28B shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, respectively.

The resilient member 26 is a body of rotation, which is made from a resilient material, e.g., from a hard rubber, and has an outer surface in the form of a concave toroid 26a (FIG. 4) with a diameter gradually decreasing from edges toward a central part.

Prior to describing the connection mechanisms 28A and 28B in more detail, it worth mentioning other components which are essential for underwater use of the apparatus of the invention 20. One such a component is a flexible line 30 (FIG. 1) which may be, e.g., a rope, one end of which is connected to the balance-board support device 24 and the other end to the balance board 22. The rope 30 is needed for immersing the support device 24 into water, i.e., from the ground level to the bottom B of the swimming pool P as well as for taking the support 24 out from water. The rope 30 should be connected to the balance board 20 via an easily disconnectable lock 32 located on the balance board 22 in a position accessible to a user U.

For stability of the user on the balance board 22, the latter is provided with foot straps 34a and 34b attached to the front side 22 of the balance board.

The balance board support 24 has a structure that tapers upward from the aquatic exercise apparatus support surface B. The upper end of the balance board support 24 has a tubular extension 24a that extends upward. The tubular extension has a transverse hole 24b (FIG. 5).

Let us consider now the modification of the connection mechanism 28a shown in FIG. 4. This mechanism consists of a solid body 36 (FIG. 4), which is rigidly connected to the balance board 22 at one end and has an opening 36a. The solid body can be made, e.g., of a hard plastic material and may be connected to the resilient body, e.g., by a bolt 38 that passes through the resilient by 26 from the bottom of the opening 36a to the face side 22a of the balance board. For this purpose, a recess 22b is formed in the face side 22a of the balance board 22 and a recess 36b is formed in the bottom of the opening 36a. Provision of these recesses allows arranging the nut 38a, which is screwed onto the end of them bolt 38, and the head 36b of the bolt 36 in flush with the face side 22a of the balance board 22 and with the bottom of the opening 36a, respectively.

Another component of the connection mechanism 28a (FIG. 4) is an elongated member, e.g., a tube 40 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 4), which is slidingly and rotationally inserted into the opening 36a of the solid body 40. In other words, the entire assembly consisting of the balance board 22, resilient body 26, and the solid body 36 secured together with the bolt 38 may be slidingly inserted into the opening 36a of the solid body 36 and freely rotate on it.

The tube 40 has a number of holes, such as hole 40a shown in FIG. 4, and holes 40b and 40c (FIGS. 1 and 2). The connection mechanism 28 includes a lock pin 24e that is intended for securing the elongated member, i.e., the tube 40, in the tubular extension 24a of the balance-board support device 24. For securing the tube 40 in the tubular portion 24a, one of the holes 40a, 40b, 40c is aligned with the single hole 24b of the of the tubular extension 24a. By using the holes 40a, 40b, 40c arranged at different heights from the bottom surface B, it becomes possible to arrange the balance board 22 at different levels with respect to the level of water in the pool P or other water basin. Thus, it is possible to adjust the vertical position of the balance board 22 with reference to the height of the user and the load implied to the user during exercise.

The modification shown in FIG. 5 is similar to one shown and described in connection with FIG. 4, except that a spherical body 42 is attached to the upper end of the elongated member or tube 40. The spherical body 42 is inserted into the opening 36a (FIG. 5) of the solid body 36. The spherical body 42 can be rigidly attached to the elongated member 24a in a different manner. In the modification shown in FIG. 5, the tube 40a has a threaded portion 40d that extends upward from the tube 40a, and a spherical body 42, which is twisted onto the threaded portion. Provision of the spherical body facilitates rotation and tilting of the balance board in any direction.

An essential part of an exercising set associated with the use of the aquatic exercise apparatus of the invention is a wet vest V (FIG. 6) of the type that possesses buoyancy and does not interfere with exercising motions. An example of such a vest is a Wet Vest produced by Flag House Co., IL, USA. The vest V incorporates flotation panels sewn into a comfortable and snug fitting unit, which like a wet suit provides a thermal layer that insulates the user's body in the water. Without the use of the vest that possesses buoyancy, it would be difficult for the user to climb the balance board and to assume a vertical position on it. In addition, the vest protects the user from injuries in case of falling, even though injury with falling into water from the balance board, which is immersed into water to a certain depth is unlikely.

The invention was described with reference to specific drawings. It is understood that the description and images on the drawings are given only as examples, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention application. Therefore, any changes and modifications are possible provided, that they do not depart from the scope of the attached claims. For example, all elements of the apparatus of the invention can be molded from a plastic material. Alternatively, the support base can be made from metal. The apparatus can be use not necessarily in water but on the land. The user may exercise with a wet vest or without it. The elongated member may be comprise of a solid rod instead of a tube. The resilient body may have a simple cylindrical or any other shape. A flexible line may be comprised of a thin metal chain. The balance board may be free of the foot straps if a user wears rubber slippers with a friction sole. The resilient body may be comprised of a spring or a set of springs.

Claims

1. An aquatic exercise apparatus for improving mobility of a user's body comprising: a balance board having a face side, and a back side;a balance board support device for resting on an aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, the balance board support device comprising: a base portion for resting on the aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, an elongated member slidingly installed in the base portion with possibility of fixation in a selected vertical position relative to the base portion, and a resilient member that links the elongated member with the balance board via a connection mechanism that removably and rotationally connects the elongated member with the resilient member.

2. The aquatic exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member comprises a tubular member that has an upper end, which protrudes upward from the base portion, the connection mechanism comprises a solid body that is rigidly connected to the balance board at one end and has an opening at an end opposite to said one end, the upper end of the tubular member beings slidingly inserted into the opening of the solid body and thus rotatingly and removably supports the resilient member together with the balance board on the base portion.

3. The aquatic exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resilient member is a body of rotation, which is made from a resilient material and has an outer surface in the form of a concave toroid with a diameter gradually decreasing from edges toward a central part.

4. The aquatic exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the resilient material is a hard rubber.

5. The aquatic exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid body has a cup-shaped configuration and is made from a plastic material.

6. The aquatic exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the face side of the balance board has foot straps.

7. The aquatic exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the face side of the balance board has foot straps.

8. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further provided with a flexible line having one end and an end opposite to the one end, the one end being connected to the base portion of the board support device and the end opposite to the one end being connected to the balance board via an easily disconnectable lock located on the balance board in a position easily accessible to a user.

9. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 2, further provided with a flexible line having one end and an end opposite to the one end, the one end being connected to the base portion of the board support device and the end opposite to the one end being connected to the balance board via an easily disconnectable lock located on the balance board in a position easily accessible to a user.

10. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 3, further provided with a flexible line having one end and an end opposite to the one end, the one end being connected to the base portion of the board support device and the end opposite to the one end being connected to the balance board via an easily disconnectable lock located on the balance board in a position easily accessible to a user.

11. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 5, further provided with a flexible line having one end and an end opposite to the one end, the one end being connected to the base portion of the board support device and the end opposite to the one end being connected to the balance board via an easily disconnectable lock located on the balance board in a position easily accessible to a user.

12. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base portion has a tubular extension formed on an upper end of the base portion, the tubular extension having a first transverse hole, the elongated member having a plurality of second transverse holes, the apparatus being further provided with a lock pin that locks the elongated member in the tubular extension of the base portion by passing through the first transverse hole and a second transverse hole selected from the plurality of second transverse holes, when the first transverse hole and the second transverse hole are aligned.

13. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the base portion has a tubular extension formed on an upper end of the base portion, the tubular extension having a first transverse hole, the elongated member having a plurality of second transverse holes, the apparatus being further provided with a lock pin that locks the elongated member in the tubular extension of the base portion by passing through the first transverse hole and a second transverse hole selected from the plurality of second transverse holes, when the first transverse hole and the second transverse hole are aligned.

14. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base portion has a tubular extension formed on an upper end of the base portion, the tubular extension having a first transverse hole, the elongated member having a plurality of second transverse holes, the apparatus being further provided with a lock pin that locks the elongated member in the tubular extension of the base portion by passing through the first transverse hole and a second transverse hole selected from the plurality of second transverse holes, when the first transverse hole and the second transverse hole are aligned.

15. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the base portion has a tubular extension formed on an upper end of the base portion, the tubular extension having a first transverse hole, the elongated member having a plurality of second transverse holes, the apparatus being further provided with a lock pin that locks the elongated member in the tubular extension of the base portion by passing through the first transverse hole and a second transverse hole selected from the plurality of second transverse holes, when the first transverse hole and the second transverse hole are aligned.

16. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the base portion comprises a structure that tapers upward from the aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, and the upper end of the tubular member, which is slidingly inserted into the opening of the solid body, rigidly supports a spherical body that facilitates rotation and tilting of the balance board in any direction.

17. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises a structure that tapers upward from the aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, the upper end of the tubular member, which is slidingly inserted into the opening of the solid body, rigidly supports a spherical body that facilitates rotation and tilting of the balance board in any direction.

18. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the base portion comprises a structure that tapers upward from the aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, the upper end of the tubular member, which is slidingly inserted into the opening of the solid body, rigidly supports a spherical body that facilitates rotation and tilting of the balance board in any direction.

19. The aquatic exercise apparatus according to claim 18, further provided with buoyancy-possessing wet vest which is needed to make it easier for the user to take a vertical position on the balance board.

20. A method of aquatic exercising for improving balance ability of a user comprising: providing and apparatus comprising: a balance board having a face side, and a back side; a balance board support device for resting on an aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, the balance board support device comprising: a base portion for resting on the aquatic exercise apparatus support surface, an elongated member slidingly installed in the base portion with possibility of fixation in a selected vertical position relative to the base portion, and a resilient member that links the elongated member with the balance board via a connection mechanism that removably and rotationally connects the elongated member with the resilient member;immersing the apparatus into water to a selected depth;taking a vertical position on the balance board while being immersed in water to a depth that is selected by fixing the elongated member in the base portion in said selected vertical position; andimproving body mobility by performing appropriate rotary, gyratory and tilting motions, possible due to a provision of the resilient member, while staying on the balance board in water.