Patent Application
20230074744
The present invention relates to mechanical and neuromuscular science. The presently claimed inventive concept relates to increasing a person's maximum running speed (sprint speed). The device allows a person to extend the knee and hip using concentric muscular contraction. The elastic bands return the pedal, as well as the knee and hip to the starting position (i.e., hip and knee flexion). No eccentric muscular contract is occurring during the action. This rapid return to the starting position allows the person to reinitiate hip and knee extension at a faster rate than is possible otherwise. Since this sequence of events is done at a faster rate of speed than is normally possible, the overspeed training effect is realized.
For many years, athletic trainers, coaches, physical educators, and exercise physiologist have studied ways to help men and women improve their maximum running speed (i.e., Sprint Speed). In principle, to improve sprint speed, a human can train in two different ways. One is resistance training and the other is referred to as overspeed training. Resistance training methodology includes, but is not limited to, lower body weight lifting, pushing/pulling a weighted sled, running up hill, running with a weighted vest, running with a parachute harnessed to the individual running. The science behind this type of training shows as the muscles used to run become stronger, a person becomes faster. Yet, research shows resistance training for sprint speed improvement is limited. Once an individual reaches his/her full muscular strength potential, maximum running speed ceases to improve. The second type of physical training, overspeed training, requires the human body to move faster than is normally possible. It is believed training using the overspeed method causes a neurological adaptation of the motor nerves in the working muscles to be modified such that the nerves fire faster and with greater strength. Specifically, it is believed overspeed training causes the motor nerve of the working muscle to fire faster, thus, improving sprint speed. Examples of overspeed training include harnessing an athlete to a bungee-cord, stretching the cord to maximum distance, then having the athlete run toward the post connected to the bungee-cord. Another method is to tie two athletes together with a rope, the faster athlete would run pulling the slower athlete faster than he/she can normally run. Presently, the best way to improve spring speed through the overspeed principle is downhill running at a downhill grade of between 3% to 7% decline. The problem with overspeed training is the current methods have technical and logistical problems, which limits the beneficial effects. Specifically, the bungee-cord method allows the athlete to run faster for a short distance, but the impact on maximum running speed is limited because the distance traveled is too short to create the desired effect. The limitations of one athlete pulling another is the faster athlete is not trained because there is no one faster than they are to create the desired effect. Running downhill is the most effective way of producing the overspeed training affect, but it requires having a space approximately 60 meters long and 30 meters wide. Not every school system, college, and/or professional team can construct such a space around their training facility. Furthermore, inclement weather would prevent athletes from using the downhill method. Because to date there has not been a device developed to accomplish safe and effective overspeed training, the proposed training device was created. The OverSpeed Trainer will serve to do what none of the other overspeed training methods can do. It can train any number of athletes in a safe and convenient indoor or outdoor space. It does not take up a lot of space to store. The beneficial results are proven in both high school and college athletes. These attributes are especially beneficial for team sports. A large number of athletes can train on one Overspeed Trainer in less time than any of the other overspeed training methods noted.
The OverSpeed Trainer machine adds an additional training methodology to improving maximum running speed in human subjects that is not currently a part of any training program.
Of the various types of over speed training methods in existence, the OverSpeed Trainer functions more efficiently and completely than any other means. Specifically:
The embodiment of the Overspeed Trainer is illustrated in
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.
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.
