DE102022131425A1 - Device for generating therapeutic and training physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system through vertical impulses - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system by means of vertical impulses, wherein the device (1) comprises a platform (10) which is set in a vertically directed movement by at least one drive (11) independently of the weight of the load to be moved of a person or an animal. The device (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the platform (10) is formed from several individual plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') which can be set in a vertically directed movement in an alternating manner and/or alternating crosswise and/or alternating pairwise via the at least one drive (11).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system by means of vertical impulses. Title according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Functional and physiological principles

In human sports physiology, the stretch-shortening cycle (short DSC; reactive force behavior, plyometric muscle activity) has now been well researched and described. It describes a combination of eccentric (yielding) and concentric (shortening) muscle work that follows one another directly, as is the case when the plantar flexors (ankle flexors) work when running, for example. The special feature of the work in the DSC is the potentiation of performance in the concentric phase of the movement. This is caused by the storage of energy in the connective tissue structures of the tendo-muscular system. This primarily affects the tendons at the origin and insertion of a muscle, and the strengthening of muscular activation via the monosynaptic stretch reflex triggered in the eccentric phase of the movement.

If one follows the research studies regarding the development and maintenance of the integrity of the connective tissue (van den Berg), then permanent movement (alternating tensile stress and relief) is essential for the function and health of the system.

If you bring these two functions together and combine them with the findings of sports physiology, various conclusions emerge.

This old principle of training theory describes the body's attempt to adapt to its current stress situations. If we assume that humans are still at the level of hunter-gatherers in terms of their musculoskeletal system, the amount of exercise needed to develop and maintain the stability of the musculoskeletal system can be measured in about 10 km (10,000 movement impulses) of walking per day, interrupted by rest periods, but also by periods of running and sprinting.

Any reduction in this need for movement leads to a lack of stimulation and thus to a negative adaptation (weakening) of the structures of the musculoskeletal system. If these structures are then fully loaded for a short period of time (lifting a load, sprinting to the tram, stumbling), structural destruction of the tissue occurs at the macro level (direct injury such as a slipped disc, torn muscle or tendon) or at the micro level (chronic, often inflammatory, structural changes or coordination disorders such as the loss of segmental stabilization).

State of the art

Mechanical vibrations are now used for muscle stimulation in human fitness training and in medical training therapy. Such devices for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli usually comprise a platform which is set into vibration by at least one drive, regardless of the weight of the load to be moved by a person or animal. The person or animal stands with their body weight on the vibrating platform. These mechanical stimuli send impulses to the active movement system of muscles, nerves and connective tissue, and the body reacts to this with direct activation. Various positive effects on the body are attributed to these mechanical stimuli; stimulation of the development of bone and connective tissue, stimulation of the neuromuscular system and muscle building.

Different products on the market try to do this in different ways. The non-specific vibrations are usually generated by an unbalanced motor, similar to a soil compactor in road construction. However, due to their small range of motion and undifferentiated direction of action, these impulses are more suitable for relaxation than for actually building up and strengthening the structures of the musculoskeletal system.

There is also a device known that generates these impulses through a rocking movement and the positive effect on the muscles and bone structures has been proven in scientific studies. It generates a side-alternating vibration by rocking a solid plate up and down alternately around a fixed horizontal (forward and backward) axis. The side-alternating vibration is useful for activating the muscles due to the biomechanical structure of the human leg axis. The ankle joint has a muscularly guided range of motion in pronation and supination (lateral tilting), which is stabilized by laterally located muscle groups. Thus, the stabilization of the human leg axes begins in the arch of the foot and the pronation and supination movement. Stu diene show that strengthening the muscles also indirectly strengthens the bone structure at the same time. However, the rocking movement has a decisive disadvantage in the movement cycle. The impulse does not go directly into the functional unit of muscle, tendon and joint in the correct axis. This significantly reduces the effect, especially on the development of the connective tissue. However, new findings from fascia research see this as the decisive component within the integrity of the functional chain.

It is different with animals, or rather horses. In comparison to humans, horses stand on the end joint of their middle finger or toe axis. The horse's hoof joint is saddle-shaped and can perform a certain passive balancing movement in the direction of sideways tilting, but there is no active muscular system to stabilize this movement. Thus, active functional stabilization of the leg axis only begins in the area of the shoulder or knee joint. In comparison to humans, dogs stand on their 5 fingers or toes and can also only develop the stability of their leg axes through the activity of their hip and shoulder joints. A rocking movement of the plate is therefore not useful for quadrupeds. The inventive claim is therefore a technical solution to generate the side-alternating stimulating impulses perpendicularly in the direction of the animal's leg axis.

The side-alternating rocking movement of a plate around a fixed axis is therefore sensible and effective in humans due to the specific mobility of the ankle joints and their muscular stabilization. The movement can be transmitted seamlessly into the body and up to the spine within the functional chains of the muscular stabilization of the leg axes. However, these plates and their effects are transferred one-to-one from humans to horses. The completely different biomechanical alignment of the animal in the quadrupedal position is ignored.

Normal everyday movement and stress in humans should normally generate sufficient impulses to maintain the stability of bone, tendon and joint structures as well as muscle function. However, these stimuli are tailored to the hunter-gatherers of early human history and no longer to modern humans in the industrial age. Lack of exercise also means a lack of mechanical stimuli to maintain the passive and active structures of the human body. Humans transfer this lack to the animals they domesticate. Horses naturally need to move for around 12 - 14 hours to eat and change pastures. Dogs, as a genetic variation of the wolf, also need the movement of a hunting herd animal. Due to this absolute lack of exercise, the lack of stress stimuli, the active and passive musculoskeletal system adapts and becomes weaker. (See adaptation processes, von den Berg, Physiology of Connective Tissue) Bones lose density, tendons lose springiness and joint cartilage loses elasticity.

Description of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and to create a device by means of which physiological impulses can be generated that stimulate the bodies of humans and animals (four-legged animals, horses, dogs, camels) to undergo physiological adaptation processes to strengthen the musculoskeletal system. The impulses should be designed in such a way that they act axially on the respective leg axis of humans and animals. The bodies of humans and animals should be able to react to the impulse with their own weight and be able to shift their own weight to the respective part of the plate by shifting their weight in order to vary the impulse strength in a self-controlled manner.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the device according to the invention are specified in the dependent subclaims.

The device according to the invention for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system by means of vertical impulses initially comprises a platform which is set in a vertically directed movement by at least one drive, independently of the weight of the load to be moved, a human or an animal.

According to the invention, the present invention is characterized in that the platform is formed from a plurality of individual plate elements which can be set in a vertically directed movement in an alternating manner and/or alternatingly crosswise and/or alternatingly in pairs via the at least one drive.

The frequency of the movement is preferably between 0-35 Hz.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amplitude, i.e. the vertical stroke, is adjustable between 2mm and 12mm.

Humans and animals generate their stabilization against gravity through a tense structure (tensegrity). If we follow the Berg theory (development of connective tissue), the static, permanent tensile load on tendon tissue is followed by a so-called creeping effect. Like permanently stretched rubber, the connective tissue loses elasticity and thus its elastic restoring forces within the movement sequence.

Compared to humans, horses stabilize themselves in a system with significantly different statics. On the one hand, the four-legged stance leads to a change in the transmission of force. While humans are vertically organized due to their upright posture and try to keep the forces of the torque against gravity as low as possible, the weight of the intestines within the musculoskeletal system acts permanently with a torque of around 1000 NM in relation to the connection to the limbs.

Since stabilization cannot be achieved through pure muscle activity, the animals have developed a so-called passive standing mechanism. The forces are organized by tense lines (cf. tensegrity). These tense lines generate a permanently high tension within the entire connective tissue parts of the functional chain muscle - tendon - fascia - joint.

The functional and physiological basis of the invention is a biomechanical model for horses (dogs, camels). This biomechanical concept uses the content of sports science in relation to the so-called stretch-shortening cycle (plyometrics), training theory and the latest findings from fascia research. It combines these elements in a meaningful way and relates them to the movement of the four-legged animals.

From a functional perspective, the basis of training a riding horse is a change in the coordination processes within the stabilization against gravity. Without training, the weight on the rider's back would only be an additional burden on the connective tissue system, since muscle activity is not designed to stabilize against gravity. The horse's trainer changes the horse's coordination structure by getting the horse to change its balance so that it begins to stabilize its torso against gravity using sensibly organized muscle chains. The training of the connective tissue is essential for this.

Therapeutic effects to strengthen the connective tissue, stimulate and accelerate the healing process of the connective tissue are just as possible as impulses to strengthen or relax the muscular parts of the functional chain within the leg axes and further into the trunk muscles of the horse.

In addition, the side-alternating vertical vibration is simultaneously synchronized between the forehand and the hindquarters in order to take the horse's rhythmic movement into account. This creates a completely new therapy and training device that corresponds to all the principles of the concept described in the biomechanical model.

Short description of the drawings

Further objects, features, advantages and possible applications of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

• 1 die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in perspektivischer Ansicht ohne Plattenelemente;
• 2 die Vorrichtung in perspektivischer Ansicht mit Plattenelementen;
• 3 bis 7 ein Hubelement der Vorrichtung in unterschiedlichen Ansichten;
• 8 eine weitere Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit einer aus mehreren Plattenelementen bestehenden neigbaren Plattform.

In the drawings show

• 1 the device according to the invention in perspective view without plate elements;
• 2 the device in perspective view with plate elements;
• 3 to 7 a lifting element of the device in different views;
• 8th a further embodiment of the invention with an inclinable platform consisting of several plate elements.

Implementation of the invention

As from 1 As can be seen, the platform 10 of the device 1 according to the invention preferably comprises four plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''', which can be set in a vertically directed movement in an alternating manner and/or alternatingly crosswise and/or alternatingly in pairs via the at least one drive 11.

Particularly preferably, each of the individual plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' is guided vertically on the device 1 in such a way that the plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' with their planes PE are always aligned substantially parallel to a substantially horizontal plate plane E.

Between at least two plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''', a web 13 can advantageously be provided which is aligned in the longitudinal direction L of the device 1 and projects upwards beyond the plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100''''.

In a further conceivable embodiment of the invention, it comprises four plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''', wherein two of the plate elements 100', 100'' and 100''', 100'''' are arranged and/or aligned in pairs substantially parallel.

The drive 11 can preferably comprise at least one drive motor 110 and at least one lifting element 111 assigned to each plate element 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''', wherein the lifting elements 111 are preferably driven in pairs via a belt 112 driven by the drive motor 110, a driven band or other flexible power transmission means.

A further preferred aspect of the invention provides that the lifting elements 111 comprise a bearing block 1110 for supporting an eccentrically mounted lifting part 1111, by means of which the lifting movement of a plate element 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' is triggered.

For this purpose, the device 1 can preferably comprise at least one tensioning member 113, by means of which the belt 112, the band or the other flexible force transmission means can be tensioned.

The plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' can be incorporated into a frame 101.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, positive guide elements 12 are provided for the linearly directed movement of the plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''', wherein it can be advantageous for the positive guide elements 12 to be surrounded by a spring 120 on which at least one plate element 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' rests and which is designed to compensate for the weight of the load acting on the plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100''''.

In a further embodiment of the invention - as shown in 8th can be seen - the platform 10 and/or individual plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' are designed to be tilt-adjustable, wherein it is particularly advantageous that the platform 10 and/or individual plate elements 100', 100'', 100''', 100'''' are angle-adjustable in the longitudinal direction L by rotation/tilting about an inclination axis provided transversely to the longitudinal direction L in relation to the longitudinal axis. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 1, the platform 10 is preferably raised at the front by means of a height-adjustable drive 14, wherein the platform 10 is received at its rear on the frame 101 in an articulated manner 15.

List of reference numbers

1

contraption

10

platform

11

drive

12

Forced guide elements

13

web

14

height-adjustable drive

15

Joint (joint axis/bearing unit)

100', 100'', 100''', 100''''

Panel elements

101

Frame

110

Drive motor

111

Lifting element

112

belt

113

Clamping device

120

Spring of the forced guide elements

1110

Bearing block

1111

Lifting part

E

horizontal plate plane

L

Longitudinal direction of the device

P.E.

Levels of the plate elements

Claims (13)

Device (1) for generating therapeutic and training-physiological stimuli for stabilizing the musculoskeletal system by means of vertical impulses, the device (1) comprising a platform (10) which is set in a vertically directed movement by at least one drive (11) independently of the weight of the load of a person or an animal to be moved, characterized in that the platform (10) is formed from a plurality of individual plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') which can be set in a vertically directed movement via the at least one drive (11) in an alternating, alternating manner and/or alternatingly crosswise and/or alternatingly in pairs, dependent on one another. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that each of the individual plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') is guided vertically on the device (1) in such a way that the plates elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') with their planes (PE) are always aligned substantially parallel to a substantially horizontal plate plane (E). Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that between at least two plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') there is provided at least one web (13) which is aligned in the longitudinal direction (L) of the device (1) and projects upwards beyond the plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100''''). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100''''), wherein two of the plate elements (100', 100'' and 100''', 100'''') are arranged and/or aligned in pairs substantially parallel. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (11) comprises at least one drive motor (110) and at least one lifting element (111) assigned to each plate element (100', 100'', 100''', 100''''), wherein the lifting elements (111) are each driven in pairs via a belt (112) driven by the drive motor (110), driven band or other flexible power transmission means. Device (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the lifting elements (111) comprise a bearing block (1110) for supporting an eccentrically mounted lifting part (1111), by means of which the lifting movement of a plate element (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') is triggered. Device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 5 or 6 , characterized in that it comprises at least one tensioning member (113) by means of which the belt (112), the band or the other flexible force transmission means can be tensioned. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') are introduced into a frame (101). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that positive guide elements (12) are provided for the linearly directed movement of the plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100''''). Device (1) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the positive guide elements (12) are surrounded by a spring (120) on which at least one plate element (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') rests and which is designed to compensate for the weight of the load acting on the plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100''''). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical stroke is adjustable between 2 mm and 12 mm. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (10) and/or individual plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') are designed to be adjustable in inclination. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (10) and/or individual plate elements (100', 100'', 100''', 100'''') are angularly adjustable in the longitudinal direction (L) by rotation/inclination about an inclination axis provided transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) in relation to the longitudinal axis.

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