EP0030512A2 - Abdominal and thoracical musculation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Abdominal and thoracic musculation device, with handles connected by a link in elastic material to a component held by another part of the body of the user of the device, characterized in that the handles, or equivalents, form part of a single rigid gripping component (2, 10, 69, 77) capable of being moved in a straight line or pivoting towards or away from a contact piece (3, 11, 28, 67, 72, 84) constituting the component held by a part of the body of the user and formed by a surface containing a cavity or cavities in contact with at least one knee of the user, the elastic material link connecting the two components ensuring that the said components are held in close proximity to each other and being provided with elastic means (4, 12, 70, 74) in such a way that any force F1 applied by the hands of the user to the handles is opposed by the opposite force F2 applied by the knee or knees of the user against which the contact component (3, 11, 28, 67, 72, 84) is resting, with the abdominal and thoracic muscles thus working as a result of isometric contractions.

Description

The present invention relates to an abdominal and thoracic bodybuilding apparatus.

The invention relates to the technical sector of corrective gymnastics, means of bodybuilding for sports purposes, means of aesthetic correction.

It is often difficult to improve the hold of the abdominal strap or to strengthen it in an intense way and in a short position, using traditional gymnastics (work of the lower limbs, scissors, pedaling, etc ..., work in flexion : legs on bust or bust on legs), especially if the user suffers from the back (low back pain, low back pain, sciatica).

We can, for example, illustrate the prior art with French Patent 318,958 SANDOW, having as its object a weight training machine. The latter includes a belt connected to handles by means of elastic cords passing over pulleys fixed to a wall. In a lying position, the user, after having passed the belt in the hollow of the two adjoining legs, tries to unfold his legs towards the ground, against a reaction force resulting from the positioning of the arms in horizontal support On the ground.

The principle of the apparatus according to the Request, is different, and based on the isometric contraction in short position of the whole of the abdominal muscles. Isometric contraction does requires no kinetic displacement of the muscle. It consists in taking a position in relation to a given resistance, and in holding it. An isometric contraction that lasts five to ten seconds, uses four times more motor units than in a simple movement. Strength training will therefore be four times more intense, four times more toned and four times faster. It is therefore possible to remake an abdominal strap using its own physiological possibilities thanks to the flexibility of adaptation of the method, without other indications since the user will be able to analyze permanently, his muscular work and control its duration, power and progression.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the abdominal and thoracic body-building apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a pressure piece applying bearing against the knees of the user, and a grip and pushing piece ; a material link between the aforementioned parts authorizing the transmission of the forces F1, F2, of reaction and of feedback applied respectively to each of the parts, so that the user puts his abdominal muscles to work and thoracic, by isometric contractions in the short position, by exerting on the pushing part, a force F1 which it must balance by an opposite force F2 and applied by the knees against the pressure piece.

According to another characteristic, the gripping and pushing piece is mounted with a freedom of angular positioning relative to the axis of the body of the device, making it possible to combine the effects of musculation, on the one hand in an axial direction ' thrust and counter thrust, and secondly by a work of torsion, as a result of the positioning of the gripping part whose amplitude can be controlled.

The apparatus as will be described later, is used in the following manner: the user is lying on his back, his thighs being arranged in a plane at 90 degrees substantially, with respect to the plane of the ground, the knees being flexed. He knows sit the device by its handles by placing the pressure piece against the joined knees, arms outstretched. He pushes with his hands, extending his arms, while keeping the thighs vertical. These should not move, while counterbalancing the force developed by the arms. This pressure must be regular and constant. The abdominal work is performed in the perfect position, with in particular a lumbar spine aligned in a correction of physiological lordosis. Thus, the vertebral hinge is not subject to the shears and settlements which are always caused by the classic reeducation mentioned in the preamble to the Request. The work of the abdominals must be accompanied as much as possible, by wide and full respiratory movements, by tucking in the belly at each exhalation. One of the ways to control exercise is to precisely count the respiratory cycles performed during exercise.

As a variant of use, the subject can use the device in a sitting position, on a chair for example.

In another variant of use, the subject can lean against a wall, the support on the ground with legs stretched out, being in front with respect to the reference plane of the back.

It is observed that this process also works the muscles of the arms and thorax, including the diaphragm, which are subjected to the same isometric contraction.

This device allows progression in difficulty and efficiency. One can, for example, according to an exercise, raise the head by looking at the knees or the device, holding it thus, which creates an elective reinforcement of the upper part of the abdominals. We can also raise the tips of the feet, without lengthening the legs, maintaining it, which causes an elective strengthening of the lower part of the abdominals. These movements strengthen the muscular corset and refine the size.

The advantages obtained thanks to this device consist on the one hand in its simple realization, and on the other hand in the multiple possibilities which it offers, each user being able to remake personally and under his own control, an abdominal strap in very superior conditions to those known from the prior art.

The invention is set out below in more detail, with the aid of the drawings.

• Figure 1 shows a user seen in profile, in position) exercise, holding a device against his knees.
• FIG. 2 represents a user seen in profile, in the exercise position, holding a simple stick or pressure piece against his knees.
• FIG. 3 represents a user seen in profile, in the exercise position, holding a simple stick or pressure piece in the hollow hollow of the two adjoining legs; the forces brought into contact always acting in the same direction as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, and for the same purpose.
• FIG. 4 represents a stick or piece of pressure, held at its ends by the user, according to the poses illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• Figures 5 to 12 show schematic views of alternative embodiments of the apparatus, comprising the main means of the invention, in particular a gripping and pushing piece, a pressing piece, a material connection between the aforementioned pieces, allowing the transmission from one to the other of the reaction and feedback forces against an elastic means.
• Figures 13 to 18 show schematic views of the device comprising a gripping and pushing piece, a pressing piece and alternative embodiments of the aforementioned hardware connection.
• Figures 19, 20, 21 show schematic views of the apparatus comprising a gripping and pushing piece, a pressing piece, the forces exerted on one and the other piece using compression of a fluid.
• Figures 22, 23 and 24 illustrate in detail, the device shown schematically in Figure 5, in plan views, in elevation and in profile, the device comprising identical main means and three successive variants of a means of determination of the effort to be made and its control.
• ) Figures 25 to 34 define a variant of the device with all its components illustrated separately.
• Figure 35 illustrates a control unit used with the device.
• Figures 36, 37 and 38 illustrate a device associated with a respiratory mask in connection with the device.
• FIG. 39 is a front view illustrating an apparatus according to the invention, the gripping and pushing part of which is a flywheel.
• Figure 40 is a bottom view according to Figure 39.
• Figure 41 is an alternative embodiment in which the gripping and pushing part can be subjected to angular rotation relative to its axis of articulation.
• Figure 42 is a side view with a partial section illustrating the positioning of an index.
• Figure 43 is a bottom view of the apparatus according to Figure 42; the dashed lines illustrating the positioning of the gripping and pushing part.
• FIG. 44 is a front view illustrating an apparatus according to the invention, the gripping and pushing part of which comprises in particular an elastic capacity blade.
• Figure 45 is a bottom view according to Figure 44.
• FIG. 46 is a front view illustrating an apparatus according to the invention, the gripping and pushing part of which is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 44.
• Figure 47 is a bottom view according to Figure 46.
• Figure 48 is a front view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the pressure piece.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a user seen in profile, in the exercise position, holding a device against his knees. This device comprises a body (1) on which slides a pusher (5) integral with handles (2) arranged on either side of a pressure piece (3) pressed against the knees. By exerting the force (F1) on the handles, the pusher (5) compresses an elastic means such as a spring (4), against the part (3 _' ). The user must develop a force (F2) with his knees to balance the force (F1). This force (F2) is produced by the action of the aforementioned muscles. An index (6) connected to the pusher (5) moves along a graduation (7) visible to the user, who thus controls his effort. A cursor pushed by the index specifies the maximum effort made during the exercise. This slider can be set at the start of the session to the position corresponding to the maximum effort to be achieved. A contact integrated in the cursor, allows to activate a signal when the effort is reached and maintained. Other contacts, or even rheostats, can be placed on the path of the index and the cursor, to view or record remotely the decisive indications for the good progress of the treatment. The various aforementioned provisions allow the subject to self-emulate, which facilitates the efforts necessary for the successful completion of the draft is lying.

Many alternative embodiments of the apparatus can be envisaged for performing such an exercise; these variants being illustrated and described below.

Figure 2 shows schematically the use of a simple stick illustrated as a whole in Figure 4; FIG. 3 shows, the stick playing the role of the pressure piece, housed in the hollow hollow of the two adjoining legs; the forces brought into contact are always exerted in the same direction as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

This stick can be decorated with handles of all kinds, its central part constituting the pressure piece against the knees, can be flattened, hollowed out and / or sheathed, or worked in any other way, allowing the thrust to be distributed in order to avoid pain or bruising.

Figures 5 to 12 show variants of the device each comprising the main means of the invention, namely: the central body (1) composed of parts sliding against each other, the action part and its handles (2), the pressure piece (3) against the knees, the springs (4) transmitting the force exerted on the pieces (2) and (3). The spring function makes it possible to measure the amount of force developed as a result of the deformation of the spring.

Figures 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 show the use of compression springs and Figures 8, 11 and 12 of the tension springs.

Figures 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 show the use of spiral springs made of suitable materials; Figure 7 shows schematically the use of compression in a vacuum, of all materials, making spring effect; Figures 11 and 12 are differentiated by the reciprocal position of the sliding parts of the body of the device.

Figures 13 to 18 show mounting arrangements not comprising no central body comparable to the previous ones, it recognizes the handles (2), the pressure piece (3); FIG. 13 indicates an arrangement where the force applied to the handle (2) is transmitted to the pressure piece (3) by means of a spring (4) acting in torsion; Figure 14 shows a simplified variant of Figure 13; 15 shows a variant of Figure 14, an elastic mass such as rubber, is substituted for the torsion spring. Figure 16 is comparable to Figure 13, but the spring effect is obtained by the use of rods, spring steel or any other comparable material, working both in bending and in torsion. Figure 17 follows from Figure 16, the torsion effect being replaced by the bending effect of two half-loops. In FIG. 18, a single piece performs the functions of pushing piece and pressing piece, and consists of a sheet of elastic material folded back on itself to work in bending, and shaped in such a way that has handles (2) and the push piece (3) curved in the support area against the knees.

To facilitate understanding of the drawings, only FIGS. 14 and 18 illustrate the index and the cursor represented by a graduated rod (7) secured to the part (3); a cursor (8) is visible in FIG. 14.

Figures 19, 20, 21 show an apparatus using compression of a fluid; it consists of a skin interposed between the knees and the hands. The conformation of this addition can present two protrusions in the form of domes, placed side by side, on which the user pushes with his hands; it can in particular be provided with a pair of handles, as indicated in the figures. The control of the force can be done using any means allowing to measure the pressure of the fluid, manometer, bellows as figured, etc ...

Figures 22, 23, 24, detail the apparatus according to plan views, elevation and profile. Each of these figures, however, presents a particular embodiment of the index and the cursor. The body (9) of the device consists of a tube whose section has the shape of an omega, defining a longitudinal slit over its entire length; the parts (10) (11) (12) (13) correspond to the aforementioned parts (2) (3) (4) and (5). In FIG. 22, the graduated cursor (14) is pushed by a boss provided in the ring (13) secured to the handles, and moves in the tube passing under the index finger (15) which makes it possible to identify its position, and consequently, the deformation of the spring (12), therefore the effort of the practitioner. Said boss can only advance the cursor, it cannot make it move back. Thus, the cursor parks in the position of maximum effort reached. A lug (16) integral with the cursor, exceeds the surface of the body (9), which allows the user to move the cursor either to bring it back to the zero position, or to position it at the point of maximum effort that it should reach during the fiscal year. The cursor incidentally contains a device which reacts to the thrust of the above-mentioned boss, and gives a signal to the user. This device can be audible or optical, with mechanical or electrical control. It can for example consist of a buzzer or an electric indicator accompanied by a battery whose circuit closes under the pressure of the boss. Figure 22, a battery and a bulb are housed in the cursor itself, the light being directed through the transparent cap (17), towards the user. Figure 23, the graduation (18) is fixed, vertical, to obtain better visibility. The index (19) is connected to the pusher (20) by a cable or a linkage, and moves along the scale by pushing the cursor (21) secured to the lug (22) that the user can move. Figure 24 shows a rotating scale (23), connected to the pusher (27) by any suitable means, which moves in front of the index (24) integral with the plug (25). A graduated rotary button (26) is driven by the dial drum, only in the ascending direction of the value of the graduations; it replaces the sliders described above and the operator adjusts it by turning it. A built-in contact provides the alert function, the bulb or the buzzer being housed in the cap (25) for example. Figures 25, 26, 27 show a variant of Figure 23: the control elements are housed in the pressure piece (28), the scale (29) is engraved on the pediment (30) and traversed by the cursor (31) pushed by the index (32), itself connected to the pusher (33) by the cable (34). The other side of the pediment, FIG. 28, has housings receiving the battery (35), the bell (36), the bulb (37), the index finger (32) and the cursor (31). The plate (38), Figures 29, 30, which encloses these cavities, has an electrical circuit (CE) illustrated in Figure 31. There are two linear resistors placed on either side of four electrical lines parallel to each other. The cursor and the index are provided with friction contacts (39) ensuring the electrical connections between the aforementioned lines and resistances; the wiper (39), placed in the center of the cursor, comprises two elastic conductive wires, one of the ends of each being in contact with one of the two parallel lines (40) and (41); the other two ends cross one over the other without normally touching each other. When the index comes into contact with the cursor, it compresses them, which closes the battery-ring or indicator circuit. An inverter (42) can select either of these signals. The wiper (43) also placed in the cursor, ensures contact between the line (44) and the turns of the resistor (45). Similarly, the wiper (46), Figure 34, arranged in the index, ensures contact between the line (47) and the turns of the resistor (48). The electrical outputs of the circuits (44 - 45) and (47 - 48) lead to the multi-pin socket (49) ensuring by a cord, the connection of the device to a control unit (50), figure 35. The lines ( 40) and (41) lead to the control unit, in the same way.

The control unit (50) can be performed for an emulatory, sporting, or strictly medical purpose. It may include, Figure 35, a socket (51) following the terminal ( ⁴⁹ ); a dial (53) indicating the position of the index; it may be a galvanometer placed on the circuit of the resistor (48) Figures 29, 31, 34, or any other arrangement allowing the same result; a dial (54) indicating the position of the cursor (31); an indicator (55) or buzzer, signaling that the desired effort has been reached, the contact (39) being closed, see FIGS. 28, 31, 32; a clock (56) or pulse distributor timed; a timer (57) controlling the duration scheduled for the session; a totalizer (58) of the maximum effort times; a totalizer (59) of the expiration times during the maximum effort; a totalizer (60) of apnea times during maximum effort; a totalizer (61) of the inspiration times during maximum effort; a recorder (62) on any medium, making it possible to keep a record of the essential criteria; a connection (63) to the respiratory mask (64).

Figure 36 shows schematically a device associated with the respiratory mask, which makes it possible to detect the expiratory, inspiratory and apnea phases. It essentially consists of two flaps (65) and (66) which are raised, one (65), under the effect of the expiratory air flow, the other (66), under the effect of the flow of d inspirational. The electrical (or electronic) diagrams, Figures 38 and 37, describe the networks controlled by each of the contacts (E) and (I) closed by the flaps at rest. When the switch (A) closes, the relays (RE) and (RI) are energized by the contacts (E) and (I) of the flaps (65) and (66) if they are at rest. During inspiration, the shutter (66) opens, as well as its contact (I), the relay (RI) is not energized and its contact (RI / 65) activates the totalizer (61). During expiration, the shutter (65) opens while the shutter (66) is closed, the contact (E) opens, the relay (RE) is not energized and its contact (RE / 65 ) turns on the totalizer (59). During apnea, the two flaps are closed, the two relays (RI) and (RE) are energized and the totalizer (60) is activated by the circuit of the two contacts (RI / 66) and (RE / 66) in series.

Is illustrated in Figures 39 and 48, a variant of the device. It will be recalled that the abdominal and thoracic weight training apparatus comprises a pressure piece (67) which is applied against the user's knees. This part advantageously comprises two cavities (67 ¹ ) arranged symmetrically with respect to the transverse median axis of said part. In its solid central part (67 ² ), it has an opening (67 ³ ) authorizing the sliding passage of the body (68) of the device. It also includes, on the side opposite the preh piece zion and thrust (69), a support boss (67 ⁴ ) on which abuts the end (70 ¹ ) of an elastic means of the spring type (70) for example, the other end (70 ² ) of said spring, coming to bear in an appropriate manner, against said gripping part (69). A stop (71) limits the positioning of the pressure piece at the end of the body (68) of the device.

According to one characteristic, the gripping and pushing part is in the form of a flywheel (69 ¹ ), FIGS. 39 and 40. The latter, of round section, for example with grip imprints., Is made of any material and has a relative thickness to facilitate its gripping. It further has, on its face directly visible to the user, a dial (69 ² ) or the like. The steering wheel is mounted with freedom of rotation, on the axis of the body (68), by any known means.

The dial (69 ² ) has marks corresponding to the angular rotation carried out with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body of the device, the latter possibly having a reference mark. The user can therefore properly grasp the device and combine his physical movements, on the one hand by ensuring an axial thrust on the thrust face, against the pressure piece, and on the other hand by causing in combination or not, a rotational movement of the steering wheel, the amplitude of which it can control. A locking means is provided in all positions of the steering wheel relative to the body, so as to eliminate the effect of rotation of the steering wheel and to keep the pushing effect alone. Stops are provided to limit the angular movement of the steering wheel.

There is shown in Figures 41, 42 and 43, an alternative embodiment of the device, also allowing to combine the forces in both directions.

To this end, the device comprises a pressure piece (72) similar to the previous ones, mounted with a freedom of movement on the body (73) of 1 like, against an elastic means. tick (74), one end of which bears on a plate (75) fixedly mounted on the body. The gripping and pushing piece (76) is mounted on the body, by means of a pivot axis (77), with a capacity for angular rotation relative to the axis of said body of the device. Locking means (78) locks said gripping part in position.

Illustrated in Figure 43, various positions of the gripping and pushing part. There is therefore obtained a combined movement of a longitudinal displacement of the gripping part (76) on the body (73), and possibly its angular rotation. This is controlled by the user. A dial not shown, can allow the visual measurement of this rotation. The plate (75), serving both as a stop for the spring, on one side, and as a support for the gripping part, on the other, can, in the event of the latter blocking, be profiled on the latter. side, to allow precise angular positioning of the gripping part. Accommodation can be provided for this purpose.

According to another improvement illustrated in Figures 41 and 42, there is provided along the body (73), a series of notches or openings (73 ¹ ) authorizing the engagement and the maintenance of a slider (79) against which abuts the gripping and pushing part. This cursor can therefore be positioned at different levels to ensure a gradual variation of the efforts to be made, by forming stroke limiter.

Illustrated in Figures 44 to 47, an alternative embodiment of the device, from the same main characteristics. In this case, the device comprises a pressure piece (80) integral with the body (81). At the end of the latter is fixedly mounted, by its central part, a gripping part (82) with elastic deformation capacity. The latter has at its ends, grips (83) of any suitable profile.

In the first example illustrated in Figures 44 and 45, the part of gripping is carried out in the form of a metal blade (82 ¹ ) or other material with elastic capacity. This blade has, from its middle part, a decreasing thickness of section up to its ends which, suitably, are grip handles. It is understood that the user, after having correctly positioned the pressure piece against his knees and after having grasped the grips, exerts a pushing action according to the arrow (F3), against the reaction force arising from the elastic capacity of the blade.

There can be provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 46 and 47, a gripping part in the form of a helical spring (82 ² ) preferably with contiguous turns, the ends of which are integral with the handles (83). The same type of effort is obtained.

Illustrated in Figure 48, an alternative embodiment of the device where the pressure piece (84) has a crescent profile for positioning a single knee of the user.

Claims (32)

1. Abdominal and thoracic weight training apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a pressure piece (3) bearing against the user's knees, the thighs being folded back to 90 degrees, and a gripping and pushing piece ( 2) connected to the pressure piece, allowing the user to exert reaction and feedback forces (F1 and F2) applied respectively to each of the pieces, so that he makes his abdominal muscles work and thoracic by isometric contractions in the short position, by exerting on the pushing piece, a force (F1) which it must balance by an opposite force (F2) and applied by the knees against the pressure piece. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the form of a stick, the central part constituting the pressure piece (3) resting against the knees, the ends constituting the grips (2 ). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure piece and the gripping and pushing piece, are connected to each other by a material connection. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the material connection between the thrust and pressure parts is ensured by means with elastic deformation capacity (4), the measurement of this deformation making it possible to know the importance of the effort developed by the user. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the means with elastic deformation capacity is a spring. 6. Apparatus according to claims 1, 3 and 4 together, characterized in that the pressure piece (3) is profiled to offer a large contact surface bearing against the knees, and has two cavities symmetrical with respect to the axis median of the pressure piece and to the axis of the device, allowing the positioning of the knees. 7. Apparatus according to claims 1, 3 and 4 together, characterized in that the gripping and pushing piece (3) is provided with handles arranged symmetrically with respect to the pressing piece, and on a line such that the forces developed between these two parts are balanced symmetrically and give the device good stability during exercises. 8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises a tapered body (1), one end of which is integral with the pressure piece (3), and on which slides a pusher (5) integral with the gripping and pushing part (2), an elastic means (4) such as a spring being mounted on the body and coming to bear at its ends, on the opposite faces of the parts pressure and grip. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that an index (6) is integral with the pusher (5) and moves during the effort, along a graduation established (7) on the body, said graduation being visible to the user, the measurement of the deformation of the elastic means being obtained by the positioning of the index relative to the graduation. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that a cursor (8) is mounted on the body, free to move along the graduated part; said cursor comprising a lug (16) authorizing its gripping for its replacement in the desired position. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the cursor is moved along the graduated part, by the pusher, so that the user knows the value of the maximum effort made during the exercise. 12. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the cursor can be positioned at preset values along the graduated part, to set the limit of the effort of the user. 13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 12 characterized in that the gripping and pushing part is mounted with a freedom of angular positioning relative to the axis of the body of the apparatus, allowing to combine the effects of bodybuilding, on the one hand in an axial direction of thrust and against thrust, and on the other hand by a work of torsion, as a result of the positioning of the gripping part whose amplitude can be controlled. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the gripping (69) and pushing part is in the form of a flywheel (69 ¹ ) with grip prints, said flywheel having on its face directly visible by the user, a visible dial (69 ² ) with markers, corresponding to the angular rotation of said flywheel relative to the longitudinal axis of the device. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the steering wheel can be locked in position by any suitable locking means. 16. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the angular rotation of the steering wheel relative to the axis of the apparatus is delimited by stops. 17. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the gripping (76) and pushing part is mounted on the body (73) via a pivot axis (77), with an angular rotation capacity relative to the axis of the body, said gripping part being on one side in abutment against an intermediate support plate (75), on which the elastic means (74) rests; locking means (78) locking in position said gripping part. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the support plate is profiled and comprises a plurality of guide grooves allowing variable and guided positioning of the gripping and pushing part, the locking means blocking in the position appropriate, said part. 19. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the body has a series of notches or openings (73 ¹ ) authorizing the engagement, the maintenance and the variable positioning of a cursor (79) against which the part abuts gripping and pushing. 20. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 3 together, characterized in that the gripping and pushing part (82) is established with an elastic deformation capacity, with at its ends, gripping handles (83) of any suitable profile . 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the gripping and pushing part is in the form of a metal blade (82 ¹ ) with a reduction in thickness of its section, from its middle part to its end . 22. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the gripping and pushing part is in the form of a helical spring with contiguous turns (82 ² ). 23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 13, 19 and 20, characterized in that the pressure piece is in the form of a crescent (84), for positioning a single knee of the user. 24. Apparatus according to claims 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 17, characterized in that it comprises means controlling one or more light (37) or sound (36) signals, warning the user of the progression of the effort made to a maximum effort to be achieved. 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the cursor (31) contains a device which reacts when it is pressed against the pusher secured to the gripping part, by giving a signal to the user, this device being able to be audible or optical, with mechanical or electrical control. 26. Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the device reacting to the push of the pusher, consists of a buzzer (36) or electric indicator (37) connected to a battery (35) whose circuit closes under the pressure of the pusher. 27. Apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the control and signaling elements are housed in the pressure piece (28). 28. Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the pressure piece (28) has a median in the shape of a pediment (30), with on one of the visible faces, a graduation (29) traversed by a cursor ( 31) pushed by an index (32), itself connected to a pusher (33) integral with the gripping part (10); the other side of the pediment having housings for the reception of light and / or sound elements (35, 36, 37); a closure plate (38) of said housings, comprising an electrical circuit (CE). 29. Apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the cursor (31) and the index (32) are provided with means (39) ensuring the electrical connections upon their contact. 30. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, characterized in that the control and signaling elements cooperate with an electric circuit allowing the remote display on a control unit ( 50), the progression of the efforts made. 31. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 8, 13, 17, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, characterized in that it can be used in combination with a rhythm control device respiratory (64). 32. Apparatus according to any one of claims 31 and 30, characterized in that the times during which the subject has maintained his effort, are recorded

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