GB2616462A

GB2616462A - Exercise method

Info

Publication number: GB2616462A
Application number: GB2203330.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Given Claire
Original assignee: Limbalance Ltd
Current assignee: Limbalance Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-10
Filing date: 2022-03-10
Publication date: 2023-09-13
Also published as: GB202203330D0

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of using a block of solid foam as a support for a partial limb to allow a person with an upper limb deficiency to carry out floor-based exercises requiring equal balance across both arms. The exercise may be yoga. The block has a top portion 2 with a lower density than the main body portion 1. The block has an anti-slip base surface. The top of the foam block may also contain a target design at its centre, to help the user to aim and place an arm at the centre of block.

Description

Exercise method This invention relates to an exercise method and in particular to the use of a support for carrying out floor exercises by an individual with an arm deficiency.

Globally, there are over 30 million people living with an upper limb difference. This may be due to amputation, or the lack of part of an arm at birth. Many wish to exercise. However, most upper body exercises require the use of two equally sized limbs. Carrying out such exercises with a limb difference can cause the person to suffer back and shoulder injuries. Indeed, over 60% of people with an upper limb difference suffer with back and shoulder pain, impacting over 18 million people around the world.

For example, floor-based exercises such as those used in Yoga are important to retain fitness and quality of life, yet require symmetrical upper limbs to be carried out effectively. Despite a clear need, there is no product available on the market to assist people with upper limb deficiencies to carry out such exercises, without leading to back and shoulder injuries.

A home-made push up device for above-elbow amputees is described in Technology and Innovation, Vol. 15, pp. 297-300, 2014. The device consists of a sling suspended from a frame. However, the material of any sling in such an arrangement must be sufficiently rigid to be attach to the frame, so provides a harsh surface for the arm. There is a need for a more comfortable support. The device is also large and heavy, making it difficult to transport for use in various locations, such as an exercise class at a gym. Nor is it suitable for people with a limb difference below the elbow. The material is too fluid to create sufficient tension and resistance to support the arm while bending the elbow.

The present invention tackles this problem by using a solid foam structure as a support for floor-based exercises. Although foam cubes have been used for a variety of purposes, such as components for modular furniture, there has been no suggestion in the art to use such a foam cube as an exercising aid for people with limb differences. The surface of a foam block provides a soft but firm support for an arm.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the use of a block of solid foam as a support for a partial limb to allow a person with an upper limb deficiency to carry out floor-based exercise.

Suitable floor-based exercises include push ups, yoga, planks, Pilates and handstands, as well as many high energy moves such as mountain climbers, tricep dips and burpees. The solid foam block is particularly useful for carrying out yoga exercises, such as downward dog and high arm planks.

The height of the block is adapted to the need of the user, appropriate to the length of the limb with a deficiency. Thus, a range of foam blocks can be made available, so that a person can select the block with the most suitable size. Alternatively, a block can be made specifically for each user. The deficient limb is rested on top of the foam block so that both shoulders are in line, to create the symmetry and balance across both limbs, allowing a floor exercise to be carried out without strain on the back or shoulder muscles.

The foam block may be any convenient shape, for example a cube, a stepped cube, T-shaped block, trapezoid or a cylinder; and preferably has 30 a flat top. The type of foam may have either an open cell or closed cell pore structure and is lightweight, durable and of low to medium density.

A suitable material is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). A preferred material for the foam is polyethylene.

Suitably the top portion of the foam block, that is the portion which contacts the user's limb, is softer than the main body portion of the foam block. Thus, the top surface of the foam block is softer on the users arm, and offers more mouldability and comfort, especially if the user has partial digits. Preferably, the main body portion of the foam block has a medium density, for example approximately 40-50 kg/m3, such as about 45 kg/m3. The top portion of the foam block preferably is of low density, for example approximately 10-20 kg/m3, such as about 15 kg/m3.

The foam block of this invention is sufficiently firm to withstand the weight of a user, yet is sufficiently light for the user to lift and move about with ease during the exercise session. For example, a user may use the block to perform a plank, into downward dog in yoga, and then change the position of the block to do a reverse crab pose quickly and easily, enabling the user to keep up with the flow of the yoga sequence.

The top of the foam block may feature a target design in its centre, to help the user to aim and place his or her arm at the centre of block. This helps the user to remain stable and avoid making the block unstable if too much pressure is applied towards an edge of the block.

The main body portion of the foam block may comprise a plurality of layers of foam, bonded together, either horizontally or vertically.

The foam block suitably has an anti-slip base, to reduce movement of the foam block during exercise.

The combination of some of these features provides a novel support device. Thus, in a further aspect of this invention, there is provided an -4 -exercise support device comprising a block of solid foam, having a main body portion, a top portion, and a base, wherein the density of the top portion is lower than the density of the main body portion and the base has an anti-slip surface.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective representation of a block of solid foam, suitable for the use of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows the vertical layers of foam material that form the main body portion; and Fig. 3 shows the use of the solid foam block in exercising.

Referring to Fig. 1, the solid foam block comprises a main body portion 1 in the form of a cube, a top portion 2 and a base 3. The main body portion 1 comprises a polyethylene foam having a density of 45kg/m3. The top portion 2 has a density of 15kg/m3 and provides a flat surface for contact with the user's deficient arm. The top portion 2 carries markings 2A which provide a target to help a user direct his or her arm towards the centre of the cube.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the main body portion 1 of the block comprises a plurality of layers of foam 4, aligned vertically and bonded together.

An illustration of the use of the solid foam block is depicted in Fig. 3. The deficient arm 5 of the user rests on the top portion 2 of the block 1. The height of the block is matched to difference between the lengths of the arms of the user. In this way, there is equal balance across the upper limbs to enable the user to carry out various exercises, such as, in the example illustrated, high arm planks. -5 -

It can be seen that the use of the solid foam block of this invention allows a person with a limb difference to carry out floor-based exercises without losing balance or putting strain on various muscles due to misalignment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The use of a block of solid foam as a support for a partial limb to allow a person with an upper limb difference to carry out floor-based exercise.
2. The use as claimed in claim 1 for carrying out yoga exercises.
3. The use as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the height of the block is adapted appropriate to the length of the limb with a deficiency.
4. The use as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the block is in the form of a cube or a cylinder.
5. An exercise support device comprising a block of solid foam, having a main body portion, a top portion, and a base, wherein the density of the top portion is lower than the density of the main body portion and the base has an anti-slip surface.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the main body portion of the foam block has a density of approximately 40-50 kg/m3.
7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the top portion of the foam block has a density of approximately 10-20 kg/m3.
8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the top of the foam block contains a target design at its centre, to help the user to aim and place an arm at the centre of block.