JP6274964B2 - Quadriceps exerciser - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a training device for alleviating and improving knee pain, knee joint dysfunction due to injury, and the like, and more particularly to a quadriceps training device capable of mainly strengthening the quadriceps muscle.

  In middle and old age, many people complain of knee pain, and it is generally said that osteoarthritis is the most common such symptom. Most Japanese suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee are varus deformity, a so-called “O-leg”, which causes the knee to protrude outward as the cartilage inside the knee wears down. In rare cases, the cartilage on the outer side of the knee wears down, resulting in the “X leg” often seen in Westerners. In any case, when walking or getting up, standing up from a chair or sitting down, etc. Symptoms of pain appear at the beginning of movement. In addition, when the knee joint is moved due to such pain in the knee, abnormal sounds may be generated from the joint, and contraction may cause squatting or sitting on the lower limb. Pain can be a major obstacle to normal life.

  As the symptom progresses, the cartilage wears down, and the synovium is stimulated, causing synovitis, and water accumulates in the knees. When synovitis is exacerbated and further progressed, it may eventually result in severe impairment of joint function. The cause of the onset is secondary that occurs secondary to trauma such as inflammation or fracture of the knee joint, but the primary cause of which the cause is not clear accounts for the majority, aging, weight gain It is often seen by people engaged in labor with heavy luggage.

  The basic treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee is conservative therapy, and it is impossible to change from sitting on a chair to sitting on a chair, avoiding heavy luggage, and avoiding long standing work. In order to reduce the burden on the knee joint, exercise therapy and training the quadriceps to the extent possible is also effective in improving the symptoms. It has become a therapy. In addition, if the medical condition has progressed and conservative treatment does not improve, surgical treatment will be performed, and either high tibial osteotomy or high tibial osteotomy will be worn out. In some cases, it is necessary to perform an operation to reconstruct the joint by covering with an artificial material, and then perform rehabilitation and treatment.

  Up to now, a knee joint training tool (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) or a chair that extends a knee joint while sitting on a chair with a weight stand fixed to the tip of the foot and moves a foot on which the weight base is attached, is used. 2. Description of the Related Art A training device (see, for example, Patent Document 2) in which an arch is placed on a pedestal in a sitting state and a knee joint is hung with a rubber band is known.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-128391 JP 2003-52851 A

  The conventional knee joint exercising tool is a technique for strengthening the quadriceps muscles by lifting a foot with a weight on a chair and sitting on the chair, and has a problem that it is unstable and increases the burden on the waist.

  Moreover, in the conventional training apparatus, the knee joint in a bent state is stretched against the urging force of the rubber band to train the quadriceps muscles, but it is performed by sitting on a chair and placing an arch on the pedestal. And had the following problems. That is, if the knee joint is extended from the bent state, the pedestal moves forward or the chair and the body move backward, and it is not easy to repeat the knee joint flexion and extension, which is dangerous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a quadriceps exerciser that can be safely trained without placing a burden on the knee joint.

  The quadriceps trainer of the present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is a plate-like plate having elasticity that is worn with the knee joint bent in a substantially horizontal plane and trains the quadriceps muscle. A quadriceps training device, comprising: an end portion to be worn; a thigh support portion extending obliquely upward from the one end portion to support the thigh; and a convex curve upward from the thigh support portion. A knee joint support part for supporting the knee joint, a crus support part extending diagonally downward from the knee joint support part to support the lower leg part, and an ankle fixing member provided on the lower leg support part, And when the knee joint is extended, it is elastically deformed by the extension force, and the crus support part is displaced in the toe direction.

  The knee joint can be trained by extending the knee joint with the quadriceps muscles while wearing the knee joint bent in a substantially horizontal plane, and the knee joint is not burdened and is safe.

  In the quadriceps training apparatus described above, it is preferable that the other end portion curved and convexly protrudes from the crus support portion. Accordingly, when the knee joint is extended with the quadriceps muscle, the other end portion can be smoothly displaced in the toe direction by the extension force, so that the force for suppressing the extension does not act on the knee joint.

  Moreover, it is good to provide the elastic force adjustment means which adjusts the said elastic force. Thereby, since elastic force can be adjusted according to the seriousness of knee osteoarthritis, it can train effectively.

  Moreover, it is good to provide the extension force measurement means which measures the extension force. Thereby, the trainer's quadriceps muscle strength can be quantitatively grasped. As a result, the effect of training can be known quantitatively.

  Moreover, it is good to provide an anti-slip | skid member in the said one end part. Thereby, the movement of the lower limb and the movement of the training device are brought close to each other, and the force effectively acts on the knee joint.

  Moreover, it is good to provide a slippery member in the said other end part. Accordingly, when the knee joint is extended with the quadriceps muscle, the other end can be displaced more smoothly in the direction of the tip of the foot by the extension force, so that the force for suppressing the extension does not act on the knee joint.

  The knee joint support part may be provided with a soft knee cushion. Thereby, the back of the knee can be protected.

  The ankle fixing member may include a soft ankle cushion. Thereby, an ankle can be protected.

  The knee joint can be trained by extending the knee joint with the quadriceps muscles while wearing the knee joint bent in a substantially horizontal plane, and the knee joint is not burdened and is safe.

1 is a perspective view of a quadriceps training device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is A arrow directional view (end view) of FIG. It is a figure explaining the state which extended the knee joint. It is sectional drawing of the quadriceps muscle training device concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a side view of the quadriceps muscle training device concerning Embodiment 3. 6 is a side view of a quadriceps training device according to Embodiment 4. FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the quadriceps exerciser 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention supports one tread 11 to be landed and the thigh extending obliquely upward from the one end 11. A thigh support portion 12, a knee joint support portion 13 that curves upward from the thigh support portion 12 to support the knee joint, and extends obliquely downward from the knee joint support portion 13 to support the crus The crus support part 14, an ankle fixing member 15 provided on the crus support part 14, and the other end part 16 that curves downward from the crus support part 14 and is landed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the quadriceps training device 1 of the present invention can be trained by wearing with the hips lowered on the floor and the knees standing.

  The one end portion 11, the thigh support portion 12, the knee joint support portion 13, the crus support portion 14, and the other end portion 16 are integrally formed of a material having elasticity. In addition, it is not limited to integral molding, You may join what was shape | molded separately.

  As a material having elasticity, a material with a large amount of bending such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, or a resin with a relatively small amount of carbon, metal, carbon fiber, glass fiber, or the like is used. Can do. In the present embodiment, a low foam vinyl chloride plate is used.

  Since the elastic force changes depending on the thickness of the board, the thickness is set according to the symptoms of the person who trains. The thickness of the quadriceps muscle training device 1 of the present embodiment was set to 8 to 10 mm.

  The ankle fixing member 15 is made of non-stretchable chemical fiber, and one end of two belts is fixed to the end in the width direction of the crus support 14, and a hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the other end.

  Next, a training method and operation using the quadriceps muscle training device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. First, a trainee (user) sits with his buttocks down on the floor. Thereafter, the knee joint of the lower limb to be trained is bent, and the lower limb is placed so that the thigh is in contact with the thigh support 12, the knee is in contact with the knee joint support 13, and the crus is in contact with the crus support 14. Place on quadriceps training device 1. After that, the ankle is fixed with the ankle fixing member 15 and the state shown in FIG.

  In the state of FIG. 2, the weight of the lower limb is added to the quadriceps training device 1, so that one end 11 moves rearward and the other end 16 moves forward to widen the space and become a flat plate. It is said.

From the state of FIG. 2, when the knee joint is extended by tensioning the quadriceps muscle, an upward force F ₁₅ acts on the ankle, and the thigh support portion 12, the knee joint support portion 13, and the crus support portion 14 are applied. A downward force F ₁₂ , F ₁₃ , F ₁₄ acts on. Even if the upward force F ₁₅ is applied to the ankle, the ankle is fixed to the crus support 14 by the ankle fixing member 15, and thus the upward force F ₁₅ is applied to the crus support 14. All of these forces F ₁₂ , F ₁₃ , F ₁₄ , and F ₁₅ generated by the extension force due to the tension of the quadriceps muscle are formed so that one end 11 moves rearward and the other end 16 moves forward to become a flat plate. Act on.

Therefore, when these forces F ₁₂ , F ₁₃ , F ₁₄ , and F ₁₅ generated by the extension force due to the tension of the quadriceps muscles become larger than the elastic force of the quadriceps trainer 1, the quadriceps trainer 1 As a result of elastic deformation, the distance between the one end 1 and the other end 6 is widened, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

  Next, when the quadriceps muscles are relaxed, the quadriceps trainer 1 returns to its original shape due to its elastic force and enters the state shown in FIG.

  The quadriceps muscles can be trained by repeating the tension and relaxation of the quadriceps muscles. Since the quadriceps muscles can be trained while sitting with the buttocks down on the floor, the knee joint can be safely trained without applying a load.

  The frictional force between the one end portion 11 and the floor surface and the frictional force between the other end portion 16 and the floor surface vary depending on the floor surface. When the frictional force is large, the knee joint is extended unless the quadriceps muscle is strongly strained. I can't. Therefore, when the frictional force is large, an extra load may be applied to the knee joint.

Since the end 11 is in contact with the floor at the corner, the friction is large, and since there is a flange, it is difficult to displace backward. On the other hand, since the convex surface of the other end portion 16 is in contact with the floor surface, the friction is small and it is easy to be displaced forward, and it is difficult to be caught on the floor. Therefore, since the other end 16 is largely displaced forward by the forces F ₁₂ , F ₁₃ , F ₁₄ , and F ₁₅ , it is suppressed that an extra load is applied to the knee joint.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows a quadriceps exerciser according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in the quadriceps exerciser of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The quadriceps training device of the present embodiment includes a non-slip member 11a at the contact portion of the one end portion 11 with the floor, and a slipping member 16a at the contact portion of the other end portion 16 with the floor. Therefore, when the knee joint is extended, the one end portion 11 is not easily displaced backward, and the other end portion 16 is easily displaced forward. Therefore, when the knee joint is extended, the lower limb can be extended smoothly, and an extra load is applied. It is further suppressed that the knee joint is involved.

  In addition, the quadriceps training device of the present embodiment includes a soft knee cushion 13 a on the upper surface of the knee joint support portion 13 and a soft ankle cushion 15 a on the belt inner surface of the ankle fixing member 15. Therefore, it does not hurt the biceps femoris or ankle that extends to the back of the knee joint.

  For example, a synthetic rubber sheet can be used for the anti-slip member 11a. Artificial leather can be used for the slippery member 16a. Moreover, felt can be used for the knee cushion 13a and the ankle cushion 15a, for example.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a quadriceps exerciser according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the quadriceps exerciser of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The quadriceps training device of this embodiment includes an elastic force adjusting means 17 that adjusts the elastic force of the quadriceps training device between one end 11 and the other end 16.

  The elastic force adjusting means 17 includes a length adjuster 17b that adjusts the length of the spring 17a and the lead wire 17c.

  When the length of the lead wire 17c is shortened by the length adjuster 17b, the elastic force is increased, and the interval between the one end portion 11 and the other end portion 16 is difficult to increase. On the other hand, when the length is increased, the elastic force is reduced, and the distance between the one end portion 11 and the other end portion 16 is easily increased. Therefore, it is possible to effectively train by adjusting the elastic force according to the severity of knee osteoarthritis.

  The spring 17a may be a rubber or a cylinder. Further, the length adjuster 17b may be omitted.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 shows a quadriceps training apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The same components as those in the quadriceps exerciser of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The quadriceps exerciser of this embodiment includes a knee joint extension force measuring means 18 between one end 11 and the other end 16.

  The extension force measuring means 18 of this embodiment is a spring balance or a load cell. The other end 16 is displaced forward by the extension force due to the tension of the quadriceps. Then, a load proportional to the extension force is displayed as the spring balance 18 extends.

  Since the spring balance 18 has the function of the spring 17a of the elastic force adjusting means 17 in the third embodiment, the elastic force of the quadriceps training device may be affected.

  Therefore, instead of the spring balance 18, a strain gauge may be attached to the back surface (lower surface) of the quadriceps training device and used as an extension force measuring means. The influence of the strain gauge on the elastic force is negligible.

  Alternatively, since the amount of change in the interval between the one end portion 11 and the other end portion 16 is proportional to the extension force, the amount of change in the interval between the one end portion 11 and the other end portion 16 may be measured using the spring balance 18 as a linear encoder.

  Since the quadriceps exerciser of the present embodiment includes the knee joint extension force measuring means 18, the relative change in the extension force at the start and end of the exercise by the quadriceps exerciser is measured. I can know. That is, the effect of training can be known quantitatively.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ..... Quadriceps muscle training device 11 ..... one end 11a ... slip prevention member 12 .... thigh support part 13 .... knee joint Support part 13a ... Knee cushion 14 ... Lower leg support part 15 ... Ankle fixing member 15a ... Ankle cushion 16 ... ... Other end part 17 ...・ Elastic force adjusting means 18 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Extension force measuring means

Claims (8)

It is a plate-like quadriceps training device having an elastic force for training the quadriceps by wearing it with the knee joint bent in a substantially horizontal plane,
One end to be worn,
A thigh support portion that extends diagonally upward from the one end to support the thigh;
A knee joint support part that curves upwardly from the thigh support part and supports the knee joint;
A lower leg support part that extends obliquely downward from the knee joint support part and supports the lower leg part;
An ankle fixing member provided on the lower leg support part,
A quadriceps muscle training device, wherein when the knee joint is extended, the crus support part is displaced in the foot tip direction by elastic deformation by the extension force.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to claim 1, further comprising: the other end portion that is convexly curved downward from the crus support portion.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to claim 1, further comprising elastic force adjusting means for adjusting the elastic force.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an extension force measuring unit that measures the extension force.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a non-slip member at the one end.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a slipping member is provided at the other end.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to claim 1, wherein the knee joint support portion includes a soft knee cushion.   The quadriceps muscle training device according to claim 1, wherein the ankle fixing member includes a soft ankle cushion.

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