WO2006069409A2

WO2006069409A2 - Exercise arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2006069409A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2005/000187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frederik Ryk Ludolph Neethling Eksteen
Original assignee: Eksteen Frederik Ryk Ludolph N
Priority date: 2004-12-23
Filing date: 2005-12-21
Publication date: 2006-06-29
Also published as: WO2006069409A3

Abstract

The invention provides an exercise arrangement comprising a tiltable body support (12) supported on a roller board (14). The exercise arrangement includes a tiltable or rockable body support (12) for at least partially supportin a body part of a person. The body support is supported above a roller board (14), thereby allowing the exercise arrangement to not only tilt, but also to roll freely over a support surface. This arrangement allows users to exercise numerous muscles groups by a combination of tilting and rocking movements, combined with lateral movements. The exercise arrangement is especially suited for balance exercises and increases proprioception by providing a dynamic taining environment.

Description

EXERCISE ARRANGEMENT

THIS INVENTION relates to an exercise arrangement. More particularly, this invention relates to an exercise arrangement, to a body support, to a roller board, to an exercise kit, and to a method of exercising.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various prior art exercise devices known to the Inventor that comprise a controlled rocking or tilting motion to exercise various muscles or muscle groups of a person, mostly focusing on the lower extremities. A shortcoming of such devices is that they are usually not suitable for use in exercising the upper torso or upper extremities of a person, as they are designed primarily to be stood upon. In addition, when attempting to use such prior art devices to exercise the upper body and upper extremities, the angle of rocking frequently forces the person to adopt an uncomfortable stance or joint angle when approaching any of the angular extremes during such rocking exercises. Furthermore, the number of muscle groups exercised by such devices are usually limited, as only a rocking or tilting movement is allowed by such prior art devices due to their static nature. It is an object of the present invention to address at least some of the shortcomings of prior art rocking exercise devices, by providing a dynamic training environment suited to developing enhanced proprioception and muscle control, for most major muscle groups of the body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise arrangement, which includes: a body support for at least partially supporting a body part of a person; a support structure defining a base on which the body support is supportable, the support structure having rolling means arranged operatively below the base, in use to permit the support structure to roll freely over a support surface; and a pivot point between the body support and the base about which the body support can tilt in any direction relative to the support surface.

The body support may be in the form of a tiltable exercise device. The support structure may be in the form of a roller board.

The pivot point may be defined by articulation means. The articulation means may be in the form of a ball and socket joint defining a pivot point in the centre of the ball. Alternatively, the articulation means may comprise a concave support seat defined on the support means or roller board within which a convex support surface of the exercise device may be receivable. The convex support surface may be in the form of a semi-spherical protrusion.

As another alternative, the support seat or ball may be disposed on an operatively lower surface of the exercise device, with the support means or roller board having an operatively upwardly extending protrusion or socket for engagement with the support seat or ball.

For example, if the body support is in the form of a tiltable exercise device, and the support structure is in the form of a roller board, the roller board may define a socket on its upper surface into which the semi-spherical protrusion is receivable. The socket may be at least partially countersunk in an operatively upper surface of the roller board. The socket may be defined further by a central cut-out in a frictional or abrasive material layer disposed upon or placed on the operatively upper surface of the roller board. The cut-out may be dimensioned to snugly receive the ball or protrusion in a slight interference fit manner.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a body support, which includes: gripping means providing a grip between the body support and the body part of the person; and pivot means arranged operatively below the body support, in use to support the body support above a support surface and defining a pivot point between the support surface and the body support about which the body support can tilt in any direction relative to the support surface.

In one embodiment, the body support may be in the form of a board on which a body part of a person is supportable. In particular, the board may be dimensioned to receive any one or more of a hand, an elbow, an arm, part of an arm, a foot, a knee, a leg or a part of a leg of a person. In addition, the board may be dimensioned to receive a torso of a person, including supporting the abdominal area, back, or shoulder area.

The gripping means may be in the form of one or more handles. For example, the gripping means may be in the form of a raised gripping member, or a cut-out in the board. The gripping means may be defined by a frictional surface such as an abrasive surface, in use to prevent slipping of the body part of the person from the body support, when the board is tilted about the pivot point.

The pivot means may define a protrusion extending operatively downwardly from the body support to define a pivot point on or adjacent to the support surface. The pivot means may be in the form of a semi-spherical, conical or frusto-conical protrusion extending operatively downwardly from a lower part of the body support, for rolling over the support surface. Advantageously, the pivot means may define a pivot point proximal to or at a centre of the semi-sphere, thereby providing a more stable support platform than when the pivot point is located on the support surface. It is also to be understood that the pivot means may be in the form of at least one roller, castor, or bearing, which is receivable within a socket disposed on the operatively underside of the support means, about which the body support may pivot, tilt, or roll.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a support structure in the form of a roller board which includes: a body support for at least partially supporting a body part of a person; and rolling means located below the body support operable to roll over a support surface.

The rolling means may be in the form of one or more castors or bearings. The castors or bearings may be counter-sunk or recessed into an operatively lower surface of the body support.

The support structure may have gripping means providing a frictional grip between the support structure and the body part of the person.

The gripping means may be in the form of a gripping surface for allowing a person to grip the roller board. Alternatively, or additionally, the support structure may include at least one handle or cut-out which allows a user to obtain a steady grip on the support structure. The gripping means may be disposed upon an operatively upper surface of the support structure. In one embodiment, the support structure may have a domed operatively upper surface, to facilitate gripping of the roller board with one hand. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise kit, which includes at least one body support as described above; and at least one support structure or roller board as described above.

The kit may include a roller mat having a smooth upper surface over which the roller board can roll. The roller mat may include end stops preventing the roller board from rolling off its upper surface, thereby to limit the extent of movement of the roller board on the roller mat. The end stops may extend peripherally along substantially the total outer perimeter of the roller mat.

The invention extends also to a method of exercising, which includes supporting at least one body part of a person on any one of an exercise device, a roller board and/or an exercise arrangement, as described above and, whilst supporting the body, moving the at least one body part in a lateral direction over the support surface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the body elevated above the support surface.

For example, if the body is supported on a hand, or on part of an arm, the arm may be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly from the body thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body. Additionally, or alternatively, the exercise device of the invention may be tilted relative to the horizontal to exercise the muscles of the body, either contemporaneously with the laterally inwardly and outwardly movements, or interspersed between such lateral movements.

The invention extends further to another method of exercising, which includes supporting either a lower part or an upper part of a body of a person on any one of an exercise device, a roller board or an exercise arrangement, as described above and, whilst supporting the body, moving the lower part of the body in a lateral direction over the support surface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the body supported above the support surface.

For example, if the body is supported on a hand, elbow or a part of the arm, the arm may be moved laterally towards and away from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body. Similarly, if the body is supported on a foot, a knee, or on part of a leg, the leg may be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles of the lower body.

Furthermore, muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by the person placing a body part on any one or more of an exercise device, a roller board or an exercise arrangement, as described above and, whilst supporting the body, attempting to limit the escape of the exercise device, roller board or exercise arrangement, from below the person or body part. As such, the muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by attempting to contain or limit lateral and/or tilting movement of the exercise arrangement, exercise device, and/or roller board.

The exercise device, may be used by itself either in the fashion described above or by inverting it so that the body support is placed facing the ground and the protrusion extends operatively upwardly, away from the ground. In this inverted form, with a user supporting himself or herself over the board, gripping the protrusion, muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by the user doing a series of pushups, balance exercises, or stability, strength, endurance, co-ordination or proprioception exercises, whilst gripping the protrusion, either with one hand or both hands. Similar exercises may obviously be done using the exercise device in the regular fashion, or with the roller board, or with the exercise arrangement of the invention.

In addition, a combination of the above exercises can be combined to exercise more than one group of muscles during an exercise session. The invention is especially useful in attaining symmetry between the right and left-hand sides of persons using the device.

Furthermore, a plurality of any one or more of the exercise device, roller board, or exercise arrangement may be used in any combination suitable for exercising a desired muscle, muscle group, or muscle groups.

By body part is meant any limb, body member, appendage, or upper or lower body portion of a user.

Further aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of non- limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1a is a three-dimensional exploded view, from below, of an exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing both an operatively superior exercise device in accordance with the invention, as well as an operatively inferior roller board in accordance with the invention;

Figure 1b is a similar three-dimensional exploded view, from above, of an exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing both an operatively superior exercise device in accordance with the invention, as well as an operatively inferior roller board in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2a is a top plan view of an exercise device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2b is a bottom plan view of an exercise device in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3a is a top plan view of a roller board in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3b is a bottom plan view of a roller board in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a medially sectioned view through an exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of a person using the exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention to exercise muscles of the upper body;

Figure 6 is a side view of a person using the exercise arrangement in accordance with the invention to exercise muscles of the lower body;

Figure 7 is a side view of a person using the roller board in accordance with the invention to exercise muscles of the upper and lower body simultaneously.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to an exercise arrangement of the invention.

With reference to Figure 1 , an exercise arrangement 10 includes a body support in the form of a tiltable exercise device 12 and a roller board 14.

The exercise device 12 comprises a substantially circular top board member 16 on which a body part or member of a person can be supported, the top board member 16 having operatively upper 18 and lower 20 surfaces. Both surfaces 18 and 20 are substantially planar and parallel to one another.

The upper surface 18 of the board member 12 has a cover sheet 22 disposed thereupon, as may best be seen in Figure 4. The covering sheet 22 is affixed to the operatively upper surface 18 of the board member 16 by commercially available adhesive (not shown) and is comprised of commercially available rubber sheeting, with a suitable friction coefficient. The main function of the frictional covering sheet 22 is to assist users (as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7) in maintaining their grip on the upper surface 18 of the exercise device 12 when exercising, as discussed below. The roller board 14 similarly comprises a body support or exercise device support in the form of a substantially circular board member 24 having planar operatively upper 26 and lower 28 surfaces, with a similar frictional covering sheet 30 attached to or disposed upon the upper surface 26 of the board member 24. The function of the frictional covering sheet 30 is both to provide users with ample grip when exercising with the roller board 14 by itself, as well as to locate the exercise device 12 upon the operatively upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller board 14 when in combined use as an exercise arrangement 10, best seen in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7.

As may be seen in Figures 1a, 2a and 2b, and 4, the exercise device 12 includes a centrally located, operatively downwardly extending semi-spherical protrusion 32. As may best be seen in Figure 4, the protrusion 32 provides a contact surface 34 which serves as a fulcrum for an operatively second order lever, whether the exercise device 12 is employed in combination with the roller board 14, or by itself 12.

When in use, it is to be understood that the exercise device 12 is tiltable or rockable in any direction, relative to the horizontal, about a pivot point 36 which is defined within the semi-spherical protrusion 32, between the board member 16 and the contact surface 34 of the protrusion 32. The location of the pivot point 36 is a function of the dimensions of the semi-spherical protrusion 32.

As may be seen in Figures 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, and 4, the roller board 14 has five semi-recessed captive bearings 38.1 , 38.2, 38.3, 38.4, and 38.5 partially countersunk into the lower surface 28 of the board member 24. The castor bearings are commercially available under the trade name ALWAYSE ENGLAND. The castor bearings 38.1 - 38.5 allow the roller board 14 to be rolled in any lateral direction by a user of the device, as discussed below.

The upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller board 14 has a centrally located cut-out in the abrasive sheeting 30 which serves to define a location point or convex seat 39 (as also shown in Figure 1b) for the exercise device 12 to be tiltably or rockably located in. It is to be understood that the location point 39 may be further defined by being slightly countersunk in the upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller board 14, so as to complement the contact surface 34 of the semi-spherical protrusion 32 of the exercise device 12. This arrangement prohibits the lateral movement of the exercise device 12 when used in combination with the roller board 14 as an exercise arrangement 10.

Alternatively, the above pivot arrangement may be inverted, with the protrusion extending upwardly from the roller board, while the countersunk location point or convex seat is located on a lower surface of the exercise device (not shown).

Advantageously, the exercise device 12 has a plurality of cut-outs 40.1 , 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5, 40.6 defined within the board member 16, best shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

As may be seen from Figures 2a and 2b, the cut-outs 40.1 - 40.6 serve as grips for users obtain or maintain some purchase on the board 16 when exercising. The cut-outs are arranged in substantially radially opposed pairs, each pair being arranged substantially equidistantly from a centre point 24 of the board 16. The cut-outs 40.1 - 40.6 have the additional utility that they serve to protect the fingers of a user (not shown) by preventing finger injuries when the board 16 of the exercise device 12 or exercise arrangement 10 is tilted.

A first pair comprises finger grip 40.1 , finger grip 40.2, thumb grip 40.3 and thumb grip 40.4. The fingers of the right hand (not shown) extend through 40.3, with the right-hand thumb extending through 40.4. Similarly, the fingers of the left hand extend through the finger grip 40.1 and the left-hand thumb through thumb grip 40.2. Alternatively, should the user wish to exercise another group of arm muscles, the hand grips 40.5 and 40.6 may similarly be utilized. Suitable thumb grips, although not shown, may also be incorporated into the board member 16.

It is an express aim of this invention that the roller board 14 may be used by itself for a variety of exercises, the exercise device 12 may be used by itself for a variety of exercises, and the roller board 14 and exercise device 12 may be used in combination for a variety of exercises, including as an exercise arrangement 10.

Turning now to Figures 5, 6 and 7, it is evident that a person 42 may choose to use the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12, or roller board 14 in any combination that may be required to exercise a desired muscle group, whether forming part of the lower or the upper torso, or any of the limbs.

Figure 5 shows a person 42 using the exercise arrangement 10 to exercise the muscles of the arms 44, chest, shoulders 46, back 48, abdominal muscles 50, and general upper torso region 52. An exercise regimen may include moving the arrangement 10 away from and towards the upper torso region 52 in a controlled manner, as indicated generally by arrow 54. At the same time, or interspersed with the lateral roll movements, the person 42 may elect to tilt or rock the exercise device 12, as indicated by arrows 56.1 and 56.2, in order to provide additional strength exercises to the muscle groups in the abovementioned areas.

Figure 6 shows a person 42 using the exercise arrangement 10 to exercise the muscles of the feet 58, calves 60, thighs 62, lower back 64, abdominal muscles 66, and general lower torso region 68. An exercise regimen may include moving the exercise arrangement 10 away from and towards the torso 68 in a controlled manner, as indicated generally by arrow 70. At the same time, or interspersed with the lateral roll movements, the user may elect to tilt or rock the exercise device 12, as indicated by arrows 72.1 and 72.2, in order to provide additional strength exercises to the muscle groups in the abovementioned areas. Figure 7 shows a person 42 using two roller boards 14 in combination, by moving them laterally in any lateral direction, indicated generally by arrows

74.1 and 74.2. This allows for a full-body work-out, targeting most large muscles groups. Although not shown, it is to be understood that the exercise arrangement 10 of the invention may also be employed in this manner, as well as the exercise device 12. In the case of the exercise device 12 being used by itself in this manner, the user obviously cannot include moving the device laterally, and most movements will then be limited to a rocking or tilting motion.

It is to be borne in mind that each of the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12 or roller board 14 may be positioned and moved by any one or more limbs of a person 42, or other regions of the body. This allows a person 42, for example, to engage the exercise arrangement 10 of the invention with the upper torso area and arms (not shown), while using two roller boards 14, one being placed under each foot. Any such suitable combination can thus be used, depending on the skill, dexterity and muscle tone of the person 42.

Balancing exercises may also be performed using the arrangement, device, or roller board of the invention, provided persons exercise the required caution in doing so. As such, a person may elect to stand on the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12, or roller board 14 with one or more feet and attempt to maintain their balance while doing so.

Persons may also gain advantage from the invention in exercising their muscles groups, while attempting to limit the movement of the arrangement 10, device 12, or roller board 14 during an exercise routine. Benefit may be had by positioning and re-positioning the body so as to limit the escape of the arrangement 10, device 12, or roller board 14 from underneath the person. In this way, target muscles groups may be exercised in a strenuous, though controlled, exercise manner. Figures 4 and 5 each also show a roller mat 76, which may be sold together with or apart from the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12 or roller board 14. The roller mat 76 is made from a hard plastics material, which is resistant to abrasion. The roller mat 76 may have a low friction coefficient on the operatively upper surface thereof in order to allow the roller board 14 to roll relatively freely in any lateral direction thereupon. However, the roller mat 76 may have varying grades of abrasiveness (not shown) in order to tailor- make the use thereof for novice, intermediate, or advanced users. The roller mat 76 is provided peripherally with end-stops 78 which serve to limit the lateral travel of the roller board 14. This ensures that persons using the invention do not hurt themselves or strain or tear muscles or ligaments when using the arrangement, device, or roller board of the invention, either in combination or separately. It is to be understood, however, that users may choose to use the arrangement, device or roller board without the roller mat, or with a roller mat lacking end-stops.

The exercise device and roller board may be manufactured from wood, or from any suitable high-impact plastics materials, metalliferous compounds or alloys, or other suitable wear-resistant materials.

The Inventor is of the belief that he has invented an exercise arrangement, an exercise device, a roller board, and a method of exercising using the apparatus of the invention which is useful in assisting persons in training or exercising muscles or muscle groups, whether for rehabilitative, exercising, or body-aesthetic purposes in a dynamic environment. The arrangement of the exercise arrangement allows the user to laterally roll and tilt the exercise arrangement in order to stretch and tone numerous muscle groups. Advantageously, as the exercise device is tiltable relative to the horizontal or the roller board, the angle of the exercise device relative to the horizontal may be continuously adjusted during the controlled movements required to exercise the muscles, thereby ensuring that less strain is placed on the joints and cartilage of persons using the arrangement. Accordingly, the exercise arrangement of the invention provides a dynamic training environment in a closed kinematic chain. This is achieved by providing an unstable platform or body support that can tilt in a multidirectional manner. Accordingly, a unilateral force applied to the platform or body support will move the apparatus in an opposite direction, thereby exercising numerous muscle groups when attempting to contain the movement of the exercise arrangement.

Another advantage is the fact that any combination of the exercise arrangement, exercise device and/or roller board can be used to exercise or tone muscles or muscle groups of a person using the device. This allows for easy modification of training regimens, or customization of exercise programmes. In addition, the system is useful for persons of all sizes, ages and weights.

When moving/training in a dynamic environment, a person can strengthen his or her prime movers (large muscle groups), but at the same time strengthen their stabilizer muscle groups, as this forms the base for the prime movers. Stability ball training is one method known to the Inventor of placing the body in an unstable environment forcing a person to utilize the stabilizer muscles and to stay balanced in a given position or through a particular motion . However, using the exercise arrangement of the invention, a user can increase balance, endurance, co-ordination and stability, thereby increasing core muscle stability.

Surface Electromyography (EMG) was used to compare the effectiveness of stability ball- based exercises and exercises done using the exercise arrangement of the invention in recruiting the core stabilizers during bridging exercises. This was achieved by using EMG to measure the activity of the stabilizer muscles (Transversus abdominus (TA) and Multifidus (MF)) while bridging on a stability ball and on the exercise arrangement of the invention, respectively. The maximum and average recruitment of all muscle fibres (TA and MF) were respectively 16% and 18% greater on the exercise arrangement of the invention in comparison to the stability ball. The Inventor is also of the belief that the exercise arrangement of the invention allows a person to move in greater ranges of movement during dynamic exercises. In various sports, sportspersons develop a dominant side and muscle imbalances in the body often occur, and the exercise arrangement addresses such imbalances by correcting body asymmetry, thereby leading to better performance overall.

Advantageously, the exercise arrangement may also be provided as a kit which includes the exercise device, and a roller board. The rollers of the roller board may be sold separately or as part of the kit, and a roller mat with defined peripheral end-stops which limit the movement of the arrangement or roller board may also be sold as part of the kit. The inclusion of the mat (with end-stops) assists in containing the lateral movement of the exercise device, roller board or exercise arrangement, thereby to prevent the over-stretching and tearing of muscles, ligaments, or tissues. The size of the roller mat may be tailored to suit users of different lengths, weight, or ages, and a number of pre-defined sizes of roller mat may be sold as part of the kit, or separately.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An exercise arrangement including: a body support for at least partially supporting a body part of a person; a support structure defining a base on which the body support is supportable, the support structure having rolling means operatively arranged below the base, in use to permit the support structure to roll freely over a support surface; and a pivot point between the body support and the base about which the body support can tilt in any direction relative to the support surface.

2. The exercise arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the body support is in the form of a tiltable exercise device.

3. The exercise arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is in the form of a roller board.

4. The exercise arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pivot point is defined by articulation means.

5. The exercise arrangement of claim 4, wherein the articulation means is in the form of a ball and socket joint defining the pivot point in the centre of the ball.

6. The exercise arrangement of claim 4, wherein the articulation means comprises a concave support seat defined on the support structure or roller board within which a convex support surface of the exercise device may be receivable.

7. The exercise device of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the support seat or ball is disposed on an operatively lower surface of the exercise device, with the support means or roller board having a protrusion or socket projecting operatively upwardly for engagement with the support seat or ball.

8. The exercise device of any one of claims 4 to 7 inclusive, wherein the roller board defines a socket on its upper surface into which the ball or convex support surface of the pivot means is receivable.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the socket is at least partially countersunk in an operatively upper surface of the roller board.

10. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the socket is further defined by a central cut-out in a frictional or abrasive material layer disposed upon or placed on the operatively upper surface of the roller board.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the cut-out is dimensioned to snugly receive the ball or protrusion in a slight interference fit manner.

12. A body support for at least partially supporting a body part of a person, the body support having gripping means providing a grip between the body support and the body part of the person, the body support having pivot means arranged operatively below the body support, in use to support the body support above a support surface and defining a pivot point between the support surface and the body support about which the body support can tilt in any direction relative to the support surface.

13. The body support of claim 12, in the form of a board on which a body part of a person is supportable.

14. The body support of claim 13, wherein the board is dimensioned to receive any one or more of a hand, an elbow, an arm, part of an arm, a foot, a knee, a leg, part of a leg, a torso, part of a torso, the abdominal area, back, or shoulder area of a person.

15. The body support of claim 12 wherein the gripping means is in the form of one or more handles.

16. The body support of claim 15 wherein the gripping means is in the form of a raised gripping member, or a cut-out in the board.

17. The body support of any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the gripping means is defined by a frictional surface such as an abrasive surface, in use to prevent slipping of the body part of the person from the support means, when the board is tilted about the pivot point.

18. The body support of claim 12 wherein the pivot means defines a protrusion extending operatively downwardly from the body support means, thereby to define a pivot point on or adjacent to the support surface.

19. The body support of claim 12 or claim 18, wherein the pivot means is in the form of a semi-spherical protrusion extending operatively downwardly from a lower part of the body support, for rolling over the support surface.

20. The body support of any one of claims 12, 18 or 19 wherein the pivot means defines a pivot point proximal to or at a centre of the semi- spherical protrusion, thereby providing a more stable support platform than when the pivot point is located on the support surface.

21. The body support of any one of claims 12, 18, 19, or 20, wherein the pivot means includes at least one roller, castor, or bearing, which is receivable within a socket disposed on the operatively underside of the support means, about which the body support may pivot or tilt.

22. A support structure in the form of a roller board including: a body support for at least partially supporting a body part of a person; and rolling means located below the body support operable to roll over a support surface.

23. The roller board of claim 22, wherein the rolling means is in the form of one or more castors or bearings.

24. The roller board of claim 23 wherein the castors or bearings are counter-sunk or recessed into an operatively lower surface of the body support.

25. The roller board of claim 24, wherein the body support has gripping means providing a frictional grip between the body support and the body part of the person.

26. The roller board of claim 25, wherein the gripping means is in the form of a gripping surface disposed upon an operatively upper surface of the body support to provide sufficient purchase for a person to grip the roller board.

27. The roller board of claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the body support includes at least one handle or cut-out which allows a user to obtain a steady grip on the body support.

28. The roller board of any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the body support has a domed operatively upper surface, to facilitate gripping of the board with one hand.

29. An exercise kit including: at least one body support as described in any one of claims 12 to 21 ; and at least one roller board as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 28.

30. The exercise kit of claim 29 which includes a roller mat having a smooth upper surface over which the roller board can roll.

31. The exercise kit of claim 30, wherein the roller mat includes end stops preventing the roller board from rolling off its upper surface, thereby to limit the extent of movement of the roller board on the roller mat, the end stops extending peripherally along substantially the total outer perimeter of the roller mat.

32. A method of exercising, which includes supporting at least one body part of a person on or over any one of a body support, a roller board and/or an exercise arrangement, as claimed hereinbefore and, whilst supporting the body, moving the at least one body part in a lateral direction over the support surface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the body supported above the support surface.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein, if the body is supported on a hand, or on part of an arm, the arm is moved laterally inwardly and outwardly from the body thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body.

34. The method of claim 32 or claim 24, wherein the body support of the invention is tilted relative to the horizontal to exercise the muscles of the body, either contemporaneously with the laterally inwardly and outwardly movements, or interspersed between such lateral movements.

35. A method of exercising, which includes supporting either a lower part or an upper part of a body of a person on any one of a body support, a roller board and an exercise arrangement, as claimed hereinbefore and, whilst supporting the body, moving the lower part of the body in a lateral direction over the support surface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the body supported above the support surface.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein, if the body is supported on a hand, elbow or a part of the arm, the arm is moved laterally towards and away from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body.

37. The method of claim 35 or claim 36 wherein, if the body is supported on a foot, a knee, or on part of a leg, the leg is moved laterally inwardly and outwardly from the torso or trunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles of the lower body.

38. A method of exercising wherein muscles or muscle groups of a person are exercised by the person placing a body part on any one or more of an exercise device, a roller board or an exercise arrangement, as claimed hereinbefore and, whilst supporting the body, attempting to limit the escape of the body support, roller board or exercise arrangement, from below the person or body part.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the muscles or muscle groups are exercised by the person attempting to contain or limit lateral and/or tilting movement of the exercise arrangement, exercise device, and/or roller board.

40. A method of exercising, wherein the body support is used by inverting it so that the body support is placed facing the ground and the protrusion extends operatively upwardly, away from the ground, with the user supporting himself or herself over the board, gripping the protrusion.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein muscles or muscle groups are exercised by the user by doing a series of push-ups, balance exercises, or stability, strength, endurance, co-ordination or proprioception exercises, whilst gripping the protrusion, either with one hand or both hands.

42. A method of exercising wherein a plurality of any one or more of the body support, roller board, or exercise arrangement is used in any combination suitable for exercising a desired muscle, muscle group, or muscle groups.

43. An exercise arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

44. A body support as claimed in claim 12, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

45. A roller board as claimed in claim 22, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

46. A method of exercising as claimed in claim 32, claim 38, or claim 40, substantially as herein described and illustrated.