WO2008088276A1

WO2008088276A1 - Equipment for vibration training

Info

Publication number: WO2008088276A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/000039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn HÅKANSSON; Conny HÅKANSSON; Kenneth Riggberger
Original assignee: Haakansson Glenn; Haakansson Conny; Kenneth Riggberger
Priority date: 2007-01-17
Filing date: 2008-01-17
Publication date: 2008-07-24

Abstract

The training method vibration training is an already known training method based on mechanic stimulation of the nervous and muscle system after muscles have been made to work through various training positions. Already known vibration equipment is characterized by the fact that the fixed time frame and fixed frequency can be set. A known fact within training physiology in general is that training stimuli (e.g. barbell weights or the speed with which the movement is carried out) have to be altered in order to prevent the muscles from adapting, which leads to stagnation in muscle strength development. This invention takes into consideration the muscles ability to adapt. To obtain maximum training effect with vibration training, randomly set frequency variations during each set training time frame have been made possible through a number of predetermined programmes.

Description

Patent application

Equipment for vibration training

Introduction:

The concept of using vibration training for efficient strength training is a well- known method. As early as in the 1960s it was used by certain fractions of the Soviet top athletics, and at the end of 1980s even the westerns sports sphere adopted this form of strength training. Today vibration training is used within a number of different areas, such as within NASAs space research programmes.

The vibration training equipment is a complete tool for strength training, which in certain aspects replaces traditional strength training. In other cases it the vibration training equipment works as an perfect complement. Originally it was developed as training equipment for top athletes and the results were unmistakably positive. But it soon became quite clear that vibration training also exhibited the same good results on ordinary exercisers, and that the training method with great success could be used within rehabilitation as well as health & fitness, e.g. to prevent work-related strain injuries

Vibration training works the following way:

Vibration frequency is set along with vibration time frame. Then the desired training position is taken. Movement is not necessary, so the body does not need any extra workload. This makes training more lenient for joints, tendons and other body parts, despite the heavy physical strain the muscles are expose to.

Naturally the possibility exists for fit people to add movement as well as weight, all according to wish, and in this way make training more inspiring and challenging.

Studies of optimum frequency during vibration training show highest muscle activity at approx. 25-30 Hz (Cardinale & Lim, 2003). Higher average frequency does not increase training efficiency. Rather it leads to an unwarranted workload to other structures such as skeleton and joints.

Beginners and relatively untrained persons should start training at 20 Hz and after a period of calf and thigh training and gradually work their way up to 26 or 28 Hz. Generally, upper body training should be carried out on a lower frequency than lower body training. It is also recommended that rehabilitation training is performed within this interval.

Fit and experienced people can train on higher frequencies, but generally frequencies above 30 Hz should be avoided, all according to clinical studies.

Vibration training, as all other strength training, can be individually adapted to obtain maximum effect.

Above all muscle fibers are stimulated via the muscle's reflex system, facilitating muscle activation with no effort of will. This affects the nervous-muscle coordination so that muscle power generation is improved. Consequently maximum strength and explosive strength are qualities best trained with vibration training. Furthermore, the frequencies and accelerations which the vibration training equipment are equipped with, positively affect the peripheral blood circulation.

Statement of the art:

Several brands of vibration training equipment are available on the market, e.g. Power Plate, Vibmax from Xendon etc. On these models it is possible to set frequency and time frame of training with keyboard on the monitor unit. However, both brands possess the same quality when it comes to vibration, namely that the frequency is fixed during the set training session.

Scientific studies show that training programmes should be as varied as possible to obtain best training results, so that the body not adapts itself to the programmes, which leads to lower effect (ref 1). In the equipment description below training efficiency optimization is obtained by a varied training frequency, even during each set training time frame. This prevents the body from adapting to one specific frequency. Stochastically, the equipment is able to alter the vibration training frequency in predetermined steps. Additionally, it is possible to regulate the speed with which frequency is altered. To make it easier for the person working out, a number of predetermined programmes have been entered in the operating system. These programmes can easily be activated through a button on the keyboard on the monitor.

Discription of a prefered embodiment

The invention below is described in the following figures:

Figure 1

Schematic plan of training equipment

Figure 2 Monitor with keyboard and display from which equipment is controlled.

Description of the drawings:

1 Random number generator

2 Control unit 3 Monitor with keyboard

4 Power unit

5 Vibration plate

6 Eccentric wheel

7 Rubber suspension 8 Ground plate

9 Pillar for monitor

10 On/off button

11 Vibration time duration control

12 Vibration frequency control 13 Programme control

14 Button for increase (up) 15 Button for decrease (down)

16 Display with vibration time duration, vibration frequency and selected programme

17 On/off button

18 Motor with eccentric wheel

19 Anti-glide protection for ground plate

20 Anti-slip protection for feet .

Figure 1 demonstrates the principal construction of the vibration training equipment. On the ground plate (8) a vibration plate is attached (5) via a rubber suspension (7). The vibration plate movement (5) is obtained via an eccentric wheel on the motor axis (18). The control unit (2) controls the motor movement via the power unit (4). Communication between control unit (2), monitor keyboard (3) and chance generator (1) takes place. The monitor (3) is electrically and mechanically connected to the ground plate (8) via the pillar (9). On the base of the pillar (9) an on/off button (10) is located, which can be used when vibration training equipment is used for upper body limbs, e.g. arms. This button is then easier to reach than the one on the monitor (3). Underneath the ground plate (8) an anti-glide protection (19) is located to prevent the ground plate from moving during vibration training. The material can be plastic or rubber, or as recommended, neoprene® with a thickness of 5-10 mm. This thickness minimizes any stability effects smaller irregularities the undelaying support might have on training equipment. The anti-glide protection (19) does not have to cover the entire ground plate underframe. It can be divided into smaller parts to be applied on the parts with space in between. On upper side of the vibration plate (5) a ribbed mat of plastic and rubber (20) can be applied, for instance attached with glue, to prevent to the supporting body part against the vibration plate (5) from slipping during vibration training. The randomly selected frequency in the control unit (2) is created in a microcontroller (Microchip PIC 18F252) containing a random number generator (1). The frequency can only be indicated in integer numbers (Hz) and the frequency alteration speed is programmed in the microcontroller. The signal is sent via the control unit (2) to the power unit (4), which in turn feeds the motor and its eccentric wheel (Lofgren engineering NEG 5060, 230/400V) (6).

In the preferred embodiment the vibration training is selected within the following limits: Vibration frequency: 15-36 Hz

Vibration time: 10-180 s

Stochastic frequency interval: 5-10 Hz

Frequency alteration speed: 0,2-lHz/s

Vibration alteration step: 1-3Hz

In the chart below some examples are provided of programmes with stochastic frequency variations, which the control unit (2) can be programmed with.

Programme Frequency interval Alteration step Alteration speed

1 15-23 Hz 2 Hz 0,5 Hz/s

2 18-24 3 0,25

3 20-28 4 0,5

4 22-30 2 0,25

5 23-28 1 0,25

6 24-32 2 0,5

References:

A Series of Studies - The Physiological Basis for Strength Training in American Football: Fact over Philosophy; Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: VoI 11, No 3, pp 131-142. Low-volume circuit versus high-volume periodized resistance training in women; Medicine & Science Sports & Exercise. 33 (4), 635-643. Electromyography activity of vastus lateralis muscle during whole-body vibrations of different frequencies; Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2003 Aug; 17 (3): 621-624. Circuit Training vs Periodized Resistance Training in Women,

Claims

Claims:

1. Vibration equipment for training of various parts of the human body, comprised of a vibration plate attached to a ground plate via a rubber suspension and control by a control unit characterized by the fact that the frequency of the vibration plate is randomly altered during the set vibration time frame within a predetermined frequency range and that the vibration frequency range is divided into 5-8 Hz intervals and that the vibration frequency alteration speed can be set between 3 and 10 seconds.

2. Equipment according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the vibration frequency range is between 15 and 36 Hz.

3. Equipment according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that vibration time can be set between 10 and 120 seconds.

4. Equipment according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that vibration takes place according to predetermined programme.

5. Equipment according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the vibration frequency alteration takes place in steps of 1 Hz

6. Equipment according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the control of the vibration process is facilitated by a display and that the information of event course status is given.