WO2013072539A2

WO2013072539A2 - Physical training device

Info

Publication number: WO2013072539A2
Application number: PCT/ES2012/070782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean Xifro
Original assignee: Orfix Techsport, S. L.
Priority date: 2011-11-15
Filing date: 2012-11-12
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Also published as: ES1075912Y; ES1075912U; WO2013072539A9; WO2013072539A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a physical training device which enables a user to simulate high-altitude training conditions. The device includes a portable element (1, 9) through which the air inhaled and exhaled by the user passes, and additionally includes an air-passage element (3, 4, 5, 11) which limits, in a controlled manner, the amount of air that passes through the portable element (1, 9).

Description

PHYSICAL TRAINING DEVICE.

The present invention relates to a physical training device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Height training is a known and common practice used to improve the physical performance of the athlete.

It is known that atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude, so that the volume of oxygen molecules aspirated by a person also decreases. That is, the amount of oxygen received in each inspiration is smaller as the height increases. To compensate for this oxygen deficit, called hypoxia, the body increases the hematocrit, which is the percentage occupied by red blood cells of the total volume of blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles. The hormone responsible for this increase is called erythropoietin (EPO), which is produced in the kidney and stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

Thus, training in height, the number of red blood cells increases. When descending height, the higher level of hematocrit in the blood oxygenates the muscles better, providing them with more fuel, so that their performance increases and the onset of fatigue is delayed. Obviously, a significant disadvantage of the training in height consists in the logistic and transport problems that imply the need to move to a site located at a high height. Also, taking into account that the effects of height training are lost over time as they descend again to lower heights, this type of training requires periodic displacement to areas located at a high altitude, repeating the problems mentioned above. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks described above, by providing a physical training device that is characterized by the fact that it comprises a portable element through which the air inspired and expired by a person passes and a passage element of the air that controls in a controlled way the amount of air that passes through the portable element.

Thanks to the device of the present invention, it is possible to simulate the conditions of a height training in an environment or area of reduced height. The device of the present invention makes it possible to control and limit the passage of air sucked by the person using it and, therefore, the amount of oxygen that enters their lungs.

The device is comfortably worn by the user during training, so that it can be used on all types of terrain and conditions. According to an embodiment of the invention, the portable element is a mask.

Advantageously, the air passage element comprises an opening in the mask.

Also advantageously, the physical training device comprises means for modifying the free passage area of the opening. Preferably, the mask covers the person's mouth and nose.

The mask is a light element, comfortable and easy to use and place. The means for modifying the free passage area of the opening allow to control and vary the amount of air and, therefore, of oxygen, aspirated by the person being trained, so that the device of the present invention can be used for perform workouts with different degrees of physical demand. According to another embodiment of the invention, the portable element is a dip tube.

Preferably, the air passage element comprises a narrowing of the inner diameter of the immersion tube. Advantageously, the physical training device comprises means for modifying the free passage area of the narrowing.

The immersion tube allows the device of the present invention to be used in aquatic environments. In the same way as the mask, it is also possible to modify the area of free passage of the narrowing to vary the amount of air sucked by the person for the purpose of training with different degrees of physical demand.

Preferably, the total free passage area of the air passage element is 435 mm2 to 0.085 mm.

Alternatively, the physical training device comprises a filter in the air passage element.

The filter can be an activated carbon filter, especially suitable for urban areas with high levels of air pollution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate the description of what has been stated above, some drawings are attached in which, schematically and only by way of non-limiting example, practical cases of embodiments of the invention are represented, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the structure of an embodiment of the physical training device of the present invention, in the form of a mask, showing a top, side, top and bottom plan view thereof; Figures 2 to 5 each represent a different variant of the embodiment of the mask of Figure 1, each variant being designed for use in training with different degrees of physical requirement, respectively; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the physical training device of the present invention, also in the form of a mask, showing a top, side and bottom plan view thereof; Figures 7 to 10 each represent a different variant of the embodiment of the mask of Figure 6, each variant being designed for use in training with different degrees of physical requirement, respectively; Figure 1 1 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the physical training device of the present invention, in the form of a mask with a built-in filter, showing a top, side and bottom plan view thereof; Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the physical training device of the present invention, in the form of a dip tube; Figures 13 to 16 show each plan view and in longitudinal section of variants of a narrowing of the tube of Figure 12, each variant being designed for use in training with different degrees of physical requirement, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described below. As can be seen in Figure 1, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a mask 1 designed to be placed covering the nose and mouth of the user. Mask 1 has a shape adapted to form a camera between the user's face and the outside environment, so that the edges 2 of the mask 1 in contact with the user's skin have a shape that follows the contour of the user's face to prevent air from passing between said edges 2 and the user's skin. The mask 1 may be attached to the user's face by any suitable means, for example, by a tape or similar element (not shown).

In Figures 2 to 5 four variants of the mask 1 described above, respectively, can be observed. As can be seen, the mask 1 has openings 3 formed in one of its front walls. The openings 3 pass through the mask 1 and allow air to pass through them. In fact, when the user wears the mask 1, the openings 3 constitute essentially the only step through which the air can circulate between the chamber formed by the mask 1 itself and the face of the user and the outside environment.

Therefore, when the user wears the mask 1, virtually all of the air sucked by the user must necessarily pass through the openings 3.

Thus, by varying the total surface resulting from adding the surface of all openings 3, it is possible to limit and control the amount or flow of air that can pass through them. Obviously, the smaller the surface or section of the openings 3, the smaller the amount of air that can pass through them and, consequently, the smaller the amount of oxygen that will reach the lungs of the user. Therefore, thanks to the limitation of the entry of air and oxygen by the openings 3, it is possible to simulate conditions of training in height, in which the amount of oxygen aspirated by the athlete decreases due to the increase in height. As can be seen, the openings 3 of the variants of Figures 2 to 5 have a different surface or free passage section different from each other. The total free passage area of the openings 3 of the mask 1 of Figure 3 is smaller than the total free passage area of the openings 3 of the mask 1 of Figure 2. Also, the total free passage area of the openings 3 of the mask 1 of figure 4 is smaller than the total free passage area of the openings 3 of the mask 1 of figure 3. Finally, the total free passage area of the openings 3 of the mask 1 of Figure 5 is smaller than the total free passage area of the openings 3 of the mask 1 of Figure 4.

The mask 1 of Figure 2 would be used in a less demanding training level, being the one that allows the passage of a greater amount of air and oxygen thanks to its openings 3 of greater section. The masks of Figures 3, 4 and 5 would be used in gradually more demanding workouts, respectively, due to the smaller and smaller section of their openings.

3, which thus allow the passage of a smaller amount of air and oxygen.

Logically, although the openings 3 described have a rectangular section and are present in a limited number, the shape, number and arrangement of the openings can be different, obtaining the same result. For example, it would be possible to form masks with a plurality of openings or pores that present any suitable shape and whose individual free passage sections add a different total free passage section for each mask, depending on the level of training that is desired to be obtained.

In Figure 6, another embodiment of the device of the present invention can be seen, comprising a mask 1 similar to that described above. However, in this case, the mask 1 comprises a single central opening

4, arranged on the front of the mask 1. The device of the present embodiment further comprises a nozzle 5 that can be removably attached to the front part of the mask 1, being arranged so adjacent to the opening 4 and aligned longitudinally with respect thereto.

The nozzle 5 is tubular in shape and has an inner wall 6 perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the nozzle 5. The inner wall 6 has a hole 7 coaxial to the longitudinal extension of the nozzle 5. The hole 7 has a certain diameter and is aligned and communicated with the opening 4 when the nozzle 5 is fixed to the mask 1. Thus, when the user wears the mask 1, the hole 7 of the nozzle 5 and the opening 4 constitute the only step through which air can circulate between the chamber formed by the mask 1 and the face of the user and the outdoor environment

The user can attach 1 nozzles 5 with different characteristics to the mask. Each nozzle 5 can have a hole 7 with a different size, depending on the desired degree of training requirement. In the same way as described with reference to the openings 3 of the previous embodiment, varying the size of the hole 7, it is possible to limit the amount or flow of air that can pass through it. Obviously, the smaller the surface or section of the hole 7, the smaller the amount of air that can pass through it and, consequently, the smaller the amount of oxygen that will reach the user's lungs. As can be seen in Figures 7 to 10, each of the masks 1 shown has a nozzle 5 attached thereto with a hole 7 having a different diameter. Preferably, the maximum diameter of the hole 7 will always be smaller than the diameter of the opening 4, regardless of the nozzle 5 selected. The size of the hole 7 decreases from the nozzle of Figure 7 to the nozzle of Figure 10. Therefore, the mask 1 of Figure 7 would be the one that would be used at a less demanding training level, since the nozzle 5 fixed to it is the one that allows the passage of a greater amount of air and oxygen thanks to its larger hole 7. The masks of figures 8, 9 and 10 would be the ones that would be used in gradually more demanding workouts, respectively, due to the smaller and smaller size of the orifice 7 of the respective nozzles 5, thus allowing the passage of a smaller amount of air and oxygen.

The nozzle 5 can be fixed to the mask 1 by any means known in the art that allows its replacement by another nozzle quickly and easily.

The described embodiment has the advantage that the user can use a single mask 1 for workouts with different levels of demand, instead of using a specific mask for each training level. The only operation that the user must carry out to adapt the mask 1 to each training level is to fix the corresponding nozzle 5 to the mask 1.

In Figure 1 1 a mask 1 similar to the mask of Figure 6 can be seen. In this case, the mask 1 comprises a filter 8 arranged in the area of the central opening 4. The filter 8 can be integrated in the mask 1 or it could also be removably fixed therein by known means. The filter 8 can be an activated or other type of carbon filter that makes it possible to purify the air that passes through it. The use of filter 8 may be suitable in areas of high pollution, such as urban areas.

Another embodiment of the physical training device of the present invention is shown in Figure 12. In this case, the device consists of an immersion tube 9. The immersion tube 9 allows training in aquatic environments, that is, it allows training in swimming or diving.

The principle of operation of the immersion tube 9 is essentially the same as that of the masks 1 described above. The immersion tube 9 may comprise a nozzle 10 at one of its ends for perform breathing exclusively through the mouth (embodiment shown), although it could also be connected to an immersion mask that covers the face of the swimmer or diver (embodiment not shown).

The immersion tube 9 comprises a narrowing 1 1 in a part thereof. Said narrowing 1 1 consists of a decrease in the inner diameter of the tube 9 that limits the passage of air through the tube 9. The smaller the diameter of the narrowing 1 1, the less air can pass through it, thereby obtaining the same effect as described above for masks 1. In Figures 13 to 16 four different narrowings 1 1 can be observed, decreasing the diameter of the narrowing 1 1 of Figure 13 to Figure 16. Therefore, narrowing 1 1 of Figure 13 would be used in a training level less demanding, since it allows the passage of a greater amount of air due to its greater section. The narrowings 1 1 of Figures 14, 15 and 16 would be used in gradually more demanding workouts, respectively, due to the smaller and smaller section thereof, which allows a smaller amount of air and oxygen to pass through.

The narrowing 1 1 may be formed in the immersion tube 9 or it may be an element that can be incorporated into the tube 9 in a removable manner in a known manner, for example, a fitting attachable to a part of the tube 9 (not shown).

From the above described, it can be seen that the physical training device of the present invention allows simulating the hypoxia conditions that occur in training performed at high heights in areas located at heights close to sea level.

The larger the total free passage section of the openings 3, the hole 7 or the narrowing 1 1, the greater the amount of air and oxygen that can be aspirated and, therefore, the lower the training requirement and the lower It will be the equivalent height of height training. On the other hand, the smaller the total free passage section of the openings 3, the hole 7 or the narrowing 1 1, the smaller the amount of air and oxygen that can be aspirated and, therefore, the greater the requirement of training and greater will be the equivalent height of height training.

For example, the physical training device of the present invention may have a basic level configuration that simulates a height training at 800 m and a maximum level configuration that simulates a height training at 5000 m. Below is a table indicating the relationship between the dimension of the total area of the air passage of the training device (openings 3 / hole 7 / narrowing 1 1) and a corresponding possible training level.

Advanced Basic Level Extreme Expert Total air passage area 320 mm2 to 360 mm2 230 mm2 to 270 mm2 150 mm2 to 190 mm2 50 mm2 to 90 mm2.

Studies carried out by the applicant have allowed a precise relationship between the amount of air / oxygen that passes through the air passage of the training device (openings 3 / hole 7 / narrowing 1 1) and the total free passage area of said passage of air, so that it is possible to effectively control the desired training level by correspondingly modifying said area.

Preferably, the total free passage area of the air passage element 3, 4, 5, 1 1 will be in the range of 435 mm2 to 0.085 mm2, each of these areas corresponding to a training at sea level and a training at a height of approximately 8848 meters above sea level, respectively.

The user can select the level of training that best suits their needs by choosing the most appropriate device configuration, without need to move to areas located at high altitudes. The user can put on the mask 1 while running or performing another type of exercise, or he can use the immersion tube 9 while swimming or diving.

Preferably, the physical training device of the present invention will be used following specific training guidelines specially designed to obtain maximum performance of the device and 10 to ensure proper use thereof that does not endanger the health of the user.

Claims

one . Physical training device, characterized by the fact that it comprises a portable element (1, 9) through which the inspired air passes and expired by a person and an element (3, 4, 5, 1 1) of air passage which limits in a controlled way the amount of air that passes through the portable element (1, 9).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the portable element is a mask (1).

Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the air passage element comprises an opening (3, 4) in the mask (1).

Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means (5) for modifying the free passage area of the opening (4).

5. Device according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the mask (1) covers the person's mouth and nose.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the portable element is a dip tube (9).

Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the air passage element comprises a narrowing (1 1) of the inner diameter of the immersion tube (9).

Device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means for modifying the free passage area of the narrowing (1 1).

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total free passage area of the air passage element (3, 4, 5, 1 1) is 435 mm2 to 0.085 mm2.

Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a filter (8) in the air passage element (4).