WO2018172800A1

WO2018172800A1 - Subfeet of functional exercise and therapy

Info

Publication number: WO2018172800A1
Application number: PCT/GR2017/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christos Georgopoulos
Original assignee: Christos Georgopoulos
Priority date: 2017-03-20
Filing date: 2017-03-20
Publication date: 2018-09-27

Abstract

The functional exercise and treatment subfeet are a pair of subfeet. They are used in exercise, prevention and treatment of injuries, neurological and other diseases. Each subfoot consists of a shoe support pedestal (I), a heel support (VII), two rubber belts that stabilize the shoe on the pedestal (V, IV) and a belt or six hooks (VI) around the pedestal's edge. There is also a second pedestal, on which the subfoot's pedestal (II) and two to four supports, beneath the subfoot's pedestal (II), will lean on. The user, by balancing on the subfeet, will be able to improve his/her balance, neuromuscular interlocking, proprioception and strength while performing various activities and moving around at the same time. The use of the second pedestal can help in the creation of zero-balance conditions. In addition, the user's weight and the resistance belts, fitted on the subfeet, help in exercising, even with resistance.

Description

Subfeet of functional exercise and therapy

The present invention is about a pair of subfeet, constructed according to the main concept of patent claims (1). By using this pair of functional exercise and treatment subfeet, it is possible to improve proprioception, kinesthetic, balance, strength and the user's neuromuscular interlocking in static, semi-dynamic, dynamic and functional conditions.

Research has shown that the brain motivates and controls the human body as a single set. Thus in the last few years, various means is used for functional activities, in order to exercise and treat musculoskeletal and neurological diseases. These treatment devices make the brain use many joints and muscular groups at the same time and not specific

movements of individual joints, like knee flexion and extension. The value of the improvement of neuromusculoskeletal functions like balance, neuromuscular control, proprioception and kinesthetic is nowadays recognized. Various devices are used to improve

proprioception, kinesthetic, balance, strength, neuromuscular

interlocking in terms of exercise and health improvement, prevention of musculoskeletal injuries and treatment of various diseases that affect negatively the function of neuromusculoskeletal system, such as neurological diseases. The balance disk, trampoline, balance platform, balance board and the bosu balls are some examples of such devices. The same means is used for exercise too. The main feature of these devices is a steady or elastic surface which rests on a pedestal. The user's aim is to retain his balance and exercise while using bipedal or single-foot support on the device's surface. It is possible to perform various fitness exercises that affect the lower limbs, as well as the torso and upper limbs. On these devices, it is not possible to perform dynamic and functional exercise that requires the user's movement, such as walking, climbing and walking down the stairs, with the surface the user is sanding on having reduced stability and balance. In addition, it is not possible to exercise both lower limbs independently, since they use the same surface to stand on. Furthermore, in order to improve the procedure of standing up and then sitting down on a seat, these devices are placed in front of the seat and as a result, during the user's movement, his body is outside the support surface that is created between the two lower limbs. Therefore, the procedure of standing up and sitting down on the seat becomes difficult, or even impossible, but also unsafe because of the fact that the body is outside the support surface. These devices are also difficult to carry because of their size. Sometimes, these devices must be taken to the patient's house in order to treat neurological or musculoskeletal diseases.

The pair of subfeet involves two subfeet in which the user fits his shoes, while wearing them. The shoes will be place on nonskid surface on the lower section of the subfeet. There will also be a support for the heels and two stabilization belts; one front bely which will stabilize the instep of the shoe on the surface and a rear belt that will stabilize the user's ankle joint and the shoe's heel on the base of each subfoot. In the bottom of the base of the footstool, there will be a second pedestal in the shape of a semi-sphere or oval, as shown in the pictures. Along the edge of the subfeet' pedestal, there will be a plastic belt with socketsfor "thera-band" exercise rubber belts, creating about 40 different fitting sockets, with 2cm margins between them. Alternatively, there will be 6 structures in total, around the subfeet' edge, like a noose, to fit the resistance rubber belts. Thus, the performance of exercise will be possible, by applying resistance force to various points and in different angles, resulting in the variation of the exercise being so great that the activation of the muscles is achieved through many different ways and under various conditions. The rubber belts can not only be held by the user but can also be fitted between the subfoot so that many activities could be performed, such as walking with resistance. There will also be supports in the lower section of each subfoot, positioned in the way it is shown in the pictures, in order that the movement would not be allowed outside the natural width of the ankle joint. The normal width of the ankle joint has been calculated based on the knowledge we have on kinesiology. The use of the heel support not only will stabilize the shoe on the subfoot but it will also ensure that the maximum possible movement angle will be the same, regardless of the user's height. For the safety of the user, it is necessary that the device won't allow the movement of the ankle joint outside the normal width.

The pair of subfeet can be used to improve strength, balance, proprioception and neuromuscular interlocking of the user's entire body. The main difference, compared to other devices, is that exercise can be performed not only when the user is static but also when he moves around. Thus, the user is able to do fully-functional exercise or

treatment (if he is a patient), in activities like walking, going up or down the stairs, standing up or sitting down on a chair, or even side-stepping or walking backwards. The meaning of functional exercise is based on the fact that the brain recognizes movement patterns and is supposed to coordinate the neuromusculoskeletal system in order to perform activities safely. Therefore, there are a lot of devices to improve balance and all the aforementioned but there isn't a way for the user (or the patient) to perform functional activities that require moving around. These activities make the body work under specific conditions, as far as the pace, the movement speed, neuromuscular coordination, the extent of each muscle's activation etc. are concerned. By using the functional exercise and treatment subfeet, the user (or patient) without balance, by using the second pedestal or resistance force through rubber belts in various sockets, can train his brain to move his body in functional activities like walking. In addition, the strength and synergy of the muscles that perform this exercise are also improved. Another

advantage is that the subfeet are so safe that they can be used by beginners or even by older patients. This can be achieved by means of supports that don't allow excessive movement, by using nonskid pedestals as well as rubber belts that fully stabilize the user's shoes on the subfeet. The pair of subfeet can also be accompanied by an exercise log. This exercise log can be in printed form or in a website. Another advantage is that it is easy to carry because its size is like a normal pair of shoes, unlike other means of balance-improving devices, such as bosu balls and the balance disk. Therefore, the user can use these subfeet anywhere and anytime. The pair of subfeet will be designed in such a way that is competitive, in terms of price, with other existing means of balance-improvement, strength etc. It can be carried easily and everywhere. It can be used by the user himself safely. It will also be a useful tool to many health scientists, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists that work on the improvement of the user's

functionality and self-service ability. Some examples of this are a simple sprained ankle or a knee injury, such as an injured anterior cruciate ligament. Other examples include neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and stroke. Of course, the way of using it depends on each occasion's severity. Other examples include children with genetic diseases and the danger of people falling down. It is known that exercise and mild vibrations help in the case of osteoporosis because the bones are piezoelectric materials and when demarcated voltage is applied, bone tissue is produced. That's why it is useful in such cases. It can be used in various ways in the field of treatment and restoration. In addition, as far as exercise and injury prevention is concerned, it can also be used by amateurs in gyms and personal training studios to promote health and prevention of musculoskeletal problems, or even to avoid injuries in sports, like football, that are tough for the musculoskeletal system. An example of this is the FIFA Eleven Plus, a set of exercises to prevent injuries of anterior cruciate ligament, by using the subfeet of functional exercise and treatment. The "thera-band" rubber belts will be adjusted on the plastic belt, they will be in various colors and they can be used along with other existing equipment. In addition, rubber belts, only for use with these treatment subfeet, could be

fabricated. Furthermore, these subfeet could be modified so that the user can use it without wearing shoes. However, further modifications should be made to stabilize the legs on the subfeet and to absorb vibrations. Finally, the pedestal could be modified to enfold the user's leg and to achieve better stabilization by using more rubber belts. The pair of subfeet, shown in the pictures, depicts the pedestals (I), on which the user's shoe will be fitted, the heel support (VII) and the belts (IV, V) that stabilize the shoe on the subfoot. The belt that spreads along the edge of the lower section of the subfoot, has the fitting sockets for the resistance belts. Alternatively, there will be 6 structures in total (VI), like a noose, for resistance belts. The subfeet' pedestal, as shown in picture 1, will be able to receive the user's shoes and the upper section will be nonskid, in order for the shoe to fit better and for maximum safety. The heel support, shown in picture (VII), will stabilize the user's shoe on the pedestal and the safety support, under each subfoot's pedestal, will allow various movements. The fastening straps (IV, V) will stabilize the instep and the user's heel on the pedestal. In picture (III) we can see the second pedestal. On this pedestal, there will be the lower section of the subfoot and it will be flat, on the side that will touch the pedestal's lower section, and round on the side that will touch the ground, or

alternatively oval shaped. Its surface will be nonskid and it will be stable, or it will partially move, around 10-20 %. In addition, the material could be a plastic casing, air inflated. The second pedestal aims to position the user in non-balance conditions. The belt will buckle in the same spot, where it will begin on the edge of the subfoot's pedestal or very close to it, since its route will be around and along the subfoot's edge. The safety support (II) will be placed in the inner and outer lower side (if it is necessary it can be place in the front or rear lower side of the subfoot) of the subfoot's pedestal, with the surface touching the ground being nonskid. The goal is to stabilize the user on the ground, in case he is not able to balance, when the movement of the ankle reaches the maximum acceptable normal movement width. The structure of the device should satisfy the patent claims. The material used should result in safe exercising and treatment, without excessive cost. The pair of subfeet will be addressed to trainees, patients as well as health scientists. The pedestal's material should be lightweight and able to hold the user's weight, up to 110 kg. The material could be plastic or horn-rimmed, like the one used in some versions of the balance disk. The pedestal's surface will be nonskid. Another way to stabilize the shoe on the pedestal would be the surface not to be smooth. The heel support and the pedestal support could be made out of same material, so as not to allow excessive movement of the ankle joint. The stabilization belts shouldn't be elastic but they should be durable in order to withstand the forces applied during the use of the device. The mechanism and the material could be the same with the ones used in PCS exercise (Velcro) or in snowshoes. The second pedestal, on which there will be the lower section of each subfoot, could be made of high-durability plastic, which will not be able to move (or alternatively move up to 20%), like the one used on the pedestal of the balance disk and the balance board.

Alternatively, air inflated plastic could be used, like the one used in bosu balls or in "thera-band". The more air the pedestal contains, the more difficult it is for the user to exercise. The belt, applied on the edge of the subfoot's pedestal, should be made of plastic, flexible enough to wrap around the subfoot's edge. The plastic belt, when buckled on the subfoot's edge, will stabilize the resistance belts, if used. The belt will have plastic partitions for the rubber belts and it will wrap around the subfoot's edge. Alternatively, the noose-type structures should either allow the rubber's tying or have a simple buckling mechanism like the one used in "thera-band" rubber belts. Either way, the material and the construction details should allow the device's use as described above, the user's safety and a competitive production cost.

Claims

1. A pair of functional exercise and treatment subfeet with pedestals, each one shaped like a shoe pad (I), 34 centimeters long, 12 centimeters wide in the rear part, which is like a heel and 9 centimeters wide in the front part which corresponds to the front end of the shoe, place on the pedestal. The edge of the subfoot's pedestal will be 1 centimeter high. On the upper surface of the pedestal, on the rear, there will be a heel support (VII), 12 centimeters long, the same as the pedestal, 4

centimeters high and 1-centimeter-wide, on which the user's shoe heel will be supported. Thus, the shoe will be stabilized on the pedestal and the ankle's movement, regardless of the user's height, will be ensured. On the rear and front part, there will be fastening belts (IV, V) that will have the pedestal as a steady point. The front belt will stabilize the metatarsal bones and the rear belt will stabilize the ankle on the pedestal (trending as the classic "eights", used in sporting ligature). In the bottom of the subfoot's pedestal, there will be the second pedestal (III), shaped like asemi-sphere or oval; the flat surface of the subfoot will be adjusted in the lower part of the subfoot's pedestal and the round surface will touch the ground. The diameter of the second pedestal's surface, adjusted on the subfoot's bottom, will be 9 centimeters, and the diameter of the surface touching the ground will be 4,5 centimeters. The size of the second pedestal will render the user's balance difficult but not impossible. Along the pedestal's edge there will be a plastic structure, like a belt, which will start as a subfoot part from the outer surface of the pedestal's edge and end up in the same spot, while wrapping around the subfoot's edge and buckling safely. Alternatively, there will be noose-like structures, on which resistance belts will be fitted (VI). On the lower part of the subfoot, and specifically on both sides of it, front and rear, there will be safety supports (II), which will be made to touch the ground when the ankle's movements reach its normal movement width (dorsiflexion 25 degrees, plantar flexion 40 degrees, pronation and elevation of the inner edge 52 degrees, supination and elevation of the outer edge 27 degrees).

2. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that the surface, on which the user will be standing, wearing his shoes, will be big enough for shoes of European size 35-47. The pedestal's material, like most of the subfoot's parts, will be lightweight, nonskid in the upper part and at the same time durable enough to support users up to 110 kg heavy. The material could be various types of plastic or horn-rimmed, like the one used in the manufacturing of the balance disk.

3. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that the heel support will be shaped in such a way that it will be like the rear part of a shoe. It will help with the stabilization of the shoe on the pedestal and at the same time the movement of the ankle join will be achieved, regardless of the foot's and the shoe's size. Thus, the user will move safely regardless of his/her height.

4. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that the front belt will begin from a steady point (like an alcove or a small hook) in the front of the outer side part of the pedestal, on which the user's shoe will be fitted, and it will pass through a steady point, located in the inner side, in the front part of the pedestal. This belt will go over the user's shoe, at the metatarsal bones, and will end up to the inner steady point, located on the pedestal. Alternatively, the belt can pass through the steady point more than two times, for more safety.

5. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that the front belt will begin from a steady point (like an alcove or a small hook) in the rear of the outer side part of the pedestal, on which there will be the user's shoe. This belt will be fastened like the "eights" used in sporting ligature, starting from the outer side of the ankle, going through the inner part of the pedestal, then below the pedestal towards the rear part of the inner side part of the pedestal, on which the user's shoe will fit. It will end up in a steady point like the rest.

6. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that the second pedestal, on which the hell-shaped pedestal will be positioned, could be made of plastic or horn-rimmed material. Its center will possibly be at the fifteenth centimeter, counting from rear to front (or wherever needed, so that the maximum possible movement can be achieved, as far as dorsal and plantar flexion are concerned). Alternatively, it can be made of durable, air-inflated material, like the one used in bosu balls. The quantity of the air and the way the user's weight will move the pedestal can vary, so that different difficulty can be achieved, during the use. The second pedestal's surface, which will touch the ground, must have nonskid coating or the whole pedestal must be made of nonskid material.

7. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that along the plastic belt, every two centimeters, there will be plastic partitions, where "thera-band" rubber belts will be put. The belt will be stabilized along the pedestal's edge and on its buckle, because the belt will be Π-shaped and it will have almost 40 different places for "thera-band" rubber belts. Alternatively, there will also be 6 noose-like structures (VI) around the shoe pad for the placement of the resistance rubber belts.

8. The functional exercise and treatment subfeet, according to claim Nol, are characterized by the fact that there will be two protection supports, placed below the pedestal (there can also be four supports, if needed, one in the front and one in the rear part). The two main supports will be in the outer middle and inner middle part of the pedestal. Based on the movement of the ankle joint, each support (if there is one) will touch the ground whenever the plantar flexion reaches 40 degrees; the rear support (if there is one) will touch the ground whenever the dorsiflexion reaches 25 degrees; the inner support will touch the ground whenever there is a 27-degrees outer edge elevation; and the outer support will touch the ground whenever there is a 52- degrees inner edge elevation. The existence of the front and rear support depends on whether the front and rear surface of the subfoot is safe enough for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion movements. The supports' surface, touching the ground, will be nonskid, for maximum safety.