Training Devices and Methods

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/168,867, filed Feb. 5, 2021, scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 12,115,431, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/971,505, filed Feb. 7, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure is in the field of training devices and methods for physical training to minimize pain or injuries arising from athletic activities. More specifically, this disclosure is in the field of devices and methods for training subjects to minimize kinematic moments associated with knee pain and injuries. More specifically, this disclosure is in the field of devices and methods for training subjects to reduce knee vulgus during jumping, landing, and cutting movements.

In various embodiments, the invention is a method of using a training device having a left guide element and a right guide element to train a subject, the method comprising the steps of adjusting the training device for the subject; receiving feedback from the training device during a movement performed by the subject; wherein the step of receiving feedback from the training device comprises the step of: determining if a lateral aspect of a left knee or a right knee of the subject maintained contact with the left guide element or the right guide element, respectively, during the movement.

In some versions the method comprises the steps of positioning the left guide element so that it extends from substantially at the subject's left shoulder to substantially at the subject's left toes; and positioning the right guide element so that it extends from substantially at the subject's right shoulder to substantially at the subject's right toes.

The step of receiving feedback from the training device may comprise the steps of determining if a left knee or a right knee of the subject extended in front of the left guide element or the right guide element, respectively, during the movement. The movement may be selected from the group consisting of a two-footed jump and a lateral bound. The method may further comprise the step of repeating the movement to reposition a left knee or a right knee with respect to the left guide element or right guide element, respectively. The method may further comprise the step of altering the movement in response to the feedback.

The training device may comprise a shoulder member for positioning the left and right guide elements in relation to the left and right shoulders of the subject, respectively; a left foot-attachment component and a right foot-attachment component for positioning the left and right guide elements in relation to the left and right feet of the subject, respectively.

Adjusting the device may comprise adjusting the points of attachment of an upper end of the left guide element and an upper end of the right guide element to the shoulder member to position the upper ends thereof substantially at the subject's left and right shoulders, respectively.

Adjusting the device further comprises attaching a lower end of the left guide element and a lower end of the right guide element to the to the left and right foot-attachment components to position the lower ends thereof substantially at the toes of the subject's left and right foot, respectively. In some uses of the device, the left and right guide elements extend and contract during the movement to maintain a reference position running from the subject's left and right shoulders to the subject's left and right feet, respectively. In some embodiments of the device the left and right guide elements exert a minimal force that does not substantially alter the subject's performance of the movement.

A training device comprising a shoulder member for positioning the left and right guide elements in relation to the left and right shoulders of the subject, respectively; a left foot-attachment component and a right foot-attachment component for positioning the left and right guide elements in relation to the left and right feet of the subject, respectively; wherein the right and left guide elements extend from approximately the right and left shoulders of the user to approximately the right and left toes of the user, respectively.

Many athletic activities include jumping, landing, lateral bounding, or abrupt changes of direction, referred to as cutting, that generate substantial dynamic forces on the joints of the athletes performing these movements. If the movements are performed with certain joint alignments or certain kinematic patterns, they may result in pain or joint injury. For example, some studies have suggested that hip internal rotation, insufficient hip flexion, and dynamic knee vulgus associated with the deceleration of landing or the lateral forces of cutting are kinematic patterns associated with knee pain and injuries, such as patellofemoral pain and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Dynamic knee vulgus occurs when the knees adduct (displace medially) with hip adduction and hip internal rotation with insufficient hip flexion. It is characterized by the knees moving closer together as they flex causing an external rotation of the knee joint. The extent of dynamic knee vulgus may be characterized by measuring the knee vulgus moment during activities such as those described above. A reduction in the knee vulgus moment during such activities may reduce the incidence of knee pain and injuries. One of the causes of knee vulgus is excessive knee flexion or bending of the knees with insufficient hip flexion. In some embodiments, an aspect of the inventive devices and methods is designed to train a user to reduce knee flexion and increase hip flexion during certain activities.

Training devices and methods are described for use in reducing dynamic knee vulgus and related movement dynamics of a training subject. In some cases, the use of the devices and methods may cause subjects to increase muscle strength in specific muscle groups that counter the tendency toward knee vulgus. In other cases, the use of the devices and methods may cause subjects to develop better movement habits resulting from the feedback aspects of the training methods. The actual mechanism or underlying cause for the improvement is not limiting of the scope of the inventive devices and methods.

In various embodiments, the training device provides a reference or guide to the user during training. It does not use resistance or applied force to adjust the user's kinematic patterns but provides a frame of reference so that the user can modify their movements to reduce the unwanted characteristics. In some embodiments a trainer watches the subject during use of the training devices to provide feedback and guidance to improve the movements described above.

In the depicted embodiment, the training device comprises a shoulder member, two guide elements, and two foot-attachment components. The shoulder memberand the foot-attachment componentsare utilized to position the guide elementsin a desired position with respect to the body of the subject using the device.

The shoulder memberis provided to hold an upper end of the guide elementsin proper position with respect to the user's body as shown in later Figures. In a preferred embodiment the shoulder member positions the upper ends of the guide elements, substantially at the user's shoulders or adjacent to the shoulders, at points that are approximately pelvis-width apart or slightly wider. In the depicted embodiment the two guide elementsare connected to fixed attachment pointson the first and second barso the length of the barmust be changed as necessary to separate the guide elementsby the user's approximate hip or pelvis width. In other embodiments the attachment pointsmay be moveable on the shoulder memberso that the overall length of the shoulder membermay be fixed so long as the separation between the two attachment pointsis adjustable. For example, the embodiment of the device depicted inutilizes movable attachment pointsThe shoulder membermay comprise a bar as in the depicted embodiment, but in other embodiments of the device the bar may be replaced with one or two attachment devices, such as a device to attach one or both of the guide elementsto the users clothing, uniform, or pads (such as football shoulder pads).

In the embodiment depicted in, the shoulder membercomprises a first bara second barslidably connected to the first barand an adjustment mechanismto allow the first barand the second barto be secured at a desired length. In the depicted embodiment the adjustment mechanismis a spring-loaded detent attached to one barorthat engages apertures or other features on the other barorOne of skill in the art of such devices will be able to utilize other embodiments of the shoulder memberthat function in alternative manners to achieve the result of positioning the upper ends of the guide elements in relation to the user's shoulders.

In the depicted embodiment, the guide elementscomprise flexible or elastic bands that are attached at a first endto an attachment pointon the bar. The guide elementsserve as a reference line between the user's shoulders and feet and should not exert a substantial force on the user that will materially alter the kinematics of the user's movement. As will be described in more detail, the user is instructed and monitored to keep the knees in a desired relationship to the guide elementsduring use of the device while performing certain movements.

During use of the device, the guide elementschange their effective length as necessary to maintain the desired reference line, and thus some embodiments of the guide elementsare capable of lengthwise extension and contraction as the user moves and extends and flexes their knees and hips. In the depicted embodiment of the device the guide elementsare elastic bands that stretch and shorten as the user moves without exertion of substantial force. In other embodiments the guide elementsmay be non-elastic or partially elastic wires or bands that coil and uncoil automatically from spools attached to the baror to the foot attachment devices. The exact mechanism or material used to provide the guide elementis not limiting of the scope of the claims, and other such mechanisms or materials not disclosed herein may be utilized for the guide elementswithin the scope of the invention as described in the claims.

The guide elementsalso attach to a point near or approximately or substantially at the user's toes. This positioning of the lower end of the guide elementsestablishes a preferred reference line from substantially near the user's shoulders to substantially at their toes. Referring to, an embodiment of the foot attachment componentis depicted attached to a user's foot. In this embodiment the componentcomprises a guide attachment pointand one or more strapsIn varying embodiments the guide attachment pointmay be a strap or wire loop, a metal ring, a grommet, or other such element to which the guide elementmay be tied or connected. In other embodiments other types of connections may be utilized as will be apparent to one of skill. In the depicted embodiment, the strapsare sewn together and provided with Velcro so that they may be adjustable fastened around the arch and heel of the foot or shoe of the user. The particular configuration of strapsor even the use of strapsis not required for the invention so long as the componentis able to hold the guide attachment pointnear the desired location substantially at, or slightly above the user's toe. In preferred embodiments of the device the guide attachment pointis near the longitudinal centerline of the foot, but in other embodiments it may be closer to the lateral or medial aspect of the foot.

Referring now to, a side view and a front view, respectively, of a user with an embodiment of the inventive device are depicted. The attachment pointswhere the upper ends of guide elementsare attached to shoulder memberhave been adjusted to the approximate width of the user's shoulders so that the guide elementsextend downwardly just outside the user's shoulders. The lower end of the guide elementsare attached to foot-attachment componentssubstantially above the user's toes. The guide elementsextend downwardly along the sides of the user's body, near to or slightly wider than the user's pelvis.

When the device has been properly adjusted for a user's body the guide elementsprovide a two-axis reference line or the user's knee. Referring now to, when squatting or landing in the training movements, the user is instructed to keep the front of the knee capsubstantially in line with the guide element. If the knee capextends in front of the guide element(to the left in) then the user has over-flexed the knee and under-flexed the hip. If the knee capis substantially behind the guide element(to the right in) then the user has over-flexed the hip and under-flexed the knee. If the knee capis in line with the guide elementthen the preferred balance of knee and hip flexion is achieved.

Similarly, when the device has been properly adjusted for a user's body, it provides a reference line for side-to-side or lateral movement of the knee as well. Referring now to, the lateral aspectof the knee is substantially touching or near the guide element. If the later aspectof the knee moves inwardly from that position and substantially separates from the guide elementthen it reflects a knee vulgus movement. If a user keeps the lateral aspectof the knee near or substantially in contact with the guide elementknee vulgus will be substantially prevented from occurring during the movement.

The various embodiments of the device may be used by a person as a training aid to practice improved kinematics during certain movements. In some methods of using the device, the user may perform two-footed jumping movements while wearing an embodiment of the device. An example of a two-footed jump is depicted in. In this method of the two-footed jump the user begins by standing on a raised platform. The user jumps off the platformwith both feet simultaneously and lands on lower surfaceusing both feet simultaneously. During jumping and landing the knees and hips flex to generate the jumping force and to absorb the landing impact.

When using the device to provide feedback during two-footed jumping the user attempts to keep the front of the knee behind the guide element. During jumping and landing this movement, maintaining the front of the knee behind the reference line created by guide elementsbetween the user's shoulders and feet helps prevent over-flexion of the knee which is one cause of knee vulgus. The user is forced to increase hip flexion to compensate for any reduction in knee flexion. During the jumping and landing of the two-footed jump the user also attempts to make or maintain contact between the lateral aspectof each knee and the adjacent guide element. This helps prevent internal rotation of the hip and knee vulgus during the movement by keeping the knees apart.

In a preferred method of using the device during a two-footed jumping movement, the user receives feedback on body position during the movement. For example, if the user has over-flexion of the knees or under-flexion of the hips, their knees will extend in front of the guide elementsduring jumping or landing of the two-footed jump. Similarly, if the user's hips rotate internally the user's knees will lose contact with the guide elementsduring the landing. In some methods of using the device, the user may monitor their own body positions using the device. However, in preferred methods a trainer observes the user in the process of performing multiple two-footed jumps and provides verbal or visual feedback to the user to adjust their body position.

In other methods of using the device, the user may perform lateral bounding while using an embodiment of the device. An example of lateral bounding is depicted in. In this movement, the user pushes off one foot while stepping out to the side and landing with the other foot. In the depiction in, the user has pushed off his left foot and landed on his right foot. When landing the user attempts to keep the lateral aspect of their knee in contact with the guide elementto prevent internal hip rotation and knee vulgus. Similarly, during jumping the lateral aspect of the jumping foot may also be monitored to maintain it near or substantially at the guide element on that side of the user's body. During this movement the knees are preferably also kept behind the adjacent guide elementto prevent over flexion of the knees.

In some embodiments of methods of using the device the methods comprise the steps of: adjusting the device for the dimensions of the user's body, attaching the device to the user, repetitively performing a training movement; receiving feedback from the device during the training movement. In some methods, the step of receiving feedback comprises the user monitoring the positioning of their knees with respect to the guide elements. In some methods the step of receiving feedback comprises a trainer watching the user during the movement and providing feedback to the user.

In some embodiments of the method, the method further comprises the step of adjusting the body position in response to the feedback from the device. In some of these embodiments, adjusting the body position comprises substantially maintaining contact between the lateral aspect of the user's knees and the adjacent guide elements during the movement. In some of these embodiments, adjusting the body position comprises keeping the front of each of the user's knee caps substantially behind the adjacent guide element.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, a subject performs the movements using the device at least four times per week for a period of four weeks. In other preferred embodiments the subjects were supervised during the training sessions using the device and received feedback from the supervisor to assist in correction of the form of movements. The training sessions result in reduced maximum knee vulgus and reduced the ratio between knee and hip flexion moments during the movements.

In some embodiments of these methods, the step of adjusting the device for a user comprises configuring the device so that the guide elementsextend from substantially at the user's shoulders to substantially at the user's toes. In some embodiments of the method the step of adjusting the device further comprises the step of adjusting the attachment point of the guide elements to the shoulder member. In some embodiments of the method the step of adjusting the device further comprises the step of adjusting the length of the shoulder member.

Other methods of performing these movements, and other types of movements that lead to knee vulgus or other types of improper joint positioning of the hip and knee joints may be used instead of or in addition to the foregoing movements.

When used in this description “substantially”, “approximately”, or variants of those terms mean to be more-or-less conforming to the particular position, dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need to conform exactly to that aspect.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, rather than restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilled artisan May develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.