Muscle Training System

The present invention relates to a muscular strength training system.

Currently, a pressurized muscle strength training method has been proposed and put into practical use, which helps efficiently strengthen muscles by imparting a load to the muscles through blood flow inhibition (see, for example, Patent document 1). In such strength training methods, a strength training belt is used to apply pressure to the muscles by tightening a specific part of a user's limbs (arm or leg) with the belt.

Recently, a technology has been proposed to apply or remove pressure to a specific part of the body by supplying gas to or removing gas from a gas bag from a pump, which is a gas supply source, while a gas bag is attached to a belt made of an elastic material and the belt is wrapped around a specific part of the user and fixed in place (see, for example, Patent document 2). It is said that muscle strengthening is achievable very easily by repeatedly applying and removing pressure to the user's limbs using such a gas-pressure strength training belt.

By the way, in the use of conventional strength training belts such as the belts described in Patent document 2, when supplying gas from a gas supply source to a gas bag in the belt, the gas supply source and the gas bag were connected by a flexible tube (for example, rubber tube). However, if such a configuration using a tube is adopted, the housing and tube need to be stored or carried separately from the belt when the strength training belt is not in use, which is inconvenient to handle, and the tube may interfere with the training.

The present invention has been thought of in consideration of these circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to solve various problems caused by the presence of a tube by eliminating the tube connecting a gas supply source and a gas bag provided in a belt in a system equipped with a gas-pressure type strength training belt.

In order to achieve the aforementioned purpose, the present invention provides a muscular strength training system that is used to train a user's muscles by applying a predetermined pressure to a specific part of the user's limbs to restrict blood flow to the muscles without stopping the blood flow, the system including: a band member configured to be wrapped around the specific part; a gas bag placed inside the band member; and a gas supply source for supplying gas to the gas bag, in which the system is configured to apply the pressure to the specific part based on an amount of gas in the gas bag, wherein the gas supply source is configured to directly supply gas to a gas supply port that communicates with the gas bag and is integrally attached to the band member.

With such a configuration, since the gas supply source for supplying gas to the gas bag placed inside the band member that is wrapped around a specific part of the user's limbs is configured to directly supply gas to the gas supply port that communicates with the gas bag, a flexible tube conventionally required to supply gas from the gas supply source to the gas bag is no longer necessary. Thus, there is no danger of the tube interfering with training. In addition, since the gas supply source is integrally attached to the band member, the gas supply source can be stored and carried together with the band member when the system is not in use, which has the advantage of making it very easy to handle.

The muscular strength training system according to the present invention, further includes: a control unit configured to control an operating state of the gas supply source; and an operation unit configured to be operated by the user to transmit a wireless control signal to the control unit, wherein the operating state of the gas supply source is controlled by the control unit based on the wireless control signal.

With such a configuration, the user is able to control the operating state of the gas supply source by operating the operation unit, transmitting a wireless control signal from the operation unit to the control unit, and controlling the control unit with this wireless control signal. In other words, the user is able to remotely control the operating state of the gas supply source (for example, operate a gas supply source that is stopped or stop a gas supply source that is operating) by operating the operation unit from a position away from the band member.

The muscular strength training system according to the present invention, further includes: hook and loop fasteners configured to maintain a loop shape formed by wrapping the band member around the specific part; and a buckle connected to one end of the band member, wherein the other end of the band member is passed through the buckle, the band member is folded back, and the hook and loop fasteners are joined together to maintain the loop shape.

With such a configuration, the user threads the other end (the end opposite one end to which the buckle is connected) of the band member through the buckle connected to one end of the band member to form a loop of the band member, and pass the left arm through this loop, for example, and then fold back the band member with the right hand to join the hook and loop fasteners together, thereby maintaining the loop shape and fixing the band member to the left arm. In other words, by adopting the buckle and the hook and loop fasteners, the user is able to operate and fix the band member wrapped around one arm (left arm) with his/her own one hand (right hand) without the help of others. By adopting this method of fixing the band member by folding it back, the band member is attachable to a specific part of the user's body without being bulky.

In the muscular strength training system according to the present invention, it is possible to adopt an elastic band member.

With such a configuration, since the band member is elastic, the band member can expand and contract according to the expansion and contraction of the user's muscles associated with exercise, making it possible to apply pressure in a stable manner.

According to the present invention, in a system equipped with a gas-pressure type strength training belt, it is possible to solve various problems caused by the presence of a tube by eliminating the tube connecting a gas supply source and a gas bag provided in a belt.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

First, the configuration of a muscular strength training system (hereinafter, referred to as “the present system”)according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to. The present systemis used to train muscles by applying a predetermined pressure to a specific part of a user's limbs to restrict blood flow to the user's muscles without stopping the blood flow, and includes a band member(, and the like) configured to be wrapped around a specific part of the user, a gas bag(, and the like) placed inside the band member, a control device(, and the like), a remote operation device(, and the like), and the like.

It is possible to adopt a plurality of band members(for example, four so that pressure is applicable to both hands and both feet of a person performing the pressurized muscle strength training (user). The number of band membersdoes not necessarily have to be four, but may be any number as long as there is more than one. The number of band membersfor arms and band membersfor legs need not necessarily be the same.

The length and width of the band membercan be appropriately set according to the length of the outer circumference of the part (specific part) to be wrapped around. For example, for the band memberfor an arm, the length may be set to about 40 cm, taking into account the length of the outer circumference of a specific part of the arm (about 26 cm), and the width may be set to 2.5 to 3.0 cm. In addition, for the band memberfor a leg, the length may be set to about 70 cm, taking into account the length of the outer circumference of a specific part of the leg (about 45 cm), and the width may be set to 5.0 to 6.0 cm.

An outer surface (outwardly exposed surface)of the band memberis provided with a first hook and loop fastenerand a second hook and loop fastener, as illustrated inand the like. The first hook and loop fastenerand the second hook and loop fastenermaintain the loop shape of the band memberwhen pressure is applied to the muscle, and correspond to the shape-maintaining members in the present invention. The first hook and loop fasteneris provided from near one endof the band memberto about 80% of the total length of the band member, and the second hook and loop fasteneris provided from near the other endof the band memberto about 20% of the total length of the band member. The band memberis made of a material (for example, neoprene rubber) that is water-repellent, water-resistant, and quick-drying, as well as elastic.

The gas bagis an airtight elongated bag that is elastic at least in the length direction thereof. The gas bagmay be made of elastic rubber, similar to the rubber bags used in manchettes, for example, although this is not necessarily the case. The gas bag may also be constructed of an elastic synthetic resin such as polyurethane. The gas bagis connected to a compressor(described below) of the control devicevia a belt-side connection port(described below) of a connecting memberand a connection port(described below) of the control device. Gas is fed into the gas bagfrom the compressor, and the gas inside the gas bagis drawn out by a valveof the compressor(described below). Such control of gas in and out of the gas bagis carried out by a control unitof the control device(described below).

The length of the gas bagis a specific length corresponding to the length of the outer circumference of the wrapped part (specific part). For example, for the band memberfor an arm, it is possible to adopt the gas bagwith a length of about 26 cm, which corresponds to the length of the outer circumference of a specific part of the arm, and for the band memberfor a leg, it is possible to adopt the gas bagwith a length of about 45 cm, which corresponds to the length of the outer circumference of a specific part of the leg.

A buckleis used to fold the band memberback through the other endof the band memberwhen winding the band member, and is connected to one endof the band membervia the connecting member. The connecting memberis a member for connecting one endof the band memberto the buckle, and may be made of a flexible material such as artificial leather. The connecting memberhas the belt-side connection portthat is connected to the connection portof the control device(described below), as illustrated in. The belt-side connection portcommunicates with the inside of the gas bag, and through this belt-side connection port, gas (air in the present embodiment) is fed into the gas bagor the gas in the gas bagis drawn out to the outside. In other words, the belt-side connection portcorresponds to the gas supply port in the present invention.

For example, when attaching the band memberfor the arm to the base of the user's arm, as illustrated in, the band memberis first wrapped around the base of the arm (specific part) to form a loop shape, and then the other endof the band memberis passed through the buckleattached to one endof the band memberto fold back the band memberand maintain the loop shape of the band memberby using the first hook and loop fastenerand the second hook and loop fastener. When gas is fed into the gas bagwhile the band memberis attached to the base of the user's arm (specific part) in this manner, the band membertightens the muscles and exerts pressure. Conversely, if the gas in the gas bagis drawn out in that state, the pressure exerted by the band memberon the muscle is reduced. In, the control deviceis not illustrated.

Inside the band member, outside the gas bag, a plurality of plate-like small piecesare placed at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the band member, as illustrated in. The plate-like small pieceis a member for regulating inwardly the direction of expansion of the gas bag, which is expanded by being filled with gas. The plate-like small pieceis made of a hard material (for example, synthetic resin, and the like) that is able to perform such functions. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in, the plurality of plate-like small piecethat present a rectangular shape in plan view are adopted, but the planar shape of the plate-like small piecesis not limited thereto, and the planar shape of each plate-like small piecemay be different. The transverse length (dimension in the width direction of the band member) of the plate-like small piecemay be set in the range of 60 to 100% of the width of the band member, and the longitudinal length (dimension in the length direction of a belt) of the plate-like small piecesmay be set at the same level as the transverse length thereof.

In addition, the tapeis attached to the outer surface of the plate-like small pieceinside the band member. The tapeis a band-shaped member extending in the width direction of the band member, as illustrated in, and the ends thereof are attached to each of the two ends of the band memberin the width direction. The tapeis made of a non-stretchable material (for example, cloth or synthetic resin membrane material). The length of the tape(dimension in the width direction of the band member) may be set to be approximately the same as the width of the band member, and the width of the tape(dimension in the length direction of the band member) may be set to be shorter than the longitudinal length of the plate-like small piece. The tapeis fixed to the outer surface of the plate-like small pieceat the approximate center of the length direction thereof. The tapeis fixable to the plate-like small piece, for example, by gluing, welding, or stitching.

A pressure-sensitive elementis attached to an inner surfaceof the band member, as illustrated in. The pressure-sensitive elementoutputs an electrical signal corresponding to the pressure applied to a specific part based on the amount of gas in the gas bagwhile the band membermaintains the loop shape thereof. The electrical signals output from each of thepressure-sensitive elements are sent to the control devicevia a signal line() to be used in the calculation of the pressure. A plurality of pressure-sensitive elements(for example, eight) are placed at predetermined intervals in a part of the band memberthat has a length corresponding to the length of the outer circumference of the part to be wrapped around (specific part).

The control devicehas a thin housingthat includes a small computer system with a CPU that performs various types of processing and a memory with recorded control programs, and is integrally attached to the band membervia the connecting member, as illustrated in. The control devicefunctions to control the pressure exerted by the band memberon a specific part of the user by controlling the supply amount and discharge amount of gas to and from the gas bag, and to calculate the pressure based on the electrical signals sent from each pressure-sensitive element. The housingof the control deviceis also removable from the band memberso that, for example, if either the band memberor the control devicedeteriorates, the deteriorated component is replaceable by removing the control devicefrom the band member.

The control devicehas a supply and discharge control unit (compressorand control unit) that controls the supply amount and discharge amount of gas to and from the gas bagto apply pressure to a specific part with the band member, as illustrated in. The compressorand control unitin the present embodiment are housed in the housing, which has an abbreviated rectangular shape. The housingis large enough (for example, 7 to 8 cm long, about 4 to 5 cm wide, and about 2 to 3 cm thick) to be attached to the connecting memberof the band member. The shape of the housingis not limited to a rectangular shape, but it is possible to adopt other shapes attachable to the band member. Recent technological innovations have made it possible to reduce the weight of the control device, including the housing, the compressor, the control unit, and all other components, to about 65 g. It is preferable to place a sound-absorbing material such as glass wool or urethane foam material inside the housing(especially, around the compressor) to prevent the operating sound of the compressorfrom leaking outside.

The compressorof the control devicehas the function of taking in gas (air in the present embodiment) from the surroundings thereof and sending the gas to the outside through the connection port, which corresponds to a gas supply source in the present invention. The compressoris also provided with a valve, which can be opened to discharge the gas inside the compressorto the outside. The compressorhas the connection port, which is directly connected to the gas bagvia the belt-side connection port(). If the compressorsends gas, gas is supplied to the gas bag, and if the compressoropens the valve, gas is removable from the gas bag. The valvedoes not necessarily have to be provided in the compressor; it is sufficient if the valveis provided in one of the paths from the compressorto the gas bag.

The control unitof the control devicecontrols various configurations such as the compressor. The control unitcontrols the gas pressure in the compressorto a predetermined value by driving the compressorwith the valveclosed to send gas (air) to the gas bag, or by opening the valvein the compressorto remove the gas in the gas bag. In other words, the control unitcontrols the compressor, including opening and closing the valve.

The control devicealso has a calculation unitthat calculates the pressure based on the electrical signal output by the pressure-sensitive element, as illustrated in. The calculation unitcalculates the average value of pressure based on a plurality of electrical signals sent from each pressure-sensitive elementvia the signal line.

The control devicealso has an information recording unitfor recording various types of information, as illustrated in. The information recording unitis configured to record various types of information, such as the pressure set for each user, and to erase the recorded information. The control unitof the control deviceis able to control the supply amount and discharge amount of gas to and from the gas bagto apply the pressure read from the information recording unitto a specific part with the band member.

The control devicealso has an information reception unitfor receiving various types of information via wireless communication, as illustrated in. The information reception unitis configured to receive control commands transmitted via wireless communication from the remote operation device. The control unitcontrols the pressure exerted by the band memberon a specific part (for example, the base of the user's arm) by controlling the supply amount and discharge amount of gas to and from the gas bagbased on control commands received via the information reception unit.

The control devicealso has a display unitfor visually displaying (outputting) various types of information, as illustrated in. The display unitis for displaying various types of information such as the pressure calculated by the calculation unit. In the present embodiment, the display unitadopts a display screen displayed on one surface of the housing, as illustrated in. Instead of (or together with) the display unitfor visually displaying various types of information, an audio output unit may be provided for audio output of various types of information.

The remote operation devicefunctions to transmit control commands to the control deviceintegrally attached to the band membervia wireless communication (to transmit wireless control signals) when operated by the user in a predetermined manner. As illustrated in, the remote operation deviceincludes a control unitfor integrated control of various configurations, an operation unitfor input of various kinds of information, an information transmission unitfor transmission of various kinds of information, and a display unitfor visual display of various kinds of information.

The operation unitis used to input various operation commands and to input various kinds of information such as specific pressure. The information transmission unitis configured to transmit control commands to the control deviceintegrally attached to the band membervia wireless communication under the control of the control unit. The display unitis configured to display various kinds of information entered by the operation unit(for example, information regarding the ON/OFF of the compressorof the control device) and to display information corresponding to a control command (for example, the pressure to be applied to a specific part of the user's limbs). Instead of (or together with) the display unitfor visually displaying various types of information, an audio output unit may be provided for audio output of various types of information. It is also possible to adopt the operation unitthat allows audio input of various operation commands, and the like.

Next, the flowchart inis used to describe a first method of using the present system(muscle strengthening method through pressurization and light exercise).

First, the user wraps the band memberaround at least one of the limbs (for example, the left upper arm including the biceps muscle) near the heart (specific part), including the muscles for which muscle strengthening is desired, and attaches the band memberto the specific part by creating a loop shape (belt attachment step: S). In this case, the band memberis folded back through the buckleattached to one endof the band memberand the other endof the band member, and the loop shape of the band memberis maintained by using the first hook and loop fastenerand the second hook and loop fastener.

Next, the user operates the compressorof the control deviceintegrally attached to the band membervia the connecting memberby operating the operation unitof the remote operation device, and applies a specific pressure to a specific part of the user with the band memberby controlling the supply amount and discharge amount of gas to and from the gas bagunder the control of the control unitof the control device(pressurization step: S). The calculation unitof the control devicecalculates the pressure applied to the muscles based on the electrical signal output from the pressure-sensitive element(pressure measurement step: S). The control unitof the control devicedisplays the pressure calculated by the calculation uniton the display unit(pressure display step: S).

The user then confirms, by viewing the display unit, whether the pressure measured in the pressure measurement step S(measured pressure) matches the pressure entered at the operation unit(set pressure). If the measured pressure does not match the set pressure, the user adjusts the tightening force of the band memberwhile grasping the other endof the band memberthrough the buckleto make the measured pressure match the set pressure (pressure adjustment step: S). After confirming that the measured pressure matches the set pressure, the user maintains the loop shape of the band memberby using the first hook and loop fastenerand the second hook and loop fastener. This results in the same pressure as the set pressure being applied to desired muscles.

The user then performs light exercise while maintaining the loop shape of the belt(maintaining a constant pressure exerted by the belton the muscles). By maintaining the pressure actually applied to the specific part at a constant level, the blood flow to the muscle can be inhibited consistently and appropriately, allowing for safe muscle strengthening (exercise step: S). The present systemeliminates the need for a flexible tube, which was conventionally required to supply gas from the compressorto the gas bag, and allows for any exercise. Thus, “light exercise” here may include any kind of exercise, such as playing catch.

Next, the flowchart inand the time chart inare used to describe a second method of using the present system(vessel strengthening method).

First, control data for vessel strengthening is created (control data creation step: S). The control devicein the present embodiment is configured to perform two modes: setting mode and training mode. Creation of control data is done in the setting mode. The input as to whether the setting mode or the training mode should be selected is performed by the operation unitof the remote operation device. When information on whether to select the setting mode or the training mode is input from the operation unitof the remote operation device, a signal regarding the information is sent wirelessly to the control devicevia the information transmission unit. Upon receiving that signal via the information reception unit, the control unitinitiates the setting mode or training mode.

The control unitof the control deviceis able to create control data by operating the operation unitof the remote operation devicewhen the setting mode is being executed. The information entered by the operation unitof the remote control deviceis sent to the control unitof the control devicevia the information transmission unitand the information reception unitas described above. The control unitcreates control data based on the input information and sends the data to the information recording unit. The information recording unitrecords the data. The control data is data that indicates how the gas pressure in the compressorshould be changed over time. Instead of creating control data each time, representative (or generic) control data may be recorded in the information recording unitin advance when the control deviceis shipped.

After the control data is created in the control data creation step S, as in the first method of using the system, the band memberis attached to the specific part by wrapping the band memberaround at least one of the limbs near the heart (specific part), including muscles for which muscle strengthening is desired, creating a loop shape (belt attachment step: S). In this state, little or no pressure is applied to the specific part. In this state, the control deviceis placed in training mode to perform vascular training. Once the training mode is initiated, the person performing the vascular training selects the control data for himself/herself by operating the operation unitof the remote operation device(control data selection step: S). When information on which control data to select is input by the operation unitof the remote operation device, this information is sent to the control unitof the control devicevia the information transmission unitand the information reception unit. The control unitreads the control data selected by this information from the information recording unitand controls the compressorbased on the read control data (pressurization and depressurization control step: S).

The time chart inis used to describe how the pressurizing and depressurizing operations are realized in the pressurization and depressurization control step S. In the present embodiment, the pressure (proper pressure) to be given to the arms of the vascular training person shall be 150 to 160 mmHg, and the proper pressure for the legs shall be 250 to 260 mmHg.

is a time chart illustrating changes over time in the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm by the band memberof the present system. In the example illustrated in, first, the control unitof the control devicecontrols the compressorto increase the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm from 0 mmHg to the limit pressure (about 350 mmHg) that causes a temporary hemostatic state over about 5 seconds, and maintain that limit pressure for about 10 seconds (first pressurization step). During the first pressurization step, the user confirms that a hemostatic state has been brought about at the base of his or her arm by visually examining the condition of his or her palm and measuring the pulse of his or her arm. Thereafter, the control unitcontrols the compressorto reduce the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm from the limit pressure (about 350 mmHg) to 0 mmHg (that is, completely remove the pressure) over about 5 seconds, and maintains that state for about 10 seconds (first depressurization step).

Next, the control unitof the control devicecontrols the compressorto increase the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm from 0 mmHg to about 280 mmHg over about 5 seconds, and maintain that pressure for about 15 seconds (second pressurization step). Thereafter, the control unitcontrols the compressorto reduce the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm from about 280 mmHg to 0 mmHg (that is, completely remove the pressure) over about 5 seconds, and maintains that state for about 10 seconds (second depressurization step).

Next, the control unitof the control devicecontrols the compressorto increase the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm from 0 mmHg to about 300 mmHg over about 5 seconds, and maintains that pressure for about 15 seconds (third pressurization step). Thereafter, the control unitcontrols the compressorto reduce the pressure applied to the base of the user's arm from about 300 mmHg to 0 mmHg (that is, completely remove the pressure) over about 5 seconds, and maintains that state for about 10 seconds (third depressurization step).