Shoe for deep-water-running exercise

Abstract

An apparatus for use in exercising in water, preferably deep water running, includes a shoe that is configured to be worn by the user. The shoe includes a plurality of drag-generating elements attached to and extending from each side of said shoe for generating drag forces on the shoe during movement in water. The drag-generating elements generate more drag for movement of said shoe in a rearward direction than in a forward direction and are sized and positioned to simulate the forces on the user's foot arising from land-based running.

1 . Apparatus for use in exercising in water comprising a shoe foundation ( 10 ) configured to be attached to the foot of a user, the said shoe foundation ( 10 ) being configured to extend along the said foot when worn by the said user and comprising forefoot, mid-foot, and heel areas, a plurality of drag-generating elements ( 12 ) attached to each side of the said shoe foundation ( 10 ) and spaced along the said shoe foundation ( 10 ) from the forefoot area to the heel area and below the user's ankle when the said shoe foundation ( 10 ) is worn by the said user, said drag generating elements generating drag forces in water on the said foot during use, wherein the said drag-generating elements ( 12 ) generate larger drag forces in water when the said shoe foundation ( 10 ) is moved rearward at a given velocity than when moved forward at the said velocity and generate substantially equal drag forces on both sides of the said shoe foundation ( 10 ). 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said drag-generating elements on each side of said shoe are spaced from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said shoe. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said drag-generating elements provide increased drag for rearward motion in water of at least 12%. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein there are three of said drag-generating elements on each side of said shoe. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a respective rearmost one of said drag-generating elements is located at the rear of each side of said shoe. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said rearmost one of said drag-generating elements is larger than the other drag-generating elements on the same side of said shoe. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6  comprising three drag-generating elements on each respective side of said shoe. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein a foremost drag-generating element on each respective side of said shoe is smaller than the other drag-generating elements on the same side of said shoe. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each of said drag-generating elements comprises a scoop having an open end and a tapered front surface. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the depth of said scoop is from about 6 mm to about 40 mm, the height of said scoop is from about 19 mm to about 75 mm, and the length of said scoop is from about 12 to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the depth of said scoop is from about 9 mm to about 22 mm, the height of said scoop is from about 25 mm to about 63 mm, and the length of said scoop is from about 18 mm to about 45 mm.