Computer controlled exercise equipment apparatus and method of use thereof

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using computer configured exercise equipment and an electric motor. A computer-controlled robotic resistance system is used for training, diagnosis and/or therapy. The resistance system comprises: a subject interface, software control, a controller, an electric servo assist/resist motor, an actuator, and/or a subject sensor. The system overcomes the limitations of the existing robotic rehabilitation, weight training, and cardiovascular training systems by providing a training and/or rehabilitation system that adapts a resistance or force applied to a user interactive element in response to the user's interaction with the training system, a physiological strength curve, and/or sensor feedback. For example, the system optionally provides for an automatic reconfiguration and/or adaptive load adjustment based upon real time measurement of a user's interaction with the system or sensor based observation by the exercise system as it is operated by the subject.

1 . An exercise apparatus configured for use by a subject, comprising:
 an electric motor;   a subject interface element;   a resistance cable comprising:
 a first cable end attached directly or indirectly to said electric motor; 
 a second cable end attached to said subject interface; and 
   a controller, said controller configured to control movement of said electric motor, movement of said electric motor configured to provide a force transferred by said cable to said subject interface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said subject interface element configured for interaction by the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a winding spool, said cable configured to wind on said spool during use.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor, said sensor configured to provide biomechanical feedback to said controller, said controller configured to adjust the force applied by said electric motor based upon said biomechanical feedback.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a computer configured to transform information, said computer programmed with a physiological strength curve, said computer electrically connected to said controller, said controller configured to adjust the force transferred to said cable based on said physiological strength curve.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said electric motor configured to apply assistance to movement of said resistance cable. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said controller programmed to modify the force within a single repetition of movement of said subject interface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said electric motor configured to provide an isometric resistance to said subject interface element via said cable for a period of at least three seconds during an exercise repetition. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said electric motor provides a resistive force to rotation of a cable spool. 
     
     
         10 . A method for exercising a subject, comprising the steps of:
 providing an exercise apparatus comprising:
 an electric motor; 
 a subject interface element; and 
 a resistance cable comprising:
 a first cable end attached directly or indirectly to said electric motor; 
 a second cable end attached directly or indirectly to said subject interface element; and 
 
   controlling movement of said electric motor with a controller, movement of said electric motor configured to provide a force transferred by said cable to said subject interface.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 the subject exercising through applying a user force against the resistive force supplied by said electric motor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 said exercise apparatus recognizing the subject using a wireless element.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
 said controller adjusting a programmed resistance profile applied by said electric motor to said subject interface based on data received via said wireless element.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , said step of adjusting comprising use of any of:
 a workout history of the subject;   a physiology of the subject; and   a preference of the subject.   
     
     
         15 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a user interface element;   an electric motor configured to supply a resistive force to said user interface element, wherein the resistive force varies according to a force profile within a single direction of movement of a repetition of movement of said interface element.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the force profile comprises any of:
 an increasing force profile as a function of time;   a decreasing force profile as a function of time;   a step function force profile as a function of time;   a varying force profile wherein a start point of said single direction of movement of said repetition comprises a first force both differing by at least ten percent and within thirty percent of a second force at an endpoint of said single direction of movement of said repetition.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a series of the repetition of movement comprises an exercise set. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a first profile during a first repetition of said exercise set comprises an average resistance differing by at least ten percent from a second profile during a second repetition of said exercise set. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said resistive force is transferred using any of:
 a flexible metallic cable;   a fibrous cord; and   a sheathed Kevlar cord.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said resistive force is applied along an about linear axis not more than fifteen degrees off of an axis aligned with gravity.