Assisted stair training machine and methods of using

Abstract

A method of performing a stair-training exercise. The method includes the steps of placing a foot of an affected leg on a stationary platform having a planar upper surface positioned parallel to a reference plane and at a predetermined distance above the reference plane; placing a foot of the other leg on a movable platform having a planar upper surface and being configured to move from a first position, wherein the planar upper surface of the movable platform is substantially level with the reference plane, to a second position, wherein the planar upper surface of the movable platform is substantially level with the planar upper surface of the stationary platform; and moving the movable platform between the first position and the second position using a lifting mechanism.

1 . A method of performing a stair training exercise, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a foot of an affected leg on a stationary platform having a planar upper surface positioned parallel to a reference plane and at a predetermined distance above the reference plane;   placing a foot of the other leg on a movable platform having a planar upper surface and being configured to move from a first position, wherein the planar upper surface of the movable platform is substantially level with the reference plane, to a second position, wherein the planar upper surface of the movable platform is substantially level with the planar upper surface of the stationary platform; and   moving the movable platform between the first position and the second position using a lifting mechanism, wherein lifting mechanism moves the movable platform at a predetermined speed in an upward direction and at a predetermined speed in a downward direction.   
     
     
         2 . A method of performing a stand-to-sit training exercise, the method comprising the steps of:
 sitting on a stationary platform having a planar upper surface positioned parallel to a reference plane and at a first predetermined height above the reference plane;   placing both feet on a floor surface substantially co-planar with the reference plane; and   moving the movable platform in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane using a lifting mechanism from the first predetermined height above the reference plane to a second predetermined height above the reference plane.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first predetermined height is greater than the second predetermined height. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first predetermined height is less than the second predetermined height. 
     
     
         5 . A method of performing a stretching exercise, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a first body part on a movable platform having a planar upper surface positioned parallel to a reference plane;   placing a second body part on a floor surface substantially co-planar with the reference plane;   moving the movable platform upward using a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism moves the movable platform between an initial position and a second position, wherein the movable platform is positioned on the floor surface in the initial position and, is positioned a predetermined height above the reference plane in the second position; and   maintaining the movable platform at the second position for a predetermined amount of time.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of placing a first body part on the movable platform comprises facing the movable platform and placing a heel of a foot on the movable platform and wherein the step of placing a second body part on the floor surface comprises placing the other foot flat on the floor surface to provide a hamstring stretch when the movable platform is moved upward. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of placing a first body part on the movable platform comprises facing the movable platform and placing a forefoot of a first foot on the movable platform and wherein the step of placing a second body part on the floor surface comprises placing the heel of the first foot on the floor surface and the placing a second foot flat on the floor surface to provide a calf stretch when the movable platform is moved upward. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of placing a first body part on the movable platform comprises facing away from the movable platform and placing a forefoot of a first foot on the movable platform and wherein the step of placing a second body part on the floor surface comprises placing a second foot flat on the floor surface to provide a quadriceps stretch when the movable platform is moved upward.