Antigravity Spinal Exerciser

Abstract

The invention provides an exerciser for use in activating deep posture and antigravity muscles in the body. The exerciser ( 1 ) comprises a headpiece ( 2 ) having at least: a first member ( 6 ) which fits around the head of a wearer in a transverse plane above the ears when the headpiece is in situ; and, a second member ( 7 ), the ends of which are fixed to the first member and which crosses the head of the wearer ( 5 ) at about the coronal plane thereof when the headpiece is in situ. The exerciser further comprises at least one flexible strap ( 3 ) on each side of the headpiece which is attached at or near the end of the second member and has at least one portion within its length that is elastic; and, an adaptation ( 4 ) at the free end of each the flexible straps to permit extension of the strap by a limb of the wearer ( 5 ). Each strap of the exerciser has a length and elasticity which allow a smooth, low velocity movement by the wearer ( 5 ) at least involving axial movement of the limb away from the head. The invention also provides methods of using the exerciser.

1 . An exerciser comprising:
 a headpiece having at least:
 a first member which fits around the head of a wearer in a transverse plane above the ears when said headpiece is in situ; and 
 a second member which is fixed to said first member at or near the ends of said second member and which crosses the head of said wearer at about a coronal plane thereof when said headpiece is in situ; 
   at least one flexible strap on each side of said headpiece which is attached to said second member at or near the end thereof and has at least one portion within its length that is elastic; and   an adaptation at a free end of each said flexible strap to permit extension of the strap by a limb of said wearer;   wherein, each said strap has a length and elasticity which allow a smooth, low velocity movement by said wearer at least involving axial movement of said limb away from the head.   
     
     
         2 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second members of said headpiece are length-adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The exerciser of  claim 2 , wherein said first member has length adjustment devices at the front and rear of said headpiece. 
     
     
         4 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein said headpiece is selected from the group consisting of a cap, a hat, and a helmet. 
     
     
         5 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein each said strap comprises a rubberized strip of material. 
     
     
         6 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein each said strap comprises a plurality of strips of rubberized material. 
     
     
         7 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein each said strap comprises at least one metal coil spring. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein each said strap is length-adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein said strap includes a divided portion in the region of the strap adjacent a shoulder of a wearer with said exerciser in situ. 
     
     
         11 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , comprising two flexible straps of equal length on each side of said exerciser, wherein the free ends of a said two straps are connected to a common adaptation for permitting extension of the strap by a limb of said wearer, and wherein the straps of a said two straps extend around the front and back of the shoulder of a wearer with said exerciser in situ. 
     
     
         12 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the adaptation at the free end of each said strap is selected from the group consisting of a loop, a hand grip, and a socket. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of training neuromuscular control of a chain of muscles involved in holding good posture, through the activation of deep posture and antigravity muscles, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) fitting a headpiece of an exerciser according to any one of  claims 1  to  13 ;   (b) applying a limb to the adaptation at the end of a strap of said exerciser;   (c) extending each strap by limb movement associated with depression and holding of the scapula, with the hip joint and shoulder joint in axial alignment with the ear in the coronal plane;   (d) holding each strap extended for at least five seconds;   (e) relaxing the limbs and shoulders to allow each strap to retract; and   (f) repeating steps (c) to (e) until said deep posture and antigravity muscles are sufficiently activated.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein in step (d) each said strap is held extended for up to two minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein steps (b) to (f) are conducted with a user in a position selected from sitting upright, standing upright, kneeling, or supine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein steps (b) to (f) are conducted with a user supine adjacent a vertical surface to which the legs of the user can be applied to immobilize the user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein steps (b) to (f) are conducted with the user lying on a board of equipment which comprises a pair of inclined rails on which said board can move and which further comprises:
 a panel spanning the lower ends of the rails and extending upwardly normal to the rails to which panel the feet of a user can be applied; and   optionally, an adjustable stop spanning the rails to limit the downward movement of board.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said equipment is used with an air-filled cushion fitted to the board in a position where it contacts the lower back of a user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the board of said equipment comprises a grid so that the position of the lower limbs can be determined relative to the center of gravity.