Head-wearable Training Tool and Method

Abstract

A head-wearable training tool used for functional neck musculature training to help lower the risk and reduce the number of sport-related concussions. The head-wearable training tool is weighted in a manner to have a substantially identical weight to that of and identified sport (e.g., football) helmet. An associated method involves off-season training using the head-wearable training tool.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A training cap for a designated sport that requires an official associated headgear worn by a participant during an in-season participation in said designated sport, said associated headgear having a weight in a designated range, comprising:
 a weighted region that at least partially encircles a wearer's head, wherein said weighted region is characterized by a weight that is substantially the same as the weight of the associated headgear worn by the participant during the in-season participation in said designated sport.   
     
     
         2 . The training cap of  claim 1 , wherein the designated sport is football and the weighted region has a weight of between about two to five pounds. 
     
     
         3 . The training cap of  claim 2 , wherein the weighted region has a weight of between 4.1 and 4.5 pounds. 
     
     
         4 . The training cap of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted region is adapted to provide substantially full coverage of the wearer's head. 
     
     
         5 . The training cap of  claim 1 , comprising a second region connected to the weighted region, wherein the designated sport is football and the weighted region has a weight of between about two to five pounds. 
     
     
         6 . The training cap of  claim 5 , wherein the training cap has a weight of between 4.1 and 4.5 pounds. 
     
     
         7 . The training cap of  claim 5 , wherein the second region comprises a mesh construction. 
     
     
         8 . The training cap of  claim 5 , wherein the second region comprises a plurality of crossed strap regions. 
     
     
         9 . The training cap of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted region is adapted to substantially cover the wearer's ears. 
     
     
         10 . The training cap of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted region comprises a pocket into which a selected weight can be removeably disposed. 
     
     
         11 . A method for athletic conditioning, comprising:
 selecting a designated sport that requires an official associated headgear worn by a participant during an in-season participation in said designated sport, wherein said associated headgear has a weight in a designated range;   providing a training cap as set forth in  claim 1 ;   wearing the training cap during at least part of a designated off-season training period of the designated sport while performing a functional movement associated with the designated sport.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising wearing the training cap 2-3 days/week. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the designated sport involves a rule that does not allow the official associated headgear to be used during the designated off-season training period of the designated sport.