Method and apparatus for plyometric force application to muscle

Abstract

The invention describes a method and apparatus for plyometric force application to muscle with a plyometric force application element for controlling the amount of plyometric force application. Plyometric force profile and temporal variability, plyometric force intensity, control, and force direction on a 360° plane, can be applied with 360 degrees of vector possibilities of 3-dimentional space, and control of other plyometric force factors for muscle activation of muscle or a group of muscles.

Claims: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for delivering plyometric force to muscle, the apparatus comprising:
 a force generator to generate plyometric force;   a force application element functionally connected to the force generator for delivering the plyometric force to muscle;   a control unit for controlling the force generator; and   a memory for storing a plyometric force application profile, wherein the force generator generates a plyometric force based on the stored plyometric force application profile.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plyometric force application profile comprises times, duration, amplitude, temporal variability, plyometric force intensity, force direction on a 360° plane, load time periods, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a delta robot. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plyometric force application profile comprises a multitude of a single plyometric contraction forces, wherein each single plyometric contraction force is comprised of single or multiple pulses, vibrations, twists, torsional rotations, pulls, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applied plyometric force is eccentric, concentric, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force application element is a bar, plate, handlebar, platform, tether, harness, bat, club, racquet or stick. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force application element delivers plyometric force through a fluid to the muscle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid is air or water. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force application element is interfaced with the apparatus with a connector, fastener, mechanical device, friction fit, magnetic device, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising more than one force generator. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for measuring muscle applied weight, force, temperature, tension, stress, damage, conductance, hydration, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force generator is a pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, electric, elastic, electro-magnetic, or neuromagnetic force generator. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured like a bench press, a leg squat equipment, a bicep machine, an all-in-one universal fitness equipment machine application, a rowing machine, an abdominal machine, or a physical rehabilitation device. 
     
     
         14 . A method for applying plyometric force to muscle, the apparatus comprising:
 creating a plyometric force application profile;   generating plyometric force using a plyometric force generator based on the plyometric force application profile;   transferring the plyometric force from the force generator to a force application element; and   delivering the plyometric force to a muscle by the force application element.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plyometric force application profile comprises a multitude of a single plyometric contraction forces, wherein each single plyometric contraction force is comprised of single or multiple pulses, vibrations, twists, torsional rotations, and pulls over different load time periods. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plyometric force application profile is programmable. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plyometric force application profile comprises variations in, vectors, cycles, sequences, combinations of time, force, stroke, force direction, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plyometric force is exerted in multiple axis simultaneously, such as x, y, z, twist x, twist y, twist z, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising pre-straining muscle, pre-stressing muscle, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising creating an electric potential across a muscle or group of muscles before delivering the plyometric force to the muscle.