Lower leg strengthening device and method of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method of use thereof for lower leg strengthening, particularly for strengthening the anterior tibialis. In one form, the device includes: a foot mount for mounting to a foot of a user, said foot mount including a pair of opposed side plates and at least two rods interconnecting the opposed side plates, at least one of said two rods including an actuating mechanism for tightening and loosening the opposed side plates about the foot of the user; and a weight mount operatively associated with the foot mount and configured to mount one or more weights thereon. In use, the device is configured to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.

1 . A lower leg strengthening device comprising:
 a foot mount for mounting to a foot of a user, said foot mount comprising a pair of opposed side plates and at least two rods interconnecting the opposed side plates, at least one of said at least two rods comprising an actuating mechanism for tightening and loosening the opposed sides plates about the foot of the user; and   a weight mount operatively associated with the foot mount and configured to mount one or more weights thereon,   wherein, in use, said device is configured to provide resistance to dorsiflexion of the foot of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the opposed side plates has a substantially inverted L-shape having a first portion configured to in use extend alongside the foot of the user and a second portion orthogonally extending relative to the first portion and configured to in use extend forward from the foot of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion extends in a forward and downwards direction relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the foot mount further comprises a third portion extending orthogonally inward from a forward edge of the second portion from one of the opposed side plates at least partially towards a forward edge of the other of the opposed side plates. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two rods comprise a first rod extending from and between the opposed side plates at or near a lower edge of the first portion and a second rod extending from and between the opposed side plates at or near an upper edge of the first portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein, in use, the rods are positioned to receive the foot of the user therebetween such that the first rod abuts against a sole of the foot and the second rod abuts against an upper surface of the foot. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two rods comprises a pair of inwardly extending rod pieces configured to be mateable with each other to form the rod, each rod piece extending inwardly from an inner surface of one of the pair of opposed side plates. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the rod pieces mate together in a sliding arrangement such that a length of the rod is adjustable thereby enabling the foot mount to be tightened or loosened about the foot of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a threaded arrangement extending within interconnected said rod pieces for moving the rod between retracted and extended positions. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the threaded arrangement comprises a threaded bore operatively associated with a first said rod piece and an adjustment screw operatively associated with a second said rod piece and configured to threadingly engage with the threaded bore for moving the second said rod piece relative to the first said rod piece. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustment screw has a distal end, an opposed head and a threaded shank extending therebetween and wherein the screw is received in an opening defined through a side plate and along a central axis of the second said rod piece such that the head abuts against an outer surface of the side plate and the threaded shank extends at least partially along an inner conduit of the second said rod piece for engagement with the threaded bore located at or near an inner end of the first said rod piece. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the weight mount comprises a receiving post extending forward of the third portion of the foot mount. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the weight mount extends from an outer surface of the third portion of the foot mount. 
     
     
         14 . A method of strengthening a lower leg, said method comprising:
 fitting a device in accordance with  claim 1  about a foot of a user and tightening the foot mount about the foot of the user;   loading the weight mount with one or more weights; and   repeatedly moving the foot about the ankle against resistance provided by the one or more weights.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fitting comprises inserting the foot of the user between the first and second rods such that the first rod abuts against a sole of the foot and the second rod abuts against an upper surface of the foot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tightening comprises using the actuating mechanism to tighten the opposed side plates about the foot of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the loading comprises aligning and sliding one or more weight plates onto a receiving post of the weight mount. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the repeatedly moving comprises pointing a toe of the foot and flexing the foot back to the leg through repeated eccentric and concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis with and against a resistance provided by the one or more weights. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the repeatedly moving further comprises repeated dorsiflexion of the foot against the resistance provide by the one or more weights. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the foot with the device mounted thereon is suspended above a support surface prior to commencing said repeatedly moving.