Tongue exercise methods

Abstract

Methods are disclosed in which a user performs head and neck exercises with head and neck exercise apparatuses. The head and neck exercise apparatus may include a moveable element that is displaced by tongue movement to a predetermined distance or with a predetermined force. The moveable element or another component of the head and neck exercise apparatus may be configured to generate audible, visible, or vibratory feedback. The head and neck exercise apparatus may be configured such that the moveable element is modifiable.

1 . A method for performing a head and neck exercise with a head and neck exercise apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning the apparatus against a user such that the user is capable of moving their tongue to displace a portion of a moveable element; and   performing by the user with the apparatus the head and neck exercise, in which the user moves their tongue to displace the portion of the moveable element to a first predetermined distance or with a first predetermined force, for a first predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the performing by the user the head and neck exercise with the head and neck exercise apparatus until first predefined criteria are met;
 responsive to the first predefined criteria being met, positioning a moveable element of another head and neck exercise apparatus against a user such that the user is capable of moving their tongue to displace the portion of the moveable element of the another apparatus;   performing by the user, with the another apparatus, the head and neck exercise, the moveable element of the another apparatus having different properties; and   repeating the performing by the user the head and neck exercise with the another apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the performing with the another apparatus the head and neck exercise includes the user moving their tongue, to a second predetermined distance or with a second predetermined force, for a second predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the head and neck exercise apparatus and the another head and neck exercise apparatus define a combined housing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performing with the apparatus the head and neck exercise, in which the user moves their tongue to displace the portion of the moveable element, includes displacing the portion of the moveable element to contact a component of the apparatus to train head and neck muscles of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the performing with the another apparatus the head and neck exercise, in which the user moves their tongue to displace the portion of the moveable element, includes displacing the portion of the moveable element to contact a component of the apparatus to train head and neck muscles of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable element of the head and neck exercise apparatus is modifiable. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moveable element of the another head and neck exercise apparatus is modifiable. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the head and neck exercise, using the apparatus with the moveable element or another moveable element, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the head and neck exercise, using the apparatus with the moveable element or the another moveable element, for another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or muscle tension required to perform the head and neck exercise using the apparatus or a different head and neck exercise apparatus, or (iv) the properties of the moveable element of the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the another apparatus based on (i) an ability of the user to perform the head and neck exercise, using the another apparatus with the moveable element or another moveable element, for a predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (ii) an ability of the user to perform the head and neck exercise, using the another apparatus with the moveable element or the another moveable element, for another predetermined number of repetitions or duration of time, (iii) an ability of the user to activate head and neck muscles with a muscle strength or muscle tension required to perform the head and neck exercise using the another apparatus or a different head and neck exercise apparatus, or (iv) properties of the moveable element of the another apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the component of the head and neck exercise apparatus is configured to generate audible, visible, or vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moveable element of the head and neck exercise apparatus is configured to generate audible, visible, or vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the component of the another head and neck exercise apparatus is configured to generate audible, visible, or vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moveable element of the another head and neck exercise apparatus is configured to generate audible, visible, or vibratory feedback.