Training devices and methods

Abstract

A training device and methods of using the device are described to train athletes to reduce the incidence of certain types of injuries. The device and methods promote a reduction in knee vulgus and hip internal rotation during typical athletic movements such as jumping, landing, and lateral bounding. The device provides a guide element that serves as a reference line providing feedback to a user on their movements. A user may adjust their joint positions during the movements based upon self-monitoring or feedback from a trainer who observes the user executing movements while wearing the device. The guide element may provide feedback on knee positioning in two axes of movement.

1 . A method of reducing risk of injury associated with a subject's performance of certain athletic activities, the method comprising:
 adjusting a training device for the subject; and   monitoring a position of a first knee of the subject relative to a first guide element of the training device during a movement performed by the subject,   wherein positioning of the first guide element during the subject's performance of the movement is determined by a position of a first foot of the subject and by a position and an orientation of the subject's shoulders, and   wherein the movement and associated monitoring are performed prior to the subject's performance of the certain athletic activities.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the training device for the subject comprises:
 positioning the first guide element so that it extends from substantially at a first shoulder of the subject's shoulders to substantially at toes of the subject's first foot.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first guide element is a left guide element, wherein the training device further comprises a right guide element, and wherein adjusting the training device further comprises altering a length of a shoulder member such that the left and right guide elements are positioned substantially at the subject's left and right shoulders, respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein adjusting the training device further comprises attaching an upper end of the left guide element and an upper end of the right guide element to the shoulder member at respective left and right attachment points. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising determining, during the movement, a position of each knee cap of the subject relative to respective guide elements. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the training device is adjusted for the user such that during the movement:
 over-flexing of the subject's knees and under-flexing of a hip of the subject is reflected by the knee caps extending in front of their respective guide elements;   under-flexing of the subject's knees and over-flexing of the subject's hip is reflected by the knee caps being positioned behind their respective guide elements; and   a preferred balance of knee and hip flexion is reflected by a front of each knee cap being positioned in line with its respective guide element.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the training device is adjusted for the user such that during the movement knee vulgus is reflected by either knee cap moving inwardly away from its respective guide element. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the training device is adjusted for the user such that knee vulgus is reflected by the left knee or the right knee of the subject moving inwardly away from the left guide element or the right guide element, respectively, during the movement. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the movement is selected from a group consisting of a two-footed jump and a lateral bound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the movement to reposition the first knee with respect to the first guide element. 
     
     
         11 . A training device comprising:
 left and right guide elements, each guide element having opposed upper and lower ends separated by a first distance;   a shoulder member having an elongated main body and opposed left and right attachment points positioned thereon, wherein said left and right attachment points are separated by a second distance, and wherein said upper ends of said left and right guide elements are coupled to said shoulder member at respective left and right attachment points; and   left and right foot-attachment components coupled to respective lower ends of said left and right guide elements,   wherein the training device is adjustable such that said second distance can be selectively increased or decreased to substantially align the left and right attachment points with respective left and right shoulders of a subject.   
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustability of the training device comprises adjustability of a length of the elongated main body of the shoulder member. 
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated main body comprises:
 a first bar; and   a second bar slidably connected to said first bar,   wherein said first and second attachment points are positioned on said first and second bars, respectively, and   wherein said first bar and said second bar are configured to adjust the length of the elongated main body by sliding said second bar relative to said first bar.   
     
     
         14 . The training device of  claim 13 , wherein the shoulder member comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to secure the elongated main body at a desired length. 
     
     
         15 . The training device of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is a spring-loaded detent attached to the first bar, the adjustment mechanism being configured to engage with a selected engagement feature of a plurality of engagement features of the second bar. 
     
     
         16 . The training device of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustability of the training device comprises repositioning at least one of the first and second attachment points relative to the elongated main body of the shoulder member. 
     
     
         17 . The training device of  claim 11 , wherein each of the left and right guide elements comprises a band configured to facilitate increasing and decreasing the first distance during a movement performed by the subject. 
     
     
         18 . The training device of  claim 17 , wherein each band is configured to facilitate increasing and decreasing the first distance during the movement performed by the subject by exerting a minimal force that does not substantially alter the subject's performance of the movement. 
     
     
         19 . The training device of  claim 11 , wherein the left and right foot-attachment components each comprise a guide attachment point configured to engage with the lower ends of the guide elements so as to align said lower ends of the left and right guide elements with toes of respective left and right feet of the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The training device of  claim 19 , wherein each of the left and right foot-attachment components comprise one of more straps configured to secure the left and right-foot attachment components to respective left and right feet of the subject.