SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AIR PRESSURE ON A PORTION OF THE BODY OF AN INDIVIDUAL
A system is provided by applying pressure to a portion of a body of an individual in a chamber having an aperture along a vertical axis for receiving the portion of the body of the individual. A pressure sensor is coupled to the chamber for measuring a pressure inside the chamber. A negative feedback control system, calibrates, adjusts and maintains the pressure inside the chamber.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a pressurizable chamber configured to receive a portion of a body of an individual and to apply pressure to the body portion; and
one or more performance sensors for monitoring one or more performance parameters of the individual,
wherein a pressure inside the chamber is used to regulate force on the body portion during movement according to the one or more performance parameters of the individual.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more performance parameters is stride frequency of the individual.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more performance sensors is capable of measuring impact from feet of the individual.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more performance sensors is a physiological sensor capable of measuring a physiological parameter of the individual.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more performance sensors is capable of measuring acceleration and/or deceleration of the individual's movement.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chamber is individually adjustable to accommodate the individual's height and/or waist size.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a data storage for storing at least one of the one or more performance parameters of the individual.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising an exercise machine positioned inside the chamber.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , configured for use without an exercise machine.
10 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the one or more performance sensors is coupled to the exercise machine.
11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein data from at least one of the one or more performance sensors is provided as input to the exercise machine.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein pressure in the chamber is calibrated relative to a weight of the individual.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a negative feedback control system is used to regulate pressure in the chamber.
14 . A method for conditioning an individual comprising:
reducing force on a portion of a body of an individual during movement by enclosing the body portion in a pressurized chamber that is configured to accommodate movement of the body inside the chamber;
monitoring one or more performance parameters of the individual; and
regulating a pressure inside the chamber based on the one or more performance parameters of the individual.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the chamber is configured to accommodate movement of the body outside the chamber.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein an exercise machine is positioned inside the chamber.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein data from at least one of the one or more performance parameters is provided as input to the exercise machine.
18 . The method of claim 14 , comprising storing values from at least one of the one or more performance sensors, comparing subsequent values from the at least one performance sensor to the stored values, and adjusting the exercise machine based on the comparison.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the exercise machine comprises a treadmill.
20 . The method of claim 14 , comprising calibrating pressure inside the chamber relative to a weight of the individual.
21 . The method of claim 14 , comprising regulating pressure inside the chamber using a feedback control system.