Dual sensory balance board and methods of use thereof
A balance board including a platform and a first balance block. The platform having a top side and a bottom side that is opposite the top side. The platform is sized and dimensioned to receive a single foot of a user thereon. The top side of the platform may include a mechanoreception stimulation surface that is configured to mechanoreceptively stimulate neurons within the cutaneous skin of the user. The first balance block is removably attached to the bottom side of the platform. The first balance block that is configured to proprioceptively stimulate neurons within muscles, tendons, or joints of the user.
1 . A balance board comprising:
a platform having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, the platform sized and dimensioned to receive only a single foot of a user thereon, the top side of the platform includes a mechanoreception stimulation surface configured to mechanoreceptively stimulate neurons within cutaneous skin of the user; and
a first balance block removably attached to the bottom side of the platform, the first balance block selectively attachable to the bottom side of the platform at any position between a first side end of the platform and a second side end of the platform, opposite the first side end of the platform, the first balance block configured to proprioceptively stimulate neurons within muscles, tendons, or joints of the user.
2 . The balance board according to claim 1 , wherein the top side is configured to receive the single foot of the user in an unsecured manner.
3 . The balance board according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanoreception stimulation surface comprises a plurality of protuberances projecting away from the top side of the platform.
4 . The balance board according to claim 1 , wherein the first balance block is configured to micro-wobble under the weight of a user to proprioceptively stimulate neurons of the user.
5 . The balance board according to claim 4 , wherein the first balance block is configured to micro-wobble omnidirectionally around a perimeter thereof to improve balance of the user in each plane or axis of movement.
6 . The balance board according to claim 1 , further comprising a second balance block removably attached to the bottom side of the platform, the second balance block sized and dimensioned similar to the first balance block.
7 . The balance board according to claim 6 , wherein the balance board has:
a first configuration in which the first balance block is disposed adjacent to a first side end of the platform and the second balance block is disposed adjacent to a second side end of the platform opposite the first side end, the second balance block spaced apart from the first balance block; and
a second configuration in which the first balance block is spaced apart from the first side end and the second balance block is spaced apart from the second side end, the balance board configured to provide more proprioceptive stimulation when in the second configuration than when in the first configuration.
8 . A balance board comprising:
a platform having a textured first side and a second side opposite the textured first side, the second side including a first part of a two-part fastener, the platform sized and dimensioned to receive a single foot of a user thereon, the textured first side configured to mechanoreceptively stimulate the user; and
a first balance block including a second part of the two-part fastener, the first balance block removably attached to the second side of the platform, the first balance block configured to deform omnidirectionally around a perimeter thereof to proprioceptively stimulate the user.
9 . The balance board according to claim 8 , wherein the textured first side comprises a plurality of protuberances projecting upwardly therefrom.
10 . The balance board according to claim 8 , wherein deformation of the first balance block occurs under the weight of the user such that the proprioceptive stimulation of the user thereby improves balance of the user in each plane or axis of movement.
11 . The balance board according to claim 7 , wherein the balance board is configured to improve balance of the user with the single foot of the user unsecured to the platform.
12 . A balance trainer kit comprising:
a balance board according to claim 8 ; and
a plurality of balance blocks attachable to the platform such that the balance board is configurable into a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration and is composable into a first composition and a second composition.
13 . A balance board comprising:
a platform having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, the top side including mechanoreception stimulation surface, the bottom side including a securement surface extending along a length of the bottom side between a first side end of the platform and a second side end opposite the first side end, the securement surface being a first part of a two-part fastener; and
a first balance block removably attached to the bottom side of the platform and positionable at any position between the first side end and the second side end, the first balance block including an attachment surface mateable with the securement surface to attach the first balance block to the platform, the attachment surface being the second part of the two-part fastener.
14 . The balance board according to claim 13 , wherein the first balance block has a rectangular profile.
15 . The balance board according to claim 14 , wherein the first balance block has a height in the range of 10 millimeters to 60 millimeters.
16 . The balance board according to claim 13 , wherein the first balance block has semi-cylindrical profile.
17 . The balance board according to claim 13 , comprising a second balance block removably attached to the bottom side of the platform and positionable between the first side end and the second side end.
18 . The balance board according to claim 17 , wherein the balance board has a first configuration in which the first balance block is disposed adjacent to the first side end and the second balance block is disposed adjacent to the second side end and spaced apart from the first balance block and a second configuration in which the first balance block is spaced apart from the first side end and the second balance block is spaced apart from the second side end.
19 . A method of assembling a balance board comprising:
selecting a configuration and a composition for the balance board from one of a first configuration, a second configuration, or a third configuration and a first composition, a second composition, or a third composition; and
attaching balance blocks to a platform of the balance board such that the balance board is in the selected configuration and has the selected composition, the platform including a securement surface that is a first part of a two-part fastener, the balance blocks including an attachment surface including a second part of the two-part fastener, the balance blocks attached to the platform at any position between a first side end of the platform and a second side end of the platform, opposite the first side end of the platform, by mating the attachment surface and the securement surface.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , comprising reconfiguring the balance board into a different configuration of the first configuration, the second configuration, or the third configuration.
21 . The method according to claim 19 , comprising recomposing the balance board into a different composition of the first composition, the second composition, or the third composition.
22 . The balance board according to claim 1 , wherein the platform has a width in a range 100 millimeters to 150 millimeter and a length in a range of 300 millimeters to 380 millimeters.
23 . The balance board according to claim 13 , wherein the platform has a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, the first side edge and the second side edge extending between the first side end and the second side end, the securement surface of the platform spaced apart from the first side edge and the second side edge such that less than the entire bottom surface is covered by the securement surface.