Neuromuscular training apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for automating neuromuscular training may be used in conjunction with a human trainer or by a person training alone. The apparatus and method may be applied to various forms of neuromuscular training. The apparatus may be employed by a person desiring training in an environment with a human trainer as well as, or alternatively, in a home environment for personal training. Embodiments enable training of relative motions between body parts such as the head, neck, shoulders, upper torso, lower torso. These relative motions may be linear and/or angular. Pressure/sensor assemblies facilitate both the suggestion of desired motions as well as sensing of the person's neuromuscular response to these suggestions.
1. A method for automating neuromuscular training of a person, comprising,
applying a stimulus to the person being trained by using a Neuromuscular Training Apparatus (NTA) comprising:
a trunk mount, including:
a lower trunk mount;
an upper trunk mount; and
a first multiplicity of connectors, each connector having a first end and a second end;
wherein the first ends of the connectors are attached to the lower trunk mount, and the second ends of the connectors are attached to the upper trunk mount, wherein the connectors comprising sensors that are configured to measure a relative orientation of the upper trunk mount to the lower trunk mount; and
a helmet assembly, the helmet assembly being attached to the trunk mount;
sensing responses of the person being trained by using the NTA;
evaluating the responses of the person being trained; and
modifying the stimulus on the basis of the evaluation,
wherein the stimulus is applied to the person being trained with a dynamic pressure plate, which contacts one or more body parts of the person being trained to apply forward pressure to elicit motor responses for maintaining postural integrity and balance while detecting whether the person being trained is able to make adjustments while maintaining a pressure of the one or more body parts against the dynamic pressure plate constant, or to apply backward pressure to allow the person being trained to attempt to match movement of the dynamic pressure plate while maintaining the pressure of the one or more body parts against the dynamic pressure plate constant.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein an attachment of the helmet assembly is a fixed attachment.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the NTA further comprises a multiplicity of sensors operable to detect movement of the helmet assembly relative to the trunk mount.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the NTA further comprises:
a shoulder cup; and
a multiplicity of sensors operable to detect movement of the shoulder cup with respect to the trunk mount.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the NTA further comprises a multiplicity of sensors operable to detect relative movement between the upper trunk mount and the lower trunk mount.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein an attachment between the helmet assembly and the upper trunk mount comprises a second multiplicity of connectors, each connector having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the second multiplicity of connectors are attached to the upper trunk mount, and the second ends of the second multiplicity of connectors are attached to the helmet assembly, wherein the second multiplicity of connectors comprising sensors that are configured to measure a relative orientation of the upper trunk mount to the helmet assembly.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
applying a second stimulus to the person being trained by using the NTA;
sensing responses of the person being trained by using the NTA;
evaluating the responses of the person being trained; and
modifying the second stimulus on a basis of an evaluation.
8. The method as in claim 7 , wherein the second stimulus is applied to multiple body parts of the person being trained simultaneously.
9. A method for automating neuromuscular training of a person, comprising,
applying a stimulus to the person being trained by using a Neuromuscular Training Apparatus (NTA) comprising:
a trunk mount, including:
a lower trunk mount;
an upper trunk mount; and
a first multiplicity of connectors, each connector having a first end and a second end;
wherein the first ends of the connectors are attached to the lower trunk mount, and the second ends of the connectors are attached to the upper trunk mount, wherein the connectors comprising sensors that are configured to measure the relative orientation of the upper trunk mount to the lower trunk mount; and
a helmet assembly, the helmet assembly being attached to the trunk mount;
sensing responses of the person being trained by using the NTA;
evaluating the responses of the person being trained; and
modifying the stimulus on the basis of the evaluation,
wherein the stimulus is applied to the person being trained with a dynamic pressure plate, which contacts one or more body parts of the person being trained to apply forward pressure to elicit motor responses for maintaining postural integrity and balance while detecting whether the person being trained is able to make adjustments while maintaining a pressure of the one or more body parts against the dynamic pressure plate constant, or to apply backward pressure to allow the person being trained to attempt to match movement of the dynamic pressure plate while maintaining the pressure of the one or more body parts against the dynamic pressure plate constant; the dynamic pressure plate is configured to support partially the person's weight or the dynamic pressure plate is not configured to support partially the person's weight, wherein the stimulus is applied to multiple body parts of the person being trained simultaneously.