IT201800003393A1 - APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE MUSCULAR STRENGTH OF THE LOWER LIMBS OF A PERSON - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE MUSCULAR STRENGTH OF THE

LOWER LIMBS OF A PERSON

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is part of the field of dynamometric equipment used in gyms, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine clinics, where it is necessary to detect the muscle strength developed by a person, for example through the lower or upper limbs.

STATE OF THE ART

The reasons that require a measurement of muscle strength can be many, for example to evaluate the progress of a rehabilitation or a training in view of competitive commitments.

Currently, a known technique for measuring the strength of the lower limbs provides for the person to be seated and for the pushing action to be exerted on a tool, known as isokinetic equipment, by applying an equal load to a muscle group throughout the arc. of movement.

The measurement therefore takes place in a sitting position and provides an average reliable value, in the sense that the test is susceptible to errors, compensation by other muscle groups and does not provide an objective and repeatable indication of the maximal muscle strength for various reasons, including the dependence on further variables such as the speed of movement, the involvement of different muscle groups, the possibility of assuming variable postures, invalidating the result.

Another known technique, for measuring the maximum strength of a muscle district, involves, with a seated person, the intervention of an operator who manually holds a dynamometer and who places himself in direct contrast to the thrust exerted by the person's leg.

In this case, the measurement is isometric, but it is intuitively understood how such a test contains subjective and / or imponderable variables that prevent the response obtained from being objectively evaluated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to propose an apparatus for measuring the muscle strength of the lower limbs of a person, which allows to obtain a measurement in isometry, therefore in the absence of movement, in repeatable conditions, such that the values obtained can be considered objective and therefore directly comparable, for example with those obtained by other people or by the same person over time.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose an apparatus in which the measurement is carried out with the person standing, or in the condition closest to the real one in which the greater or lesser muscle strength may affect the performance implemented.

Another object of the invention provides to provide an apparatus in which it is possible to vary the test configuration, so as to selectively measure the thrust provided by the various muscle groups present in a human leg and more specifically: hip flexion, extension of the hip, hip abduction, hip adduction, knee flexion, knee extension.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide the apparatus with adjustment organs that allow it to be perfectly adapted to the anthropometric characteristics of the test subject.

Another purpose of the invention is to make the apparatus suitable for measuring both the right and left leg.

Another purpose of the invention is to be able to measure, in addition to the maximum strength, also the time with which this force is reached and / or maintained by the single muscle district.

These and other purposes are fully achieved by means of an apparatus for measuring the muscular strength of the lower limbs of a person, with said apparatus comprising:

- a supporting column structure, to which is associated, with an adjustable vertical position, a backrest capable of providing support for the back of a person in an upright position;

- at least one constraint device with variable structure, associated with said column-like supporting structure by means of support members with adjustable vertical position, said constraint device being constituted by a first and a second arm, articulated with each other and with respect to said support members in an almost vertical plane, by means of first and second articulation members, both lockable in predetermined angular positions, with said first and second arms, adjustable in extension according to the anthropometric characteristics of said person and provided to meet the external side of the thigh and lower part of a corresponding aforementioned lower limb, with said constraint device provided with constraint means for retaining said lower limb so that the axis of articulation of the aforementioned first articulation members is aligned with the axis of articulation at the hip of said lower limb and that the articulation axis of the aforementioned second org ani of articulation is aligned with the axis of articulation of the knee of the same limb, the latter resulting consequently arranged with an arrangement corresponding to the predetermined angular positions for said first and second arms;

- at least one force sensor member, associated with said variable position restraint device, intended to detect a predetermined area of said lower limb and designed to detect in isometry the force exerted by the latter on it;

- electronic processing units connected, even remotely, to said at least one force sensor organ, for storing the data sent by the latter and to determine, by means of suitable calculation processes on such data, at least the static force (F) maximum exerted by a given muscle district and / or the time in which said maximum static force (F) is reached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will become evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for measuring the muscular strength of the lower limbs of a person, of which the subject matter, in accordance with what is proposed in the claims and with the aid of the attached drawing tables, in which:

- Fig. 1 illustrates an overall view, in perspective, of the apparatus in question, with some exploded elements;

- Fig. 2 illustrates, from the opposite side of Fig. 1, a device of the apparatus, intended to be tied to a person's leg, disassembled from the apparatus itself;

- Fig. 3 illustrates, in a schematic side view, the apparatus of Fig. 1 and a person in a first test configuration;

- Figs. 4, 5, 6 illustrate, in as many views similar to Fig. 3, different possible test configurations allowed by the apparatus;

- Fig. 7 illustrates, in a schematic front view, a further test configuration allowed by the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MANUFACTURING FORMS

In the above figures, reference 1 indicates the apparatus for measuring the muscle strength of the lower limbs, or legs, G1, G2 of a person M, object of the present invention, as a whole.

The apparatus 1, in a first preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, is advantageously designed to perform isometric measurements both of the right lower limb G1 and, subsequently, of the left lower limb G2, with the person M in standing position, as described below.

To this end, the apparatus 1 comprises a column bearing structure 2, that is extended upwards and preferably with a reduced section; in the non-limiting example referred to in the attached figures, the supporting structure 2 is made with a tubular section with a rectangular section that rises vertically from a platform 3, made integral with the structure 2 itself.

Engaged with the tubular section of the structure 2 is a first sleeve 4, having an adjustable vertical position, to which a bar 40 is integral, extending almost horizontally to support a pair of backs 41 and 42, respectively first and second, mutually opposed. Advantageously, the two backrests 41 and 42 are associated with the bar 40 in a sliding and lockable manner so as to be able to adjust their distance from the structure 2.

The first backrest 41 is adapted to provide support for the back S of said person M when the measurement of the strength of the right lower limb G1 is in progress (Figs. 3 to 7), while the second backrest 42 is placed in use when the Person M, turned 180 °, measures the left lower limb G2 (position not shown).

In an embodiment variant not illustrated, there is a single backrest articulated to the bar 40 which can rotate 180 °, along a vertical axis, so as to be able to orient itself according to the need.

The apparatus 1 comprises a first constraint device 10 with variable structure, associated with said supporting column structure 2 by means of support members 5 with adjustable vertical position.

The support members 5 comprise, for example, a second sleeve 50, fitted on said tubular profile of the supporting structure 2, below the first sleeve 4, and a horizontal crosspiece 51 integral with said second sleeve 50.

A first attachment 52 is slidably engaged on the horizontal crosspiece 51 intended to support, substantially suspended, the first constraint device 10 which extends downwards.

The horizontal excursion of the first attachment 52 allows you to vary the distance between the same first restraining device 10 and the relative first backrest 4, depending on the measurements of the person M.

The correct position is stabilized by means of first locking members 53, for example of the known lever type, associated with the first attachment 52.

The first fastening device 10 consists of a first and a second arm 11, 12, articulated with each other and with respect to the first attachment 52 in an almost vertical plane, by means of first and second articulation members 110, 120, both of which can be locked in predetermined positions angular to define the inclination of the first arm 11 with respect to the same first attachment 52, as well as the inclination of the second arm 12 with respect to the first 11.

Advantageously, the first and second articulation members 110, 120 comprise respective angular measuring instruments, for example constituted by goniometers not illustrated in detail, in which preselection means 110P, 120P are provided, suitable for mechanically defining a series of characteristic angles, respectively between the first arm 11 and said support members 5 and between the aforementioned second arm 12 and the first arm 11 (Fig. 1), which are advantageously comprised between -30 ° and 90 ° for the first articulation members 110 and between 0 ° and 90 ° for the second articulation organs, measured with reference to a vertical direction.

In each of the aforementioned preselection means 110P, 120P, in a per se known manner, there is provided a circular sector affected by a series of holes arranged angularly equidistant along an arc of circumference, in which a small cap, not visible, is intended to engage carried by a radial arm pivoted in the articulation axis X1 and X2 of the aforementioned first and second articulation members 110, 120.

Said first and second arms 11, 12 are also individually adjustable in extension according to the anthropometric characteristics of each person M; for this purpose they are each made up of two respective portions 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, mutually coupled in a slide (Fig. 2).

To stabilize the two portions 11A, 11B of the first arm 11 and the two portions 12A, 12B of the second arm 12, first and second locking means 111, 121 are respectively provided, for example of a known lever type (see again Fig. 2).

The first and second arms 11, 12 are provided respectively to meet the external side of the thigh and the lower part of the aforementioned right lower limb G1, and to hold the latter, by means of constraint means 13, 14, in a predetermined conformal position. to that assumed by the same first and second arms 11, 12.

The aforesaid fastening means comprise, for example, a band 13 of flexible material, associated with the first arm 11 and reclosable in a loop with a buckle or Velcro, intended to adhere to an area of the thigh, and support rollers 14, selectively associated in an adequate number for said first and / or second arm 11, 12 in respective adjustable positions, to encounter pre-established front and / or rear areas of the same lower limb G1 and prevent its movement in respective directions orthogonal to the rollers 14 themselves, with the latter advantageously of the type with rubberized surface coating so as not to painfully impact on the limb.

With the possibilities of vertical and horizontal adjustment offered by the support members 5, combined with the adaptation of the length of the arms 11, 12, a foreseen and mandatory correspondence is obtained between the apparatus 1 and the affected limb of the person M, according to which the articulation axis X1 of the first articulation members 110 is aligned with the articulation axis at the hip of the lower limb G1 and the articulation axis X2 of the second articulation members 120 is aligned with the axis of knee joint of the same limb G1.

In the first attachment 52 of the support members 5, third articulation members 130 can be further provided, having horizontal articulation axis X3 orthogonal to the axes X1, X2 of the first and second articulation members 110, 120. The third articulation members 130 are lockable , by suitable means not illustrated, so that the first constraint device 10 is vertical, according to a plane perpendicular to that of the articulation of the aforementioned first and second arms 11, 12 (Figs. 3 to 6), or inclined by a predetermined angle, on one side or the other, to perform specific lateral thrust tests (Fig. 7).

At least one force sensor member 15 is associated with the first constraint device 10 with variable attitude, intended to find a predetermined area of said lower limb G1 in support and provided to detect in isometry the force F exerted by the latter on it; each test is therefore carried out with limb G1 stationary.

The force sensing organ is preferably a compression dynamometer, for example of the wireless type, but it could also be a load cell, a tactile sensor or other device suitable for measuring the force exerted, in traction or compression.

In said first and second arm 11, 12 there are slots 16 (Figs. 1 and 2), made in suitable positions, for fixing with adjustable position of one or more of said support rollers 14 and of the force sensing member 15 .

The force sensor member 15 is integral with a bracket 150 which takes the shape of an "L" (see in particular Fig. 1) for the applications illustrated in Figs. from 3 to 6, while it is shaped in the shape of a "U" (not shown in detail), for the application referred to in Fig. 7.

According to the test to be carried out, or to the muscular district whose power is to be tested, predetermined configurations are provided for the support rollers 14, in accordance with the positions of the force sensing organ 15, in which the latter appears from time to time facing:

- at the front of the thigh above the knee (Fig. 3);

- at the shin above the ankle (Fig. 4);

- at the base of the calf above the ankle (Fig. 5);

- at the back of the thigh above the knee (Fig. 6);

- on the outer side of the leg (Fig. 7);

- on the inside of the leg (not shown)

The force sensor member 15 is connected, even remotely, for example by means of a wireless, Bluetooth or radio frequency connection, with electronic processing members 18, intended to store the data sent and, by means of suitable software programs, to process such data to determine the maximum static force F exerted by a determined muscle district and / or the time in which said maximum static force F is reached and to prepare related analysis documents.

In said first preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a second constraint device with variable attitude 20, arranged on the same plane as the first constraint device 10 and specular to this, which is omitted to describe as structurally identical to the same first constraint device 10, although symmetrical, as can also be seen from Fig. 1.

Advantageously, the second binding device 20 is associated on the other side of the same supporting structure with the column 2, which is thus located in a central position between the two binding devices 10, 20.

To this end, the aforementioned horizontal crosspiece 51 of the support members 5 is common and extends bilaterally with respect to the supporting structure 2, to slide a second attachment 54, equipped with respective locking members 55 and from which said second fastening device is hung. constraint 20.

The second restraint device 20 is able to be combined, in subsequent times, with the other lower limb G2 (in this case the left one) of said person M, with the latter turned 180 ° and resting on the second backrest 42.

In another embodiment not shown, the apparatus 1 still provides a second constraint device 20 with variable attitude, opposite and specular to the first constraint device 10 with respect to a vertical center plane parallel to the relative articulation plane, suitable for to be combined, in subsequent times, with the other lower limb G2 of said person M without it having to change its orientation.

In this case, the aforementioned second constraint device 20 is associated with a second supporting column structure, interconnected at the base with the first structure 2 and symmetrically arranged on the other side of the aforementioned person M.

For this embodiment, only one backrest 41 is sufficient since in the two tests involving the two lower limbs G1, G2, the person M remains turned on the same side.

From the above description, the particular characteristics of the apparatus in question and the advantages that can be obtained with respect to what has hitherto been offered by the known art emerge very clearly.

First of all, it should be noted that the measurement of muscle strength takes place in isometry, therefore in the absence of movement, unlike many of the tests performed to date.

This guarantees objective results, obtained under repeatable conditions, therefore comparable on a par with those obtained by other people or by the same person over time.

Another advantageous aspect that derives from the originality of the technical solution, is to foresee the measurements made with people standing, one leg at a time, or in the condition most similar to the real one in which the musculature of the limb will be found to work. .

As can be seen from the illustrative figures, the test configurations allowed by the proposed apparatus are many, thus allowing to selectively measure the thrust provided by the various muscle bundles present in a human leg.

Particular care in the study and construction of the apparatus has given the latter all the necessary possibilities for adaptation according to the anthropometric characteristics of the test subject.

However, it is understood that what has been described above has an exemplary and non-limiting value, therefore any detailed variations that may be necessary for technical and / or functional reasons, are considered from now on to fall within the same protective scope defined by the claims reported below.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for measuring the muscle strength of the lower limbs of a person, characterized by the fact that it includes: - a supporting column structure (2), to which at least one backrest (41, 42) is associated, able to provide support for the back (S) of a person (M) in an upright position; - at least one constraint device with variable attitude (10, 20), associated with said column bearing structure (2) by means of support members (5) with adjustable vertical position, said constraint device (10, 20) being constituted by a first and second arm (11, 12), articulated with each other and with respect to said support members (5) in an almost vertical plane, by means of first and second articulation members (110, 120), both lockable in predetermined angular positions, with said first and second arms (11, 12) adjustable in extension according to the anthropometric characteristics of said person (M) and provided to meet the external side of the thigh and the lower part of a corresponding aforementioned lower limb (G1, G2), with said restraining device (10, 20) provided with restraining means (13, 14) for holding said lower limb (G1, G2) so that the articulation axis (X1) of the aforementioned first articulation members (110) is aligned with the axis of articulation at the hip of said lower limb (G1, G2) and that the axis of articulation (X2) of the aforementioned second articulation organs (120) is aligned with the axis of articulation of the knee of the same limb ( G1, G2), the latter being consequently arranged with an arrangement corresponding to the predetermined angular positions for said first and second arms (11, 12); - at least one force sensing member (15), associated with said variable position restraint device (10, 20), intended to detect a predetermined area of said lower limb (G1, G2) and provided to detect the force in isometry ( F) exercised by the latter on it; - electronic processing members (18) connected to said at least one force sensing member (15), for storing the data sent by the latter and for determining, by means of suitable calculation processes on such data, at least the static force (F ) maximum exerted by a given muscle district and / or the time in which said maximum static force (F) is reached. 2. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized in that said at least one backrest (41, 42) has an adjustable vertical position, and said support members (5) which support said at least one constraint device with variable attitude (10, 20), slide horizontally with respect to said column bearing structure (2), for the variation of the distance between the same fastening device (10, 20) and the aforementioned backrest (41, 42), and are provided with locking members (53, 55) suitable for stabilizing the desired position. 3. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that said first and second articulation members (110, 120) comprise respective angular measuring instruments in which preselection means (110P, 120P) are provided for mechanically defining a series of characteristic angles, respectively between the aforementioned first arm (11) and said support members (5) and between the aforementioned second arm (12) and the first arm (11). 4. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that said first and second arms (11, 12) are individually adjustable in extension, and are each made up of two respective portions (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) mutually coupled as a slide, and by the fact that first and second locking means (111, 121), respectively for stabilizing the two portions of the first arm (11A, 11B) and the two portions of the second arm (12A, 12B). 5. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that said restraining means (13, 14) for the lower limb (G1, G2) comprise a band (13) of flexible material, associated with the aforementioned first arm (11) and resealable as a ring, intended to adhering to an area of the thigh of the aforementioned limb (G1, G2), and support rollers (14), selectively associated with said first and / or second arm (11, 12) in respective adjustable positions, to meet frontally and / or at the rear predetermined areas of the same limb (G1, G2) and prevent its movement in respective directions orthogonal to the support rollers (14) themselves, in accordance with the position defined for said at least one force sensor member (15). 6. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that in said support members (5) which support said at least one constraint device with variable attitude (10, 20) third articulation members (130) are provided, having horizontal articulation axis (X3) orthogonal to those of the aforementioned first and second articulation members (110, 120), said third articulation members (130) being lockable so that said constraint device (10, 20) is vertical, according to a plane perpendicular to that of articulation of the aforementioned first and second arms (11, 12), ie inclined by a predetermined angle, on one side or the other. 7. Apparatus according to rev. 1 or 5 or 6, characterized in that in said first and second arms (11, 12) slots (16) are provided for fixing with adjustable position of said at least one force sensing member (15) and said support rollers ( 14), according to predetermined configurations in which the aforementioned force sensing organ (15) may face: the front side of the thigh above the knee; at the back of the thigh above the knee; at the shin above the ankle; at the base of the calf above the ankle; on the outer side of the lower limb (G1, G2); on the inner side of the lower limb (G1, G2). 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said column bearing structure (2) rises from a platform (3), made integral with the structure (2) itself. 9. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that a second constraint device with variable attitude (20) is provided, arranged on the same plane as the first constraint device (10) and specular to this, able to be coupled, in subsequent times, to the other limb lower (G2) of said person (M), with the latter turned 180 °, and a second backrest (42) overturned with respect to the first (41), to provide support for the back (S) of said person (M), by the fact that the aforementioned second restraint device (20) is associated with the same column bearing structure (2) as the first restraint device (10), by means of a common horizontal crosspiece (51) with adjustable vertical position, provided in the aforementioned support (5), with the interposition of a relative second attachment (54) sliding horizontally, and respective locking members (55), for varying the distance with said second backrest (42) and by the fact that the latter is supported, together with to the first backrest (41), from a bar (40) associated with adjustable vertical position to the same column bearing structure (2). 10. Apparatus according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that a second constraint device with variable attitude (20) is provided, opposite and specular to the first constraint device (10), able to be coupled, in subsequent times, to the other lower limb (G2) of said person (M), and by the fact that the aforementioned second restraining device (20) is associated with a second column bearing structure, interconnected at the base with the first bearing structure (2) and arranged symmetrically to the other side of the aforementioned person (M).