Variable Diagnostic and/or Strengthening Training Equipment for the Upper-Body Muscles

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the development and design of testing, training and strengthening equipment for the upper-body muscles. This involves a light, modular and portable device that is constructed of high endurance yet light materials. The paper’s authors have submitted a utility model application and patent application for the new progressive design training device. The basic constructional element is a combination of support elements made of plastics parts and supporting - elements made of aluminum alloys, magnesium and titanium light alloys, as well as of compacted composites based on these materials. From the standpoint of construction, the most demanding task is to design and measure the strength of the working joints of the equipment’s individual parts. One specific demand for the design of the device is that all its defined functions (direction, angle size, torque moment, resistance force) must be adjustable in both manual and remote regimes. At the same time evaluation and archiving of pre-set data must be ensured. Retrospective diagnostics through data collection must also be looked at – with an evaluation of each movement (graph + curves, torque over time…) while the option of adding further sensors must also be provided. In the paper is described a proposal for the first stage in the equipment’s development and for athletes and untrained individuals the testing of the intelligent joint that is at the heart of the whole device.