A System for Lengthening Contraction Training of Muscle

描述（由申请人提供）：骨骼肌萎缩和虚弱几乎影响了全国所有的老年人，并经常导致虚弱、行动不便、跌倒、骨折和住院。大量研究表明，包括缩短收缩训练（SCT）方案的重量训练可以减缓甚至逆转这种下降。不幸的是，传统的SCT方案通常具有较低的学员依从性，并且对于许多老年人来说可能过于费力。从积极的方面来看，最近的研究表明，通过延长收缩训练（LCT）可以安全地实现更大的力量增加，这比SCT产生更低的急性代谢成本和更低的感知劳累率。因此，LCT是一种特别有吸引力的干预老年人，精力受损，运动动机较少的人群。尽管有这些优点，但目前还没有商用的LCT系统。因此，在该研究项目的第一阶段，Bio Logic Engineering, Inc.将开发一种创新的计算机控制和电动原型，以实现安全有效的重量训练，并在腿部按压机上采用先进的SCT和LCT协议。该系统将是模块化的，适用于其他类型的堆叠重量机。系统的初步性能评估将在为期四周的培训期间由两名年轻健康的成年人进行。考虑到该系统在理疗诊所、生活辅助社区、医院、健身俱乐部、娱乐中心、学术机构和企业健康中心的培训和评估方面的潜力，该系统的潜在市场是巨大的。第二阶段将进行系统改进、广泛的人体测试和基于假设的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness affects nearly all of the nation's elderly and often leads to frailty, immobility, falls, fractures, and institutionalization. Numerous studies have shown that weight training involving Shortening Contraction Training (SCT) protocols can slow or even reverse this decline. Unfortunately, traditional SCT protocols commonly have low trainee compliance and can be too strenuous for many older individuals. On the positive side, recent studies show that even greater strength increases can be safely realized via Lengthening Contraction Training (LCT) which incurs a lower acute metabolic cost and results in lower rates of perceived exertion than SCT. Consequently, LCT is a particularly attractive intervention for the elderly, energetically impaired, and less athletically-motivated populations. Despite these advantages, no commercially available system exists for LCT. Therefore, during Phase I of this research project, Bio Logic Engineering, Inc. will develop an innovative computer controlled and motorized prototype to enable safe and effective weight training with advanced SCT and LCT protocols on a leg press machine. The system will be modular and adaptable to other types of stacked weight machines. Assessment of preliminary system performance will be conducted over a four week training period with two young healthy adults. The potential market for the proposed system is large considering its potential for training and assessment use in physical therapy clinics, assisted-living communities, hospitals, health clubs, recreational centers, academic institutions, and corporate wellness centers. System refinement and extensive human testing and hypothesis-based research will be conducted in Phase II.