Proprioceptive topical ankle gear and methods of use

摘要

The present invention is directed to topical ankle gear for enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. The topical ankle gear and kits preferably comprise a flexible sleeve and a lateral foot-ankle buttress, Achilles buttresses, and/or an extendable strap. The topical ankle gear of the present invention is designed to be worn during periods of physical activity to reduce injury and to train and strengthen the athletes muscles against injury, advantageously increasing proprioception by stimulating critical sensory and tactile receptors in the foot and ankle.

主权项

1. Topical ankle gear for enhancing performance and reducing the chance of injury, the ankle gear comprising:
a flexible sleeve having an interior and an exterior surface, the sleeve comprising a lower leg encircling portion, an ankle encircling portion, and a foot encircling portion; and a lateral foot-ankle buttress coupled to the foot encircling portion of the sleeve and extending into the ankle encircling portion, the lateral foot-ankle buttress comprising:
a flared upper portion having a first region that is configured to extend over and provide resistance to an anterior portion of the foot and a second region that is configured to fit in close proximity to, but under, a user's lateral malleolus;a medial portion configured to conform to and extend around a user's foot, while providing resistance to a lateral portion of the foot;a flared lower portion configured to extend under and provide resistance to a posterior portion of the foot; andat least a pair of openings disposed between the flared upper portion and the medial portion of the lateral foot-ankle buttress, the pair of openings divided by a segment of the lateral foot-ankle buttress extending between the flared upper portion and the medial portion such that the openings are at least 40% of the total area of the lateral foot-ankle buttress.