| 摘要 |
<p>A stretch therapy apparatus (10) provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment by allowing the user to increas e core flexibility and shoulder flexion. The stretch therapy apparatus (10) includes both a hip locking mechanism that retains the user's hips securely so that he or she may then rotate about his or her spine to grasp a grip (35) (i.e., handle, vertical pole, etc.) located outside the opposing hip and preferably located behind the user's opposite shoulder prior to beginning th e stretch. One embodiment of the hip locking mechanism allows the user to easi ly and safely separate his or her legs by 180 degrees or more using a hand cran k or motorized mechanism. Alternatively, the hips and pelvis may be locked in place by the legs being restrained and the hips pushed against an object suc h as the back of a chair. For core flexibility enhancement, preferably the gri p (35) is moveable to varying locations so that increases in the user's flexibility can be realized and positive feedback can be provided. A series of grips may also be used whereby progress is charted by being able to reach to further and further grips. Resistance training may also be employed wherein the grip may be affixed to a weight stack for either pulling the user's arm across hisor her chest, or the weight can be lifted after achieving the stretch. For shoulder flexion enhancement, the user will grasp a grip locate d on the same side of his or her body and lift the user's elbow towards vertic al.</p> |
