| 摘要 |
The invention provides apparatus for use by a physiotherapist, for measuring the force exerted by a patient, and for exercising a patient, particularly in a rehabilitation program. The apparatus is of the kind wherein the patient is required to exert a force against resistance beam arrangement and in the first aspect of the invention, there is a preset rest duration indicator which is adapted to issue a "countdown" signal to the patient up to a predetermined starting time at which the patient is required to exert force against the beam. This feature avoids the patient jerking a limb or body part when a force is required to be exerted against the beam. Another feature of the invention is that the indicator includes a graphic display device which has a presetable target force display. Hence the patient is able to obtain a visual indication as to when the force he is applying is equal to the target force. A third aspect of the invention relates to the provision of force duration indication means adapted to give a signal only so long as a force at least equal to the preselected target force is exerted on the beam and rest duration indicator adapted to give a signal of predetermined duration indicating the length of a required rest period between muscular contractions of the patient. Finally, the invention includes a beam arrangement forming part of the resistance means, which incorporates a tubular part and a portion of reduced second moment of area at which strain gauges detect deflection of the beam under an applied force.
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