Apparatus and method for testing and exercising cevical muscles

摘要

An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the cervical muscles of a patient or user. A movement arm (58) is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by stub shafts (64, 66) and has a head pad (60) adapted to be contacted by the head of the patient. The exercise machine (10) has a chair (22) mounted for rotation to a desired angular position and mounted for vertical adjustment by actuation of a foot lever (38) to position the chair (22) relative to movement arm (58) and head pad (60). Chair (22) is also mounted for translatory horizontal movement parallel to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) and for translatory horizontal movement perpendicular to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) by movable bases (45, 46) thereby to precisely position the head of a user relative to head pad (60) while the user is seated in the chair (22) and pivoted among angular positions. A strain gauge (117 ) has one end anchored to the fixed frame (20, 118) and the other end is secured to a releasable locking means (130, 132) for the pulley wheel (78, 86) to block rotation of the pulley wheel (78) for static testing of the cervical muscles.