Introduction:
Working with weights in terms of hard work, weighing lifts, and more vigorous workouts is quite tiring. Also, people have visions of this hard work while having thought of strengthening and improving muscular forces. It will make one strenuous as one must move slowly with heavier loads. So, in a contrary fashion, smaller weights can do. The smaller elements like straps, load incorporated into the clothing, and the mini robotic system can also be effective in strength training and rehabilitation.
What Is Wearable Resistance?
Wearable resistance is considered strength training through weight and resistance. So, the load is affixed to the body so that the movement with smaller weights at a greater velocity will accelerate the muscle force. Wearable resistance is all about Sir Isaac Newton’s law presenting the force = mass x acceleration.
Therefore, wearable resistance makes allowances for resistance training by relying on four essential laws.
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Specificity.
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Individualization.
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Progressive overload.
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Over-training.
What Is the Physics of Wearable Resistance?
The wearable resistance is solely based on the physics concept, the two requisites for strength development. First, moving heavy loads gradually or light loads quickly. So, here the load is affixed to the body in certain means. It highlights the concept of moving smaller weights with greater velocities, called micro-loading. Therefore, it is being accelerated and decelerated at more effective rates; thus, the muscles are consequently loaded.
There is another view of physics for strength training with micro-loading. This concept relies on inertia, a resistance to the change in motion. The weight can be placed on the thigh, hip, or other joints. However, the person has to put in a muscular effort based on the joint, even with the same weight. For instance, the thigh requires minimal exertion, while the hip needs load with greater rotational inertia. Therefore, the formula is rotational inertia equals mass x radius square.
How Does Wearable Resistance Work?
The wearable resistance works more on the physics formulae, such as force equals mass x acceleration and inertia or muscular effort equals mass x radius square.
Role of Mass:
It refers to the effect of the addition of excess weight to the body while moving and physical performance. The mass addition makes the body work harder to overcome the raised resistance, resulting in various benefits. So, the added mass accentuates the effort needed to do exercises and activities, causing increased energy expenditure and muscle activation.
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For Thigh: Specific rotational force is required for the thigh in motion. It further needs additional force for the thigh to carry weight. And so, the higher range of muscular effort is wielded from extensors and flexors.
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For Hip: For larger thigh masses, the muscle is gained from the hip muscles as a means of rotational inertia or muscular effort.
Role of Radius:
The radius underlines the area where the mass is applied to achieve the inertia. Here, it implies the distance between the joint and added weight in squares. Therefore, the radius plays a vital role in muscular effort.
What Are Wearable Resistance-Based Approaches in Physiotherapy?
Wearable resistance using means of affixing weights primarily. Subsequently, it includes the application of weight through all means, including exercises, treadmills, and straps. The following are the typical approaches utilizing the law of wearable resistance in a significant way.
Limb-Loaded Wearable Resistance:
The limb-loaded intervention is the classical yet effective one. The person wears the sprinter at the limb in the levels of the mid-thigh. The load has been exerted on the thigh to enhance rotational inertia. At times, the distal load is initiated by shifting the loads to adjacent aspects of the thigh. In addition, the distance is squared for every inch the load is moved. The increase in distance gains the appropriate rotational inertia, influencing the muscular input required.
Rehabilitation:
Wearable resistance in the early course is not determined well in physiotherapy. But, the term paves the way for means of rehabilitation. This is employed in rehabilitation, where the person is more susceptible to re-injury. After injury and recovery, the person seems vulnerable, lacks confidence, and has a poor quality of life. The wearable resistance in these phases uses means of the non-motorized treadmill, sprints, and bilateral plates for the force. As a result, the recipient gains strength and balance between the left and right extremities.
Robotic Exoskeleton:
The robotic exoskeleton is one of the technological advancements in physiotherapy that relies on the principle of wearable resistance. It comprises the robotic system of an adjustable, battery-powered wearable robotic suit that is strapped and secured over the person’s clothing and tied to the lower extremity. So, it is a gait training system with supervision for impaired walking skills in spinal cord concerns, levels of paralysis, and various neurological conditions. So it restores normal function and gait without discomfort. Moreover, it underlines the application of wearable resistance by providing resistance while the individual is moving or walking. In addition, the leg muscles operate together in greater order to overcome resistance.
Kinetic Bands:
These bands are worn around the legs with attached resistance bands. These enhance body muscle engagement and stability during functional activities.
Physical Therapy Stretch Bands:
Physical therapy stretch bands are also known as resistance bands. During rehabilitation exercises, these bands provide wearable resistance. These are made up of elastic materials, such as latex or rubber. These allow the patients to incorporate resistance into their exercises while wearing the bands around different parts of their body. These improve muscle activation. The use of elastic bands may target specific muscles or joints to address unique needs. These are portable and cost-effective. Incorporating stretch bands can improve joint flexibility and mobility. These help the patients regain strength in specific muscle groups.
What Are the Benefits of Wearable Resistance in Physiotherapy?
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Serves as an alternative approach to heavy load liftings and traditional training.
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It can bailey get affixed in all terms of daily functioning like swimming, walking, and running.
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Holds an essential role in rehabilitation.
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Systematically and steadily increases strength training.
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Relieves underlying pain.
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Increases strength in lower extremities.
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Improvement of posture and balance.
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Align the posture while walking.
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Significantly and gradually improved the speed of walking.
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Instructs and benefits the brain and muscles simultaneously.
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Raise bone density.
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Decreases cholesterol levels.
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Diminishes risk and rate of cardiovascular attacks.
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Betterment of sleep patterns.
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Decreased muscle spasticity.
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Improvement in quality of life.
Conclusion:
Wearable resistance is not an immense approach but an effective one requiring things in minimal means. In addition, it can be simple daily basis with low costs and requirements. Scientists and researchers are bringing forth technologies based on wearable resistance to ease the comfort of the people rather than extracting the hard work. Therefore, the smaller masses at high velocities are affected.
