The force plate is a platform with pressure sensors operated by a computer software program. The sensors record data on the anatomical morphology of the feet and the distribution of pressure during standing posture and walking.

From the data collected and where the clinical examination imposes it, it is recommended to create custom orthotic insoles or orthopedic footwear, tailored to each individual’s daily needs and requirements.

The force plate is a dynamic platform that records & analyses the forces from the standing posture and the dynamic contact of the foot on walking, so that there can be a complete assessment of the movement patterns of the lower limb. The examination procedure is pain-free and non-invasive and is performed by a musculoskeletal specialist physiotherapist.

In the first part of the assessment, the platform records the distribution of forces, the mean value of the mechanical pressure of the lower limbs, and other parameters that affect the standing posture.

The second part involves the recording of all stages of gait, pressure forces distribution, contact times, and other walking-related parameters in general.

Force plate has a key role in the immediate diagnosis of pathologies on the foot and lower limb, the recognition of anatomical adaptations, and their potential contribution to the current state of the person.

A reliable assessment leads to proper treatment and management options for symptoms through the manufacture of personalized orthotic insoles/footwear, and the prescription of an individualized exercise program where appropriate.

About isokinetic dynamometers

In recent years, the measurement of muscle force under conditions of constant velocity (isokinetically) has become popular. Part of this popularity may be attributed to the ability of isokinetic dynamometers to provide information about dynamic muscular contractions; information that previously was not easily obtainable. The use of cable tensiometers and other forms of static dynamometers have provided little information about the dynamic qualities of muscular contraction and other types of apparatus designed to measure dynamic forces have been used only sparingly.

Force, work, and power in dynamic exercise, where velocity is not controlled, are not easily measured or calculated since the changing mechanical advantage of the limb-lever system alters the force applied to the muscles through the range of motion. What is usually measured, is the resistance weight and the completed number of repetitions.

The development of isokinetic rehabilitative devices in the late 1960s provided tools to study the mechanical properties of muscle under conditions of constant velocity in vivo. Since modern isokinetic dynamometers supply data about muscle load and limb velocity throughout a joint range, and due to the mass production and marketing of these apparatus, the use of isokinetic exercise in rehabilitation, conditioning, and research has become widespread. Isokinetic exercise, however, has unique characteristics and any generalizations regarding its role as a therapeutic modality or training aid must be made in light of the specific nature of this mode of exercise.

Nature of isokinetic exercise

In 1967, Hislop and Perrine identified the unique factor in the concept of isokinetic exercise as the control of the speed of muscular performance. They indicated that to achieve such performance it is necessary to provide an external means of holding the speed of body movements to constant rates regardless of the magnitude of forces generated by particular muscles. The isokinetic exercise has been described as a form of resisting exercise, made possible by an electro-mechanical device that keeps limb motion at a constant, predetermined velocity.

Because of a variable speed-controlling mechanism in the isokinetic device, the set velocity of an exercising limb cannot be increased. Instead, as more force is exerted against the lever arm of the apparatus the energy of the moving limb is absorbed by the apparatus and converted to the increased resistance encountered by the limb. Movement, therefore, occurs at a constant predetermined speed.

The most common types of isokinetic dynamometers contain either an electronic servo-motor or hydraulic valve as a speed-control mechanism which, theoretically, could prevent the acceleration of the limb irrespective of increases in applied force once the preset speed has been attained. These devices are essentially passive, in nature, since they resist rather than generate forces. Also, they do not store potential energy, such as that which occurs in weightlifting where the weight lifted must be lowered with control.

Structures of applying isokinetic exercise

With the modern isokinetic systems, we can apply isokinetic to all major joints of the body, in every anatomic movement, and at different levels.

Each model of isokinetic dynamometer has its basic techniques, to perform all the above mentioned, however, their fundamental application is based on two main points. These are:

1. The proper positioning of the examined/practised limb
2. The appropriate/stabilisation

The use of the specified parts of the equipment provides a controlling /exercising possibility for the following movements:

• SHOULDER: abduction/adduction, extension/flexion, internal/external rotation, horizontal abduction/adduction, diagonal movements.
• ELBOW: extension/flexion.
• FOREARM and WRIST: pronation/supination, extension/flexion, ulnar/radial deviation.
• HIP: extension/flexion, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation.
• KNEE: extension/flexion, internal/external tibia rotation.
• ANKLE: dorsal/plantar flexion, pronation/supination.

The order in which antagonistic movements are mentioned is not random, since all isokinetic systems are formed in this way so that comparison and valuation of the data could be feasible among them if needed, (for example, for the knee we will never see the comparison flexion/extension, but extension/flexion etc).

Guiding points of isokinetic applications

Prior to any isokinetic application (assessment or exercise), we must evaluate the muscle, heart, and breathing capability, as well as the pathological condition of the person we are about to examine or exercise with an isokinetic dynamometer. Evaluation is essential in order to define a proper selection of the speed, the intensity, and the execution tempo.

For the safety of the individual, as well as for the data accuracy we get from an isokinetic assessment, there are some protocols and guidelines that need to be followed, thus include:

• Objective & subjective examination of the patient/athlete before the control/exercise, for any limitations, to be identified.
• Appropriate warm-up of the muscle groups for both evaluated limbs (if it’s an assessment process test) or for the muscle groups of the practicing limb.
• Some types of injuries and surgical operations demand a limited range of movement during the exercise so as to avoid new injuries. The physiotherapist is responsible to recognise those hazards and define the right way of practicing, by using special parts of equipment and adjust the dynamometer to move its lever arm to a fixed (safe) range of movement.
• At least three sub-maximums and one maximum repetition at every control speed or practice, so that the orientation of the axis can be controlled, smooth limb movement, the patient’s tolerance and familiarisation with each speed.
• The examined/practiced limb movement requires careful observation during the application and intervention, by modifying the program if needed.
• After the intense muscular exercise, the joint might be stimulated. In this case after exercise, stretching should be done and/or applying ice, bandaging and limb raising.

In addition to the above comments, we must keep in mind that isokinetic exercise without pain, produces increased muscular work, even when performed without enormous effort from the patient/athlete. Isokinetics, especially on high speeds of control/exercise, requires a tempo of the higher productive act/energy that muscles can produce. Cardiovascular ability is also required when large muscular groups are exercised.

Winback tecar therapy: a physiological bio-accelerator

WINBACK energy is a high-frequency current operating at 300 kHz, 500 kHz, and 1 MHz depending on the selected mode. This non-invasive current stimulates the body’s natural repair mechanisms, promoting cellular exchange. In combination with the therapist’s manual approach, it offers excellent rehabilitation results thanks to the fast recovery of muscle and joint functions. It is a genuine physiological bio-accelerator.

Tecar Therapy differs from electrostimulation or ultrasound via the generation of a high-frequency current which is non-invasive and natural for the human body. The frequency range developed by WINBACK allows precise targeting of different tissue layers (muscles, joints, bones, etc.), working on deep-set and painful conditions which were previously unresponsive.

By partnering with physiotherapists and experts all over the world, WINBACK has developed more than 5 possible approaches to using its equipment which is exclusive in today’s market. They provide unrivalled manoeuvrability, comfort, and freedom of action.

The technology can be adapted to the therapists’ different treatment objectives. WINBACK has paved the way for a variety of unique treatments for acute and chronic conditions.

WINBACK’s innovation at the service of manual therapists

By maintaining the highest levels of excellence and innovation, WINBACK offers practitioners solutions that are the most appropriate for their needs and those of their patients. The synergy between manual expertise and WINBACK energy offers complete freedom of movement and action. The power of movements is amplified, and the therapist adjusts their depth of action according to the condition they are treating. The therapist is totally free in their movement, so they can perform their treatment approach naturally. 

Tecar Therapy & exercise 

Combining WINBACK with muscle strengthening programs between different phases of training, strength is increased and the risk of injury is reduced. By exercising with WINBACK energy, perceived exertion decreases. The athlete gains speed, endurance, and coordination. The gentle heat created by WINBACK energy soothes pain and relaxes the person performing the exercise immediately.

Contraindications

The use of TECAR is contraindicated and should be avoided in cases of transplants, pacemaker and artificial organs, pregnancy, thrombosis, anesthesia in temperature fluctuations, burn, infectious condition, cancer, cartilage development, hypotension, varicose veins, anesthesia. On the other hand, there are no contraindications to using TECAR on individuals with osteosynthetic materials in their bodies.

Side effects

In some rare cases, the body may respond with a temporary increase in pain for 24 hours after the first session, if the intensity of the treatment is very strong. The pain subsides and disappears after a while.

It is an honor for our clinic to have a certified Gunn IMS therapist from Dr Chan Gunn himself when he was teaching courses for the Institute for the Study & Treatment of Pain (i-STOP).

What is Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)

Intramuscular Stimulation (Gunn IMS) is a needling technique used to treat chronic pain which is found to be of neuropathic origin, and which has not responded to conventional physiotherapy techniques. Surgery operation has also been proven to be a non-effective long-term management option and in many cases is not even an option.

Painkillers and other analgesic pills only mask the pain (often poorly) and promote body toxicity, compounding further the problem. The neuropathic pain only responds to a physical input of energy to change symptoms behavior.

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is also a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation). It was developed by Dr Chan Gunn while he was a physician at the Worker’s Compensation Board of British Columbia in the ’70s, where he investigated the large number of mysteriously stubborn cases after frustration with the ineffective modalities at his disposal. Dr Gunn is currently a clinical professor and teaches IMS at Universities in British Columbia, Seattle, and around the world.

IMS is grounded in Western Medical Science. Although it uses implements adapted from traditional acupuncture, it is based on scientific, neurophysiological principles in its radiculopathic model of pain.

The treatment utilizes acupuncture needles since they are the thinnest implements available that are designed to penetrate deep within muscle tissue, specifically targets in injured muscles that have contracted and become shortened from distress.

The treatment involves dry needling of affected areas of the body without injecting any substance. The needle sites can be at the epicenter of taut, tender muscle bands, or they can be near the spine where the nerve root may have become irritated and supersensitive.

Penetration of a normal muscle is painless; however, a shortened, supersensitive muscle will ‘grasp’ the needle in what can be described as a cramping sensation.

“Neuropathic pain” or what happens when nerves start to go wrong…

This type of pain, known as neuropathic pain, typically occurs when nerves malfunction following minor irritation. Nerves and nerve endings become extremely sensitive and cause innocent, harmless signals to be exaggerated and misperceived as painful ones (This characteristic is known medically as allodynia). The result is the pain, even when extensive medical tests show there is “nothing wrong”.

Doctors usually have no difficulty in treating pain caused by injury or inflammation, but they are often perplexed by pain that shows no sign of tissue damage or inflammation. Pain without any specific cause can be present in conditions like headaches, whiplash injuries, low back pain, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder or others as well.

IMS relies heavily on a thorough physical examination of the patient by a competent practitioner, trained to recognise the physical signs of neuropathic pain. This physical examination is indispensable since chronic pain is often due to a neurological cause, and as opposed to symptoms arising from a structural cause can, therefore, be invisible to expensive X-rays, MRI Tests, Bone and CT Scans. Failure to recognise these signs will result in a false diagnosis, and thus, a poor starting point for physiotherapy.

Frequency of Treatments

Treatments are being held usually once a week to allow time between treatments for the body to heal itself. The number of treatments you require will depend on several factors such as the duration and extent of your condition, and how quickly your body can heal. The rate of healing differs from person to person and up to a certain degree, depending on the condition of your neural tissue (young people usually heal more quickly). If the pain is of recent origin, one treatment may be all that is necessary.

Το Keizer Functional Trainer είναι ένα ευέλικτο και πολυμορφικό μηχάνημα-τροχαλία, που παρέχει τη δυνατότητα για ολοκληρωμένη προπόνηση με απεριόριστες επιλογές ασκήσεων, από απλές εφαρμογές γενικής αποκατάστασης έως και τις πιο εξειδικευμένες και προσαρμοσμένες στο κάθε άθλημα. Μπορεί επίσης να συλλέξει δεδομένα κατά την αρχική μέτρηση, για να σχεδιαστεί το κατάλληλο αρχικό ασκησιολόγιο καθώς και για να καθοδηγεί έγκυρα τη συνταγογράφηση άσκησης κατά την προεγχειρητική φροντίδα, την γενική αποκατάσταση αλλά και στα τελικά στάδια βελτίωσης της αθλητικής απόδοσης.

ΜΕΙΩΜΕΝΟΣ ΚΙΝΔΥΝΟΣ ΤΡΑΥΜΑΤΙΣΜΟΥ

Ο σχεδιασμός του Keiser εξαλείφει την απορρόφηση κραδασμών από την έντονη προπόνηση (που μπορεί να προκαλέσει παράπλευρους τραυματισμούς με την πάροδο του χρόνου), καθιστώντας ασφαλέστερη την υπέρβαση των ορίων στην προπόνηση. Ταυτόχρονα, η πλατφόρμα ψηφιακής αξιολόγησης της Keiser διευκολύνει τον εντοπισμό ανισορροπιών δύναμης/ισχύος/αντοχής, ανάμεσα στις δύο πλευρές, που μπορεί να οδηγήσουν σε τραυματισμό. Αυτές οι προδιαγραφές είναι που καθιστούν την ψηφιακά ελεγχόμενη, αντίσταση χαμηλής αδράνειας της Keiser, ιδανική για φυσικοθεραπεία.

Συνολικά, η χρήση του Keizer Functional Trainer παρέχει:

• Ομαλή και σταθερή αντίσταση χωρίς αδράνεια, με μηδενικούς κραδασμούς για λιγότερο πόνο κατά την έναρξη ή το τέλος μιας κίνησης.
• Αλλαγή αντίστασης ακόμα και κατά την κίνηση με το πάτημα ενός κουμπιού.
• Το εξαιρετικά μεγάλο μήκος καλωδίων παρέχει μεγαλύτερη ευελιξία από τα συμβατικά συστήματα τροχαλιών.
• Πλήρης έλεγχος της “δοσολογίας” του ασκούμενου. Ρύθμιση της αντίστασης σε επίπεδο τόσο χαμηλά όσο το ένα δέκατο της λίβρας (ή κιλά), ξεκινώντας από το μηδέν.
• Προπονηθείτε με υψηλότερα επίπεδα αντίστασης από τα συμβατικά συστήματα τροχαλιών, έως και 75 λίβρες/34 κιλά.
• Προστατευτείτε από υποτροπές, με αυτοπεποίθηση κατά την αποκατάσταση, σε συνθήκες μηδενικών κραδασμών. Η αντίσταση χαμηλής αδράνειας του Keiser αποτρέπει τις παράπλευρες βλάβες στις αρθρώσεις, τους συνδέσμους και τον συνδετικό ιστό που προκαλούνται από τα συμβατικά βάρη.
• Μετρήσιμα αποτελέσματα. Καταγράψτε την πρόοδο σας, με τα δεδομένα που παρέχονται από την οθόνη Power Display της Keiser και το λογισμικό Air 420. Εμφάνιση σε πραγματικό χρόνο των μετρήσιμων αποτελεσμάτωKeiser Functional Trainer is a multi-functional and versatile cable machine for a complete body workout with unlimited potential for exercises from general rehabilitation to sports-specific applications. It can also get testing data to create baselines and guide exercise prescriptions for prehab, rehab, and performance development.
• REDUCED RISK OF INJURY
• Keiser's design eliminates shock absorption from vigorous training that can cause collateral damage over time making it safer to push the boundaries of training. At the same time,  Keiser’s digital testing platform makes it easy to identify unilateral power imbalances that can lead to injury. These specifications make Keiser’s digitally controlled, low-inertia resistance, ideal for physical therapy.
• Overall, the use of Keiser Functional Trainer is providing:
• Smooth, consistent, inertia-free resistance with zero shock loading for less pain when starting and stopping a motion.
• Change of resistance during movement patterns with the push of a button.
• Extra-long cable length provides greater versatility than conventional pulley systems.
• Complete control of patient dosage. Adjust resistance in increments as low as one-tenth of a pound (or kg) — starting at zero.
• Train at higher resistance levels than conventional pulley systems — up to 75 lbs/34 kg.
• Protect from setbacks adding confidence in rehab, with zero shock loading. Keiser’s low-inertia resistance prevents collateral damage to joints, ligaments, and connective tissue caused by conventional weight stacks and plates.
• Measure outcomes. Chart progress over time with data from Keiser's Power Display performance monitor and Air 420 Software. Real-time display of measured outcomes on Keiser’s performance monitor.
• Train to prevent future injuries, at the speed of gameplay, work, and daily life.
• Train post-rehab without restrictions & develop truly functional power, by training at any speed while measuring power outcomes to ensure optimal performance gains.

GET A CLEAR OVERVIEW OF THE INJURY AND THE PATH TO RECOVERY.

A420’s performance testing provides powerful data visualizations that make it easy to understand an individual's condition and track progress.

Air 420 Software’s performance testing can:

• Test and rehab at the same time on a piece of fully functional fitness equipment.
• Chart progress from baseline to discharge, in minutes with Keiser Air420 Software.
• Assess bilateral asymmetries and establish a clear, objective return-to-play/work/life judgment.

ABOUT KEISER RACKS

• Keiser rack makes traditional lifting applicable to more people. A low starting resistance of Keiser Power Racks and Keiser’s Light Bar opens Olympic lifting to almost any age and fitness level.
• Develop truly functional power by training at speed with Keiser’s low-inertia resistance.
• More ways to train with Keiser’s low-inertia resistance, like a normal rack with iron weight, or a mix of both low-inertia and iron weight.

YOU CAN’T CALL IT FUNCTIONAL IF YOU CAN’T MOVE WITH SPEED

Just because you can pull a cable in a variety of directions doesn’t make it functional. The pulling at the speed we perform makes it truly functional. We designed this machine to be faster than the fastest human being, so we could train any movement at any speed or direction. To truly understand what this all means, you’ve got to try it. Once you do, you will understand true FUNCTION.

For nearly four decades, Keiser has influenced the training of athletes, fitness enthusiasts and rehabilitation experts worldwide with better fitness products that unite both components of human performance: the force you produce, and the speed at which you produce it.

About Keiser Corporation
“Changing the world of fitness”

For over 40 years, Keiser has been changing the way people of diverse ages and abilities exercise while helping to improve their performance and quality of life. However, this success story began over 45 years ago when Dennis Keiser was hired to design the first variable resistance machines for a leading manufacturer. A year later he launched "Commercial Design", a consulting engineering company that specialized in exercise equipment design. In 1976 Dennis' brother Randy joined him and a year later they formed Keiser Corporation. After a number of patents in both weight stack variable resistance design and hydraulic resistance design, Dennis applied for patent protection on a totally new concept for variable resistance using compressed air (pneumatics). In 1978 the brothers introduced to the world the first air-powered variable resistance exercise machines for building strength and power.

More than 80% of the top professional sports teams in the world now train on Keiser machines, including every baseball team in the majors, the soccer champions of nine countries, several American football champions and countless Olympians. They’re joined by everyone from NASA to Navy Seals, medical experts and rehabilitation specialists, and major gyms like LA Fitness. Since its inception, Keiser has always been at the cutting edge of the industry and remains there today with a full range of fitness products for the young and the young-at-heart.