Lightweight and Compact Multifunction Computer-Controlled Strength and Aerobic Training Device, Phase I

The crew's health is one of the key priorities for NASA and to achieve this, regular resistive and aerobic training is required, even on short missions. During Phase I we will work together with NASA to develop the required interfaces to incorporate the DART into the small crew capsules. Incorporation of the DART will help to maintain the crew's health and wellness while placing a minimum burden on the operational logistics. The weight and size will be minimal and the crew will spend minimum time configuring the exercise equipment. We will develop mechanical and electrical interfaces to incorporate the DART into existing and future spacecraft. By utilizing this approach, NASA will achieve tangible benefits from the proposed research in a short timeframe. TDA will provide a first prototype of the DART to NASA at the end of Phase I and a second prototype for testing on the International Space Station at the end of Phase II. TDA has the skillset, expertise and resources to develop this technology in a short timeframe so that it can be integrated into current and future spacecraft. There is major commercialization potential for the Device for Aerobic and Resistive Training in the academic research, physical therapy, athletic departments, and fitness markets. The DART can be incorporated in the home-gyms to replace the heavy weight-stacks and to add an electronic interface that can be used to monitor progress or to share results with a remote coach or other users online. The demand for a DART is also large in the academic research market. There is currently much research being performed to study the physiological benefits of different load profiles during strength training, with a large fraction of this work being focused on the effects of eccentric overload. The DART is perfectly suited for this application because the amount of eccentric overload can be precisely controlled and set by entering the desired value on the user-interface. The DART also allows the study of custom load profiles throughout an exercise motion. For this application the DART has unique capabilities in that it can calibrate to a user's range of motion (ROM) in seconds and then apply a custom load profile based on the ROM while logging position and force data. Lastly, the advanced features of the DART also make it perfectly suitable for physical therapy. With the DART, the strength training can be designed to precisely meet the needs of the patient by providing resistive loads only where desired during the range of motion. More »