SYSTEM OBJECTIVES
The revolutionary Ariel Computerized Exercise System (CES) heralds a new
era in physical conditioning, executive fitness, sports training, rehabilitation and
research. The Personal computer approach to the practice of resistive exercise is a
quantum change in both thinking and application. The computer puts resistive exercises
into a broad new realm of possibilities for applications in health care, human service,
athletics, fitness, training and education.
This new generation of exercise equipment uses a state of the art computer to monitor and
produce instant feedback on the individuals' performance. With this unique feature, the
Ariel CES achieves the most efficient and productive exercise and training program in the
world today.
Ariel CES combines a unique set of objectives which will be quite beneficial to you and
your organization. Naturally we have the objective to help you to achieve maximum health
and fitness in the shortest possible time, but we go one step further. For the first time,
you can now use high technology to manage and control your exercise system.
Ariel Dynamics Inc. is a company founded by field experts in the areas of fitness,
exercise and rehabilitation. Our team of designers and programmers have been involved in 5
existing successful companies, written over 200 scientific papers, designed over 100
successful products, and worked with leading corporations and agencies such as IBM, NASA,
Wilson Sporting Goods, US Olympic Committee and many more. This experience is evident in
our hardware and software. The features you will treasure are the most advanced in the
fields of rehabilitation, training and physical fitness.
In all the previous descriptions of exercise equipment, the user has had to determine the
amount of resistance and the number of repetitions desired. The reason the user made these
choices was, of course, that the exercise equipment itself was inherently incapable of any
intellectual participation. However, with the advent of computers, it became possible to
design exercise equipment with artificial intelligence enabling the CES to select the best
exercise method based on the individual user.
The Ariel CES possesses several unique advances over other resistive exercise mechanisms.
The most significant of these advances is the introduction of a stored program computer
which monitors and selects the amount of force, velocity, acceleration, work, power and
fatigue assignment. These selections are made based on continuous simultaneous
measurements from the human performance.
The computer and its associated collection of unique programs allows the feedback
controlled resistance to vary not only with the measured parameters of force velocity and
displacement, but additionally, to modify that feedback loop while the exercise is in
progress. This modification can, therefore, reflect changes in the pattern of exercise
over time. The unique program selection can effect such changes in order to achieve a
sequential or patterned progression of resistance for the optimum training effect. The
advantage of this capability over previous systems is that the user can select the overall
pattern of exercise and the system assumes responsibility for choosing the precise force
level, speed of movement, and temporal sequence to achieve that pattern. Hence, this is
the first 5th generation computer system where, in addition to assigning a constant
program, the computer has the intellectual capabilities to adjust and modify its
assignment to achieve excellence.
The revolutionary Ariel CES can be used to measure and record joint and associated muscle
capabilities; diagnose and rehabilitate muscle and joint injuries with out risk of
re-injury; evaluate the results of prescribed treatment; assist in the prevention of
injury by indicating the effects of certain physical stress; provide conditioning,
reconditioning, and strength training.
The state-of-the-art computer displays in real-time graphic analysis of any dynamic
movement under the exercise condition on the monitor. Graphs correspond to each
independently programmable system action.
Measures of:
- position,
- speed,
- strength and
- range of motion
are displayed to facilitate precise evaluation and
diagnosis. Data can be quantified against previous data or against established normative
values.
These unique characteristics can be used in:
- rehabilitation,
- fitness,
- conditioning,
- testing evaluation,
- diagnostics and
- research.
ARIEL MAKES ALL OTHER SYSTEMS OBSOLETE
Here are a few reasons why.....
Features:
- Computerized monitoring and controlling of velocity or
resistance during the exercise.
- Programmable variable velocity to over 1000 degrees per
second in each direction.
- Programmed acceleration.
- Exercise specificity.
- Programmable variable resistance to over 1000 lbs. in each
direction.
- Programmable pyramiding of resistance or speed in each
direction.
- Programmable range of motion in each direction.
- Velocity or resistance can be independently controlled in
each direction of each repetition.
- Computerized diagnostics and testing program for range of
motion, velocity, strength, peak force, peak hold, delay time and fatigue index.
- Dynamic calibration through the entire range of motion.
- Data storage of performance and progress can chart and save
each individuals exercise and diagnostic history for immediate recall.
- Comparison data is displayed visually on the color monitor
and prints color graphs, charts and tabloid comparison reports of previous exercises and
compares them with current performances and/or optimal performances, training and
rehabilitation goals set earlier.
- Performance profile provides an instant display of average
force for each repetition lifted, the maximum of each repetition, the average of both up
and down strokes and the entire set and the total pounds lifted.
- Force curve illustrates the force, work, and power lifted in
relation to time, the position of the bar and the pace of lifting.
- Calculates the reports caloric expenditures.
- Over twenty different exercises can be performed on each
exercise system.
- The ability for the systems' own on-board computer to self
diagnose mechanical or electrical system malfunction.
- Quick, easy repair by exchanging the failed part within 24
hours.
- Fast set up for patient testing or training can be
accomplished in a matter of seconds.
- Endurance programs can automatically reduce resistance with
each repetition to accommodate the users level of fatigue.
- Comparison data is displayed on the screen, printed in color
graphics and tabloid format. Some of the comparisons are as follows:
- Present Performance - Previous Performance
- Pre-injury Performance - Post injury Performance
- Actual Performance - Ideal Performance
- Right Limb - Left Limb
- Extensors - Flexors
- Force - Power - Speed -- Any comparison combination
- Up to nine different exercise result formats may be
selectively displayed on the monitor and copied to the printer. Default exercise result
selection from this menu can be programmed into individual user files.
In addition to the above exercise results, the following
data can be displayed:
- Endurance by repetition
- Endurance by time
- Wave form analysis
- Fatigue curves
These result formats are particularly useful in
rehabilitation and physical therapy environments.
- A running total of calories used during an exercise session
is reported after each set in the results menu banner.
- Performance goals can be displayed during an exercise for
the up and/or down strokes. A target value option, which is selected during programming
mode, causes the desired performance goal to be highlighted on the exercise display. The
user then tries to attain that goal or target value with his or her performance bar
graphs.
- Allows for comparison of one limb to another, one user to
another, or any type of consecutive performance comparison.
The Ariel CES series is the most advanced physical fitness
and rehabilitation system on the market. After years of research and development by the
Coto Research Center of Coto de Caza, California, a leading independent laboratory in the
fields of biomechanics and sports medicine, the CES strides past the standard method of
exercising and propels fitness training into a new dimension. Computerized Biomechanical
Analysis Inc. of Amherst, Mass. integrates the world of computers to incredibly efficient
exercise stations to guarantee the individual the most effective and exciting method of
exercising the 20th century has to offer.
The Ariel CES employs a sturdy digital hydraulic resistor pack instead of weights, springs
or manually-adjusted hydraulic or pneumatics resistance to insure safety, quietness and
efficiency. By using color graphics monitors and printers to illustrate the individuals'
exercise performance, one can follow a predetermined exercise program or create a physical
profile relating to each individuals' strengths, weaknesses, speed and endurance.
WHAT THE ARIEL CES MEASURES
The accurate measurement of human performance is important
in evaluating movement. Accurate and calibrated equipment is essential for the clinician
in his analysis of the movement.
The essential of movement analysis includes the following parameters:
- Position: The location of the limb segment
in space.
- Range of Motion, Velocity, and Acceleration:
These values are dependent upon accurate position information. Range of motion is total
position change; velocity is the rate of that change; acceleration is the rate of velocity
change. These are computed values based upon the position information.
- Force: An external influence of pulling or
pushing action which causes movement to occur. An exercise system must be dynamically
calibrated to provide meaningful information in pounds, kilograms or newtons. A known
force must be applied to the system and its effect upon the measuring device tabulated.
Once a broad range of loads has been applied on the system and measured dynamically, a
force calibration value is achieved. This calibrated information is stored in the computer
memory to allow calculation of the subject kinetics.
- Weight: Gravity exerts a force upon all
objects which results in that object having weight. Because gravity acts exclusively
downward, biological motions on systems must consider gravitation. Gravity will act
against a vertically upward motion and will aid a vertically downward motion. 'Me
computerized exercise system must account for the gravitational effect. Only a
computerized system with a closed loop system can be calibrated for gravitational effect.
- Torque: A force which causes rotation.
Mechanically, torque is the product of the amount of applied force times the perpendicular
distance of that force from the axis about which the object will rotate. Torque then is a
function of both force and distance variables. The calculation of accurate torque must
rely on the computer capability of the exercise system.
Position, acceleration and force must be considered in the
measurement of dynamic torque.
The common denominator to any movement is that movement is composed of the following
parameters: position, range of motion, speed of movement (velocity), acceleration (change
in velocity), force, torque, work, power and fatigue. The Ariel CES can control these
parameters in different modes. Some of the modes are:
- Diagnostics
- Velocity training Power training
- Resistance training Fatigue training
- Work training
- Power training
- Fatigue training
CES is designed to provide accommodating exercise
resistance proportional to the force applied by the exercising user. However, the CES
further enhances the unique effectiveness and utility of accommodating resistance by
providing:
- System Versatility
- Incorporates isokinetic, isotonic and isometric routines
separately or in combination.
- Computerized diagnostics for range of motion, speed and
strength.
- Establish Special Rehabilitation Programs
- Programs can be tailored specifically to the individual.
- Automatically adjusts to range of movement, pain, stress and
level of exercises.
- Unique responsiveness to the changes of force; the user is
always challenged but never overtaxed.
- Monitors and Records Progress
- Immediate feedback.
- A variety of color graphs, charts and printouts provide
boundless information of the individuals' performance.
- The individual is given direct visual response in real time.
- Performance and progress are measured, recorded and stored
for present or future comparisons.
- Diagnostic and Testing
- Muscular/skeletal performance can be diagnosed more rapidly
with greater efficiency and at lower cost.
- Data is listed instantly on pertinent information including
peak velocity, peak force, peak power, peak hold time, delay time, range of motion and
many more parameters.
- Exercise is Safe and Concise
- Programs are tailored to individual needs.
- Adapts to users physical abilities and/or disabilities.
- Adjusts as user fatigues.
- Accommodating Velocity
- Varying automatically throughout the range of motion of the
exercise to approximate the acceleration characteristics of functional movement patterns.
- Movement Specificity
- Expanding the range of available treatment protocols to
include a diversity of exercises simulating activities of daily living.
- Data acquisition and reporting system.
- Performance Assessment
- Utilizing a built-in computerized system for a versatile
exercise performance
COMPUTERIZED DATA BASE SYSTEM
The Ariel CES allows a sophisticated data system to utilize
commercial software packages such as Lotus 1-2-3 or dBase-H to manage a total clinical
operation.
The Ariel CES stores all the data on a diskette and this data can be fed into a total
database measurement. You may also record the directory of patients. 'Me injury records
saves you time by leading you efficiently through a series of standard data entries -
patient name, age, sex, height, weight, etc. You simply type in a brief response, and the
computer does the rest of the busy work. You can record the following information:
- Activity during which injury occurred
- Activity category
- Treatment modality
- Type of injury
- Hospitalization
- Location of injury
- Treatment success
- Severity of injury
- New or recurrent injury
- Requirement for a physician
- Duration of treatment
Each category is broken down into responses meaningful to the athletic trainer, physician
or coach. You may also add entries tailored to your own practice; no time-consuming
copying of information; no eligible handwritten entries; no need for costly clerical help.
With the database system you can generate printed reports in minutes, saving literally
days of valuable times. Simply tell the computer which record categories to scan and the
program automatically generates a frequency count with row and column totals.
The most exciting ability is to combine the data management with the data stored from the
subject performance. This allows you to report any specific data for range of movement,
force curve, velocity curve, torque curve or statistical information. These data can be
compared to standards for efficient evaluation of the person training on the exercise
system.
The unique feature that sets the Ariel CES apart from all the other exercise systems is
the Ariel interface between equipment and a state-of-the-art computer. This high
technology advances the activity of exercise past the drudgery of lifting weights, weight
stacks and simple hydraulic pneumatic valves and places it in an exciting, colorful and
informative world of resistive exercise.
The programming of the Ariel CES contains an extensive amount of possibilities for the
person who strives for the fastest and the most efficient way to build up strength,
endurance, power and general physical fitness. The CES is also invaluable for the physical
rehabilitation specialist, the sports trainer and the researcher, since its computer
graphics and printouts contain information that no other sophisticated rehabilitation
equipment can possibly approach.
SCREENS
Some of the screens that appear on the Ariel monitor are:
- Exercise Selection - lists several User or Pre- defamed
exercises to choose from.
- Exercise Modes - gives nine operation modes to control the
exercise.
- Real-Time Performance Profile - gives real time data on
average force, velocity, power and work for each repetition; the maximum and average of
each repetition while the user exercises for both up and down strokes; and the entire set
and total amount of work performed.
- Force Curve - illustrates the force curve in relation to
time for each repetition and in relation to position of the bar.
- Rehabilitation Statistical Data - lists instantaneous data
on pertinent information including peak force, peak hold, delay time, fatigue index,
ratios of right to left and flexors to extensors and many more.
- Compares Performances - saves and recalls previous exercises
and compares them with current performances and/or optimal performances and training goals
set earlier.
- Fatigue Curves - illustrates the fatigue during given
exercise and reports the amount of fatigue per repetition in relation to the number of
repetitions and in relation to time of exercise.
- Tailor Exercise Program - allows individual to program
personal exercise program for each session. The program will be followed automatically
until changed.
- Pyramiding Exercises - allows for pyramiding exercise where
each repetition in an exercise increases or decreases per repetition by specified amount.
- Report Generation - easy-to-read printout reports gives
instantaneous data on weight, angles, force, torque, power, speed, fatigue, etc. on
exercise performed.
- Data Base Comparison - between previous performances and
comparisons to other persons, (i.e., world record holders or national standards) as well
as comparison between limbs.
PROGRAMMABLE ACCOMMODATING RESISTANCE
The Ariel CES provides an accommodating resistance, that
is, the exercise resistance is directly proportional to the intensity of effort applied by
the exercising user. This feature is uniquely advantageous in rehabilitation and training,
as the exercise resistance automatically accommodates; to varying strength levels
throughout the range of motion of the exercise, from repetition to repetition throughout
the duration of the exercise, and from session to session throughout the complete
rehabilitative or training process. The phenomenon of varying force output in a single
movement is a consequence of the biomechanics of the joint system and the physiological
length-tension curve of the musculo-tendinous unit. The actual muscular force output
varies through the range of motion based upon the interaction of the muscle and bones.
Variable force, then, is characteristic of virtually every human movement. Only
intelligent systems; such as the CES, can precisely accommodate the resistance.
Because of the body lever system, even if a muscle contracts with exactly the same force
throughout the movement, the resultant force on the end of the lever arm such as the hand
or the foot, varies at each position in the range of motion. As the athlete or the
patient's strength varies due to change in the mechanical advantage of the linkage of his
limbs, and also due to fatigue with each subsequent repetition, the accommodating
computerized system responds instantly, automatically varying the force to match exactly
that being applied by the athlete or the patient. Only a computerized controlled system
can achieve this effect.
The Ariel CES assists the coach or the physical therapist to determine the load that
should be put on a joint or limb for a particular exercise, or for a particular
rehabilitation session, as this is accomplished automatically by the computer as the
patient or athlete applies force to the exercise system. The optimum rate of improvement
for each patient or athlete is achieved using the appropriate exercise intensity in each
movement and exercise. By providing automatic instantaneous accommodating resistance
proportional to the patient's or athlete's training progress, the CES is the safest and
most effective exercise method available. As the exercise apparatus develops resistance
only in proportion to the amount of force the patient applies, there is little danger of
over-stressing muscles, joints, or connective tissues.
ACCOMMODATING VELOCITY (ACCELERATION)
Just as a continuously varying force output is
characteristic of natural movement, so too is variable velocity. Nearly all movement
involves acceleration. When a javelin thrower releases the javelin, the angular velocity
at the shoulder joint accelerates from a speed of zero to about 4,000 degrees per second
and when a baseball pitcher throws a fast ball, his arm accelerates to nearly 6,000
degrees per second. Just as in athletics, acceleration is also involved in the natural
activities of daily life. In walking for example, the angular velocity about the knee
alternately accelerates and decelerates between zero and approximately 360 degrees per
second and when running the velocity approaches 1,500 degrees per second.
In order to train with similar neuromuscular patterns that occur in real life, it is
necessary to program the movement to this natural phenomenon. Only the Ariel CES
established this today.
In restoring normal functionality then, acceleration and high velocity exercises are
essential components of the therapeutic or training process.
With the ability to program the Ariel CES to operate in specific velocities throughout the
range of movement from zero to over 1,000 degrees per second, the CES distinguishes itself
from any available modalities today. As the operating velocity of the CES varies
automatically throughout the range of motion, it trains the neuromuscular system in the
most efficient method to achieve optimal results. The CES provides the appropriate
resistance for each exercise, while approximating the acceleration patterns encountered in
natural movements. This is the greatest achievement in intelligent exercise systems today
and for the future. The CES thereby approaches ultimate specificity in recruiting and
training the appropriate muscle fibers and neuromuscular pathways associated with each
position in the range of motion of an exercise.
SPECIFICITY OF MOVEMENT
In addition to providing programmable accommodating
resistance and programmable acceleration, the Ariel CES features unprecedented versatility
in duplicating natural movements. The overwhelming weight of contemporary scientific
evidence supports the advantage of those exercise patterns which duplicate, as closely as
is practical, the force and the velocity of the particular movement. Only the CES can
program the velocity and the force to resemble the real movement associated in normal and
super-normal athletic performance. As far as rehabilitation, the CES is easily adaptable
to each individual patient, permitting simulation of natural movement patterns previously
unavailable with conventional resistance exercise systems. The value of an exercise
therapy prescription and the validity of performance data need no longer be compromised by
lack of movement specificity.
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The Ariel CES is a resistance exercise system combining
accommodating resistance, acceleration, and specificity of movement for optimum progress
of the therapeutic and training process. As such, it is an invaluable tool for the coach,
physician, and therapist. But the CES is also much more. Being a computer system, the CES
displays and collects data and allows real-time motivational feedback for the patient,
athlete and the person that trains. All of the relevant exercise variables are measured
and integrated into a data base easily understood for the athlete or the patient
performance status. This data base accumulates past and present information for the force,
velocity, work, power, endurance and many more parameters related to the patient or
athlete or normal person functional capacity. All of these variables in exercise are
interrelated, and are measured concurrently with accuracy to characterize the performer.
Combined with a simplified computer data acquisition system, the Ariel CES provides the
most economical, efficient, and effective means of administering, evaluating, and
reporting athletic and rehabilitative exercise available today.
When you purchase the Ariel CES you have joined the following group of people:
- The National Aeronautics and Space Agency which purchased
the Ariel CES for research in adaptation of exercise to zero gravity. According to the
experts in NASA, the CES is the only programmable exercise modality which can provide the
data necessary to overcome the effects of zero gravity on the body. 'Me CES is considered
as the first equipment to be implemented in space.
- The Harvard Medical School which conducted research
utilizing the Ariel CES to determine human adaptation to physical stress and biochemical
adaptation to various exercise regimen.
- The United States Olympic Committee which is conducting
research to improve the performance of the US athletes and is conducting intensive
research in modalities which might replace the needs of using anabolic steroids and other
ergogenic aids.
- Enormous number of hospitals and rehabilitation centers have
purchased the Ariel CES and utilized it in their centers to enhance rehabilitation beyond
the traditional methods.
- Hundreds of health and fitness clubs, who monitor thousands
of users, use it to assign each individual user the most efficient fitness program.
The science of exercise reaps the benefits sown by the past decade's explosion of
technological advances with the introduction of the Ariel Computerized Exercise System.
For the first time, there is an computerized exercise system that has the capability to
monitor an individual's present physical status, ability, and daily progress while
exercising.