Future Developments
As discussed previously, a large diagnostic and/or exercise
system exists but sheer bulk precludes it's convenient use at home or in small spaces. One
future goal is to develop a computerized, feedback-controlled, portable, battery-powered,
hydraulic musculoskeletal exercise assessment and training equipment based on the
currently available full-sized system. The device will be portable, compact, and operate
at low-voltage. Although physical fitness and good health have become increasingly more
important to the American public, no compact, affordable, accurate device either for
measurement or conditioning human strength or performance exists. This deficit hinders
both America's ability to provide convenient, affordable, and accurate diagnostic and
exercise capabilities for hospital or home-bound patients, children or elderly, to
adequately perform within small-spaced military areas, as would be found in submarines, or
in NASA shuttle projects to explore the frontiers of space.
The frame will be compact and light-weight with a target
weight of less than 10 kilograms. This is an ambitious design goal which will require
frame materials to have maximum strength-to-weight ratios and the structure must be
engineered with attention directed towards compactness, storage size, and both ease and
versatility of operation. The design of a smaller and lighter hydraulic valve, pack, and
cylinder assembly is envisioned. Software can be tailored to specific applications such as
for the very young or the aged, specific orthopaedic and/or disease training, or other
applications.
Another future development will be the ability to download
programs through the Internet. For example, each patient could have one of the small
exercise device at home. His/her doctor can prescribe certain diagnostic activities and
exercise regiments and transmit them via the Internet. The individual can perform the
exercises at home and then submit the results to the doctor electronically.
Biomechanical quantification of performances will become
available electronically by downloading the software and executing the procedures on the
individual's personal computer. Parents will be able to assist their child's athletic and
growth performances, doctors or physical therapists can compare normal gait with their
patient's, and many other uses which may not be apparent at this time.
The Internet can also function as a conduit between a
research site and a remote location. Consider a hypothetical example of the National
Institute of Health conducting a study on the effects of exercise on various medical,
chemical, neural, and biomechanical factors for a large number of subjects around the
world. The exercise equipment could be linked directly with Internet sources, the other
data could be collected, and sent to the appropriate participating institutes. Findings
from each location could then be transmitted to the main data collection site for
integration.
Conclusion
National and international attitudes and policies focused
on improving the health of older people must be directed towards good nutrition and
improving lifestyles. Exercise is no substitute for poor lifestyle practices, such as
excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, overeating, and poor dietary practices. Attention
must be directed to the importance of creative movements, posture, perceptual motor
stimulation, body awareness, body image, and coordination. However, the importance of
physical activity is too valuable to be limited to the young and healthy. Exercise,
sports, and other physical activities must include all ages without regard to their
frailty or disabilities.
The laws of nature rule the human body. Chemical and
biological laws affect food metabolism, neurological transmissions within the nervous
system and the target organs, hormonal influences, and all other growth, maintenance, and
performance activities. Mechanical influences occur at the joints according to the same
laws that return the pole vaulter to earth. Food, water, air, and environmental factors
interact with work and societal demands. Human life is an interplay of external and
internal processes and energy and, according to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the
system will move towards increased disorder over time (56). In terms of the universe, the
first law of thermodynamics states that the total energy of the universe is constant. The
second law states that the total entropy of the universe is increasing. The measure of a
system's disorder is referred to a entropy and Eddington said, "Whenever you conceive
of a new theory of unusually attractiveness, but it does not in some way conform to the
Second Law, then that theory is most certainly wrong" (57).
Everyone inevitably grows older. Delaying the process of
disorder by keeping the subsystems of the organism at a low level of entropy does not
flaunt the Second Law but rather exploits it. Logically, consumption of proper food,
sleeping or resting sufficiently, and engaging in an appropriately amount of intense
physical activity should keep the tissues and organs functioning maximally. To extend and
improve the length and the quality of life depends on an increased awareness of human
anatomy, biology, and physiology with continuous research efforts in these and other areas
which impact human life. The aging process cannot be overcome, but it should be possible
to negate many of the debilitating aspects of it. The Declaration of the United States of
America is the only document of any country in history which includes the statement of
"...pursuit of happiness..." and this concept should apply to the health and
quality of life for all peoples, regardless of location, and at every age -- even during
the twilight years.
