WO2000030718A1

WO2000030718A1 - Exercise apparatus involving centrifugal forces

Info

Publication number: WO2000030718A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/027310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur Kreitenberg
Original assignee: Arthur Kreitenberg
Priority date: 1998-11-24
Filing date: 1999-11-17
Publication date: 2000-06-02
Also published as: AU1733500A

Abstract

A family of exercise devices where the rider utilizes muscular effort to power a centrifuge on which he/she is aboard. A pivot (7) or gimbal, whose axis lies in the plane of centrifuge rotation, allows the rider (16) to swing away from the axis of centrifuge rotation. Thus, the centrifugal acceleration and earth gravitational acceleration are summed. An acceleration field results that is greater than that achieved by either centrifugation or earth gravity alone. Exercise in this hypergravity environnement is hypothesized to result in an enhanced training effect.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS INVOLVING CENTRIFUGAL FORCES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to exercise devices, more specifically to self - powered human centrifugation.

U.S. Patent No. 5,378,214, to Kreitenberg, is the first known Self-Powered Human Centrifuge. This device is anticipated to have great utility in preventing the adverse effects of prolonged space flight. Ground based use, however, is limited by the biomechanical and physiological disadvantages of horizontal pedaling. In space, the acceleration vector of the centrifuge lies in an ideal head to toe orientation. When used on earth, this is confounded by the ambient earth gravitational vector, which lies perpendicular to the head-toe axis. As physics dictates that these vectors are summed, the net acceleration orientation is not head- to-toe. Within months of the Kreitenberg patent issue, Vernikos and Mulenberg filed a patent application which ultimately was granted as No. 5,616,104. This device is substantially similar to the Kreitenberg device but uses a platform rather than a frame and further provides a means for control of the device. Both patents share the shortcomings for earth based use as the rider is maintained in a horizontal position. In 1991, Antunutto, Capelli and Di Prampero described, in the scientific literature, a twin bike system for use during prolonged spaceflight. Two bicycles are mechanically coupled to rotate in opposite directions on rails mounted to the inside of a cylindrical space module. No ground-based use is suggested for such a device. Even if it could be made for use on earth, it would also have the problems discussed above. Kreitenberg did not envision a pivot for ground based self powered human centrifugation. The Vernikos and Mulenberg patent could not utilize a pivot in the platform configuration as described or claimed. The twin bike system similarly could not accommodate a pivot, as the very shape of the cylinder would have to change in response to rider speed.

Pivots are generally known in the construction of centrifuges. However, extrinsically powered motors are not located on the centrifuge arms to power these centrifuges. No provisions are made for transmission of power from the rider to the axis via the pivot.

In the Applicant's knowledge, no one, in any form, has suggested ground based self- powered human centrifugation as a means of exercise and training enhancement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an exercise apparatus and a method of exercising. There is a central element about which a person rotates under centrifugal action. The person is located, preferably, at a position removed from the central element and exercising action by the person causes a radial arm to rotate about the central element in the manner that the person is urged from an unexercising position which is normally substantially transverse to the radial arm to a position towards being substantially parallel to the radial arm during exercising.

A unit for mounting and holding the person is gimbal or pivot mounted relative to the radial arm at or removed from a position removed from the central element and under the action of centrifugal force is caused to move from the transverse position towards the parallel position.

The exercising action can be by a person's legs and/or arms and this generates a rotational movement on the radial arm and a mounting unit about the central axis of the central element and, simultaneously, the urging of the mounting unit towards the parallel position.

This invention promises unique and great utility. This will provide the first opportunity to train in an environment greater than the lg normally experienced on earth. Increasing the acceleration to levels greater than lg is fundamentally different than increasing an exercise load. These differences are both physical and physiological. There are several lines of reasoning and scientific data that support the hypothesis of hypergravity training enhancement.

Cellular Studies

The fluid nature of the cell membrane and organelles are critical to all phases of cellular regulation. Macromolecules, receptors, and other structures are suspended within this fluid structure. It is plausible that a passive "sedimentation" exists within these membranes based solely on an ambient acceleration field.

There is little doubt that individual cells, in multiple systems, sense, respond to, and even depend upon acceleration fields. Even the most basic cellular activities, such as mitosis, can be adversely affected by microgravity spaceflight.

Clarke, et.al., of NASA, have shown differential effects in muscle cell culture response to membrane injury during in Og, lg, and 2g in parabolic flight. A dose-response type relationship of acceleration is suggested.

Rodent Studies

The June 1998 Supplement to Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, entitled "Comparison of Hypergravity and Microgravity Effects on Rat Physiology", coordinated by Richard E. Grindeland of NASA-Ames. Ten original articles study the effects on a variety of tissues including skeletal and cardiac muscle, bone, intervertebral disc, anterior pituitary and testes. The results suggest that individual responses to the differing gravitational environments are tissue specific.

The physiological responses to micro-and hypergravity were often in the opposite direction, suggesting that in general there was a continuum of physiological and morphological effects from microgravity to IG to hypergravity Muscles with different functions fared differently Centrifuged animals had fast twitch enzyme activity decreased 3-15% in the tibialis anterior muscles yet increase 10-23% in the soleus (gravity resisting) muscles.

Human Experience

Extensive experience with self-powered human centrifugation (U.S. Patent No. 5,378,214) lends an anecdotal yet interesting observation Elite level mountain bike riders, in peak condition, have ridden our prototype at moderate loads and acceleration levels for periods of about 15 minutes Virtually all note a different and higher level of perceived loading than that expected at a known work rate. Many have reported muscle soreness similar to that after a vigorous training workout. These same individuals typically ride 6-8 hours per day over rugged mountain terrain without these same symptoms We therefore speculate that there may be a training effect of the hypergravity environment The offerors hypothesize, based upon these data, that acceleration and loading are coupled together to achieve a beneficial training effect

The provision of a pivot and/or gimbal in the present invention provides significant advantages for ground based use over the prior art:

1) An essentially true head-to-toe acceleration orientation is maintained at any rotational rate.

2) The pivot markedly reduces the head to toe acceleration gradient associated with short arm centrifugation In other short arm centrifuges, the head receives about 0.2 G and the feet about 2 0 G, a gradient factor of 10 In the invented exercise apparatus, the head will experience about 1 1 g and the feet about 2 0 g, a gradient factor of less than 2 3) The invented exercise apparatus provides a more comfortable ride for earth- based use. The side-hammock or seat arrangements of the horizontal devices are eliminated. Rather, the invented exercise apparatus utilizes gravity and acceleration to maintain the rider in a standard bicycle saddle. 4) Greater resultant acceleration values are achieved with lower rotational rates.

Centrifuge-induced acceleration is supplemented by capitalizing on earth's gravitational acceleration. Lower rotational rates afford greater safety and lower motion sickness stimuli.

5) The invented exercise apparatus could be used by astronauts during extra- terrestrial spaceflight travel to maintain fitness, essentially bypassing the pivot.

Upon landing on the moon or Mars, where hypo-gravity exists, the pivot becomes functional to provide the hypergravity workout, not otherwise available.

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 displays the overall configuration of an embodiment of the invented exercise apparatus with a pedaling mechanism.

Figure 2 shows a lateral elevation of the device as the rider passes in front of the viewer. Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 1. The rider is eliminated and the frame details are shown.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 detail the pivot area from the lateral, rear and superior views, respectively.

Figure 7 depicts one alternative embodiment, utilizing a treadmill rather than a pedal power mechanism. DESCRIPTION

List of Reference Numerals

1) base 34) inter-gearbox driveshaft

2) tower 35) outrigger 90 degree gearbox

3) outrigger 36) outrigger/gearbox bracket

5) tower bearing 37) outrigger gear-ring

7) pivot/gimbal bearing 38) horizontal chain

8) bearing buttress 39) stationary tower gear-ring

9) horizontal frame member 40) physiologic monitors

10) upper frame member 41) mechanical monitors

11) middle frame member 50) arm

12) lower frame member 51) central compartment

13) counterweight 52) four walls

14) resistance friction belt 53) base area

15) resistance adjustment knob 54) central point

16) rider 55) hinges

17) head mounted visual display 56) track

18) restraint 57) wheels 19) saddle 58) floor 20) handles 59) spaced wheels

21) pedals 60) legs

22) torque meter/crank

23) lower chain

24) hip gear cluster

25) middle chain

26) hip derailleur

27) shoulder derailleur

28) gear shifter

29) shoulder gear cluster/freewheel

30) upper chain

31) head gear-ring

32) frame 90 degree gearbox

33) frame/gearbox bracket For purposes of description, the invention may be considered as having three subsystems: structural, drivetrain, and monitoring.

Structural In the embodiment of the accompanying diagrams, a base 1 is rigidly affixed to a platform such as the ground, a floor or a trailer. A tower 2 rises from the base. Two outriggers 3 emerge from the tower 2 and can be supported by one or support spars which could be directed diagonally from the tower to the outriggers. The outriggers 3 are rotatably attached to the tower 2 via bearings 5. Mounted at the end of each outrigger is a pivot bearing 7, secured by a pivot buttress

8. A counterweight 13 is attached to one outrigger 3 via the pivot bearing 7. A tubular horizontal frame member 9 is attached to the other outrigger 3 via the pivot bearing 7. Sequential frame members, upper 10, middle 11, and lower 12, are attached to the horizontal frame member 9. The rider 16 is accommodated on the frame assembly by a torso restraint 18, a saddle 19, handles 20 and pedals 21. A head mounted visual display 17 is provided. Within reach of the rider 16 is a resistance adjustment knob 15 that controls the tension on a resistance friction-belt 14. The friction-belt 14 wraps about the tower 2.

Drivetrain Figures 1, 2, and 3 depict a pedal ergometer species of drivetrain. The pedals 21 are attached to a commercially available torque meter/crank 22. A lower chain 23 engages the torque meter/crank 22 at its lower end and a hip gear cluster 24 at its upper end. The cluster 24 has a number of additional gear-rings concentrically attached and the construct is rotatably attached to the lower end of the middle frame member 11. A middle chain 25 engages, at its lower end, one of the additional gear-rings of hip gear cluster 24. The particular gear-ring is determined by the position of the hip derailleur 26, through which the middle chain 25 passes. The middle chain 25 then passes through shoulder derailleur 27, before engaging a gear-ring of a shoulder gear cluster/freewheel 29 assembly. Cluster/freewheel 29 is rotatably affixed to the upper end of the middle frame member 11. Derailleurs 26 and 27 are commonly known on bicycles with cables transmitted to gear shifters 28 on handles 20. The cluster/freewheel 29 is also commonly known on bicycles, but the freewheel, rather than attached to a wheel hub, is simply attached to another gear-ring of the shoulder gear cluster/freewheel 29. An upper chain 30 engages, at its lower end, the freewheel gear-ring of cluster/freewheel 29. The upper end of upper chain 30 engages the head gear-ring 31.

Head gear-ring 31 is mounted on a shaft of a frame 90-degree gearbox 32. Gearbox 32 is affixed to the upper frame member 10 via a frame/gearbox bracket 33. The other shaft of the gearbox 32 is affixed to an inter-gearbox driveshaft 34. Driveshaft 34 traverses the centerline of tubular horizontal frame member 9. As the driveshaft 34 emerges from horizontal frame member 9, it is then affixed to a shaft of an outrigger 90-degree gearbox 35. Gearbox 35 is affixed to the outrigger 3 via an outrigger/gearbox bracket 36. Onto the other shaft of the gearbox 35 is mounted an outrigger gear-ring 37.

One end of a horizontal chain 38 engages gear-ring 37 and overlies the outrigger 3. The other end of horizontal chain 38 engages a stationary tower ring 39 that is mounted concentrically on the tower 2.

Monitoring

Both mechanical and physiologic monitoring may be provided. As these devices are well known and would detract from the clarity of the figures, they are omitted. Mechanical monitoring includes: Pedal cadence

Crank torque (and power, work etc.) Rotational rate Acceleration level (at various points on structure) by accelerometer 41

Physiologic monitoring includes Heart rate Electrocardiogram Blood pressure (both arm and leg) Expired gas analysis (oxygen, carbon dioxide)

Trans-cutaneous blood oxygen determination

Data from these monitors can be made available to the rider 16 via the head- mounted visual display or to an off-board observer/recorder via wireless transmission or slip-rings.

Operation of the Invention

The rider 16 mounts the Hypergravity exercise apparatus with the frame assembly in a rest position, by sitting on the saddle 19. The restraint 18 is affixed about the torso. The feet are placed on the pedals 21 or clicked into place in the case of clipless pedals. The head mounted visual display 17 is donned. Beginning the pedaling action causes the torque meter crank 22 to rotate. In turn, the lower chain 23, the hip gear cluster 24, the middle chain 25, the shoulder gear cluster/freewheel 29, the upper chain 30 and the head gear-ring 31 all rotate in the same direction. This action causes the frame 90-degree gearbox 32, the inter-gearbox driveshaft 34, the outrigger 90-degree gearbox 35 and the outrigger gear-ring 37 to rotate.

The horizontal chain 38 rotates with the outrigger gear-ring 37. This action causes the horizontal chain to continuously wrap about the stationary tower gear-ring 39. This causes the outriggers 3 to rotate about the tower 2, creating a centrifugation effect. The lateral acceleration of centrifugation causes the horizontal frame member 9 to pivot within pivot bearing 7. The entire frame assembly pivots away from the tower 2. At any rotational rate, the lateral pivoting of centrifugal acceleration is limited by the vertical planetary acceleration. At a constant rotational rate, equilibrium is achieved and the pivot angle is held constant by the balance between the two accelerations, which are summed as vectors. The resultant vector, at the center of mass, is in line with the frame and anatomic axis.

The rider 16 can make several adjustments to achieve a variety of workout and gravity levels. By turning the resistance adjustment knob 15, the tension on the resistance friction belt 14 may be increased or decreased to vary the resistance to rotation and work performed. The plurality of gears on the hip gear cluster 24 and the shoulder gear cluster/freewheel 29 allows the rider 16 to select a wide variety of combinations of pedal cadence and gravity levels by using the gear shifters 28 to activate the hip derailleur 26 and shoulder derailleur 27. The freewheel feature of the shoulder gear cluster/freewheel 29 allows the rider to "coast" without pedaling. This arrangement is analogous to current bicycle technology and provides a similar feeling, except for the increased level of gravity experienced.

Alternative embodiments are possible and contemplated for several features of the present invention. In particular, the pivot/drive assembly and rider input means will be presented. Bicycle chains, chain rings, gearboxes and driveshaft through a pivoting tubular member are utilized in the preferred embodiment. A similar effect can be achieved using multiple driveshafts, universal joints, bevel gears, worm gears and/or pinion gears. Belts, rather than chains may be employed. The drive mechanism may be extrinsic to the pivot axis, rather than through it as shown. Figure 7 shows an alternate embodiment of rider activity in a treadmill species of the invention. Any rider activity that involves turning, pushing or pulling a bar, plate, rope or cable can be utilized to rotate a flywheel and hence operate the current invention. The gamut of available gym machines can be adapted to the invented apparatus. Other specific anticipated activities include rowing, weight lifting, throwing, stair-stepping, swinging, kicking and squatting.

The hypergravity exercise apparatus invention provides a novel means of providing exercise and training in a hypergravity environment in an ergonomic and economic fashion.

This device has the potential of increasing the performance levels of elite athletes, increasing the efficiency of workouts of recreational athletes and benefiting those afflicted with arthritic and neuromuscular conditions.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible.

Additional alternative embodiments include a variety of frame configurations including platforms, cylinders, cages, etc. The rider may be in any position including face forward, rearward or sideways, squatting, kneeling, sitting, stooping, etc. to optimize activity performance.

An additional rider, either actively providing supplemental power or passively riding in hypergravity may substitute the counterweight. The device may be configured to accommodate multiple riders radially about the tower. A means may be provided to bypass the free pivot or gimbal action and to lock the frame assembly at a pre-determined angle. For example, locking the pivot at a horizontal position would in essence reproduce the Self-Powered Human Centrifuge of Kreitenberg

(U.S. Patent No. 5,378,214). Locking the pivot at 6 degrees above the horizontal could be useful in reproducing a head down tilt position used in microgravity simulations.

The hypergravity exercise apparatus may be constructed with outriggers of any length, or no outrigger at all. A longer outrigger would decrease the acceleration head-to- toe gradient and lower required rotational rates, but enlarge the required space occupied by the device. Converting the freewheel feature to a direct drive could have some training advantage in providing both concentric and eccentric muscle loading. However, safety issues may mandate use of a freewheel.

The resistance device depicted uses a simple friction belt or disc brake. One could alternatively provide an electromagnetic resistance device found on some current exercise equipment. An electrical generator could also be supplied as a means of providing resistance and generating useful electricity.

A means of controlling the speed and power, as found in the Vernikos device (U.S. Patent No. 5,616,104), could be easily adapted to the current invention.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated.

The invention includes the following features:

Exercise apparatus which comprises a central element by which a person dependingly rotates about the central element. The person is located in a position which is preferably, at least slightly removed from the central axis of the central element and is located in a mounting unit which is pivoted or gimbaled relative to central element Preferably, there is a radial arm or outrigger which spaces the pivot from the central element, and the mounting unit is connected to the radial arm. In some other cases the mounting unit can be directly mounted on the central element.

In a normal, unexercising position the person located is at a selected angle or can be substantially parallel relative to the central unit. Under exercise, the person is urged under the centrifugal force to adopt a position more towards a substantially parallel position relative to the radial arm, and this can be more horizontally directed. This is substantially longitudinally directed. In the transverse position, the person is substantially parallel with the central element. In some cases, the radial arm can be dispensed with, and a suitable pivot-gimbal arrangement can be connected between the mounting unit and the central element directly so as to facilitate the centrifugal action causing the person to be urged from the position of repose substantially parallel to the central element to a position substantially transverse to the central element. This is from the vertical position to the longitudinal position. The person exercising effects this through a mechanism which can be a pedal, pulley, handle, chain or belt mechanism which causes the mounting unit to rotate about the central element and, simultaneously, urge the mounting unit from the position of repose to the centrifugally located position transverse to the central element.

In other forms, the exercising device can be a treadmill-type unit which causes the belt and/or pulleys to cause the mounting unit from the position of repose to the position transverse to the central element.

A suitable gimbal or pivot unit can be provided between the mounting unit and/or radial arm and/or the central element directly so as to facilitate the motion of the mounting unit rotatably and centrifugally about the central element. The system can include a motor for effecting rotation of the mounting unit about the central element. The motorized action could be to help the exercising action of the user.

Moreover, there could be a servo-control of the pivot. The pivot action is either responsive to the acceleration or sets up the pivot position as an objective to be reached by the acceleration forces. The motor can be a stepper motor. In other forms of the invention, instead of the sprocket and chain mechanism for driving between the portion of the system interacting with the human to perform exercise and the actual gear mechanism in the location of the pivoting gimbal, there can be a pulley belt system. Alternatively, there can be a combination of gear and pulley belt systems. Other means for transmitting the energy between the interface between the human and gear pivot mechanism can be used.

In yet other forms of the invention, there can be automatic and computerized systems whereby the resistance and gradience of resistance can be changed according to a computer program which can be selectively preset or preprogrammed. The motor can be connected with the computerized system to vary the resistance as required. The invention includes within its scope the automatic calibration variation and setting of the resistance by computer.

In the embodiment shown, the exercising device includes an arm 50 which turns about a central compartment 51 about the tower 2. The central compartment 51 is made up of four walls 52 which appear to be in a pyramid type configuration. There is a broader base area 53 and four walls 52 which are in relatively right angle relationship to each other.

The base area 53 is relatively larger and tapers towards a narrow central point 54 towards the top of the tower 2. Although the configuration is shown with four walls 52 there could be other configurations, for instance a circular wall configuration or multi-segments for the central compartment 51. One or more of those segments or walls 52 opens by hinges 55 located to provide access to the central storage compartment 51. As illustrated the hinge construction 55 is adjacent a sidewall 52. Another alternative forms hinge construction can be adjacent to the base 53 of a wall or segment of a wall. There can be a door and/or window configuration to the central storage compartment 51.

Around the outside of the central storage compartment 51 there is a track 56 of a circular nature which acts as a guide for receiving one or more wheels 57 which extend from the rotating arm 50. The wheels 57 preferably are mounted at the end of the inwardly extending arm 50. When the device is in a nonoperative state, the wheels 57 are located in the track rail, or the guide 56. As the exercising device operates and the arms 50 move outwardly from the position of repose. The wheels 57 and the arms 50 move out of the track 56.

In the position of repose the cycle and the construct supporting the cycle are about

30° from the vertical. In different situations this angle can vary substantially from an angle closer to vertical, for instance 20° to a more angular position, for instance 45°. If the angle was closer to vertical the horizontally directed arms at the top of the construct can be relatively extended.

In the example shown the track 56 is formed to be a part of the walls 52 of the compartment housing. As such, therefore, the track 56 is formed on the outside of the wall segments. When the door of the compartment opens, that portion of the track 56 attached to the door is removed from its normal position of closure. Other configurations can be considered. For instance, the door may be of an nature that it does not impact the basic smoothness of the track 56. In this manner it is less likely that there are bumps on the track 56.

The device as illustrated in Figure 1 includes a mounting floor 58 to act as the base

1. The base includes spaced wheels 59 to permit trailing of the exercising device as required. There are also legs 60, preferably, at least two or four, which are spaced at discreet intervals around the base 1. These legs 60 are movable between a folded position permitting trailing and an extending position as shown to stabilize the base as required. In the folded position, the legs 60 hinge at the interface with the floor 58.

In yet other forms of the invention there can be a direct drive between the central linkage and the axis of rotation. The rotation can be caused at least in part by a motor which can assist the person exercising on the device. The motor can have different braking effects and provide different resistances as required. The motor could be mounted about or in relation to the tower 2 to operate the drive system. Different kinds of linkages and mechanisms can be used for the drives. Many other examples of the invention exist, each differing from others in matters of detail only. The invention is to be determined solely by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a central element about which a person is rotatable under centrifugal action, a mounting device for the person to interact with the exercise apparatus, the mounting device being pivotally connected with the central element such that the mounting device tends to move under centrifugal action as the mounting device rotates about the central element, a linkage for causing the mounting device to pivot and rotate about the central element, and the device being associated with the linkage whereby a person exercises on the mounting device as the mounting device rotates about the central element.

2. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting device includes an exercise element to rotate an element, the rotation of the element acting to transfer motion along a motion transfer linkage to the pivot, and a gear mechanism for transferring the motion to the central element to cause the mounting device to rotate as the person exercises on the mounting device, and the rotational force being imparted by the exercising action of the person.

3. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a motor for effecting rotation of a pivot and the mounting device about the central element.

4. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including a motor for effecting rotation of a pivot and mounting device about the central element.

5. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a radial arm extending from the central element to a pivot, whereby the mounting device is mounted in a position spaced from the central element.

6. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the element for exercising includes a pedal mounted on a hub, the hub including a link for transferring a pedaling action to the motion transfer linkage and, in turn, to the pivot and, in turn, to the central element.

7. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pivot includes a gimbal and is such that under action of the centrifugal force on the person exercising, the person is caused to move from a position at an angular position relative to the central element towards a position relatively greater angular position relative to the central element.

8. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means for the person exercising to vary the resistance and rotational action of the mounting device about the central element.

9. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the motor includes means for applying selectively different resistances or gradients of resistance to the person exercising.

10. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for varying the resistance includes a friction element such that the degree of friction permitting the rotation about the central element varies according to the motor resistance applied selectively by the person or a motorized means.

1 1. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means for transmitting the movement from the pedal and hub is a chain and sprocket system which directs the motion to the pivot and a gear mechanism, and the gear mechanism including a chain and sprocket system to transfer the movement to the rotatable hub about the central element.

12. An exercise apparatus comprising a stationary central element, a rotatable hub about the element, a radial arm connected with the hub and at a location removed from the central element a pivot and gimbal arrangement, a downwardly depending mounting for locating a person for exercise purposes, and exercise engaging interface whereby a person on the mounting can engage, interface and exercise with one or more selected limbs of the body, and wherein the mounting and radial arm is caused to rotate about the central element, and thereby vary the centrifugal force on the person exercising on the mounting.

13. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the action of the person exercising on the mounting causes the mounting means and radial arm to rotate through the hub about the central element.

14. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the exercise of the person is a foot exercise, selectively a pedaling exercise or action on a treadmill.

15. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the action of rotation of the person about the central element acts to vary the gravitational effect to be hypergravitational during exercising.

16. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mounting includes a seat for the exerciser to sit while pedaling on the exercising interface of the mounting means.

17. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including a device for the person exercising to vary a relative frictional engagement as the mounting rotates about the central element, the varying of the frictional engagement acting to vary the resistance between the mounting and the central element such that the resistance to exercise is varied.

18. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the resistance is varied by the user tightening or releasing a resistance belt about the central stationary element.

19. A method for exercising a person rotatably under centrifugal action comprising mounting the person to interact with exercise apparatus, pivotally connecting the mounting with the central element such that the mounting would tend to move under centrifugal action as the mounting rotates about the central element, causing the pivot and mounting to rotate about the central element, whereby a person exercising on the mounting rotates about the central element.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 including rotating an element, the rotation of the element acting to transfer motion along a motion transfer linkage to a pivot, transferring the motion to the central element to cause the mounting to rotate as the person exercises on the mounting, and the rotational force being imparted by the exercising action of the person.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19 including effecting rotation of the pivot and mounting about the central element.

22. A method as claimed in claim 20 including effecting rotation of the pivot and mounting about the central element.

23. A method as claimed in claim 20 including a pedaling about a hub, transferring the pedaling action to the motion transfer linkage and, in turn, to the pivot and, in turn, to the central element.

24. A method as claimed in claim 19 including varying the resistance and rotational action of the mounting about the central element.

25. An exercise method as claimed in claim 24 including applying selectively different resistances or gradients of resistance to the person exercising.

26. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 including a storage facility substantially adjacent to the central element.

27. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 including a central element which has an expanded base thereby to provide stability to the apparatus.

28. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 wherein the expanded base includes a triangular or formed construction having an extended base and a relatively narrower central portion adjacent to the pivot area.

29. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 including rotatable elements that facilitate movement of the apparatus from one location to another.

30. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 including legs to stabilize the apparatus on a foundation.

31. An apparatus is claimed in claim 30 wherein legs are adjustable between different selected positions thereby to vary the degrees of operability.

32. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 including a rail about the central element to facility guidance of the mounting device about the central element.

33. An apparatus is claimed in claim 32 wherein the guidance is achieved when the mounting device is in a substantially stationary position and during initial rotation.

34. An apparatus is claimed in claim 33 wherein there is a wheel extending from the mounting device, the wheel being selectively rotatable in the rail as the mounting device rotates about the central element.

35. An apparatus is claimed in claim 1 including a direct drive between the linkage and the means to effect rotation of the central element.