Content Analysis of Patent Applications for Strength Training Equipment Filed in the United States Before 1980

Abstract

Nuzzo, JL. Content analysis of patent applications for strength training equipment filed in the United States before 1980. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2952–2962, 2021—Strength training history is an emerging academic area. The aim of the current study was to describe quantitively the history of inventions for strength training equipment. Content analysis was conducted of patent applications for strength training equipment filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office before 1980. Applications were identified using relevant keyword searches in Google Patents. A total of 551 patent applications were analyzed. The earliest application identified was filed in 1860. Applications never exceed 6 per year until 1961 after which applications increased substantially, with a peak of 54 in 1979. Men invented 98.7% of all strength training devices. Lloyd J. Lambert, Jr. was the most prolific inventor, with 10 inventions. Types of inventions included mobile units (34.5%), stationary machines (27.9%), dumbbells (16%), racks or benches (8.0%), barbells (6.7%), and Indian clubs (3.8%). Common features included seats or benches (18.7%), cable-pulley systems (15.1%), weight stacks (8.2%), weight trays (4.5%), and cams (2.2%). Common types of resistance included weights or plates (33.2%), springs (11.6%), friction (9.1%), elastic bands (5.3%), and hydraulic (3.8%). Proposed invention benefits included adjustable resistance (37.4%), inexpensive (36.1%), simple to use (32.8%), compact design or easy storage (27.0%), multiple exercise options (26.1%), safety and comfort (25.4%), effectiveness (23.6%), portability (20.5%), adjustable size (15.8%), sturdiness or durability (15.8%), home use (13.6%), and light weight (13.6%). Certain aspects of strength training equipment have evolved over time. However, overall purposes and benefits of inventions have remained constant (e.g., affordability, convenience, personalization, safety, and effectiveness).

Connective Adaptive Resistance Exercise (CARE) Machines for Accentuated Eccentric and Eccentric-Only Exercise: Introduction to an Emerging Concept

“…However, this means volitional force throughout movement is not maximal because force is velocity dependent. Isokinetic technology, which was patented in the 1960s and later introduced in academic journals in the same decade [ 35 , 52 , 53 ], was developed to overcome such phenomena by moving limbs at (mostly) constant velocities, allowing for maximal forces to be generated throughout the eccentric and concentric phases. Nevertheless, isokinetic machines have not been widely adopted for eccentric resistance exercise among strength practitioners (Table 1 ).…”

“…This is in contrast to other types of resistance exercise equipment whose reliability, validity, and abilities to increase muscle size and/or strength are well established [ 55 , 85 – 90 ]. Nevertheless, our purpose was to introduce the concept of CARE and present preliminary data showing the potential of CARE technology to be used for eccentric resistance exercise in various settings [ 35 ]. Similarly, James Perrine, the patent holder for the concept of isokinetics [ 35 ], introduced the idea of isokinetics in papers published in Physical Therapy in 1967 [ 52 ] and the Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation in 1968 [ 53 ], with no experimental evidence available at that time.…”

“…Over the past 160 years, various equipment has been invented to transfer external resistances onto skeletal muscles for resistance exercise [34,35]. Each equipment has advantages and disadvantages [19,34,[36][37][38].…”

Elastic tubes: the ideal equipment for telehealth exercise medicine in the management of prostate cancer?

“…Moreover, when considering the different characteristics of resistance exercise equipment, elastic tubes can be considered an ideal equipment for telehealth exercise therapy. Specifically, the equipment scores very high in terms of compactness, home usage, adjustability, portability, simplicity, multiplicity, noiselessness, light weightlessness, inexpensiveness, effectiveness, safety, durability, and not requiring supervision [4].…”

Editorial: Understanding & Improving Performance in Strength Sports

“…It is from these origins though that modern strength sports emerged, such as Highland Games and modern Olympic weightlifting which appeared around the Nineteen century. The development of strength has been a source of scientific interest for over a century now (Kraemer et al, 2017 ; Nuzzo, 2021a ). Many technological developments in strength equipment have been used in scientific research, and also for displays of strength (Nuzzo, 2021b ).…”