WO2015079468A1

WO2015079468A1 - Fitness exercise for the handicapped and the able-bodied

Info

Publication number: WO2015079468A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierluigi BORNETI; Marco PIZZONIA; Cesare SANZO
Original assignee: Impur Srl
Priority date: 2013-11-26
Filing date: 2014-11-21
Publication date: 2015-06-04
Also published as: EP3140013A1

Abstract

Fitness apparatus for disabled comprising: I- a first fixed section which includes a- tubular structural components, and b- means to perform the true and proper exercise, operating with a reciprocating motion, provided on the supporting structure with means for moving weights, said means for moving weights consisting of guide holders having a pair of protruding guide rails for the sliding of the support bearings and relative pair of handles that the disabled grip to perform the exercise, the guide rails providing the system weight/bearing to be constrained to follow, due to the force exerted by the disabled, the particular path of the curved shape guide support provided by the guide rail for the weights loaded on the handle, II- a second movable section provided by moving means, such as a wheelchair, which is equipped with adjusting and control means. After the functional insertion into the first fixed section, although the two sections are structurally disconnected, the fixed section and the movable section are aligned along the same axis of symmetry so that the user can perform the exercise in optimal conditions.

Description

Fitness exercise for the handicapped and the able-bodied

Description

Technical field

The present invention generally refers to an apparatus for fitness exercise execution, and more specifically to a series of solutions solving the necessities of athletes with disabilities during their workouts at the gym.

Background art

Machines for fitness exercises having a main structure, in which the load resistance is obtained by means of cables where weights are applied at one end of each cable, are known. A counterweight system includes one or more pulleys floating to compensate for variations in cable path lengths, which are usually different according to the particular exercise performed by a user.

Regarding applications for people with disabilities, some recent applications provide isotonic machines operating by means of weights to be placed directly on the machine, or by means of weights to be placed on pulleys or ropes with pulleys. Such kinds of machines do not use any movement driven on tracks.

The problem also consists by the fact that if a person with disabilities uses any machinery with its own (or usual) wheelchair, several problems related to the stability and safety of the machinery will emerge. In this regard, it's sufficient to think about the degrees of freedom with which weights and handlebars move, the pulley with relative cables.

Disclosure of the invention Unlike fitness machines known in the prior art, devices and wheelchairs here designed are suitable in providing a complete range of exercises for arms, legs (in case of partial lower limbs use) and back for users who are sitting in a wheelchair.

Another fundamental purpose of the invention is to make people with disabilities as autonomous, so that it's no necessary for them to be assisted by someone in positioning on the fitness apparatus or even in using the fitness apparatus itself or in moving from one fitness apparatus to other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus with a relative wheelchair for fitness that allows a simple and effective self- positioning: people with disabilities may move from top to bottom and from back to front on the apparatus, and vice versa, according to their wishes.

Again another object of the present invention is to provide a correct positioning of the wheelchair without modifying the structure of a fitness apparatus with which it interworks.

Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide fitness apparatuses which use constitutive components, standard materials and technologies in the field of sport equipment production, in order to make the apparatus less expensive and easy to maintain.

These and other objects, which will be clear in the course of the description, are obtained with a wheelchair and fitness apparatuses interoperating. The fitness apparatus comprises: a first fixed section which in turn includes a- tubular structural components , and means to perform the true and proper exercise, operating with a reciprocating motion, provided on the supporting structure with means for moving weights, said means for moving weights consisting of guide holders having a pair of protruding guide rails for the sliding of the support bearings and relative pair of handles that the disabled grips to perform the exercise. The guide rails make the system weight/bearing to be constrained to follow, due to the force exerted by the disabled, the particular path of the curved shape guide support for the weights loaded on the handle.

A second movable section is provided by moving means, such as a wheelchair, designed for a disabled, said moving means being equipped with adjusting and control means allowing, after the functional insertion into the first fixed section , aligned along the same axis of symmetry both of the fixed section and the movable section, the interworking with at least one of the handles, with the respective guide rail, so that the user can perform the exercise in optimal conditions, although said two sections are structurally disconnected.

The first fixed section is embodied so as to allow the full insertion, in its volume, of the moving means. Detection means , distributed on the bearing structures of the fitness apparatus - embodied such as to envelope the movable section in the exercising apparatus -, detect in real time the optimal position for performing the exercises which are executed constrained to follow the particular path exactly alike parallel or exactly orthogonal, respecting the axial symmetry. The moving means is centered on the central axis of the fixed apparatus although the different configurations which may be assumed by the moving means due to the stress - muscle tears and sudden, violent or accidental pushes - in the whole system of training.

Brief description of drawings

For a better understanding of the invention only, and with no intending to limit the scope and fields of applications, the present invention will now be described by referring to a series of particular not limiting or binding embodiments, shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs 1A, IB and 1C are sectional views of a wheelchair for fitness according to the present invention;

Figs 2A and 2B are axonometric and sectional views of a fitness apparatus according to the present invention,

Figs 3A and 3B are axonometric and sectional views of another fitness apparatus according to the invention;

Fig 4 is a schematic view in plane of the apparatus in axial symmetry;

Fig 5A, 5B are further axonometric views of a fitness apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig 6A, 6B, 6C are sectional views of the guide rail and the relative support showing the curved profile of the arched sections;

Fig 7A, 7B are further axonometric views of a fitness apparatus according to the present invention.

Best mode of carrying out the invention

As Fig. 1 shows, the wheelchair 70 has at least two engines 50, 51, which are powered by standard equipment supplied battery 52. A worm screw 55 is connected to the pinion of the first engine 50 in order to operate a gear unit, which gradually brings the backrest 60 down from a position of about 100° relative to the sitting plan 61, up to a maximum of 180°. The activation of the engine allows to obtain the desired inclination, up to the maximum tilting corresponding to 180°. In this condition the seat becomes a real bench by means of a pair of support stands 62 allowing to stabilize the tilting at 180° and preventing the wheelchair from overturning. When the backrest 60 is lifted, the support stands 62', 62" are integral in the backrest, and in the moment of the tilting - being connected by a hinge bolt- they fall to the ground to constitute the support elements of the reclined backrest 61.

The second engine 51, which is also powered by the battery 52 supplied with the wheelchair, generates the movement of a pinion, which in turn transmits the rotation to a second worm screw 56. The second worm screw operates on two "scissors" (also known as pantograph mechanism) allowing:

i- to lower the sitting plan 61 by extending the worm screw 56, ii- to lift the sitting plan 61 by pulling back the worm screw 56.

The two scissors 58 regulating the height of the seat 61 are arranged one on each side of the wheelchair, respectively, in order to allow a balanced lifting. Without difficulty the person of ordinary skill in the art would implement a configuration - not shown in the figures - with a separate power supply for lifting/lowering only one side, so as to compensate any asymmetry in the arrangement. In fact, according to the present invention, already in this first part of this description it should be noted that every configuration of fitness apparatus 80 aimed to perform a certain exercise requires the inclusion of the wheelchair 70 in the volumes enclosed by the apparatus 80, as Figs. 2 and 3 show. This choice is related to a number of factors, including the perfect balance of the loads during the exercise and the possibility to fully accommodate the user in his wheelchair in order to ensure a real-time monitoring of the wheelchair position and of the disabled position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a combined centering of the wheelchair and the disabled in the fitness apparatus 80 is implemented through manual/automatic techniques. More properly, a real-time centering of the person who is going to perform the fitness exercise should be defined.

As it is known, exercises performed with unbalanced loads and strains may have serious consequences. When muscles are subjected to unbalanced exercise, muscle bands are stimulated asymmetrically. When this not properly centered position is continually adopted by the wheelchair and/or the disabled, such repeated mistake is likely to cause damage, the consequences of which increase exponentially. To solve this kind of problem, there is a first adjustment and control technique in which the seat 60, 61 of the wheelchair is provided with one or more engines 51 driving the lifting scissors structures 58, in order to obtain a perfect balance transversal to a', a".

This condition is signaled by a system of weight sensors distributed on the bottom of the seat 61, performing a real-time central measurement on two imaginary trapezoidal figures, corresponding to the buttocks of the disabled, seated on the said seat 61. More properly, each contact surface should be equated to an isosceles trapezium having the parallel sides AB and CD, whose center of gravity is located at a point U on the straight line joining M, the midpoint of AB, and N, the midpoint of CD, so that MU/UN= (2CD+AB)/(2AB+CD). However, other common types of calculation by graphics or compositions of symmetrical figures can be used.

Therefore, the condition of unbalanced weight is immediately detected, since two weight sensors are arranged in correspondence of both centers of gravity (and/or their boundaries) and such data are entered a differential comparator for achieving and detecting a condition of zero, that is, an equal weight distribution on both supporting structures. Such balance is achieved through different operating modes: a) the disabled person may move forward, backward, right or left, until he receives an indication of balance or nearly balance; b) he may use the supplied engines 51 to raise the height of one side of the seat until he reaches the optimal balance; c) an automatic adjustment may be arranged and activated in order to control the balance and the tilting of the seat to even out the load.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, detectors of the correct position of chest assumed by the disabled person in relation to the type of exercise to be performed, are arranged. Such detectors are constituted by different pairs of devices (for example, emitter and photocell) distributed on the bearing structures 68 of the fitness machine/apparatus which are arranged on the boundaries of this structure to integrate the wheelchair in the exercising apparatus.

For example, the exercises shown in Fig. 2 and 3 require a strictly vertical (horizontal) position from the disabled person, therefore he can neither fall backward, leaning to the backrest, nor bend forward (although this position may be more comfortable for the moment). When the disabled person is sensed entering the apparatus (for example, through interaction between photocells 65, 66), dedicated sensors are activated, so as to detect the specifically upright (or horizontal) position of the disabled person, signaling any differences from the optimal alignment while performing the exercise. The interworking between the detecting system of the balanced load with reference to the weight on the seat 60, 61 and the wheelchair system on which the disabled person sits is evident, through the direct detection of the position of the disabled via the dedicated photo-electric detectors that operate on a straight path, unlike what will occur when one or more cameras are filming sideways.lt is crucial that in each configuration similar to those of Figures 2 and 3 the position of the wheelchair that "enters" the machine is immediately and unequivocally detected by a system of photocells 65 preinstalled within the supporting structure 68 of the machine 80. Such detection is communicated via audio/optical mode to the user, who thus knows exactly when he is in the best position to perform the exercises. In this condition, he is the one who locks the brakes 63', 63" to immobilize the wheelchair while performing the exercise. Otherwise he/she may try to "enter" again in the machine (80) following , for example, some guide pointers on the ground. More particularly, the photocells or photoelectric sensors are electronic devices that use the principle of light emission. They are among the most versatile devices, constituting the family of sensors used in various fields of industrial automation: revealing and counting objects, reading contrasts, making measurements, detecting the presence of nonconducting materials such as wood, plastic, glass, etc. and ferrous and non-ferrous metals. A photo-electric sensor is constituted by a light source (or emitter), a receiver, an amplifier/demodulator and an output stage. When the light beam generated by the photo-elements is interrupted, the output stage of the photocell changes its logic state.

In the scope of the present invention some types of photocells, divided according to the type of operation, are:

Emitter/receiver (or barrier) type: in these cells, light beam sender and receiver are two separate devices, typically mounted one before the other. The wheelchair or the disabled standing between the two devices interrupts the beam of light and is detected.

Reflection barrier (or reflection) type: this type of photocells comprises devices in which emission and reception photo-elements are contained in the same mechanical body. The emitted light beam is reflected by a prismatic (reflective) reflector that sends it back to the receiver. When the wheelchair or the disabled stands in the way of the light beam, it/he is detected. These devices operate, for example, with the aid of prismatic and "scotch tape" reflectors, which have the characteristic of returning the received light in parallel, by means of their particular "honeycomb" structure. This type of barrier is widespread, as it provides good operating distances with ease of photocell/reflector alignment and ease of installation, even in tight spaces.

The correct alignment of the wheelchair 70 with respect to the fitness machine 80 is monitored in real time by a system of photocells capable of evaluating even the slightest displacement from the central axis of the preferred alignment. Indeed, it is likely that such displacements occur, considering the stress - muscle tears and sudden, violent or accidental pushes -of the whole system of training.

An illustrative condition is shown in Fig. 4,where a stylized plan view of the structure of the fitness machine 80 and its outer perimeter z is depicted, and the inner perimeter x, drawn in a continuous line, indicates the position of the wheelchair 70, while the inner perimeter y, drawn in a dashed line, indicates an oblique (non-optimal) position. Obviously the disabled person may not be aware of this oblique position. If there was only the photocell 65', 66', the arrival and positioning of the structure - but not its asymmetric positioning - would be detected. However, by providing at least a pair of emitters and receivers, the (in)correct location would be immediately signaled. The correct positioning viewer may be a simple green flashing LED, powered by the same current provided by the supplied battery. In a more complex solution, displays and units to process the data acquired and digitized through filters, amplifiers, A/D converters, well known to those skilled in the art, may be provided.

In this case, one should rather consider the functionality coming from n pairs of photo-detectors /light emitters on the bearing structure 68 of the fitness machine, in relation to the different available machines. In practice, the interworking of two or more photo-detectors with two relative light-emitters allows a given machine to identify the wheelchair inserted in the corresponding space, in order to perform the exercise. For example, if the detection occurs between a transmitter and photo- detector, both placed 10 cm above ground, the machine is a shoulder machine... so a certain kind of exercises are expected, with fixed times, etc...

In practice, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided a continuous interface between the receiver photocell 66, integrated in the fitness machine structure, and the light emitter 65, located in the wheel chair. The stability of this coupling provides an indication about the correct positioning of the wheelchair 70 on which the disabled person is exercising. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control of the wheelchair is extended to the disabled person who is using it and the type of exercises he is performing. In this configuration, the photocell system - as mentioned, distributed efficiently on the whole external perimeter to the purpose of detection and operating orthogonally to the central axis (a', a") - is expected to reveal what part of the body is positioned in front of the photocells or whether this part of the body (e.g. one arm, one forearm, chest) is moving in front of the photocells, thereby detecting the periodic alternating movement that one is performing.This use of photocells is well known to the state of the art. The photocells are semiconductor light detectors. Their resistance varies depending on the light received. Within a circuit, they cut off the current flow, until they detect enough light.Using an operational amplifier is sufficient for converting a photocell to a movement photocell. For each exercise/machine, every disabled athlete is provided with a digital paper on which a personal trainer has indicated, once and for all, the characteristics of the exercises he has to perform on each fitness machine provided by the gym. In such configuration, a local control unit processes the data from the photosensors distributed on the structure of the machine 70 and sends them to a central control system that performs a real-time monitoring on the correspondence between the exercise being performed and the exercise recommended to the disabled person, then communicates the result to the user.

Once again, it should be noted that all this monitoring activity regards the correct insertion of the wheelchair in the bearing structure of the fitness machine, respecting the axial symmetry which states that the wheelchair must be centred with respect to the central axis of the machine. Indeed, it can be seen from Figure 4 that the insertion of the wheelchair 70 in the fitness machine 80 fulfills the criterion of symmetry with respect to the ideal axial plane a', a", which would cut specularly the machine 80 in two solid figures "reflected" relative to one another. The depiction of Fig. 4 shows that both in the wheelchair 70 and the fitness machine 80, each point P (or photocell) of the left section corresponds to a point P' (or photocell) of the side which is opposite to a ', a", so that: P* belongs to the straight line passing through P and perpendicular to the plane a, and PP' have the same distance from the plane a.

The present invention is based also on a precise path followed by weights loaded on the handle 6 intended to be engaged by an athlete. The path of weights movement is applied to all different machine models, each of these latter is dedicated to a particular type of exercise. The basic principle is based on a particular configuration followed by a track, the configuration follows a well-defined line with about 5% of maximum tolerances.

As is clear from fig 5A, 5B the fitness apparatus 1 according to the present invention is based on the use of constrained weights 4 that a disabled athlete may select for training. In Fig. 5A , 5B , a further embodiment is shown wherein no wheelchair should be inserted in the fixed apparatus . This latter comprises a first fixed section 80 comprising tubular components upon which a back 8, a seat and/or a bench 3 leans, provided at least with one adjustment device 7 in order to allow an adjustable positioning. Then there is provided a section for implementing the exercise, operating with reciprocating motion, configured on the same bearing structure comprising a moving weight equipment, which consists of a guide holder having a protruding slide guide for the bearings and a handle 6 that the athlete grips in order to execute the exercise.

The apparatus comprises a section for implementing the exercise 2, 5, 4, 6, 12, operating with reciprocating motion, where the load resistance is obtained by means of at least one handle to which the weights are applied. Because of the bearings 12, this handle 6 is compelled to follow - due to the force exerted by the user - a definite path on a guide rail 5, together with the weights loaded on the handle. This guide rail 5 follows a curved profile, consisting of two arched sections (20, 21) having opposite different concavities, the first, 20, corresponding to a first bending angle of about 8,4° and the second, 21, corresponding to a second bending angle of about 65°.

The regulator or stop brake 9 is formed as a gradual thickening of the rail, allowing the handle 6 and the relative weights 4 to achieve gently the stroke end.

Based on this basic principle, a number of different apparatus are configured. That is, while the profile of the guide holder 2 for the sliding of the bearings 12 remains essentially unchanged, particular arrangements and positions of the guide holder 2 provided with such base line 20, 21 characterizing the designed fitness apparatus are defined. Different configurations are related to various muscle bands involved.

The embodiment in Fig. 5A shows the arrangement in which the athlete is expected, after loading the most suitable weights 4', 4" on the appropriate handle 6', 6", sitting on the appropriate bench 3, 8 and leaning on his back, to make adjustments to the physiologically correct position by means of regulators 7 , provided at the bottom of the bench 3. The movement begins with grasping firmly the appropriate handle 6, which is located in the lower front region, at a height of about 10 cm on the vertical midline of the femoral bone, orthogonally and ipsilaterally. Contracting the above mentioned muscles, the range of movement driven upward by the appropriate cam 5 in a front rear direction is covered. When the maximum height 15 is reached, the athlete opposes resistance against the return due to the force of gravity of the weight, driven by the abovementioned cam 5, involving the antagonist muscle bands, until the starting position is achieved, on both sides. As the weights 4', 4" and the relative handles come down in order to reach the lower limit, the stroke end regulators 9 allow to reach the terminal end in a soft way, lessening the fall.

Referring to Fig. 5B, the overturned arrangement of the pair of holders 2', 2", compared to that of Fig. 5A is evident. The position of such holders is turned upward in order to allow the exercise of another type of muscle.

This preferred embodiment shows the arrangement in which the athlete is expected, after loading the most suitable weights 4', 4" on the appropriate handles 6', 6", leaning on his back, to make adjustments to the physiologically correct position by means of the regulators provided at the bottom of the bench 3. The movement begins with grasping firmly the relevant handles 6', 6" placed at a height of about 45 - 65 cm and laterally about 55 - 75 cm from the skull, and by contracting the triceps/pectoral muscles the range of movement driven by the appropriate cam 5', 5" is covered; when the maximum height 15 is reached, the athlete opposes resistance against the return due to the force of gravity of the weight, driven by the abovementioned cam 5', 5", involving the antagonist muscle bands until the starting position is achieved, on both sides. In this preferred embodiment it should be noted the role of the stroke end regulators 9', 9" which allow to reach the terminal peak 15, constituting an upper constraint beyond which the transit is not allowed.

Referring to Fig. 7A and 7B, a further application of the present invention, which is based on particular profile of the guide holders, is described. This figure shows a lowered arrangement of the system comprising: weights 4, bearing 12, handle 6. These figures correspond to a particular embodiment of the apparatus, without a backrest 8, solely equipped with a bench 3. On such a bench 3, the athlete first leans his right knee and then leans his left knee, in order to perform a weightlifting 4 exercise, backwards and upwards, first with his right arm and then with his left arm, respectively. The lowered symmetric positioning of the pair of holders 2', 2" and the relative guides is depicted in Fig. 7 B. The athlete will come down and then get up, each time strengthening one side of his trunk.

Industrial applicability

In the preferred embodiment, machines for the disabled comprise both a fixed structural component 80, which allows to perform an exercise for a specific muscle group, and a mobile component. The mobile component, for example a wheelchair, becomes an integral part of the machine and it is provided in order to allow disabled people to perform the required exercises at their best. In a further embodiment , by means of appropriate clamps the wheelchair is integrated and fixed to the machine in question. Once the physical exercise is completed, and after the unfastening of the disabled person from this machine, he may continue with another exercise for a different muscle group using a different machine or close his training session.

It should be noted that the same apparatus 80 has different uses in two different types of application:

a- The disabled person uses a wheelchair 70 in order to get in the apparatus and perform the various exercises, b- The able-bodied person uses benches and backrests integral to - but removable from- the apparatus on which he leans in order to perform the exercise.

It should be noted (referring to curve 5) that the line followed by the guide rail leads to a physiologically natural movement for the human body. In fact, it does not involve any constraint as it may happen in the free movements, typically using dumbbells, which are lifted and lowered without fastening, that is, as free weights.

On the contrary, according to the present invention the use of the weights is specifically driven and at the same time physiologically natural. Hence, the proper use of the apparatus.

In case of disabled users it is crucial that the wheelchair enters the fitness machine from a volume point of view, becoming integral and essential part of the apparatus. The correct insertion is determined by means of sensors and detectors 65, 66 that operate perpendicularly to the axes of symmetry of the wheelchair, by means of mechanical/optical presence sensors, possibly with optical recognition of the correct position reached, providing for the possible automatic operation of the locking brakes 63. In any case, the actuator of the brake is designed so that it can be activated manually or through a trip relay when the sensors 65, 66 detect the perfect alignment.

Claims

1. Fitness apparatus for disabled characterized in that it comprises:

I- a first fixed section (80) which in turn includes

a- tubular structural components (68), and

b- means to perform the true and proper exercise, operating with a reciprocating motion, provided on the supporting structure (68) with means for moving weights (4), said means for moving weights consisting of guide holders (2) having a pair of protruding guide rails (5) for the sliding of the support bearings (12) and relative pair of handles (6) that the disabled grip to perform the exercise, the guide rails (5) providing the system weight/bearing to be constrained to follow, due to the force exerted by the disabled, the particular path of the curved shape guide support (2) provided by the guide rail (5) for the weights loaded on the handle,

II- a second movable section (70) provided by moving means, such as a wheelchair, designed for a disabled, said moving means (70) being equipped with adjusting and control means (65', 65",... 65ⁿ, 66', 66",.... 66ⁿ) allowing for the correct alignment along the same axis of symmetry (a', a") both of the fixed section (80) and the movable section (70) -after the functional insertion into the first fixed section (80)- , so that the disabled can perform the exercise in alignment conditions, although said two sections (70, 80) are structurally disconnected, interworking with at least one of the handles (6), with the respective guide rail (5),

the first fixed section (80) is embodied so as to allow the full insertion, in its volume, of the moving means (70), detection means (65', 65",... 65ⁿ, 66', 66",.... 66^π) , -distributed on the bearing structures (68) of the fitness apparatus (80) embodied such as to envelope the movable section (70) -, detecting in real time the optimal position for performing the exercises which are executed constrained to follow the particular path exactly alike parallel or exactly orthogonal, respecting the axial symmetry, wherein the moving means (70) is centered on the central axis (a ', a") of the fixed apparatus (80) although the casual locations which may be assumed by the moving means (70) due to the stress - muscle tears and sudden, violent or accidental pushes - in the whole training system .

2. Fitness apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises means (50, 55; 51,58) allowing a preparatory optimal positioning of the disabled, through a forward/backward or downward/upward translational movement of the seat bench (61) according to the positions to be taken to better perform the constrained reciprocating movement and to be detected by sensors and detectors (65, 66) operating perpendicularly to the common axes of symmetry (a', a") of the wheelchair (70) and the fitness machine (80), and distributed according to a predefined sequence and location on each side of the machine (80) and/or the wheelchair (70).

3. Fitness apparatus according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that in the moving means (70), the pinion of a first motor (50) is connected to a worm screw (55) and a gear unit which gradually brings the backrest (60) down from a position of about 100° relative to the sitting plan (61), up to a maximum of 180°, in this condition the seat becoming a real bench, using a pair of support stands (62) to stabilize the tilting and to prevent the wheelchair from overturning.

4. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that an engine (51) generates the movement of a pinion and a worm screw (56), operating on a pantograph, scissor gear (58) which allows the lowering or the lifting of the sitting plan (61).

5. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that two pantograph gears (58) regulating the height of the seat (61) are provided one on each side of the wheelchair, in order to allow a balanced lifting.

6. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that weight sensors distributed on the bottom of the seat (61) perform a real time central measurement on two imaginary trapezoidal figures corresponding to the buttocks of the disabled, seated on the seat (61), in order to allow a transversal balanced lifting.

7. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that in the section for performing the exercise , working in a reciprocating motion, the means for moving the weights (4) comprise a guide support (2), provided with a stiff relief guide rail (5) for running bearings (12) and the handle (6) grasped by the athlete to perform the exercise, said handle (6) being connected to the system weight/bearing and the load resistance being obtained by the handle (6) , carrying the weights (4) , said guide rail (2) following a curved profile consisting of two arched sections (20,21) each of them having a different arching, leading to a physiologically natural movement for the human body, not to displace the original optimal alignment for executing the exercise.

8. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that a regulator or brake (9) is provided for stopping the running , provided with a progressive thickening enlargement of the guide rail (5), allowing the handle (6) with the relative weights (4) to approach the running end with a slower, not abrupt, motion.

9. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the guide rail (5) follows a stiff curved profile consisting of two arched sections (20, 21) , each of them corresponding to a first bending angle of about 65° and a second bending angle of about 8.4°, respectively.

10. Fitness apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the detecting means provided in the wheel chair (70) or in the structural components (68) of the fitness machine are photocells.

11. Method of adjustment and control of the correct alignment of the moving means (70) using the apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps:

a-) the position of the wheelchair (70) "entering" the machine is immediately and unequivocally detected by a system of sensors (65, 66) comprised within the supporting structure (68);

b- the correct insertion is determined by signaling from sensors and detectors (65, 66) operating perpendicularly to the common axes of symmetry (a', a"), of the wheelchair and the fitness machine (80), distributed according to a predefined sequence and location on each side of the machine (80) and/or the wheelchair (70).

c. such detection is communicated via audio/optical mode to the user who thus knows when the arrival of the wheelchair (70) to the machine is detected by the detection system (65', 65",... 65ⁿ, 66', 66",.... 66ⁿ) and when the wheelchair is located exactly in the best position to perform the exercises, respecting the axial symmetry, according to which the wheelchair must be centred with respect to the central axis of the machine.

d- the correct alignment of the wheelchair (70) relative to the fitness machine (80) is monitored in real time via a system of sensors (65', 65",... 65ⁿ, 66', 66",.... 66") capable of detecting even the slightest displacement from the central axis of preferred alignment, providing for a continuous interface between the sensors integrated in the machine and the corresponding presence detectors placed on the wheelchair (70), the stability of the coupling providing the indication of the correct positioning of the wheelchair (70) on which the disabled person is performing the exercises.