In 1965, the US Air Force proposed the launching of a secret Air Force Station which was to be named the Manned Orbiting Lab (MOL). The Boeing Company Aerospace Group entered the competition for the MOL contract.
Of prime concern to the Bioscientists assigned to the MOL Project was the effect of the long exposure to the zero gravity environment of space upon astronaut's cardiovascular system. Such a period might substantially decrease the integrity of the cardiovascular system and reduce the capacity of the astronaut to withstand the rigors of re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. In addition, these conditions might even encourage the onset of osteoporosis. A team of scientist was formed to search for methods to resolve these issues.
To prevent cardiovascular de-conditioning, the Boeing team proposed subjecting the crew to intermittent positive and negative acceleration forces parallel to the long axis of the body. They surmised that this movement would tax the cardiovascular system in a way similar to earth's gravity and might maintain the crew's cardiovascular systems. A prototype conditioner was constructed by the preliminary design team, after which the team conducted research using this exercise machine. The results were quite revealing.
Human Performance Research Reports submitted to the Air Force by Boeing in October 1965 indicated that the prototype, called the Cardiovascular Conditioner by the preliminary design team, indeed showed great potential value to crew members on such a mission. The studies offered the following conclusions:
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"When exhausting physical work is preceded by passive trampoline use, there is:
- Increased endurance
- Reduced oxygen consumption during work
- Reduced pulmonary ventilation during work
- Higher maximal heart rate at exhaustion
- Lower heart rate during sub-maximal work
- Lower maximal oxygen intake When tilt table test is preceded by passive trampoline use, there is:
- Lower heart rate,
- Improved orthostatic tolerance Findings suggest that passive trampoline use redistributes the blood volume centrally and shifts oxygen dissociation curve."
During the Boeing MOL Project, Gary Graham (originator of the CMC Shuttle 2000) was a member of the preliminary design team. He was given
responsibility for transforming the biomedical data into a space-born version of the cardiovascular conditioner that could be installed
inside the crew compartment of the space station. However, before that task could be completed, defense department priorities were
reshuffled and the MOL Project was canceled. As a consequence, all Project documents were placed in storage at Boeing.
Nearly twenty years later, Gary Graham decided to revive the Cardiovascular Conditioner in the form of an earth-bound exercise device.
Additional research and development resulted in a patented Horizontal Rebounding exercise machine named the CMC Shuttle 2000. Gary and
Heather Graham became partners in Contemporary Design Company and the manufacture of the Shuttle 2000 Series began. Initially, the Shuttle
would be used primarily as a physical therapy tool. Further R & D generated a more advanced model, the Shuttle 2000-1. Introduced in
1990. Today, the 2000-1 remains a flagship machine with its numerous improvements and upgrades. A variety of accessories have expanded the
versatility of the 2000-1 and all were designed to meet a specific needs identified by practicing therapists or trainers. Three models of
the Shuttle 2000-1 are currently in production.
Shortly after the appearance of the 2000 Series, trainers and athletes began using the Shuttle for conditioning and athletic training.
However, professional and world-class athletes were seeking a Shuttle with more resistance than the 2000 Series offered. Heather, with her
dance background and physical fitness training, and Gary, with many years of experience of design engineering, began the development of a
robust prototype designed for training athletes. The Shuttle MVP, with its unique design, appeared in 1993. In 2000, the MVP was upgraded
to the Pro model that provides even more resistance and flexibility. The original Classic MVP has been improved and is also available.
In response to the need expressed by Bill Bollinger, a Physical Therapist, for a small Shuttle that could be used in a patients bed, on a
training table, the playing field, and at home, the Shuttle MiniClinic was introduced in 1997. Utilizing a variation of the Horizontal
Rebounding Technology, the MiniClinic weighs a mere 18 lbs and can easily be carried to patients in a clinical setting, hospital or at
home.
As R & D at CDC has progressed by listening closely to professional practitioners, injured patients, the chronically ill and infirm,
week-end warriors and athletes who use our Shuttles, numerous changes have been made in the design requirements. Continuous improvements
in design, materials, engineering and construction have been made in all Shuttle Systems products until refinement has become our way of
doing business. Over a dozen accessories have been produced to increase versatility and applicability to exercise, rehabilitate and train
the upper extremities and trunk, in addition to the lower extremities. Our Shuttles are now one of the most advanced devices yet created
for assisting a wide variety of people to improve and maintain good health and fitness, rehabilitate limbs and backs following injury or
surgical procedures and prepare athletes for optimum performance.
The Shuttle exercise system combines both internal and external induced stresses.
Internal Stress:
Unlike most other exercise machines, our large Shuttles have a rebound system built into the moving backrest, or Carriage. In theory, the
acceleration load caused by the rebound system in the machine induces a movement of the diaphragm. This can cause a change in chest cavity
volume. When the diaphragm moves downward, a negative pressure is developed in the chest cavity, the outcome of which is attraction of
blood toward the heart. In addition, the impact at the head end of the Shuttle stroke can cause the blood mass to surge toward the head,
thus irrigating the heart cavity. The elimination of the hydrostatic head in the cardiovascular column by the horizontal orientation of
the body during Shuttle exercise can also add to the ease of blood flow in the torso.
External Stress:
The Shuttle is designed to allow a full range of motion of both the arms and legs during exercise. While the back and neck are comfortably
supported by the Backrest and Headrest, the arms and legs are free to propel the Carriage within the Rails. All four limbs may be used
independently or simultaneously. The combination of the internal and external stresses while in a supine position may help explain why the
Shuttle exercise system appears to have such a dramatic effect on the cardiovascular system, as well as muscle groups within the body.
© Copyright 2001 Contemporary Design Company