A therapeutic device, such as an exercise device, includes the principles
of osteogenic repair by incorporating a loading mechanism into the
exercise device. By doing so, the therapeutic device provides an
increased osteogenic effect, thereby enhancing the benefits of the
therapy. As an example, a exercise device includes a support surface for
supporting all or part of the bodily tissue of an individual using the
device. A linear or rotary loading mechanism associated with the frame or
a rotational element of the exercise device drives the support surface at
a selected load and frequency, thereby inducing mechanical loading of
bodily tissue adjacent to the support surface sufficiently to facilitate
the growth, development, strengthening, and/or healing of bone tissue.
The loading mechanism may be incorporated into any exercise device,
including standard exercise devices such as rowing machines, stair
climbing machines, elliptical trainers, bicycles, cross-country ski
trainers, treadmills, or weight trainers.