Therapeutic exercise device

A therapeutic exercise device, including receptacle means designed to support a person's lower or upper extremities. A substantially rectangular support base (10) is slidably associated with the carriage (16), in such a manner as to allow a longitudinal displacement of the carriage on the support base. In addition an adjustable resistance arrangement is included to allow increased frictional resistance in between the carriage, and the support base Consequently with increased frictional resistance, increased muscular energy is required to achieve the longitudinal displacement of the carriage on the support base. Thus a more versatile therapeutic device is provided, that permits a simple and accurate measurement of the rehabilitation performance of the lower or upper extremity affected. This device may be employed for strengthening abdominal and back muscles in the process of physical therapy, especially in facilitating Mc Kinsey exercises for lower back. Also, the present invention may be employed as a transferring device for a patient from one surface such as a wheelchair, to another surface such as a bed.