What's FES Cycling?
When complete or partial leg paralysis restricts exercise, FES Cycling with RehaMove is a practical and effective way of boosting circulation, strengthening muscles, easing spasms and much more.
A RehaMove FES Cycling system allows individuals with partial or complete paralysis of the legs to pedal a stationary cycle (a motorised ergometer) with their own muscle power - despite their paralysis. This has a much more powerful effect than using a motorised bike without FES.
This has many research-backed health benefits for people managing neurological conditions including spinal cord injury, MS, Parkinson's disease and Stroke.
Harnessing so called FES (functional electrical stimulation) technology - a tried, tested and safe approach - the system activates weakened or paralysed muscles of the body with the help of sophisticated computer and sensor technology. By this means, users of a RehaMove FES Cycling system can actively exercise the muscles of paralysed limbs improving circulation, easing spasms, keeping bones strong and much more.
The aim is to build muscle bulk, strength, improve fitness and reduce muscle spasm producing circulation benefits.
This results in effectively reversing many of the detrimental effects on fitness of the neurological injury.
The muscles must be stimulated in time with the movement of the pedals and the intensity of stimulation is regulated carefully. There are two fundamental versions of the adult RehaMove system.
Allowing active exercise of the legs
Allowing active exercise of the arms and legs (not simultaneously)
Version 2 is ideal for those with a higher level of spinal cord injury - or situations where the muscles of the arm and shoulder are affected as well as the legs.
With a low-cost software addition, called “Sequence Mode” the FES component can be used independently from the bike. There are a number of reasons why this might be a good idea.
for starting exercise conditioning and training before someone is ready for FES Cycling.
for stimulating "additional" muscles such as the abdominals.
for muscle conditioning when on holiday (easy to take the stimulator component along)
for carrying out “sit to stand exercises”
for working with other exercise equipment - eg create an FES rowing machine, performing sit to stand exercises etc.