| - Purpose: The Berkelbike is a newly developed training device for people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). This bike, which can be used inside and outside, consists of the person's wheelchair and a coupling hand bike with additional pedals for the feet. The arms propel the hand bike voluntarily; the legs are activated by functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the mm. quadriceps, mm. hamstrings and m. gluteus. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 16 weeks training period with the Berkelbike on the physical and muscular condition of people with a spinal cord injury. It is also hypothesized that the training could reactivate spinal circuitry for locomotion. - Methodology: In this trainings study 10 subjects with SCI will train with a Berkelbike at home 3 times a week for 16 weeks. By measurements at 3 moments, T0, T6 and T16, the effects on the physical and muscular condition are evaluated by a hybrid VO2max test, resistance-to-fatigue test, leg circumference and questionnaires. The training intensity is assessed by the use of a heartbeat meter and diaries. Additionally the development of voluntary control will be measured with use of EMG and EEG. - Progress: The development of a hybrid VO2max test on the Berkelbike is in a final stage. Recruiting of the subjects is started. Inclusion of the subjects is about to start. |
