Description
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an innovation in the field of muscle stimulation, which allows people with a complete transverse lesion and paralysed muscles to move again. It can be combined with a BerkelBike or EasyLegs.
FES technology can allow spinal cord injury (SCI) patients to actively cycle using their own leg muscles. This can prevent overloading of the arms and shoulders. This is a big advantage of the BerkelBike with FES compared to hand bikes. By actively training the paralysed legs, common problems with SCI can be prevented. These include obesity, poor blood pressure and the formation of pressure ulcers.
What is functional electrical stimulation?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Sticky electrodes or electrodes in bicycle shorts transmit electrical signals to various muscle groups in the legs and buttocks. A sensor in the front wheel of the bike transmits the pedal position to the computer. Next, it sends signals to the muscles that need to be stimulated to make a cycling movement. The BerkelBike FES-Box can also be used as a stand-alone stimulator. This allows the user to train their back and/or abdominal muscles from their own bed.
James McKune (SCI – T6) about FES and the BerkelBike
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Remco Rozendaal (Complete SCI C3 / C5) about FES
THE EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION
Training with functional electrical stimulation has many positive effects on a person’s physical and mental well-being. With FES, the muscles are reactivated and the blood circulation increases. This results in an improved metabolism and reduces the risk of pressure sores. In addition, many current users indicate that they experienced less spasms after training with electrical stimulation.
Training, in general, has great health benefits. As you get fitter, the immune system will improve. The chances of suffering cardiovascular disease diminish, which is already a greater risk for people with reduced mobility. Furthermore, users of electrical stimulation regularly express to us how amazing it feels to cycle with their own legs!
WESLEY POL (COMPLETE SCI) – BERKELBIKE FES WITH FES-SHORTS
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FES?
Contact usJohnny Beer Timms (SCI – C5 /C6) about FES
WHO BENEFITS FROM A FES BOX?
The BerkelBike FES system is suitable for people with a transverse lesion. There are two criteria to determine whether FES is appropriate for a medical condition.
Firstly, is the person suffering from spasms? Spasms indicate that the motor nerves of the muscles still work. This is necessary for the use of a FES stimulator. If the person suffers from a paralysis without spasms, the RISE Stimulator is a better option- a new device specially designed for the stimulation of muscle fibers without working motor nerves.
Secondly, it is important that there is a reduced feeling of pain in the legs. Electrical stimulation hurts when pain stimuli are still transmitted from the leg to the brain. It is therefore important that the user doesn’t experience any pain in the area to be stimulated by FES.
FLACCID PARALYSIS?
Watch the RISE-stimulatorMORE INFORMATION?
Call: 0031 – 40 402 10 22BerkelBike founded the first FES Race Team in the world
NEW POSSIBILITIES THROUGH ELECTRICAL STIMULATION
Until recently, nobody succeeded in making electrical stimulation (FES) available for use for individual use in people’s own living environment. The BerkelBike FES stimulator – in conjunction with a BerkelBike or EasyLegs – allows the user to apply electrical stimulation both inside and outside on the street. If the bicycle is combined with a bicycle trainer, the bicycle can be transformed into a gym and training can take place in the user’s own living room.
Would you rather have a regular home trainer? Then try the BerkelBike Fitness. This home trainer can also be used in combination with electrical stimulation.
