Add Up Articles Directory | Free Articals | New Articles Daily | The BerkelBike: A hybrid of a recumbent bike and a handcycle that can work wonders for your body

Cycling is an invigorating exercise and the BerkelBike has made this wholesome exercise possible even for the physically challenged people. This wonder hybrid of a recumbent bike and a handcycle has now allowed the disabled people much more independence, and has given a great boost to their self esteem. Not having to rely on others for basic transportation is just one of the benefits of the BerkelBike. The other health benefits which can be enjoyed by a daily use of this hybrid of a recumbent bike and a handcycle are nothing to scoff at either and in fact, they are pretty impressive.

The BerkelBike is a hybrid of a recumbent bike and a handcycle. It allows exercising of both the hands and legs for the physically challenged. Even people who are suffering from spinal cord injuries can work their way to better health using the BerkelBike. This hybrid of a recumbent bike and a handcycle is very comfortable as it has an inflatable pillow at the back for that added support which makes the recumbent pose highly comfortable. This recumbent bike can also be attached to any wheelchair thereby increasing its utility even further.

There have been several attempts to make an outdoor tricycle for the spinal cord injury patients, however, the lack of power in their legs made such a contraption very difficult. Apart from this a tricycle is much more difficult to manoeuvre as opposed to a wheelchair. But the BerkelBike has been able to surpass these problems and has come up with a recumbent bike that can be easily and safely driven on the roads by spinal cord injured patients. The feeble muscles in the leg are controlled by a software box mounted on this tricycle. The pedalling movements start the moment one starts hand cranking this recumbent bike. After a moment the software kicks in which causes the legs to actively contribute to the drive.

The BerkelBike can be used with functional electrical stimulation technique. This technique aims to improve the functioning of any part which has any nervous impairment by introducing low levels of current into the body to control the muscles, cause the brain cannot. Once the pedalling movement of a recumbent bike commences, FES is initiated. A goniometry is placed around the crank axle which continuously measures the positioning of the pedals. Based on this information the leg muscles quadriceps, gluteus and hamstrings are stimulated. The electrodes for stimulating the nerves while using a BerkelBike handcycle are placed inside the rider’s trousers and these are 12 in number.

The level of stimulation which is being provided to the leg muscles can be controlled by the rider of the BerkelBike using a “+” and “-” switch on the software box. This allows greater control by the users in determining the level of stimulation they need and are comfortable with. The BerkelBike can also be used as a stationary bike by placing the front wheel in a holder.