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This technique considered as FES (functional electrical stimulation) tricycling has been developed by teams from University College London (UCL) and University of Glasgow. FES involves stimulating paralyzed muscles by passing short pulses of current through electrodes on skin. A stimulator synchronizes stimulation with pedal position while person has a 'throttle' to control how much stimulation is applied - rather like a motor bike with legs as engine.
Within a year, we should be expecting availability of this device, dubbed as ‘recumbent tricycle’. Professor Nick Donaldson, one of members of team said that this device will help get impaired people back into exercising safely. This will do them a lot of good since these disabled persons may not be open to option of exercising, yet. The only current way being applied to wheelchair-bound persons’ in order to exercise paralyzed muscles is by electrical stimulation. But it was not much fun to just stimulate muscles during special sessions.
Thus in developing bike, team was to create a system where wheelchair athletes can use from home and will be fun to use. The new tricycle can be used at home to train muscles while stationary, or for recreation outdoors.
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