© Inria / Photo H. Raguet
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) allows to induce muscle contraction by applying electrical current impulses through electrodes placed on the skin overlying the muscles. It is sometime possible to activate muscle contraction in paralyzed muscles. FES can be used to restore functional movements and FES-assisted cycling is one of the possible applications.
FES-cycling allows individuals with spinal cord lesions to propel a cycling device (ergocycle or tricycle) with the force produced by their own of paralyzed legs. FES-cycling is one of the only ways to exercise paralyzed legs which has has shown to have benefits on health and well being.
FreeWheels is a multidisciplinary team which objectives are to improve usability of FES-cycling to make it accessible to the greatest number of individuals with spinal cord injuries.
© Inria / Photo H. Raguet
We intend to 1) formalize a training protocol which could be replicate and 2) increase improve performances by improving the stimulation controller and the trike itself.
We will participate in 2024 Cybathlon to promote FES-cycling and enjoy the event.
Publications from our team: click here
