Aerobic Exercise For The Wheelchair-bound

September 15, 2008

University of Texas at Austin alumnus, Stanford (MSEE '91), and

Electrical & Computer Engineering undergraduates are working on

making exercise fun for wheelchair users. For the last year, Stanford

has been partnering with engineering seniors to test his idea for a

virtual reality treadmill for the disabled.

" Not many people realize, " says Stanford who has been confined to a

wheelchair since 1988, " the special health risks faced by wheelchair

users. Everything is more difficult, including eating right and

getting enough exercise. Because of this, the incidence of obesity,

diabetes, and cardiovascular disease is several times the rate of the

general population. "

Stanford's solution, called TrekEase, approximates an arcade driving

game. Users back a manual wheelchair into a frame, engage the

flywheel for resistance, and start the driving software.

" When approached me last year about using [TrekEase] as one of

our senior design projects, " says UT-ECE professor Jon Valvano " I was

enthusiastic. It's an interesting engineering challenge. He came in

with a mechanical system that had already been vetted for safety. The

students added software and sensors that make the experience

interactive. "

Users can control speed and direction. A new group of students is

continuing the project this semester. They plan to enhance the

existing design so the system detects tilt making flight simulation

possible and to work on the packaging so it will be affordable and

easily reproducible.

" There is no way I could've done this by myself. I don't have the

skill set, " says Stanford. " The students are amazing. They step up to

every challenge. "

Recommended Posts