Cycling with Spinal Cord Injury: A Novel System for Cycling Using Electrical Stimulation for Individuals with Paraplegia, and Preparation for Cybathlon 2016

Physical exercise may produce significant systemic benefits including reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. For individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), muscles that are not volitionally contracted can be activated using functional electrical stimulation (FES), a technology where lowenergy electric impulses are applied to restore motor function. In this article, we share our experience in developing a system, the Empowering Mobility and Autonomy (EMA) tricycle, to enable persons with paraplegia to perform FES-assisted cycling. Both technological development and preparation protocols are presented, along with information regarding our team's participation at Cybathlon 2016.