title: Mechanical design and driving mechanism of an isokinetic functional electrical stimulation-based leg stepping trainer.
abstract: The mechanical design of a constant velocity (isokinetic) leg stepping trainer driven by functional electrical stimulation-evoked muscle contractions was the focus of this paper. The system was conceived for training the leg muscles of neurologically-impaired patients. A commercially available slider crank mechanism for elliptical stepping exercise was adapted to a motorized isokinetic driving mechanism. The exercise system permits constant-velocity pedalling at cadences of 1-60 rev x min(-1). The variable-velocity feature allows low pedalling forces for individuals with very weak leg muscles, yet provides resistance to higher pedalling effort in stronger patients. In the future, the system will be integrated with a computer-controlled neuromuscular stimulator and a feedback control unit to monitor training responses of spinal cord-injured, stroke and head injury patients.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Research Centre, Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. nham0064@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hamzaid
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fornusek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruys
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation