A basic study on analyzing acceleration of crank rotation for evaluation of FES cycling with cycling wheelchair

The cycling wheelchair “Profhand” was developed as a transportation device for hemiplegic persons. The cycling wheelchair is also expected to be used by paraplegic patients as a rehabilitation device with functional electrical stimulation (FES). We have been studying the FES cycling system using the cycling wheelchair for paraplegic patients. However, cycling speed of FES cycling was less than that of voluntary cycling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate FES cycling. In this paper, acceleration of crank rotation was estimated as an index relating to rotative force during FES cycling with 2 healthy subjects in order to evaluate cycling speed. The result showed the points that reduced the cycling speed were estimated. It is expected to improve the FES control system by finding out the reason of the decreasing of acceleration. It is also necessary to make clear relation between acceleration of crank rotation and rotative force.