The Universal Ergometer Handle

BME Senior Design Group #15

Background

There are over 5 million wheelchair users within the U.S. alone (U.S. D.O.T., 2024). There are also more than 2 million people with limited upper extremity mobility (MyndTec). Wheelchair users have limited means of exercise, and limited exercise can lead to an increased risk of multiple health conditions (American Association on Health and Disability, 2011). The upright ergometer is one piece of exercise equipment that has been adapted for use by wheelchair users. The upright ergometer is also often used in research/clinical settings for max exertion testing in studying the health of wheelchair users. However, the current handles on the ergometer are limited in accessibility for those with limited upper extremity mobility, making even the adapted ergometer difficult to use and making testing inaccurate and unsafe.

Needs Statement

There is a need to find a way to improve adjustments for hand and grip stability, measure the power generated by the user and heart rate of the user within the handle for people with limited upper extremity and trunk mobility to decrease difficulty of upright ergometer use and improve safety and fitness.

Project Scope

Individuals with upper extremity and trunk mobility limitations often struggle to use an upright ergometer for exercise as they cannot easily grip the handles, so the aim is to design a device that increases the accessibility of gripping the handles of an ergometer by improving grip aid and adjusting for varying amounts of torso flexion. Heart rate measurements are also used in tandem with the ergometer by the client as a metric for ensuring safety and measuring fitness, but band heart rate monitors are not secure, necessitating a built-in and more convenient heart rate measurement system. There is a need to find a way to improve adjustments for hand and grip stability, measure the power generated by the user and heart rate of the user within the handle for people with limited upper extremity and trunk mobility to decrease difficulty of upright ergometer use and improve safety and fitness. This device needs to be functional for people with limited mobility, meaning the handle must have greater than 90 degrees of angular adjustment from the for ergonomic hand positioning. The improvements also need to accurately read frequencies above 60 Hz for heart rate analysis, and accurately read greater than 250 W of power generated by the user. The end goal of the project is to deliver a working prototype to Dr. Kerri Morgan by April 16th, 2025.