When a user commences work on the RehaMove system they may not have enough muscle power to actively cycle.  

Using an ergometer such as the Reck MOTOmed without stimulation, allows the built-in motor to do the work and the user’s legs are moved passively through the range of motion.  This has some value – but wouldn’t it be better if your legs were actually doing the work?

By virtue of the computer-controlled stimulation provided by a RehaMove system, your leg muscles build strength to do more and more of the work over time. The result is a workout that benefits your cardiovascular system and builds muscle bulk.

A simplified view of the RehaMove is shown in the figure. 

Note that a RehaMove consists of two systems - A RehaStim unit and a motorised ergometer such as the Reck MOTOmed or the TheraVital designs.  These two systems communicate and cooperate to ensure safe and effective training.

Note in the figure that both the RehaStim and the ergometer can deliver energy to the user.

The RehaStim provides electrical stimulation to the flexor and extensor muscle groups of the user’s legs. If the muscles are trained these can generate power to pedal the bike.  When training commences muscle power alone may not be enough.  The ergometer generates motor power and is capable of passively moving the legs.   The key issue is how the overall system balances the need for motor power and electrical stimulation. 

Imagine that a certain total amount of power is required to pedal the cycle at a selected speed against a selected resistance. The RehaMove system will deliver stimulation to the users muscles and automatically take care of this balance to achieve a training effect.

The system uses a number of feedback sources that, along with the inbuilt software, allow that balance to be maintained.  Some of the feedback (shown as FB in the diagram) is for electrical and mechanical safety, some is for spasm detection and some is for cycle crank-position information so that RehaStim knows which muscles need to be stimulated and when.

For Example - With the RehaMove Reck system, the target speed for cycling is set in the RehaStim unit and a passive cycling speed is set on the ergometer.
As we will explain some “fluctuation” around the target speed, is normal.

The key to using the system effectively is how the passive ergometer speed is set in relation to the target speed.

The user should first choose a passive speed on the MOTOmed which is comfortable, and then set the target speed on the RehaStim about 20 rpm higher than this passive speed.

The target speed is the speed which the client aims to reach by activating his or her muscles with electrical stimulation. The target speed of course is higher than the basic passive cycling speed - this when achieved is active cycling.

The stimulation intensity can be seen on the RehaStim display screen from the graphic bar on the left hand side: if it is highly filled, the stimulation intensity is high; and vice versa.

As you approach the target speed, the level of stimulation automatically declines. If the speed of cycling drops far below the target speed the stimulation increases.

For Example: The basic passive speed at the MOTOmed is set to 20 rpm, the target speed at the RehaStim to 45 rpm.

The stimulation starts with high intensity, so the display bar is filled.

As the client`s muscles are activated, they produce power.  After some training, when the muscles are strong enough, they will raise the speed above 20 rpm.  As the speed comes closer to the target speed of 45 rpm, the stimulation intensity will drop.

If the target speed is exceeded, the stimulation intensity goes down to the minimum in order to maintain speed.  At this minimum intensity the muscle contraction can weaken which leads to less speed and therefore more intensity: approaching target speed - leads to - lower stimulation intensity - leads to - less muscle power - leads to - less speed - leads to - more stimulation intensity –which leads to - approaching target speed and so on.

Therefore some fluctuation around the target speed is common.

Please make sure that the basic passive cycling speed at the MOTOmed is about 20 rpm lower than the target speed set at the RehaStim.  If the client sticks with the difference of 20 rpm, as mentioned, this speed fluctuation is a good hint that your muscles are quite strong – the client will see on the MOTOmed screen the bike which shows that you are pedalling actively?

At the end of the training, the client will see on the MOTOmed that a part of the total distance covered was via active cycling and part by motor assist.?

After a number of training sessions the user’s muscles become capable of generating more power.   The client can then try to raise the gear on the MOTOmed, increasing the resistance which will give the muscles a new challenge.