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New Arm Bike speeds recovery at
Boundary Community Hospital |
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January 29, 2015 |
by Marcia Morman
Director of Marketing and Communications
Boundary Community Hospital
Come and ride the bicycle—the arm bicycle that
is.
Much like the bicycle you grew up with powered
by legs, the arm bicycle spins by placing your
hands on the pedals and pushing forward and
downward. Fortunately, the pedals are located
high on the bike in a comfortable position. It’s
a great upper body aerobic workout and exercise
for the arms.
 But, who needs to exercise their arms? As it
turns out, quite a few people do.
Petra Timmermans, head of the Rehabilitation
Department at Boundary Community Hospital, says
that all shoulder patients, all neck patients,
all cardiac patients and about 50% of patients
with neurological disorders, such as Parkinsons
and stroke, benefit from the arm bike. It
provides an upper extremity work-out as well as
strengthens and helps increase the range of
motion of the arms.
The Kissler Family Foundation Philanthropic Gift
Fund through the Idaho Community Foundation
provided funds in the amount of $1,090.00 for
the purchase of a new arm bicycle for Boundary
Community Hospital.
The new arm bike gives feedback of measurable
data: it displays time, pedal revolutions per
minute, calories, distance and the patients’
pulse.
The bike is a boon for wheelchair patients. It
is adjustable in height allowing for the proper
fitting of wheelchairs in the riding space.
No wonder it is a popular piece of equipment in
the rehabilitation department. Physical therapy
and occupational therapy both use it. The arm
bike, along with the treadmill, the stationary
bike, and the Nu-Step, makes the top-four list
of the hospital’s pieces of most used equipment. |
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