Design and Validation of a Heart Rate and Speed Monitoring Device With Intelligently Controlled Assistive Rehabilitation Elliptical

Abstract

Cardiovascular assessment and fitness training are often overlooked in physical rehabilitation. Many current rehabilitation exercise devices do not allow for the recording and exportation of variables related to cardiovascular fitness. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to design, prototype, and validate a data logger that measures, records, and exports time, heart rate (HR), and speed data with the commercially available rehabilitation device called the Intelligently Controlled Assistive Rehabilitation Elliptical (ICARE). Validation involved using the data logger device in parallel with devices currently used in research environments for measuring HR (TrueOne 2400 metabolic cart with polar HR monitoring chest strap) and speed (ICARE's console). Ten healthy individuals without known disability impacting walking or ability to use the ICARE, exercised on the ICARE while HR and ICARE speed were measured. It was found that the data logger can be used to accurately measure, record, and export HR (linear regression: P < 0.001; R2 = 0.892) and speed (linear regression: P < 0.001; R2 = 0.997) data when used with the ICARE.

Combining a non-immersive virtual reality gaming with motor-assisted elliptical exercise increases engagement and physiologic effort in children

“…Additionally, some children with weakness and movement control challenges may lack the strength required to override the motor's assistance. While previous research has demonstrated that speed can be used to manipulate lower extremity muscle demands (Burnfield et al, 2017) and cardiorespiratory challenge (Burnfield et al, 2018;Burnfield et al, 2019;Cesar et al, 2020), yet to be determined is whether these parameters can be fine-tuned sufficiently during VRenhanced training to sustain appropriate engagement and physiologic challenge.…”

“…The ICARE was modified to increase usability by children as young as three years of age including decreasing the lower limit for stride length and integrating height adjustable pedals so children could interact at eye level with the console (Nelson et al, 2015;Burnfield et al, 2019). The ICARE was used throughout the study, including the Non-VR and VRenhanced conditions.…”

“…Based on inputs from clinicians, children, parents and researchers prior to initiation of the study, elements were added to the VR gaming environment to facilitate children's engagement (e.g., presenting overall score on the VR console, real-time visual/auditory feedback when a carrot was collected, and a colorful speedometer reflecting the bunny's current movement speed). Exercise HR was detected using a Polar heart rate monitor (Lake Success, NY) and automatically recorded every 20-s through a custom data logger (Pfeifer et al, 2019). Wireless EMG electrodes (Delsys, Natick, MA) recorded seven targeted muscles' activation at 2000 Hz (i.e., gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, lateral hamstrings, medial hamstrings, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior; Figure 1C).…”

“…The motor assistance provided by this device helps guide leg movements as users train at speeds up to 65 cycles per minute. Training faster than the speed set on the console causes the motor to disengage and promotes greater physiologic challenge for lower extremity muscles and the heart (Burnfield et al, 2017;Burnfield et al, 2019). The device has recently been adapted to train children as young as three years of age with physical disabilities and special healthcare needs (Nelson et al, 2015;Burnfield et al, 2017;Burnfield et al 2018;Burnfield et al 2019;Burnfield et al 2021).…”

“…Training faster than the speed set on the console causes the motor to disengage and promotes greater physiologic challenge for lower extremity muscles and the heart (Burnfield et al, 2017;Burnfield et al, 2019). The device has recently been adapted to train children as young as three years of age with physical disabilities and special healthcare needs (Nelson et al, 2015;Burnfield et al, 2017;Burnfield et al 2018;Burnfield et al 2019;Burnfield et al 2021). However, one practical challenge is encouraging children to exert the greater effort required to override the motor's assistance without external cueing from a clinician, educator, or caregiver.…”