Benefits of Cycling Wheelchair Training for Elderly With Physical Disability

Benefits of Cycling Wheelchair Training for Elderly With Physical Disability

To investigate the feasibility of cycling wheelchair training as an exercise for elderly disabled patients, and to determine its effects on cognition, quality of life, aerobic capacity and physiological markers. We measure SF-12. Other outcome measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination, Aero bike workload test, resting blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and heart rate.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age >65 years old
2. with a functional ambulation category scale (FAC) level 4 or below
3. muscle strength of both lower limbs was >3 as the , or the muscle strength of one lower limb was 4 or above, as rated by the Medical Research Council Scale (MRC).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. hospitalized for acute medical problems within the past 3 months
2. having cardiopulmonary disease that could cause exercise hazards
3. unable to perform repetitive pedaling exercise due to diseases of the lower limbs
4. with pressure ulcers around hip area
5. with impaired cognitive function that did not allow completion of our questionnaires.