FESfit delivers expert fitness training advice to therapists, carers and fitness instructors who work with neurologically impaired individuals and who wish to use FES rehabilitation technology. Training and advice is based on the latest scientific advances in FES technology and on commercially available FES exercise training systems. FESfit services are evidence-based and delivered by Helen Berry BSc PhD, a fully qualified exercise physiologist and personal trainer.
Training and motivational support programmes are designed to enable and empower the individual to gain the everyday health benefits of regular physical exercise and ensure that they are physically ready to gain immediate benefits from any related medical and scientific advancements as they emerge.
What is FES?
FES stands for functional electrical stimulation. FES can temporarily and safely restore useful exercise function to completely or partially paralysed limbs. Exercise is achieved by passing an electric current between a pair of electrodes placed on the skin of the exercising limb. This causes a signal to be sent via the nerve to the muscles, causing them to contract. Sequential stimulation of the appropriate muscles can enable different movement patterns, such as arm or leg cycling, rowing or stepping. The range of commercialised FES exercise systems is increasing and includes leg and arm cycle ergometers, exercise bikes both for indoor and outdoor use attachments for wheelchairs, and stimulator units that require no additional equipment. Other products available in the near future include rowers and steppers.
FES systems can be used by clients with central nervous system injury such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis or stroke.
FESfit is led by Helen Berry BSc PhD, who has recently published research findings from her work at the Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering at the University of Glasgow click here.Helen’s work on the health benefits of FES cycling is complimented by her 10 year of experience working as a personal trainer in the fitness industry.
For further information please leave your name, email address and the nature of your enquiry in the boxes below or contact us by email at helen@fesfit.com
