Our mission is inspiring: we aim to elevate the mobility and vitality of athletes with spinal cord injuries to new heights through Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). This involves sending pulses of electricity through the skin to activate muscles and nerves. As a result, athletes with spinal cord injuries can cycle again, astonishing the world with their incredible achievements!
The goal of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for spinal cord injury patients is to enhance their independence and mobility. FES is used as a rehabilitation technology to activate muscles in patients with spinal cord injuries through electric stimulation.
FES aims to:
1. Restore lost muscle function: FES can activate muscles affected by spinal cord injuries, enabling patients to perform movements that were previously impossible.
2. Improved functional independence: FES can assist with daily activities such as moving independently, standing, walking, or even cycling. This contributes to patient self-sufficiency and quality of life.
3. Reduced risk of complications: Regular muscle stimulation through FES can decrease the occurrence of pressure sores and osteoporosis, common issues for individuals with spinal cord injuries due to limited movement.
4. Enhanced cardiovascular health: FES encourages exercise, which contributes to a healthy cardiovascular system.
5. Promotion of neuroplasticity: FES can stimulate neural circuits in the brain and spinal cord, conductive to recovery and functional improvements after a spinal cord injury.
The ultimate aim is to improve the quality of life for spinal cord injury patients and help them regain as much independence and mobility as possible.
We have already achieved successes as a team! We participate in both national and international competitions and proudly secured gold at Cybathlon - the competition where skilled parathletes with advanced robotics vie for victory. PULSE Racing ties sports, rehabilitation and engineering, promotes FES and welcomes passionate students.
Supervisor/ambassador: Thomas Janssen
Thomas is professor of Rehabilitation Research at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam, where he teaches courses in exercise physiology and rehabilitation. He also leads research in the field of spinal cord injury and adapted sports in rehabilitation centre Reade and is academically (co-)responsible for the Centre for Adapted Sports Amsterdam, part of the Amsterdam Institute of Sport Science. Cycling as fast as possible with the aid of electrostimulation, the goal of this Dream Team, is not only interesting on a academic level, the knowledge gained can also mean a lot for the health and fitness of people with spinal cord injury.
Testimonials of other students
“I discovered that if you really go for something together, you can achieve a lot. Believing that creates a lot of energy and confidence among your teammates and yourself. I now have the courage to delegate to people instead of thinking ‘I'll do it myself’. Ambassadors, your team made up of students from all kinds of programmes and all different years: everyone helps to share knowledge and experiences, and I learned a lot from that. It also made me more flexible. I now think in terms of solutions instead of problems.”
Kristel den Engelsman, Fourth-year student of Human Movement Sciences – deputy manager PULSE Racing Dream Team
“Working within the PULSE Dream Team is a very valuable experience. The translation of theory into practice is educational and also a lot of fun. I’m using my scientific knowledge in a different way, but I’m also learning how to manage and organize a company. PULSE has given me insight into what is possible with my education. I have also learned how important working in a multidisciplinary team can be.”
Birgit Kaman, MSc Human Movement Sciences and former Dream Team
This team is linked to the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences