Athlete Peter pedals as hard as he can on an ingenious bike equipped with sensors that record all his movements. Students Kristel and Roos monitor the results on a large computer screen and check the training schedule. A loyal team member, Jan the dog, is asleep in a corner of the lab. Above his head, the slogan “we stimulate to cycle” adorns the wall.
Having just started, Peter has to stop again: the new sensors under the pedals have come loose. “During training, we're always fine-tuning the technology,” laughs Roos as she looks for the right screwdriver to reattach the sensors. “It’s a continuous learning process on many levels.”
Dream team for athlete and student
PULSE Racing was established in the 2017-18 academic year to further develop functional electrical stimulation (FES) for people with spinal cord injuries. FES activates paralysed muscles through electrical impulses, thereby improving the mobility of people with spinal cord injuries. But just as important is the opportunity PULSE offers students to make a societal impact. The team, averaging 13 students and athlete Peter, changes composition regularly. Kristel has been active in management for two years: “When I started, I was in my final year of my Human Movement Sciences degree. PULSE was a great opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge into practice, and to learn how to manage a team of volunteers in an organisation that truly contributes to society.”
Intensive training despite spinal cord injury
Peter trains twice a week in the lab, and has been doing so for three years already. As a result, he’s extremely experienced as an athlete: his knowledge and use of the equipment are unparalleled, and he’s constantly learning more about the capabilities of his own body.
Four years ago, Peter broke his back diving into shallow water, and he’s lived with a complete spinal cord injury ever since. As he was an avid athlete before his accident, the training sessions with PULSE are a blessing for him. “The workouts are very intense. I feel like I’ve really trained afterwards,” he says. “I’m also convinced that the more exercise I can give my legs, the better. After all, your legs are designed to carry your body day in and day out.”
Unfortunately, the sensor comes loose again, and Peter has to temporarily pause his training. Together with Kristel and Roos, he reattaches the sensors to the bike and his legs to the braces. It’s inspiring to see how the experiment never stops; how team members stay inventive and motivated to carry on despite the limited resources available.
Cybathlon 2024
Their perseverance is getting an extra boost from a major international competition in October this year. The Cybathlon in Switzerland, also known as the medical-technical Olympic Games, takes place every four years. Athletes from all over the world compete in various disciplines using the latest technological assistance. Peter will have to cover a distance of 1,920 meters within eight minutes, using only FES stimulation and pure leg strength.
At the previous Cybathlon, PULSE Racing won gold. Will they be able to repeat that performance? Kristel nods affirmatively: “Peter is incredibly strong and has exceptional endurance. And our bike puts us in a good position. We’re determined to win again!”
