A novel portable and cost-efficient wheelchair training roller for persons with disabilities in economically disadvantaged settings: the EasyRoller

Abstract

Purpose

Stationary training rollers enable wheelchair users to maintain physical health and train as athletes, which serves to treat and prevent immobility-associated chronic disease and improve cardiorespiratory fitness required for sports performance. However, conventional exercise equipment is largely inaccessible for persons with disabilities in low-resource areas, primarily due to cost. The aim of this study was to prototype, develop, and test a portable, cost-efficient stationary training device for wheelchair users in low-resource settings – The EasyRoller.

Materials and methods

Stakeholder input from wheelchair athletes, trainers, and potential commercial manufacturers was solicited and utilized to conceptualize The EasyRoller design. The device was constructed from easily sourced, low cost components, following which it was user-tested with Para athletes. Feedback was analysed and incorporated into newer versions of the prototype.

Results and conclusions: The EasyRoller creatively combines easily-sourced components to significantly cut down cost and ease both manufacture and repair for use in low-resource settings. The device is portable with a total weight of 34 pounds and total size of 42 linear inches while also affordable with a total cost of USD$199. Hereby, The EasyRoller has the potential to increase physical activity participation in populations with impairment who live in socioeconomically deprived world regions.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Exercise and physical activity are key aspects of health and quality of life for persons with disabilities

• Stationary training rollers, devices that enable wheelchair users to train, are often bulky and expensive and therefore inaccessible for populations in socio-economically disadvantaged settings

• The EasyRoller is a portable and affordable training device that increases access to exercise and physical activity for these populations

Keywords:

• Training roller
• wheelchair user
• exercise equipment
• fitness
• innovation
• physical activity
• low-income country

Acknowledgments

With deep gratitude, the authors wish to acknowledge all engineering students from the University of Delaware for realizing The EasyRoller; Sarah Peden, Desik Somasundaram, Dylan Reed, Daniel Kummer, Jeremy Grunden, Connor Benedict, and William Dacey. Additionally, the authors thank Dr. Sarah Rooney for supervising the first team of students. The team further recognizes Adam Wade Bleakney from the University of Illinois and Rory Cooper, Ph.D. from the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh for concept development and technical direction. Finally, the authors acknowledge Paul Weiland, of the Adaptive Sports Facility in Bristol Connecticut, and MossRehab in Norristown Pennsylvania for assistance with device development.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript and have not received support or benefits from commercial sources for the work reported.