A Renovation for Rehabilitation

A Renovation for Rehabilitation

By: Rachel Cinquepalmi

     The Lab for Wellness and Motor Behavior, housed in Tarleton State’s Kinesiology Building Room 175, is actively training individuals with quadriplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and other mobility impairments. This influential rehabilitation center contains modified equipment for these participants which allow them to stay active despite physical restrictions. The individuals who have trained for a significant amount of time with Dr. Priest (the founder of the lab) have reported benefits including but not limited to increased endurance, improved mobility, improved mental alertness, and decreased expense and dependence on prescription drugs. Certified personal trainers provide exercise supervision for these clients and Kinesiology students also have the opportunity to complete an internship in this lab.

Isaac is preparing a patient for a workout
on the new Gait Trainer Treadmill.

     Beginning in the summer of 2014, reconstruction of the lab took place with the addition of new machines and a larger and more accommodating space. Three new machines including a Technogym, a NuStep, and a Gait Trainer Treadmill have been implemented to complement the Psycle machine. The Technogym is an Upper Body Ergometer Machine, or a UBE, which is similar to a bicycle, but rather than pedaling with the legs, the patients pedal with their arms. This Technogym device may be used as a cross training tool to help improve cardiac endurance and upper body strength. The NuStep device is a recumbent cross trainer which is similar to an elliptical in that it allows simultaneous upper and lower body motion to work all major muscle groups. Finally, a new Gait Trainer Treadmill is being utilized to target symmetry of walking in addition to prompting clients to elongate their steps with the unaffected legs. In addition to the advanced machines, the current rehabilitation facility in Room 175 is four times larger than the previous center in Room 102 with approximately 1,600 square feet which allows for the trainers to treat more patients per workout session. 

Here a patient is utilizing the NuStep machine.

      Dr. Priest and the student workers and trainers are enthusiastic about the renovations and are excited to be working with the clients in the new and improved establishment. “We are truly changing lives one step at a time,” says Graduate Assistant and personal trainer Isaac Dickey.

     Dr. Priest has announced that the lab is currently taking applications. “The renovated center has 15 trainers and over 30 clients already,” says Priest. “We are using our new, state of the art equipment to enhance the lives of these individuals by providing a means for physical activity.” Participants, both students and outside citizens, train for 3-6 hours per week for 15 weeks during the fall, spring and summer semesters. This lab is continuing to provide hope and health to people who struggle with paralysis and the renovation of the Lab for Wellness and Motor behavior is an exciting and important improvement.     

Join in the conversation at the Google+ community page Stroke Rehab - Wellness and Motor Behavior.  https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112013677417890656684