Is Modular Control of Cycling Affected by Learning? Preliminary Results Using Muscle Biofeedback

Abstract

Cycling training is used in neurorehabilitation to promote motor recovery in people affected by neurological impairments, such as spinal cord injury and stroke. Visual biofeedback, normally based on cadence or load, can be used in combination with cycling exercise to inform the patient about his/her physical performance. We wanted to test the effectiveness of an alternative biofeedback variable, based on muscle activity (EMG), to induce a change in muscle coordination. Preliminary results on 2 subjects show that single muscle biofeedback can be successfully used to change the neuromuscular control of pedaling, without altering the typical modular structure during the learning process.