Tricycle Applications for Physical Therapy Sufferers

Bicycles are one of the sports equipment as well as a mode of transportation that is environmentally friendly, when using a bicycle, all members of the body perform movements. In this study, a tricycle with a delta concept was made, that is 2 wheels behind and 1 wheel in front. This bike is designed to help stroke sufferers perform physical rehabilitation independently by pedaling a bicycle. To find out the benefits of bicycles to help cure strokes, especially the legs of the patient, a stroke test were carried out for 1 month (30 days) by 4 stroke patients, who were the respondents in this research. Each respondent pedaled the bike once every 3 days, so the amount of therapy became 9 times a month for each respondent. During pedaling respondents vital sign was recorded, the value of heart recovery rate (HRR) and amount of energy consumption were calculated. To find out the usefulness of bicycle therapy for stroke patients, 4 stroke sufferers were also selected who were doing stroke rehabilitation as respondents in this research, but did not pedal a bicycle. Furthermore, all respondents, whether bicycle therapy or not, performed a fitness test using the six minute walking test (6-MWT) test method. The method is used to determine the maximum oxygen volume capacity (VO2 max) of a person who walks on a certain path for 6 minutes. From the test, it can be seen that the distance taken by the respondent after walking for 6 minutes. The distance traveled is converted in the form of VO2 Max capacity. The test results shows that respondent therapy using a bicycle has a significant increase in body fitness, compared to respondent therapy without using a bicycle.