Category / Adaptive Cycling

by Colleen Berlingieri

Recreation Therapy is More Than FUN!

Recreational Therapy (RT) is a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities. Recreational Therapists treat the whole person and are uniquely qualified to assist clients in improving their quality of life and reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Recreational Therapy can help you feel like you again.

WHAT?

Recreational Therapy (RT) is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-base interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling
conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health. RT also promotes recovery and well-being.

WHY?

Recreation and leisure pursuits enrich our lives with purpose, meaning, and community and are an important part of our overall well-being. Recreational Therapists utilize evidence-based practices to
help clients develop the skills and confidence needed to engage in
meaningful, health-promoting leisure activities.

WHO?

Recreational Therapists are skilled healthcare professionals who utilize a systematic process, evidence-based interventions, and purposeful activities to help clients achieve well-being.
Recreational Therapists work in a variety of clinical and community settings—from schools, to hospitals,
to community programs and beyond—and utilize their unique expertise to help clients overcome barriers to well-being and/or participation in meaningful activities caused by an illness or
disabling condition.

HOW?

Whether utilizing recreation and leisure activities as therapeutic interventions to promote well-being or
facilitating therapeutic interventions to promote participation in meaningful recreation and leisure
pursuits, Recreational Therapists are cherished for the far-reaching impact
of their vital services.

At FATWHEELS, we are so proud to work with such an amazing group of Recreational Therapy professionals all across North America! We are beyond grateful for the work that they do for their clients in promoting adaptive cycling. We value their input and knowledge on how we can improve our products, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them as we move forward in our goal which is to ensure that EVERYBODY CAN RIDE!

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

The Benefits of Cycling For Those with ADHD

Recently, an interesting article was published in the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s (ATRA) March, 2024 newsletter about the benefits cycling for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Here is some of what researchers, (Cameron Sterling, Christopher Peck, Caroline Cowan, Karsten Crumpler, John Avery Chapman, and Dr. Paige Dagenhard-Trainer), had to say:

Brain Activity

A study conducted on children ranging from ages 7 -14 with an ADHD diagnosis found that after just one bike ride, the observed children portrayed less impulsivity and hyperactivity (Marcks,2020). Individuals with ADHD may suffer from irritability and fluctuating moods; biking has also been proven to decrease these emotions through its positive effect on mood. The act of cycling naturally increases heart rate which in return, allows blood to be pumped throughout the body much faster than when the body is at rest. Endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are then circulated throughout the body at a more rapid speed. This faster pace action has a quicker effect on brain stimulation, energy, and mood. (Marcks, 2020).

Sleep

Alongside heightened brain activity, it is recommended that individuals with ADHD maintain a consistent and healthy sleep schedule. Having consistent sleep can improve attention, focus, and energy. Biking can help coordinate the body’s circadian rhythm which in return regulates the body’s response to awareness and sleep (Mens Line, Australia, 2022). Through biking, stress hormones that can negatively impact sleep are reduced which promotes better quality sleep (Kirszenblat, Swinderen, et al., 2015). Biking can also stimulate protein production within the body. Proteins serve the brain by supporting new brain cell production. The higher the cell production, the better the different regions of the brain work together (Mens Line Australia,2022). When the brain is stimulated in a healthy fashion, ADHD symptoms such as attention, focus, and energy can significantly increase.

Socialization

Where individuals with ADHD may lack socialization, biking can encourage friendships and communication. Biking can be done independently, but it can also be done with others, thus making it a social experience. Competitive biking is very popular in the United States, giving all individuals with interest an opportunity to compete. In the US, there are more than 3,000 cycling events per year. These include both competitive and non-competitive events. It is important that individuals with ADHD find extra-curricular activities to participate in. ADHD can also cause problems maintaining interest in certain activities. Thus, it is important that individuals find hobbies they are passionate about. Cycling is a broad activity that can be modified or adapted in many ways, making it suitable for individuals with different limitations. Its inclusive and wide-ranging potential allows for many individuals to take interest (USA Cycling, 2022).

While this article was written specifically to address the reduction of symptoms of ADHD, the same benefits apply to ALL who cycle. Fresh air and biking are medicine for the mind, body and soul. That is why we, at FATWHEELS, strive to make sure that, with a little bit of help, EVERYBODY can ride!

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

FATWHEELS Bicycle Safety Series – Pedals with Straps

Recently, I received the following question from a board-certified physical therapist:

Hello,

I am a pediatric physical therapist. I am so excited to find your website and products!

Most of my patients need a special needs adaptive tricycle, but I am working with a 10-year-old child who may be ready to transition from an adaptive tricycle to a traditional bike with a few adaptations (your training wheels look perfect!). He currently uses pedal straps, and his adaptive tricycle has a seat belt. I’m interested in your pedal strap adaptation; however, I am wondering if it is safe to have pedal straps without a seat belt?

I have been taught by fellow PTs that if you have the feet strapped in, then you need a seat belt for safety. This is in case the user was to fall off the bike, but the feet stayed strapped in, putting them at risk for a knee or ankle injury since the legs wouldn’t come off of the bike with the rest of the body. Do you sell any adaptive seat belts? Do you have any thoughts on this issue? I would love to hear more about this, as I do not specialize in higher level bike adaptations. Thank you so much in advance!

What a great question! Here is my response:

Thanks so much for reaching out to me and for your patience in awaiting my response….

The question you raise is a very valid one.  The pedals that we sell should NEVER be bound to the rider’s feet too tightly.  The straps are adjustable and should be left slack so that the rider can disengage their feet in the event of a fall.  Failing to do so, can cause unnecessary harm to the rider.  We include this instruction with every set of FATWHEELS pedals that we ship out.

The straps allow the rider to keep the pedals moving as they elevate their leg during the pedal upstroke (hip flexion), instead of having to rely solely on pushing your foot down (hip/knee extension).  This makes for a more efficient pedaling motion and helps individuals with things like motor planning and combatting low muscle tone.

The pedals are also self-leveling which means they’re counter-balanced to ensure they always rest in the right position for the rider to place their feet on them.  This helps them easily “find” & engage the pedal with their feet. 

We do not sell seat belts.  If the rider requires that level of support, they are most likely not a good candidate for our products.

I hope this answers your question – if you need any further information please do not hesitate to reach out – I am happy to assist!

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

How Your Hearing Affects Your Balance

Your ears don’t just help you hear. In fact, they work together with other systems in your body to help you understand your place in space. If you have a steady sense of balance, you might not have a problem understanding where you are, how to stay upright, and how to keep yourself from falling. However, your eyes and brain aren’t the only organs involved in this process.

Many of those that have trouble with their balance find that the problem lies in their ears. Ear balance disorders can make you feel unsteady, wobbly, or constantly moving. These sensations of vertigo can seriously impact your ability to walk, stand upright, and even sit up. Before we touch on balance disorders and how they’re treated, it’s important to understand the ears’ role in balance.

How Do We Balance Ourselves?

Our balance system relies on the labyrinth, a maze of bone and tissue located in the inner ear. It holds the semicircular canals, the otolithic organs, and the cochlea. While the cochlea is used for hearing, the canals are used for balance. These look like three circular loops, and each is responsible for sensing a different type of movement. One senses up/down, another senses side-to-side, and the last senses tilt. When the fluid within these tubes move, the hair cells sense the movement and transmit it to our brain. This allows us to understand how we are moving through space. Our balance system is so sensitive that it even tells us when we are moving within a vehicle or elevator.

Problems with the inner ear can lead to balance problems, dizziness, vertigo, and even nausea. We might feel that we are moving when we’re not, struggle to stay upright or get motion sickness from standing still. These are all serious issues that can impact our ability to move around and sit up. People with severe vertigo might even feel sick while laying down.

Quite a few things can lead to balance problems, but it’s a lesser-known fact that hearing loss can cause balance disorders. Our ears are involved in more than just hearing, and the presence of the semicircular canals in our ears can lead to balance problems in people suffering from hearing loss.

What Are Balance Disorders?

Balance disorders are any condition that leads to a loss of balance or sense of vertigo/dizziness. These might be caused by simple things such as ear infections or low blood pressure, or a more serious issue like tumors or improper blood circulation. Regardless of what causes a balance disorder, it can lead to serious problems. A person with balance problems might feel like they’re tipping over, spinning, or floating, even when they’re standing still. Some people with balance disorders report experiencing vertigo when they turn their head, especially when getting out of bed or rolling over. They might stumble from time to time, hold walls to center themselves, or find themselves dragged to the ground. The severity of balance disorders can vary from person to person, and the cause of your balance problems can determine how bad they will be.

Balance Disorder Treatment?


The treatment of balance disorders largely depends on the cause of your condition. Infections can be treated with antibiotics, while illnesses like Meniere’s disease require other medications. Many people with permanent or untreatable balance problems seek out ear balance disorder exercises. These exercises are known as Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, or VRT.

These exercises help desensitize their balance system to certain movements, making it easier for the person to move around without triggering their vertigo. While it might not completely solve the problem, it can prevent falls and make vertigo easier to live with. Many people who receive VRT have fewer problems bending over, turning their head, and walking over patterned floors.

These exercises must be performed properly to have any positive effect. A VRT specialist can help you learn more and guide you through the exercises. It’s important to do these exercises in the presence of a counselor. They will keep you from falling if you become overwhelmed and challenge you when the exercises become too easy.

If you are suffering from a balance disorder, and you would still like to ride your bike, please check out our adaptive cycling kits at FATWHEELS.com

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

Sensory and Emotional Issues – Teaching Your Child To Ride A Bike

Sometimes a child is physically capable of riding a bike but they present with sensory issues. We turned to the team at Twenty-One Senses for some advice on how to navigate these challenges when trying to help your child learn how to ride a bike.

Sensory Overload

Your child becomes may become irritated or overwhelmed by physical sensations like the wind blowing in his face, uncomfortable safety gear, or the sight of objects whizzing by quickly. Some ways to help alleviate some of these feelings is to let your child pick out his own helmet and pads and add extra cloth or padding if needed . Always introduce new textures and sensations slowly.

Sensory Discrimination

Another issue may be your child’s inability to properly gauge the distance between objects, the different shapes of the street signs or how much force is being used to pedal or turn. In this case, practise telling the difference between the shapes of two signs, the distance between two toys, or whether she’s going fast or slow. Make it a game and have her try to “trick” you.

Fear

Sometimes the child is anxious and has a meltdown. Remember to be supportive and patient. Always make sure your child is regulated before you begin and allow them to go at their own pace. If she is hungry, overtired, moody or irritated it just might not be the best day for a lesson. Likewise, make sure that you are also regulated and have the time to totally focus on your child.

If your child is experiencing any of these sensory issues you may want to try to retrofit their bike with an set of FATWHEELS adaptive training wheels at the beginning of their journey towards independent riding. Leave the training wheels in the lowest position to start so that your rider feel safe and secure on the bike. As they gain confidence and overcome some of their sensory challenges you can slowly raise the FATWHEELS up so that they learn to balance. Eventually, you can remove the training wheels all together and work on having them ride on two wheels.

Keep your expectations in check and go slow. Over the years, I have seen thousands of children with conditions like Autism , Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and other challenges experience the FUN, FREEDOM and HEALTH benefits of riding a bike. I am confident that with a little patience and perseverance your rider will be added to the list!

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

FATWHEELS Bicycle Safety Series – Helmets

The Statistics

Every year in the United States, 600 children are killed in bicycle-related accidents.

  • 60% of those injuries occur on minor roads, usually within 1 mile of home.
  • 60% of bicycle injury deaths in children are a result of severe head injuries.
  • 85% of brain injuries could have been avoided if cyclists wore bike helmets.

Helmet Guidelines

Buy a helmet that fits your child correctly and make sure it is always worn properly.

And remember:

  • Set a good example and always wear a helmet yourself.
  • Price does not necessarily suggest safety. check for approved safety standard stickers.
  • A molded shell has the best construction.
  • The helmet should be worn securely and squarely with the front edge resting less than 1″ above the eyebrows. It should not go above the forehead. The chin strap should be tight, centered, and always fastened.
  • Make sure that no more than 3 fingers can fit between the chin & helmet strap.
  • Buy a helmet with bright colors or reflective stripes to be easily seen.
  • Never use a cracked helmet or one that has been in an accident.

Following these guidelines will ensure that you and your family are safe while cycling.

At FATWHEELS, we take bicycle safety very seriously. Our adaptive training wheel kits are used in hospitals, school settings and by riders of all ages and abilities all across North America. We use only the highest quality materials for our products and back them up with 100% confidence.

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

FATWHEELS Bicycle Safety Series – Kids and Traffic

10 Reasons Kids are Especially at Risk in Traffic Situations

Riding on busier streets demands greater skills to avoid collisions. If children develop safe cycling skills and learn to follow the rules of the road, many collisions can be avoided. Some accidents, however, happen through no fault of the cyclist, so children must be taught to ride defensively and to wear bicycle helmets.

Kids are particularly vulnerable because they :

1. expect others to look out for them

2. have no understanding of complicated traffic situations

3. overestimate their knowledge and physical strength

4. focus on one thought at a time.

5. assume that if they can see someone, they can also be seen.

6. think vehicles can stop instantly.

7. have difficulty estimating the speed a vehicle is traveling.

8. have a field of vision one third narrower than adults have.

9. have difficulty determining the direction of sounds.

10. do not have the experience or judgement needed to ride at night.

At FATWHEELS, we take bicycle safety very seriously. Our adaptive training wheel kits are used in hospitals, school settings and by riders of all ages and abilities all across North America. We use only the highest quality materials for our products and back them up with 100% confidence.

Until next time,

Colleen,

by Colleen Berlingieri

FATWHEELS Bicycle Safety Series – Early Cycling Skills

Exploring the world beyond their own neighborhood gives children a sense of independence.

Never pressure children to ride a two-wheeled bike, consider children’s coordination and desire to learn to ride. Children develop at different rates, but most “typical” children can graduate from tricycles to training wheels between the ages of 4 and 6. If your child has special needs consider investing in a set of adaptive training wheels such as FATWHEELS so that they feel safe & secure while learning how to ride.

Children Under Age 10

This age group usually has not developed the skills to ride with traffic and should not ride on the street.

  • Make sure you and your children wear approved helmets
  • Children under age 7 should only ride with adult supervision even on the sidewalk.
  • Children age 8 & 9 may be allowed to ride unsupervised , but not on the street.
  • Unless you are riding with them, never allow children to bike in or around traffic.

Children over Age 10

This age group may ride on their own with proper training, but may need to be restricted to certain streets.

  • Explain that a bicycle is a vehicle and must obey all traffic signs and rules.
  • Street riding should depend on traffic, maturity, adequate knowledge, and ability to control the bike and follow the rules of the road.
  • Bicycle or walk all routes with your children to identify safe routes for bicycling between home and school etc.

At FATWHEELS, we take bicycle safety very seriously. Our adaptive training wheel kits are used in hospitals, school settings and by riders of all ages and abilities all across North America. We use only the highest quality materials for our products and back them up with 100% confidence.

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

FATWHEELS Bicycle Safety Series – Bikes

When choosing a safe bicycle for your child consider the following points:

Look for a bike that is simple, safe, sturdy, and durable. Most children do not appreciate or use gear, hand brakes, and other safety features until age 9.

  • Consult experts who can help choose a bike children can control but will not outgrow quickly. Children may lose control and be injured on a bicycle that is the wrong size.
  • Buy training wheels that are made with strong steel and thick rubber NOT thin metal and plastic.
  • Make sure fender edges are rolled over or coated to avoid cutting legs and fingers.
  • Choose a bike with a chain guard and avoid wearing loose pant legs when riding.
  • Choose a bike with knobby grippy pedals to keep feet safe.

FATWHEELS takes bicycle safety very seriously. Recently, we have started offering bike bundles on our website that pair a safe, high quality bicycle with a set of our adaptive training wheels. These bikes are manufactured & distributed by Kent International and our adaptive training wheels are used in hospitals, school settings and by riders of all ages and abilities all across North America. Both companies use only the highest quality materials and back them up with 100% confidence.

Until next time,

Colleen

by Colleen Berlingieri

How Do Adaptive Bikes Help Children With Disabilities?

There are obvious benefits to adaptive bicycles, including increased opportunity for exercise. Children of all abilities benefit from exercise, as it increases cardiovascular health, muscle tone, bone/joint health, stamina, balance and coordination. For children with disabilities (who may have differential requirements such as postural support), commercial bikes from big-box stores may be inaccessible for reasons of low muscle tone, poor coordination or cognitive disabilities. Adaptive bikes may have heavy-duty training wheels, extra-wide frames, trunk reinforcements, head support, leg or hand straps, and steering assistance to help these children engage with physical movement.

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