MAKING CIRCLES

The most efficient way to transfer human force into energy is pedalling. All human powered speed records including land, water and air have been made by pedalling. Cycling is also the ultimate endurance exercise where the human body can produce power (watts) longer than any other activities. Cyclists produce power longer than any other sport which is why you can have races like the Tour de France which require the energy level of running 3 marathons per day for 30 days in a row. Nobody has ever been able to invent a machine as efficient as a bicycle to convert human power into effective work.

Pedalling, as a form of therapy also has many advantages over other types of therapeutic exercises. First, it is a non-weight bearing activity which minimizes the forces on joints. More importantly however, the circular motion avoids acceleration and deceleration forces which occur with linear motion. (need diagram here) From a therapeutic perspective, eliminating acceleration/deceleration forces reduces the stress on joints especially tender or injured joints. When the movement is repeated thousands of times, the accumulation of these small but critical forces causes the activity to become uncomfortable in the short term and potentially harmful in the long term. Making circles instead of back and forth movements goes a long way to reduce joint stresses.

KEEPING IT SMOOTH

One of the features which makes the Viscus™ different from other pedalling devices and stationary cycles is the unique high inertia “fixed drive” 5 lbs flywheel. The inertia of this fast rotating flywheel creates a very consistent smooth pedalling motion.

FIXED DRIVE

A “fixed drive” means that the pedals are directly attached to the rotating flywheel so when the flywheel is turning, so are the pedals. You cannot freewheel or coast. Fixed drive bicycles are used for velodrome racing and increasingly by bike messengers and serious bicycle commuters. Riding “fixed” is also used by professional cyclists as a training method to improve their “spin” and the smoothness of the pedal stroke. Anyone who rides a fixed gear bicycle will attest that this type of bicycle is indeed a unique and difficult to describe sensation. In recent years the advantages of a fixed gear pedalling system has been recognized by the fitness industry with the recent boom in “spinning bikes” and “spinning classes” which all use a fixed gear system.

THE CLUTCH

The disadvantage of a fixed gear drive is that you cannot stop pedalling quickly. In a therapeutic setting, this can be problematic and potentially harmful. To solve this problem the Viscus™ is equipped with a built in clutch that will prevent excessive acceleration or deceleration forces. Again, this is a difficult thing to explain and must be felt to be appreciated. Basically, the built in clutch will slip if you push too hard or try to stop suddenly. This is a direct safety feature as well as a guide to teach the user how a gentle push will produce a smooth, flowing motion.