How to Use Passive Exercises to Get Better

First and foremost, the elderly, those in rehab, those who are paralyzed, and anyone else who has difficulty with exercises benefit from passive exercises such as those provided by motorized pedals. Moreover, even the healthy can use these machines to keep their feet moving while working at a desk.

What are Motorized Pedals?

Now, motorized pedals are low profile mini cycles that can fit under a desk or a table, but which are powered by an electric motor. In addition, these pedals, sometimes known as motorized mini cycles, are used while sitting, for example, in a chair or a couch.

Moreover, these pedals can be used to passively exercise both arms and legs. In addition, while some pedals rotate in only the forward direction, others can rotate in both forward and reverse direction.

What is Passive Exercise?

Most of all, a passive exercise is one in which the arms or the legs are moved without any assistance from the person exercising.

Who is it for?

1. First, passive exercise is great for sedentary elders, who have difficulty walking or using their arms.
2. Also, passive exercise is great for those whose arms or legs have been injured or undergoing rehab.
3. In addition, this exercise is great for those whose arms or legs are paralyzed.
4. Or, for someone who had a stroke. In fact, passive exercises can help stroke survivors regain movement from impaired neural signals and prevent further complications.
5. Finally, they are great for someone working at a desk or table but want to be focused on what they are doing rather than having to pay attention on the legs driving, for instance, manual pedal exercisers.

Results of Studies on Passive Exercises

First, over sixty years ago, scientist discovered that a person passively using motor driven pedals at 56 revolutions per minute burned at least seven to 15-kilogram calories per hour. And, if the person used the motor driven pedals at 74 revolutions per minute, that person would burn 19 to 26-kilogram calories per hour. Finally, a person, passively using motor driven pedals at 90 revolutions per minute, would expend nearly as much energy as a person walking.

Next, a 2016 Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise study, confirmed that passive exercise helps burn calories, lowers blood sugar and insulin levels in sedentary individuals.

Lastly, another study had 20 sedentary people using an electric motor bike in which the person had to pedal to keep the motor running. Now, these sedentary people did this for forty minutes three times a week. In the meantime, after a month, these sedentary people had lowered their blood pressure, lowered their blood sugar, were more insulin sensitive and lowered their body fat.

Benefits of Passive Exercises

1. First, passive exercises help prevent stiffness in the joints.
2. Second, they help keep the joints lubricated and flexible.
3. Third, passive exercises keep the joints limber, which helps reduce the pain caused by stiff joints.
4. Fourth, passive leg exercises promote flexibility in the ankles, knees, hips, and spine.
5. Also, they help stretch muscles.
6. Furthermore, these exercises help, arms or legs, increase and maintain their range-of-motion.
7. Next, passive exercises help prevent weak muscles or stiffness caused by muscles not being used. By the way, when muscles aren’t used, they become weak and unable to support joint functions.
8. Also, these exercises help decrease muscle spasm. In fact, the muscles become more relaxed and flexible.
9. In addition, passive exercises may help improve contractures caused by atrophy and shortening of muscles or joints.
10. Furthermore, these exercises help increase and improve blood circulation by keeping joints and muscles functioning and healthy. As a result, blood is prevented from pooling in the extremities or in the lower torso. By the way, blood pools may lead to skin breakdown such as bedsores.
11. Next, the increased blood circulation helps relieve swollen ankles and legs.
12. Also, passive exercises help promote increased cardiac capacity, which, in turn, helps pump oxygen-rich blood to all cells and tissues in the body.
13. In addition, these exercises help enable anyone to exercise in the comfort of their home while watching television or reading.
14. Finally, passive exercises are a cost-effective way of maintaining ongoing rehabilitation without costly medical bills.

Using Motorized Pedals to Exercise Legs

Follow the steps below, to use the pedal machine for exercising legs.

1. First, place the motorized pedals in front of a chair or a couch.
2. Next, to prevent the pedal machine from possibly sliding away, it may be necessary to either tie it to the chair or couch or place it on a rubber mat.
3. Now, place the feet on the two pedals.
4. And, turn on the machine.

Now, you may want to read a book or watch TV while using these pedals. Moreover, use it as much as you can. However, if you need to take a break, go take it and come back and continue using the machine.

Using Motorized Pedals to Exercise Arms

Follow the steps below, to use the pedal machine for exercising arms.

1. First, place the motorized pedals on a table.
2. Next, to prevent the pedal machine from possibly sliding away, you may need to put it on a rubber mat.
3. Now, grip the two pedals with your hands.
4. And, turn on the machine.

Now, you may want to listen to your favorite music or watch TV while using these pedals. Moreover, use it as much as you can.