Physical Activity and Ecological Means of Transport—Functional Assessment Methodology

Abstract

Medical developments have led to lower mortality rates but have increased the proportion of people with disabilities or mobility dysfunctions. A higher level of awareness of the general need to perform physical activity, in different spheres of life and at any age, is necessary. A device produced in response to the growing need of supporting active participation in activities of daily life is the Torqway. The aim of this research conducted at the Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, was to evaluate the kinematic of users’ upper and lower body muscles motion while riding the tested device. The research was carried out using the MyoMotion system on a stand designed for the purpose of the experiment. Analysis of the results showed a high level of activity in the muscles of the upper limbs, demonstrating that the device can be used to train muscle strength and mass, prevent muscle atrophy, improve the elasticity of periarticular soft tissues and improve the action of the muscle pump (increasing blood flow to the muscles and, with it, the flow of oxygen and nutrients, which promotes the development and subsequent regeneration of muscles). The device can not only serve as a form of recreation but also be used to promote convalescence.