By Mandi Lucas, UW-L Master candidate, Adaptive Physical Education
Bentlee at Bike Camp
Click here to read an article about about how the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse’s Center on Disability Health and Adapted Physical Activity implemented a RaceRunner into their annual bike camp for children with disabilities.
Click here for the News 8000 clip and article about Bentlee and his family at camp.
Related Research
When compared with typically developing peers, individuals with disabilities (IWD) have…
- lower levels of fitness
- reduced rates of participation
- more sedentary and solitary activities
- lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness
- increased social isolation
- higher prevalence of obesity
Barriers to successful inclusion are…
- the child’s functional limitations
- negative self-perceptions
- high cost of equipment
- lack of accessible or nearby facilities
- lack of providers with adaptive recreation expertise
Opportunities for sport are limited…
- in number, especially for those with severe neurological disabilities, such as cerebral palsy
- to low levels of aerobic and weight-bearing demands
Disability sport…
- promotes inclusion
- minimizes deconditioning
- optimizes physical functioning
- improves mental health
- improves academic achievement
- enhances overall well-being
Benefits of RaceRunning
Physical Benefits
- Increases cardiorespiratory endurance
- Increases muscular strength and endurance
- Increases opportunities for movement that enable walking and running without loss of balance
- Daily life skills become easier as rate of perceived exertion decreases with activity
- Increases flexibility and coordination
- Travels faster, longer, and farther
Social/Psychological Benefits
- Increased sense of belonging
- Increased self-confidence and competence
- Increased self-esteem
- Increased opportunity for inclusion with peers
- Gains independence
- Provides opportunity for competitive mindset
How to Obtain, Maintain, and Utilize a RaceRunner
Goal: Provide APE teachers, physical/occupational therapists, parents, and athletes a concise, start-to-finish, guide for purchasing and using their own RaceRunner to achieve the numerous benefits that come from using the equipment.
HOW DO I…
obtain funds from my community through grants and donations?
Who do I ask?
Community organizations will donate or contribute money if you just ask and research. I received donations from two organizations and one hospital. When applying for grants and looking for donations, the most important thing is to ask. Even if they say no, there is still increased exposure to the equipment and its benefits. Asking more organizations for smaller amounts of money is easier/more beneficial than asking one organizations for the entire amount because of the increased exposure and collaboration.
How do I write a grant?
The easiest way to write a grant is to draft everything in a word document. Again, I would suggest applying to multiple grants for smaller amounts of money rather than just one grant for all the necessary funds. I would also suggest keeping a running word document with answers to commonly asked questions to save time and perfect your answers. For example, a common question that was asked was about how the project will benefit a diverse group of individuals. Since I had a document with all my answers on it, I was able to make small edits to submit a similar answer for each application.
I received donations/grants from Mayo Health System, La Crosse Community Foundation, and Riverfest Commodore Kids in Need. Some other organizations that I applied for were WHPE and Gundersen Health System.
What should I be sure to include in the write up?
Read the guidelines carefully to ensure that all prompts are answered within the write-up. Pay attention to which guidelines are repeated throughout application because these tend to be themes that the committee looks for when awarding money. Additionally, reach out to the grant committee, if possible, a few weeks before the grant is due to discuss which types of applications are prioritized. This will help guide your answers.
Since the equipment is not widely known about or heard of, the write-up (if applicable) should include research into what the equipment is and how it benefits individuals with mobility impairments.
A written invoice from RAD Innovations with explanations of each specialized piece of equipment is also helpful to include in the application as well.
purchase the equipment?
From what company should I buy it?
RAD Innovations is the easiest company to purchase from if you are purchasing from the United States. This company produces frames that have replaceable parts to buy from bike shops. The other brand of RaceRunner (also known as a Petra Frame Runner) is sold by the inventor of the equipment. Connie Hanson’s Petra Frame Runners are more expensive than RAD Innovations’ RaceRunners, and the parts are not as easily accessible since replacements cannot be bought at bike shops. Additionally, the shipping is significantly higher for the Petra RaceRunners because Connie Hanson’s company is based out of Denmark, (where the Frame was invented).
What customizations do I need?
Customizations for the RaceRunner depend on the participant and their needs. The frame itself comes in three sizes and comes with a chest plate, bicycle seat, and tires. If necessary, you can choose specialized and other additional parts to add to the order. RAD Innovations offers and recommends a phone or video consultation to determine the best sizing and add-ons for the participants. Some examples of additional equipment are the following.
- Droplink: Hinges the seat to move up and down for easier access into and out of the frame. This is helpful for athletes with poor balance or weight bearing abilities.
- Handlebar extender: Adds height to the handlebars to allow athletes to sit more upright in frame. This is helpful for athletes who are learning how to use the RaceRunner and getting comfortable leaning forward into the chest plate. This is also helpful for individuals with spasticity in their arms that prevents them from reaching far enough down to the handlebars.
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- Click to see how to install it (3:53)
- Unicycle seat: This allows athletes to feel more comfortable tipping their pelvis forward to lean. It is also a comfortable seat that allows a lot of mobility in the hips.
- Acacia bike saddle: This is an ergonomically designed seat that is separated into to sides. Athletes sit comfortably on their ischial tubercles (butt bones)
Chest plate pad: This is a pad that wraps around the chest plate to make it more comfortable for the participant to bear weight on their abdomen.
- Chest plate strap: This is a chest plate that wraps further around the athlete’s torso. Individuals with lower core strength would benefit from having the extra support of a strap that holds them in place while they focus on improving their leg strength.
How long does the process take?
Customization: Consultation is a very quick turnaround. Personally, I submitted an online form and received a call the next day. I also received follow-up calls to ensure that I had any questions answered before submitting an order.
Shipping: Once the order was placed, the RaceRunner was shipped within a week and a half.
put the equipment together?
How long does it take?
Personally, I had a general understanding of traditional two wheeled bikes prior to putting the RaceRunner together, and it took me about two hours to fully assemble the equipment. The process was not difficult, but it was tedious. The instructions are pretty clear with the exception of how to install brakes.
Since the additional pieces that I bought specifically for the athlete I was training on the equipment, the guide did not include how to assemble these pieces. For that reason, I created a video with a detailed explanation of how to ensure the brakes are installed correctly, and how to assemble the handlebar extender.
What tools do I need?
RAD Innovations included all the tools necessary to assemble the basic build of the frame, but if you purchase the additional customizations, there may be tools you need for assembly. One tool that I needed to obtain separately was a longer Allen wrench/key. I had to borrow this tool to attach the handlebar extender.
The RaceRunner is primarily put together using a set of various sized Allen keys. There are about 3 different sized keys you need. RAD Innovations includes a multi-tool with all the sizes necessary, but I used my own tools for assembly because the tool they provided was not sturdy enough for repeated use.
How do I do it?
There are instructions for assembling the handlebar extender at (3:53) and the droplink at (2:33) in this video. Brake and tire maintenance are found in this video.
maintain the equipment?
How often should I replace the parts?
How do you pump up the tires?
The tires (0:06) should maintain the PSI that is labeled directly on the tire.
Where do I buy replacements?
Most parts can be bought or replaced at a bike shop or online. If necessary, RAD Innovations will replace or allow purchase of specific parts through them.
Can it be used outdoors?
The RaceRunner can be used outdoors, and it should be. Different terrains provide different challenges and benefits for athletes such as an increased opportunity for socialization with family/friends and an increased variety in slopes and resistances from varying topography.
fit an individual onto the equipment?
How do I adjust the seat, chest plate, and the handlebars?
Seat (2:02)
Chest plate (0:05) There are two ways to adjust the chest plate, and both are shown in the video.
Handlebars (6:32) There are two ways to adjust the handlebars. The video only shows how to adjust them on the extender. However, the handlebars have three inches of mobility from a fixed position on the extender. This is done by adjusting the bolt shown here.
How can I get on and off?
How do I prevent bruising from occurring?
Bruising can be common in the groin area for new athletes trying the equipment because of the lack of weight bearing usually done by their pelvis. When trying the RaceRunner for the first time, athletes should take breaks often, wear biking shorts (with padding), and stop training when it becomes uncomfortable. For participants that are non-speaking or unable to communicate their comfort levels, their caretakers should be aware of the possibility of groin bruising to keep an eye out for it.
begin training an individual on the equipment?
What stretches and exercises are important before, after, and during training?
It is incredible important to stretch and exercise an athlete’s muscles before, after, and during training. Especially if the athlete has spasticity in their muscles and/or uses a wheelchair. The muscles used in the RaceRunner are not used daily, so proper warm up and cool down is essential. Some examples of stretches with visuals are linked in the coaches’ manual below.
What instructional cues should I use when teaching?
Every athlete is different, so depending on their cognitive functioning and physical ability, the cues are going to be different for each participant. The RaceRunner is a tool to help athletes run, so the running form of the athlete should be as close to that of a standing athlete as possible. Strides should be large, and if able, athletes should run in a heel to toe pattern with a flight phase in their stride.
Individuals with ankle foot (knee) orthotics may have a separate set of cuing to use during training because they have less mobility in their ankles and knees. If applicable and approved by their OT/PT, athletes can use the RaceRunner with and without their braces. Practice with and without allows for different muscle groups to be worked on. Additionally, the height of the seat may need to be adjusted based on the presence of their braces to adjust for their power output.
How do I measure progress and/or assess growth?
Depending on the athlete’s goals, assessment and growth are going to be different for everyone. For the athlete I worked with, he wanted to improve his speed in the RaceRunner, so I assessed his growth by tracking the times he was able to complete a lap around the track each day. Another goal that this athlete had was to increase the number of consecutive alternating steps he could take without losing his footing. This was tracked throughout the week as well. These were measurable goals to focus on, which helped with motivation.
Additionally, some grants or donations require a follow up report with data proving the project was beneficial. If data, such as times or consecutive alternating steps, are tracked, it is easier to prove the benefits of the equipment.
How do I train for competition?
For more information about training intensely for competition, see this document through RaceRunning USA.
RaceRunning Club information found here.