This article will teach how to use an upper body ergometer. If you suffer an upper extremity injury, your physiotherapist may recommend that you use an upper body ergometer as part of your rehabilitation. An upper body ergometer, often known as a UBE in physical therapy centers, is a piece of exercise equipment that looks like a bicycle that you pedal with your arms. It can be used to build upper-extremity strength and endurance, as well as to simply increase your arm muscles’ overall work-generating capacity.
In physical therapy, what is an upper-body ergometer?
Here are some details regarding upper body ergometer that you may learn about in this article:
What Is an Ergometer and How Does It Work?
An ergometer is a type of workout machine that measures the amount of work done by human muscles. The UBE is a type of ergometer that can measure how hard your upper body muscles are working.
On the UBE, you may vary the settings to manage resistance and change the amount of work your upper body muscles do.
The seat on most UBE machines is adjustable, and many of them allow you to use the machine while standing.
You might be able to use a UBE at the center if your physiotherapist has one. Some models are designed for commercial usage and include features such as a timer, digital resistance adjustment, or an inbuilt heart rate monitor. Other tabletop designs may not have as many features and may only offer basic pedaling with a manual resistance adjustment knob.
What Are the Advantages of Using a UBE?
If you have shoulder pain, are undergoing shoulder surgery, or have another upper extremity problem that affects your arm strength or endurance, your physical therapist may recommend that you use the UBE while in physical therapy.
Additionally, if you have worn a sling while recovering from an accident, you may notice that your arm strength and endurance have been compromised. The UBE can help you gain strength and endurance while also improving the function of your arms.
The following injuries may necessitate the use of a UBE:
– Rotator cuff surgery or shoulder bursitis
– Proximal humerus fracture
– Shoulder dislocation or labrum tear – Radial head or elbow fracture
– Colles or Smiths fracture
– Tennis or golfer’s elbow
– Clavicle fracture
– Shoulder dislocation or labrum tear
Your doctor may recommend you to physical therapy for cardiac rehab or lung rehabilitation. If you have had a heart attack, heart difficulties, or lung disease. The UBE can help you improve your heart endurance or pulmonary function so you can get back to your daily activities quickly.
Lower extremity injuries, such as fractures or sprains, often prevent you from moving your legs normally. While your lower extremity injury heals. You can use the UBE as a cross-training tool to maintain your physical fitness level.
If you use a wheelchair as your primary mode of transportation. Your PT may recommend that you work on the UBE to keep your shoulder muscles strong. So that you can control your chair.
And if you are wheelchair-bound, the UBE can also be used as your primary source of aerobic exercise. The UBE may be used primarily for improving cardiorespiratory endurance. Or for strengthening the arms and shoulders, depending on the settings chosen by your physiotherapist.
If you have a joint, elbow, or wrist injury and are undergoing physical therapy, you may be exposed to the UBE for the first time. It might assist you to get your arms moving again so you can go back to work quickly.
Conclusion:
Physical therapy may help you return to normal activity after an upper extremity injury. A UBE is one type of fitness machine that can be employed. The UBE can help you build muscle endurance and strength so you can get back to your best level of function rapidly.
