A connected home exercise system for wheelchair users
Official title: Development of a socially connected exercise system for wheelchair users
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11422030 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A home-based, socially connected exercise option designed for veterans who use wheelchairs to help them stay active and build cardiovascular fitness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004249-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422030 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans who use wheelchairs, including those with burn injuries, who have access to home internet and are willing to use connected fitness devices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to reliable internet or compatible devices may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating an accessible, at-home exercise system for wheelchair users that combines smart devices, interactive video instruction, and social features to boost motivation. It aims to overcome barriers such as transportation, access to equipment, and social support by leveraging connected fitness technology. The approach envisions an upper-arm ergometer or adapted devices with internet connectivity and user-friendly interfaces to enable regular aerobic activity from home. The project will explore how social networks, virtual communities, and game-like elements can sustain engagement and improve outcomes for veterans with burn injuries who use wheelchairs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans who rely on wheelchairs could exercise more consistently from home, improving cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Home-based, connected exercise tools have shown promise in able-bodied populations, but adaptations for wheelchair users with burn injuries are needed and this work aims to address that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koontz, Alicia M. — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Koontz, Alicia M.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.