New Technology-Driven Equipment for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

The Spinal Injury Unit at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, has recently upgraded the exercise equipment with 12 new machines. The HUR exercise equipment has been generously funded by the Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of South Australia (as at April 2024 known as estara) with infrastructure and environmental support provided by SA Health.  

 HUR Equipment uses air-pressure technology, which has important benefits when completing rehabilitation with people who have a spinal cord injury, such as optimal loading of muscles, no inertial effects, lower joint pressure, and small incremental adjustments. 

 Individualised programmes are prescribed using the online software, and wristbands are allocated to each client. The wristbands allow the machine to set the resistance, sets and repetitions automatically. This allows the clients to be more independent with their exercise programme—encouraging internal motivation and potentially allowing more exercise to be completed in any session.  

 Electronic tablets are used in the gym for trainers to access the online portal, adjust the client’s programme, and track progress. The addition of the HUR equipment has been an exciting upgrade from the previous weight-based machines and paper-based exercise programmes.