Silver medal for VU Dream Team PULSE Racing at Cybathlon

We are proud to announce that the VU Dream Team Pulse Racing won the silver medal at the Cybathlon 2024 in Zurich! In an exciting and demanding competition, where technology and human perseverance were key, the team from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam managed to take second place in the category of cycling with support of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).

Athlete Peter van Burk crossed the finish line of this special race in second place with a nerve-wracking difference of 1.9 seconds. Special because despite their spinal cord injuries and physical disabilities, the athletes still use their muscle power: “This year we have made great strides in training! I train three times a week on the BerkelBike at the VU. We have personalized FES programs tailored to how my legs respond to FES”, Peter explained.

Innovative FES technology makes a difference

The Cybathlon is also known as the bionic games. During the race, different teams from a variety of countries compete against each other using the latest innovative technologies. Athlete Peter covered 1960 meters within 6.05 minutes using FES: Functional Electrical Stimulation. In this technique, short electric currents are directed to nerves via surface electrodes on the skin. By stimulating nerves in the muscles, a muscle contraction is induced. This allows for cycling under one’s own power. The silver medal highlights the importance of technology in creating an inclusive society.

From suffering a spinal cord injury to winning at the Cybathlon

For Peter van Burk, it is a special day. Several years ago, he was paralyzed by a dive in shallow water. The avid athlete suffered a spinal cord injury that turned his world upside down. During his rehabilitation, he came in contact with the Dream Team at the VU and through their help was able to return to his great passion: sport. 

“I can’t wait to take home the gold at the Cybathlon for PULSE Racing, for BerkelBike, for the Vrije Universiteit and for the Netherlands!” said Peter prior to the race.

Ready for the future

PULSE Racing continues to focus on further development of their FES technology. The silver at the Cybathlon provides tremendous motivation to continue with their mission: to develop medical technology that has a positive impact on the daily lives of people with disabilities. “This academic year a few Computer Science students are joining the team. Together with them we want to use AI to make personalized stimulation patterns accessible to people at home as well,” says Rik Berkelmans of the FES bicycle manufacturer BerkelBike.

About the team

The PULSE Racing team is composed of a group of 15 students from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, studying at different faculties such as Movement Sciences, Medicine, Health & Life, Neurosciences and Human Movement Sciences. Together they are tasked with working on one mission: to improve the mobility and vitality of people with spinal cord injury.

The team meets up in the lab several times a week to conduct research and set up training sessions for Peter van Burk. Next to that they offer their help in rehabilitation centers. Research shows that the effects of FES are powerful: the active movements improve physical fitness, blood flow and mental well-being.

Next goal for the PULSE Racing team: To set the world record for FES cycling!

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>> Note to the editors

The VU Dream Team is part of VU Demonstrator Lab, where students are mentored with their entrepreneurship. Team members from PULSE Racing are happy to meet with journalists to talk about the Cybathlon and what they as PULSE Racing stand for. More info: https://vu.nl/nl/onderwijs/meer-over/dream-teams

The video can be posted for press purposes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zrujdiREWs

For media requests, please email pers@vu.nl or call: 0611512753