A Contract was awarded to Packer Engineering, an engineering and design firm in Naperville, IL, near Chicago.  Packer engineers led by Jerome Eck worked closely with Dr. Langbein and Hines engineer Linda Fehr to develop and patent the machine that exists  today.  As an experienced researcher and specialist in therapy for spinal cord patients, Dr. James Ford of the VA's Baltimore office, was appointed to coordinate the development of the new device.

The WAFT is a computer controlled wheelchair ergometer developed for the evaluation, rehabilitation and conditioning of  people who utilize wheelchairs as the primary mode of  mobility.

Of the 8 prototypes in use around the country, one was structurally modified for wheelchair athletes at the 1996 (Atlanta) Paralympics.

In its present configuration, the WAFT is most suitable for hospitals and rehabilitation centers; however, it has great potential for application by wheelchair athletes and health clubs who want to serve the population of wheelchair users.   
WAFT is a Mobility-Specific device, meaning: this device requires the use of motor patterns specific to manual wheelchair propulsion.

The WAFT is safe.  Unlike other designs, a chair can be safely immobilized during exercise regardless of chair model.

At the Hines VA Hospital, the WAFT demonstrated 86% accuracy in spotting coronary disease in 36 patients tested.

Users can access exercise equipment in a manner similar to able-bodied persons.  (To date, exercise options for persons with lower limb disabilities are extremely limited.)

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