Feasibility, Usability, Acceptability and Efficacy of a Novel Leg Strengthening Device (S-Press) for Strengthening Leg Muscles and Improving Physical Impairment During Hospital Admission

The proposed study will examine the use and effectiveness of a novel strength training device - The S-Press within an NHS environment. The S-Press is a portable exercise device that can be used seated or lying down and specifically targets the knee extensors and flexors. The knee extensors are particularly important in the performance of activities of daily living such as rising from a chair, walking up and down stairs and walking. Resistance training is the most effective strategy to help to reduce muscle wasting in response to ageing or chronic disuse; however as current in-patient settings likely fail to produce an overload stimulus to the muscle for hypertrophy and strength gains, there is a need to develop new interventions and equipment to help deliver this. The S-Press is designed by a Physiotherapist with the goal of increasing muscle strength and improving physical function in patients who may be confined to their bed or chair or unable to join in with standard physiotherapy treatments. This mixed methods study will examine the efficacy of the S-Press to improve muscle size using B-Mode Ultrasound and physical function, using sit to stand x5 with use over 6 weeks, alongside the qualitative experience of the use of the S-Press through a one to one semi structured interview.