The new FDA designation means that if the Pumper Car ride-on toy for kids is prescribed for medical purposes, its cost may be covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.

The Indications for Use (IFU) of the Pumper Car, temporary registration number 10058329, is a four wheeled, low-center of gravity, non-measuring exercise device intended for medical purposes. It helps to redevelop muscles or restore motion to joints for patients who have an aversion to physical exercise.

With use of the Pumper Car, children may be able to improve their equilibrium and strength of their upper and lower torso.

The Pumper Car was originally designed as a fun ride-on toy for kids, similar to a rowing machine on wheels, propelled by arm and leg pumping action. Unexpectedly, pediatric physical therapists discovered it as an effective exercise device for kids with special needs, such as Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, brain injury, pain disorders, generalized weaknesses, and child obesity, according to a media release from Columbia-Inland Corp, its manufacturer.

Previously, a University of Michigan institutional review board study found that the Pumper Car has significant physical therapeutic value for children with Down syndrome. Researchers Janet L. Hauck, PhD, and Dale A. Ulrich, PhD, published their findings online on June 26, 2015, in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.

They noted that the Pumper Car, “…provides a practical method of promoting health?enhancing behaviors in young children with DS [Down syndrome] and should be considered for clinical application by service providers.”

For these children in the study, the mean time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) increased from 7.8 minutes with the baseline equipment to 22.0 minutes using the Power Pumpers—an increase of 182%. “The increase seen in MVPA from baseline to the [Pumper Car] sessions is striking,” according to the researchers, the release continues.

Two sizes are available: The Pumper Car Original, for children ages 5 to 12 and heights from 40 to 58 inches; and the Pumper Car Junior, for ages 2 to 5 and heights from 28 to 44 inches.

For more information and how to order, visit Columbia-Inland Corp.

[Source(s): Columbia-Inland Corp, PRWeb]