Identifying key experience-related differences in over-ground manual wheelchair propulsion biomechanics. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Symonds, Andrew; Holloway, Catherine; Suzuki, Tatsuto; Smitham, Peter; Gall, Angela; Taylor, Stephen JG
• Is Part Of: Journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering. Volume 3(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Spinal cord injury -- manual wheelchair propulsion -- biomechanics -- experience -- technique; Rehabilitation technology -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1177/2055668316678362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-6683

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate technique differences between expert and novice manual wheelchair users during over-ground wheelchair propulsion. Method: Seven experts (spinal cord injury level between T5 and L1) and six novices (non-wheelchair users) pushed a manual wheelchair over level ground, a 2.5% cross slope and up a 6.5% incline (7.2 m length) and 12% incline (1.5 m length). Push rim kinetics, trunk and shoulder kinematics and muscle activity level were measured. Results: During the level and cross slope tasks, the experts completed the tasks with fewer pushes by applying a similar push rim moment over a greater push arc, demonstrating lower muscle activity. During the incline tasks, the experts required fewer pushes and maintained a greater average velocity, generating greater power by applying a similar push rim moment over a greater push arc with greater angular velocity, demonstrating greater trunk flexion and higher shoulder muscle activity. Conclusions: This study identifies experience-related differences during over-ground manual wheelchair propulsion. These differences are particularly evident during incline propulsion, with the experts generating significantly greater power to maintain a higher velocity.