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. 2009 Oct;19(5):942-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.05.001. Epub 2008 Jun 30.

Wheelchair propulsion demands during outdoor community ambulation

Wendy J Hurd  1 , Melissa M B Morrow, Kenton R Kaufman, Kai-Nan An
Affiliations

Wheelchair propulsion demands during outdoor community ambulation

Wendy J Hurd et al. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Quantify manual wheelchair propulsion effort during outdoor community ambulation.

Design: Case series.

Subjects: Thirteen individuals (12 with SCI, 1 with spina bifida) who were experienced manual wheelchair users and had no current upper extremity injury or pain complaints.

Methods: Measurements were obtained from instrumented wheelchair rims during steady-state propulsion as subjects traversed outdoor concrete sidewalk terrain that included smooth level, aggregate level, and a ramp with a smooth surface. Propulsion effort was assessed using the average propulsion moment, average instantaneous power, and work for both upper extremities.

Results: Propulsion effort, captured by the propulsion moment, work and power, varied across ground conditions (p<0.001). Propulsion effort was greater as the rolling resistance increased (i.e., smooth versus aggregate surfaces) and as the inclination angle progressed from level to inclined surfaces. There were no side-to-side differences across ground conditions for the propulsion moment or work. Power generation was significantly greater on the dominant compared to the non-dominant extremity during the more challenging aggregate surface and ramp conditions.

Conclusions: Propulsion effort varies with demands imposed by different ground conditions. Quantification of wheelchair propulsion demands provides rehabilitations specialists with objective information to guide treatment of patients adapting to manual wheelchair use.

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Figures

Figure 1 (A-C)
Figure 1 (A-C)
Mean (thick bars) and standard deviation (thin bars) for dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) extremities for Propulsion Moment (A), Work (B), and Power (C). * = Significant differences (p<0.05). Figure 1A: Propulsion moment was significantly different across all conditions. Figure 1B: Work was significantly different across all conditions. Figure 1C: A side-to-side difference in propulsion power was present during the aggregate level concrete condition, with a trend towards significance during the ramp condition.
Figure 1 (A-C)
Figure 1 (A-C)
Mean (thick bars) and standard deviation (thin bars) for dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) extremities for Propulsion Moment (A), Work (B), and Power (C). * = Significant differences (p<0.05). Figure 1A: Propulsion moment was significantly different across all conditions. Figure 1B: Work was significantly different across all conditions. Figure 1C: A side-to-side difference in propulsion power was present during the aggregate level concrete condition, with a trend towards significance during the ramp condition.
Figure 1 (A-C)
Figure 1 (A-C)
Mean (thick bars) and standard deviation (thin bars) for dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) extremities for Propulsion Moment (A), Work (B), and Power (C). * = Significant differences (p<0.05). Figure 1A: Propulsion moment was significantly different across all conditions. Figure 1B: Work was significantly different across all conditions. Figure 1C: A side-to-side difference in propulsion power was present during the aggregate level concrete condition, with a trend towards significance during the ramp condition.
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