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. 2025 Aug;20(6):1748-1754.
doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2483297. Epub 2025 Mar 25.

Exploring the influence of a school-based wheelchair skills training program on manual wheelchair mobility in youth: an exploratory study

Tatiana Dib  1   2 , Béatrice Ouellet  3   4 , Maude Michaud  1 , Krista L Best  3   4 , Geneviève Daoust  1   2 , Julie-Anne Therrien  5 , Marie-Michèle Côté  5 , Daniel Lair  6 , Paula W Rushton  1   2   7
Affiliations

Exploring the influence of a school-based wheelchair skills training program on manual wheelchair mobility in youth: an exploratory study

Tatiana Dib et al. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Self-directed manual wheelchair (MWC) mobility can facilitate participation in school, sports and community activities for pediatric MWC users (PMWUs), though many rely on others for getting around. The Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving MWC mobility in adults with preliminary evidence in pediatrics. However, rehabilitation professionals lack time to provide sufficient training. Expanding training opportunities within the community, such as in schools, could be promising, but has not been documented. A mobility training physical education class incorporating the WSTP (Groupe Endurance), was offered at a specialized high school.

Objectives: Explore changes in MWC capacity, propulsion and endurance of PMWUs between pre- (T0) to mid- (T1) to post-course (T2).

Methods: A pre-post study with three measures (T0, T1, T2) was conducted. Groupe Endurance's participants respecting the eligibility criteria were invited to participate in the study. PMWUs attended 34 classes during the school year. MWC capacity, propulsion and endurance were assessed with the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST), the Wheelchair Propulsion Test (WPT) and the 12-minute Wheelchair Performance Test for Cardiorespiratory Endurance (12-WPTCE) respectively. Nonparametric longitudinal analyses were used to explore changes between T0, T1 and T2.

Results: Ten PMWUs participated in the study. There were statistically significant differences between T0, T1 and T2 for MWC capacity (ATS (1.84)=17.35, p < 0.001) and the distance covered by participants on the 12-WPTCE (ATS (1.12)=4.36, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Integrating MWC skills training into schools appears to be an interesting solution to improve PMWUs' mobility. Future studies are required to determine proper training dosage.

Keywords: Youth; manual wheelchair; motor learning; pediatrics; physical education; rehabilitation; training.

Plain language summary

Offering manual wheelchair skills training in a school setting, more specifically in a physical education class, is an interesting possibility for pediatric manual wheelchair users.Integrating motor learning principles such as type of practice, goal setting, demonstration and feedback may enhance school-based manual wheelchair skills training, for example in a physical education course.Tailored workshops on manual wheelchair skills training for rehabilitation professionals and physical education teachers is an interesting avenue to favour fidelity of the Wheelchair Skills Training Program applied in the school setting.

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