Manual Wheelchair Stroke Characteristics During an Extended Period of Propulsion
By Rice, I., Impink, B.; Niyonkuru, C.; Boninger, M.; Spinal Cord, Vol. 47, No. 5, pp. 413-417Publication Date: May 2009
Study examined stroke characteristics of long-term manual wheelchair users during an extended manual wheelchair propulsion trial and the extent to which changes in propulsion biomechanics occurred. Participants were 19 men and 2 women with paraplegia, aged 18 to 65 years. Kinetic data were recorded from participants at 4 time points over the course of a 10-minute propulsion trial at a steady-state speed of 1.4 meters per second. Upper-extremity kinetic parameters were recorded using SMARTWheels fitted bilaterally to participants’ wheelchairs and secured to a dynamometer system, measuring three-dimensional forces and torques applied to the pushrim. Participants were found to significantly improve many aspects of their propulsion biomechanics from early to late during the 10-minute trial, showing propulsion improvements over time by maintaining a steady cadence, increasing the amount of time on the pushrim, and exhibiting decreased rate of rise of force. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: Published by: Nature Publishing Group (Website:http://www.nature.com)
International Spinal Cord Injury Society (Web Site: http://www.iscos.org.uk )
