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Three-dimensional pushrim forces during two speeds of wheelchair propulsion. 1997

M L Boninger, and R A Cooper, and R N Robertson, and S D Shimada
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Highland Drive VA Medical Center, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.

Upper limb pain frequently occurs in manual wheelchair users. Analyzing the pushrim forces and hub moments occurring during wheelchair propulsion is a first step in gaining insight into the cause of this pain. The objectives of this study were as follows: to describe the forces and moments occurring during wheelchair propulsion; to obtain variables that characterize pushrim forces and are statistically stable; and to determine how these variables change with speed. Convenience samples (n = 6) of paralympic athletes who use manual wheelchairs for mobility and have unimpaired arm function were tested. Each subject propelled a standard wheelchair on a dynamometer at 1.3 and 2.2 m/s. Biomechanical data were obtained using a force- and moment-sensing pushrim and a motion analysis system. A number of variables that describe the force and moment curves were evaluated for stability using Cronbach's alpha. Those measures found to be stable (alpha > 0.8) at each speed were then examined for differences associated with speed. The tangential, radial, and medial-lateral forces were found to comprise approximately 55, 35, and 10% of the resultant force, respectively. In addition to duration of stroke and propulsion, the following variables were found to be stable and to differ with speed (1.3 m/s +/- SD; 2.2 m/s +/- SD): peak force tangential to the pushrim (45.9 +/- 17.9 N; 62.1 +/- 30 N), peak moment radial to the hub (9.8 +/- 4.5 N x m 13.3 +/- 6 N x m), maximum rate of rise of the tangential force (911.7 +/- 631.7 N/sec; 1262.3 +/- 570.7 N/sec), and maximum rate of rise of the moment about the hub (161.9 +/- 78.3 N x m/s; 255.2 +/- 115.4 N x m/s). This study found stable parameters that characterize pushrim forces during wheelchair propulsion and varied with speed. Almost 50% of the forces exerted at the pushrim are not directed toward forward motion and, therefore, either apply friction to the pushrim or are wasted. Ultimately, this type of investigation may provide insight into the cause and prevention of upper limb injuries in manual wheelchair users.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010825 Physics The study of those aspects of energy and matter in terms of elementary principles and laws. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Physic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001696 Biomechanical Phenomena The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces. Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D013119 Spinal Cord Injuries Penetrating and non-penetrating injuries to the spinal cord resulting from traumatic external forces (e.g., WOUNDS, GUNSHOT; WHIPLASH INJURIES; etc.). Myelopathy, Traumatic,Injuries, Spinal Cord,Post-Traumatic Myelopathy,Spinal Cord Contusion,Spinal Cord Laceration,Spinal Cord Transection,Spinal Cord Trauma,Contusion, Spinal Cord,Contusions, Spinal Cord,Cord Contusion, Spinal,Cord Contusions, Spinal,Cord Injuries, Spinal,Cord Injury, Spinal,Cord Laceration, Spinal,Cord Lacerations, Spinal,Cord Transection, Spinal,Cord Transections, Spinal,Cord Trauma, Spinal,Cord Traumas, Spinal,Injury, Spinal Cord,Laceration, Spinal Cord,Lacerations, Spinal Cord,Myelopathies, Post-Traumatic,Myelopathies, Traumatic,Myelopathy, Post-Traumatic,Post Traumatic Myelopathy,Post-Traumatic Myelopathies,Spinal Cord Contusions,Spinal Cord Injury,Spinal Cord Lacerations,Spinal Cord Transections,Spinal Cord Traumas,Transection, Spinal Cord,Transections, Spinal Cord,Trauma, Spinal Cord,Traumas, Spinal Cord,Traumatic Myelopathies,Traumatic Myelopathy
D014910 Wheelchairs Chairs or seating mounted on wheels and designed to be controlled or propelled by the occupant. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles (scooters), walkers, and wheelchairs as durable medical equipment. Wheel Chairs,Chair, Wheel,Chairs, Wheel,Wheel Chair,Wheelchair
D016135 Spinal Dysraphism Congenital defects of closure of one or more vertebral arches, which may be associated with malformations of the spinal cord, nerve roots, congenital fibrous bands, lipomas, and congenital cysts. These malformations range from mild (e.g., SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA) to severe, including rachischisis where there is complete failure of neural tube and spinal cord fusion, resulting in exposure of the spinal cord at the surface. Spinal dysraphism includes all forms of spina bifida. The open form is called SPINA BIFIDA CYSTICA and the closed form is SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, p34) Rachischisis,Spina Bifida,Status Dysraphicus,Cleft Spine,Open Spine,Schistorrhachis,Spinal Dysraphia,Bifida, Spina,Cleft Spines,Dysraphia, Spinal,Dysraphicus, Status,Dysraphism, Spinal,Dysraphisms, Spinal,Open Spines,Rachischises,Spina Bifidas,Spinal Dysraphias,Spinal Dysraphisms,Spine, Cleft,Spine, Open
D055585 Physical Phenomena The entities of matter and energy, and the processes, principles, properties, and relationships describing their nature and interactions. Physical Concepts,Physical Processes,Physical Phenomenon,Physical Process,Concept, Physical,Concepts, Physical,Phenomena, Physical,Phenomenon, Physical,Physical Concept,Process, Physical,Processes, Physical

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