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Biomechanics and strength of manual wheelchair users

Ambrosio, F and Boninger, ML and Souza, AL and Fitzgerald, SG and Koontz, AM and Cooper, RA (2005) Biomechanics and strength of manual wheelchair users. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 28 (5). 407 - 414. ISSN 1079-0268

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Abstract

Background/Objective: Previous investigations have identified muscular imbalance in the shoulder as a source of pain and injury in manual wheelchair users. Our aim was to determine whether a correlation exists between strength and pushrim biomechanical variables including: tangential (motive) force (Ft), radial force (Fr), axial force (Fz), total (resultant) force (FR), fraction of effective force (FEF), and cadence. Methods: Peak isokinetic shoulder strength (flexion [FLX], extension [EXT], abduction [ABD], adduction [ADD], internal rotation [IR], and external rotation [ER]) was tested in 22 manual wheelchair users with a BioDex system for 5 repetitions at 60°/s. Subjects then propelled their own manual wheelchair at 2 speeds, 0.9 m/s (2 mph) and 1.8 m/s (4 mph), for 20 seconds, during which kinematic (OPTOTRAK) and kinetic (SMARTWHEEL) data were collected. Peak isokinetic forces in the cardinal planes were correlated with pushrim biomechanical variables. Results: All peak torque strength variables correlated significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with Ft, Fr, and FR, but were not significantly correlated with Fz, FEF, or cadence. Finally, there were no relationships found between muscle strength ratios (for example, FLX/EXT) and Ft, Fr, FR, Fz, or FEF. Conclusion: There was a correlation between strength and force imparted to the pushrim among wheelchair users; however, there was no correlation found in wheelchair propulsion or muscle imbalance. Clinicians should be aware of this, and approach strength training and training in wheelchair propulsion techniques separately.

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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Ambrosio, Ffaa7@pitt.eduFAA7
Boninger, MLboninger@pitt.eduBONINGER
Souza, AL
Fitzgerald, SG
Koontz, AMakoontz@pitt.eduAKOONTZ
Cooper, RARCOOPER@pitt.eduRCOOPER
Centers: Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Human Engineering Research Laboratories
Date: 1 January 2005
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
Volume: 28
Number: 5
Page Range: 407 - 414
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1080/10790268.2005.11753840
Schools and Programs: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 1079-0268
MeSH Headings: Adult; Biomechanics; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal--injuries; Muscle, Skeletal--physiology; Muscle, Skeletal--physiopathology; Shoulder--physiopathology; Shoulder Pain--etiology; Spinal Cord Injuries--physiopathology; Torque; Wheelchairs
Other ID: NLM PMC1808266
PubMed Central ID: PMC1808266
PubMed ID: 16869087
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2012 20:59
Last Modified: 22 Dec 2022 11:55
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14412

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