Search Results (8)

Background: Assessment of physical competencies is one way to enhance uptake and maintain participation in a leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) for manual wheelchair (MWC) users. Weineck’s model explains physical competencies through eight physical qualities. The use of this model may influence MWC users’ motivation for participation in LTPA. The aim of this study was to identify and categorize existing assessment tools designed for MWC users of physical qualities (strength, speed, power, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, balance, and flexibility). Methods: A mapping review was conducted following the “Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA)” guidelines. Two reviewers selected articles that documented assessment tools for the physical qualities of MWC users. Tools were extracted from each article to categorize them in a list. Results: A total of 149 articles that contained assessments of physical qualities were included in the review. A total of 97 assessment tools were extracted and categorized according to the eight physical qualities. Conclusions: These assessments are categorized into physical qualities that would facilitate the creation of test batteries aimed at assessing physical qualities in MWC users. This study is the first step in the construction of a test battery to assess the physical qualities of MWC users. Full article

Background: Manual wheelchairs (MWCs) are critical assistive devices for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and other mobility impairments. However, inconsistencies exist in evaluating usability across different manual wheelchair designs. Usability evaluation methods are essential to ensure optimal design and function. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Databases searched included PubMed, ScienceDirect, and DBpia. A comprehensive search was completed up to April 2024. Keywords combined concepts such as “spinal cord injury”, “manual wheelchair”, and “usability evaluation” using Boolean operators (AND, OR) and truncation strategies. Results: From 2134 initial records, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies included individuals with SCI as the primary population, but also incorporated able-bodied participants when necessary to simulate conditions not feasible for SCI users. Evaluation methods included objective assessments (e.g., kinematics, kinetics, electromyography) and subjective measures (e.g., System Usability Scale, user interviews). Conclusions: This review highlights methodological trends in MWC usability testing and identifies key metrics to guide future research and design improvements. While the primary focus was on individuals with SCI, studies involving healthy participants were included where ethically or practically justified. Full article

Manual wheelchairs, which are the basic means of transport for people with disabilities, are usually characterized by an inefficient adaptation to the physical capabilities of their users. For this reason, it is advisable to search for solutions that will allow us to change the parameters of the mechanical power generated by human muscles. For this purpose, mechanical gearing known from other solutions, for example, from bicycles, can be used. The paper describes the design methodology and a number of issues related to the construction of an innovative wheelchair prototype using a chain transmission in its drive system. This solution allows for the implementation of a variable ratio between the wheels and the pushrims. Thus, it effectively allows for matching the demand for driving torque to the movement conditions and the physical capabilities of its user. The use of such a system provides the basis for increasing the efficiency of the manual propulsion process. Initial studies show that changing the gear ratio allows for different speeds of the wheelchair wheel. In the tests conducted, the root mean square of this value varied from 15.2 RPM to 35.5 RPM, which resulted in a change in power from 15.8 W to 40.1 W. Of course, the values of rotational speed and torque show a cyclically changing character, which results from the intermittent nature of generating drive by the wheelchair user. The average peak values of rotational speed were 31.4 ± 1.7 RPM, 44.3 ± 3.4 RPM and 57.9 ± 3.4 RPM, while the torque was 12.1 ± 0.5 Nm, 12.4 ± 0.4 Nm and 14.1 ± 0.6 Nm for Gears 1, 4 and 6, respectively. Full article

Manual wheelchair (MWC) users are daily exposed to vibration during propulsion. The impact of such exposure on the MWC user’s health has yet to be proven. To date, no agreement has been reached, presumably on the account of the wide variety of experimental parameters that need to be controlled. A possible solution relies on the implementation of a User/MWC model to point out the effect of propelling conditions (MWC loads, propulsion methods, speeds, and ground floor types) on the vibration exposure and eventually on the MWC user’s health. To feed such a model, the evaluation of the MWC vibration response during propulsion is required. Following a necessary MWC experimental modal analysis under laboratory conditions, this study presents the vibration response of an MWC under various propelling conditions. For each investigated condition, the identified set of modal parameters was provided and the effect on the MWC response to vibration at the User/MWC interfaces was highlighted. Results mostly underline that the response to vibration is highly dependent on the propelling conditions. The speed and the ground floor type greatly affect the vibration response: doubling speed and increasing ground surface roughness imply threefold and eightfold vibration levels, respectively. Finally, the main outcome is that an empty MWC or an MWC loaded with a dummy generates vibration outside the range measured for an MWC loaded with a human body, resulting in a lower frequency content and an almost two-fold vibration level increase. The findings of this study will help enhance the understanding of the health risks that wheelchair users encounter as a result of vibrations. Full article

The analysis of intra-cycle velocity profile of manual wheelchair (MWC) users has been used to highlight the significant role of trunk inertia in propulsion biomechanics. Maximal wheelchair linear velocity has previously been observed to be reached after the release of the handrims both during sports activities and daily life propulsion. This paper provides a combined analysis of linear velocity and trunk kinematics in elite wheelchair racing athletes during straight-line propulsion at stabilized speeds. MWC and trunk kinematics of eight athletes (level: 7 elite, 1 intermediate; classification: T54 (5), T53 (2) and T52 (1)) were monitored during 400 m races using inertial measurement units. An average propulsion cycle was computed for each athlete. The main finding of this article is the difference in propulsion patterns among the athletes, exhibiting either 1, 2 or 3 peaks in their velocity profile. A second peak in velocity is usually assumed to be caused by the inertia of the trunk. However, the presence of a second velocity peak among more severely impaired athletes with little to no trunk motion can either be associated to the inertia of the athletes’ arms or to their propulsion technique. Full article

Manual wheelchair (MWC) users are exposed to whole-body vibrations (WBVs) during propulsion. Vibrations enter the MWC structure through the wheels’ hub, propagate according to the MWC dynamical response, and finally reach the user’s body by the footrest, seat, backrest, and handrims. Such exposure is likely to be detrimental to the user’s health and a source of discomfort and fatigue which could, in daily life, impact users’ social participation and performance in sports. To reduce WBV exposure, a solution relies on MWC dynamical response modelling and simulation, where the model could indeed be used to identify parameters that improve the MWC dynamic. As a result, it is necessary to first assess the MWC dynamical response. In this approach, experimental modal analyses were conducted on eleven MWCs, including daily and sport MWCs (tennis, basketball, and racing). Through this procedure, modal properties (i.e., modal frequencies, damping parameters, and modal shapes) were identified for each MWC part. The results pointed out that each MWC investigated, even within the same group, revealed specific vibration properties, underlining the difficulty of developing a single vibration-reducing system for all MWCs. Nevertheless, several common dynamical properties related to MWC comfort and design were identified. Full article

Manual wheelchair (MWC) propulsion can expose the user to significant vibration. Human body exposure to certain vibrations can be detrimental to health, and a source of discomfort and fatigue. Therefore, identifying vibration exposure and key parameters influencing vibration transmissibility during MWC propulsion is crucial to protect MWC users from vibration risks. For that purpose, a systematic review using PRISMA recommendations was realized to synthesize the current knowledge regarding vibration transmissibility during MWC propulsion. The 35 retrieved articles were classified into three groups: Vibration content, parameters influencing vibration transmission, and vibration transmission modeling. The review highlighted that MWC users experience vibration in the frequency range detrimental/uncomfortable for human vibration transmission during MWC propulsion depends on many parameters and is still scarcely studied and understood. A modeling and simulation approach would be an interesting way to assist physicians in selecting the best settings for a specific user, but many works (modeling, properties identification, etc.) must be done before being effective for clinical and industrial purposes. Full article

Arm use in manual wheelchair (MWC) users is characterized by a combination of overuse and a sedentary lifestyle. This study aimed to describe the percentage of daily time MWC users and able-bodied individuals spend in each arm use intensity level utilizing accelerometers. Arm use intensity levels of the upper arms were defined as stationary, low, mid, and high from the signal magnitude area (SMA) of the segment accelerations based on in-lab MWC activities performed by eight MWC users. Accelerometry data were collected in the free-living environments from forty MWC users and 40 sex- and age-matched able-bodied individuals. The SMA intensity levels were applied to the free-living data and the percentage of time spent in each level was calculated. The SMA intensity levels were defined as, stationary: ≤0.67 g, low: 0.671–3.27 g, mid: 3.27–5.87 g, and high: >5.871 g. The dominant arm of both MWC users and able-bodied individuals was stationary for most of the day and less than one percent of the day was spent in high intensity arm activities. Increased MWC user age correlated with increased stationary arm time (R = 0.368, p = 0.019). Five and eight days of data are needed from MWC users and able-bodied individuals, respectively, to achieve reliable representation of their daily arm use intensities. Full article