Evaluation of Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Mobility Using Advanced Biomechanical Methods

This study investigates how children with spinal cord injuries move in their manual wheelchairs. It focuses on measuring the forces and motions at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints to understand the physical demands on their upper bodies. Researchers used motion capture technology to track the movement of the children's upper bodies as they propelled their wheelchairs. This data was then used to calculate the forces and moments acting on their joints. The findings help identify potential risks for pain and injuries in these young wheelchair users. The research aims to improve wheelchair design, prescription, and training to minimize these risks and enhance their quality of life.

• 1
  The glenohumeral joint (shoulder) displayed the largest average range of motion at 47.1 degrees in the sagittal plane.
• 2
  The largest average joint forces were superiorly and anteriorly directed at the glenohumeral joint (6.1% and 6.5% of body weight, respectively).
• 3
  The largest joint moments were 1.4% body weight times height (BW × H) of elbow flexion and 1.2% BW × H of glenohumeral joint extension.