Handrim forces during wheelies performance in able-bodied and SCI subjects

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2021 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2020.1747893 · Published: January 1, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

The study compares how able-bodied individuals and those with spinal cord injuries (SCI) control a manual wheelchair during a wheelie, focusing on the forces applied to the handrim and balance. Researchers analyzed the distribution of forces exerted on the handrim and the displacement of the center of pressure (DCOP) to understand different balance strategies. The results suggest that individuals with SCI may use a proactive balance strategy, while able-bodied individuals use a reactive strategy.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

27 (14 able-bodied and 13 with spinal cord injury)

Evidence Level

Prospective experimental study

Key Findings

1
The SCI group exerted greater posteroanterior forces on the handrim compared to the able-bodied group.
2
The direction of force applied by the SCI group was opposite to that of the able-bodied group, suggesting different balance strategies.
3
The amplitude of the center of pressure displacement in the anteroposterior axis was smaller in the able-bodied group compared to the SCI group.

Research Summary

This study compared handrim forces and balance strategies during stationary wheelies between able-bodied individuals and those with SCI. The SCI group exhibited greater posteroanterior forces on the handrim and appeared to use a proactive balance strategy, while the able-bodied group seemed to use a reactive strategy. Despite differences in force application and balance strategies, overall performance in stationary wheelies was similar between the two groups.

Practical Implications

Wheelchair Skills Training

Consider the direction of force applied when teaching individuals with SCI how to perform wheelies.

Balance Strategy

Clinicians may find it suitable to directly teach patients to use a proactive balance strategy (PBS).

Feedback Mechanisms

The use of visual or auditory feedback on the direction of force could facilitate learning of wheelie skills.

Study Limitations

1
The use of the same wheelchair for all participants may not have been optimal for each individual due to varying body sizes and personal preferences.
2
The standardized wheelchair settings were not individually adjusted, potentially affecting the ecological validity of the findings.
3
The study acknowledges that features of each participant's personal wheelchair are all different.

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