The Influence of Sex on Upper Extremity Joint Dynamics in Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2021 · DOI: 10.46292/sci20-00057 · Published: July 1, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Pediatrics Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how sex influences the way children with spinal cord injuries use their upper bodies to propel manual wheelchairs. Understanding these differences can help in developing better training programs. Researchers used special instrumented wheelchairs and motion capture to analyze joint movements and forces in male and female pediatric wheelchair users. The study found that females showed greater forearm pronation, wrist lateral force, and elbow posterior force, while males showed greater sternoclavicular joint retraction. These findings suggest that sex is an important factor in wheelchair mobility.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

20 pediatric manual wheelchair users with SCI (11 males, 9 females)

Evidence Level

Level 3, Retrospective Study

Key Findings

1
Females exhibited significantly greater peak forearm pronation compared to males.
2
Females exhibited significantly greater normalized wrist lateral force compared to males.
3
Males exhibited significantly greater peak sternoclavicular joint retraction compared to females.

Research Summary

This study investigated differences in upper extremity joint dynamics between pediatric male and female manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury during wheelchair propulsion. The study found significant differences in peak sternoclavicular joint retraction, forearm pronation, elbow joint posterior force, and wrist joint lateral force between pediatric males and females. The results underscore the importance of considering sex when evaluating pediatric wheelchair mobility and developing comprehensive wheelchair training interventions.

Practical Implications

Sex-Specific Training

Wheelchair mobility training should be tailored to address the specific biomechanical differences between males and females to delay shoulder pain and injury.

Early Detection

Identifying sex-related differences can aid in the early detection and prevention of upper extremity pain and pathology in pediatric wheelchair users.

Comprehensive Interventions

Developing comprehensive interventions based on sex differences can improve mobility, function, and quality of life for manual wheelchair users.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size of 20 participants.
2
Variability within groups (age, height, weight, time since injury, level of SCI) may have affected the results.
3
Self-reported pain scores may not have been specific enough to the upper extremities.

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