Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion
IntroductionWheelchair turning biomechanics is an under researched area despite its obvious relevance to functional mobility of wheelchair users. Wheelchair turns might be linked to a higher risk of upper limb injuries due to the increased forces and torques potentially associated with asymmetric mo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1127514/full |
| _version_ | 1797805788099510272 |
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| author | Dhissanuvach Chaikhot Matthew J. D. Taylor W. H. K. de Vries Florentina J. Hettinga |
| author_facet | Dhissanuvach Chaikhot Matthew J. D. Taylor W. H. K. de Vries Florentina J. Hettinga |
| author_sort | Dhissanuvach Chaikhot |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionWheelchair turning biomechanics is an under researched area despite its obvious relevance to functional mobility of wheelchair users. Wheelchair turns might be linked to a higher risk of upper limb injuries due to the increased forces and torques potentially associated with asymmetric movement. Our aim was to obtain a better theoretical understanding of wheelchair turning by biomechanically analyzing turns compared to steady-state straightforward propulsion (SSSFP).MethodsTen able-bodied men received 12-min familiarization and 10 trials (in a random order) of SSSFP and multiple left and right turns around a rectangular course. A Smartwheel was mounted at the right wheel of a standard wheelchair to measure kinetic parameters during SSSFP and of the inner hand during right turns and the outer hand during left turns. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to detect differences across tasks.ResultsTwo strategies were identified: 3% demonstrated roll turns and 97% spin turns. Spin turns consisted of three phases: approach, turning and depart phase. The turning phase was accomplished by increasing peak force (72.9 ± 25.1 N vs. 43.38 ± 15.9 N in SSSFP) of the inner hand, while maintaining high push frequency of the outer hand (1.09 ± 0.20 push/s vs. 0.95 ± 0.13 push/s in SSSFP). Peak negative force and force impulse during the turning phase were much higher than SSSFP, 15.3 ± 15.7 and 4.5 ± 1.7 times higher, respectively.ConclusionThe spin turn strategy might carry an increased risk of upper limb injuries due to higher braking force and requires particular attention by rehabilitation professionals to preserve upper limb function of long-term wheelchair users. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:57:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cef40167fc154a31913e3e106ba318e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:57:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj.art-cef40167fc154a31913e3e106ba318e42023-06-13T04:16:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672023-06-01510.3389/fspor.2023.11275141127514Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsionDhissanuvach Chaikhot0Matthew J. D. Taylor1W. H. K. de Vries2Florentina J. Hettinga3Department of Physical Therapy, Christian University of Thailand, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandSchool of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, University of Essex, Colchester, United KingdomSwiss Paraplegic Research, Shoulder Health & Mobility Group, Nottwil, SwitzerlandDepartment of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United KingdomIntroductionWheelchair turning biomechanics is an under researched area despite its obvious relevance to functional mobility of wheelchair users. Wheelchair turns might be linked to a higher risk of upper limb injuries due to the increased forces and torques potentially associated with asymmetric movement. Our aim was to obtain a better theoretical understanding of wheelchair turning by biomechanically analyzing turns compared to steady-state straightforward propulsion (SSSFP).MethodsTen able-bodied men received 12-min familiarization and 10 trials (in a random order) of SSSFP and multiple left and right turns around a rectangular course. A Smartwheel was mounted at the right wheel of a standard wheelchair to measure kinetic parameters during SSSFP and of the inner hand during right turns and the outer hand during left turns. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to detect differences across tasks.ResultsTwo strategies were identified: 3% demonstrated roll turns and 97% spin turns. Spin turns consisted of three phases: approach, turning and depart phase. The turning phase was accomplished by increasing peak force (72.9 ± 25.1 N vs. 43.38 ± 15.9 N in SSSFP) of the inner hand, while maintaining high push frequency of the outer hand (1.09 ± 0.20 push/s vs. 0.95 ± 0.13 push/s in SSSFP). Peak negative force and force impulse during the turning phase were much higher than SSSFP, 15.3 ± 15.7 and 4.5 ± 1.7 times higher, respectively.ConclusionThe spin turn strategy might carry an increased risk of upper limb injuries due to higher braking force and requires particular attention by rehabilitation professionals to preserve upper limb function of long-term wheelchair users.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1127514/fullwheeled mobilitylocomotionupper body exercisephysical activitypropulsion biomechanicshandrim |
| spellingShingle | Dhissanuvach Chaikhot Matthew J. D. Taylor W. H. K. de Vries Florentina J. Hettinga Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion Frontiers in Sports and Active Living wheeled mobility locomotion upper body exercise physical activity propulsion biomechanics handrim |
| title | Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion |
| title_full | Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion |
| title_fullStr | Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion |
| title_short | Biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres: novel insights into wheelchair propulsion |
| title_sort | biomechanics of wheelchair turning manoeuvres novel insights into wheelchair propulsion |
| topic | wheeled mobility locomotion upper body exercise physical activity propulsion biomechanics handrim |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1127514/full |
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