Relationship between linear velocity and tangential push force while turning to change the direction of the manual wheelchair

Seonhong Hwang; Yen-Sheng Lin; Nathan S. Hogaboom; Lin-Hwa Wang; Alicia M. Koontz

doi:10.1515/bmt-2015-0173

Article

Relationship between linear velocity and tangential push force while turning to change the direction of the manual wheelchair

Seonhong Hwang , Yen-Sheng Lin , Nathan S. Hogaboom , Lin-Hwa Wang and Alicia M. Koontz

Published/Copyright: September 17, 2016

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From the journal Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik Volume 62 Issue 4

Abstract

Wheelchair propulsion is a major cause of upper limb pain and injuries for manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Few studies have investigated wheelchair turning biomechanics on natural ground surfaces. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between tangential push force and linear velocity of the wheelchair during the turning portions of propulsion. Using an instrumented handrim, velocity and push force data were recorded for 25 subjects while they propel their own wheelchairs on a concrete floor along a figure-eight-shaped course at a maximum velocity. The braking force (1.03 N) of the inside wheel while turning was the largest of all other push forces (p<0.05). Larger changes in squared velocity while turning were significantly correlated with higher propulsive and braking forces used at the pre-turning, turning, and post-turning phases (p<0.05). Subjects with less change of velocity while turning needed less braking force to maneuver themselves successfully and safely around the turns. Considering the magnitude and direction of tangential force applied to the wheel, it seems that there are higher risks of injury and instability for upper limb joints when braking the inside wheel to turn. The results provide insight into wheelchair setup and mobility skills training for wheelchair users.

Keywords: manual wheelchair propulsion; spinal cord injury; wheelchair propulsion; wheelchair turning

Corresponding author: Alicia M. Koontz, PhD, RET, Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, 6425 Penn Ave, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA, Phone: +412-822-3700, Fax: +412-822-3699

Research funding: This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service (Project Number: B6252R). This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The contents of this abstract do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.
Conflict of interest: We declare that we have no commercial associations that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Received: 2015-9-10

Accepted: 2016-7-27

Published Online: 2016-9-17

Published in Print: 2017-8-28

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2015-0173

Keywords for this article

manual wheelchair propulsion; spinal cord injury; wheelchair propulsion; wheelchair turning