Isometric pull and push strengths of paraplegics in the workspace: 2. Statistical analysis of spatial factors

The effect of reach levels, horizontal angles, and vertical angles on isometric pull and push strengths of male and female was determined. Highly significant increases in men's push strength were found between extreme to maximum reaches, and from extreme to normal reaches. However, for women's push strength, a significant increase was found only between extreme to maximum reach. Significant or highly significant increases were found in men's and women's pull strength between the horizontal angle (theta) sagittal through the active shoulder (90 degrees ) and other angles (0, 45, and 135 degrees ). However, for men's push strength, highly significant increases were found between the horizontal angle 45 degrees from the frontal plane, and other angles. For women's push strength, significant or highly significant increases were found between the horizontal angles 0 degrees and angles of 90 and 135 degrees. For men's and women's pull strength, significant or highly significant increases were found between the vertical angle (phi), 90 degrees, and other angles (-20, 0, and 45 degrees ). Similar increases were found for women's push strength between the 45 degrees angle and other angles. In the design of a workstation for paraplegics that requires pull and push forces, consideration must be given to the spatial factors.