Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Determining and Controlling External Power Output During Regular Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion
Published on: February 5, 2020
Relation between median and ulnar nerve function and wrist kinematics during wheelchair propulsion
Michael L Boninger1, Bradley G Impink, Rory A Cooper
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Human Engineering Research Laboratories, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh and VA Pittsburgh Health Care System, 7180 Highland Drive, 151R-1, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA. Boninger@pitt.edu
Objective:
To investigate the relation between median and ulnar nerve health and wrist kinematics in wheelchair users.
Design:
Case series.
Setting:
Biomechanics laboratory and electrodiagnostic laboratory at a Veterans Health Administration medical center and a university hospital, respectively.
Participants:
Thirty-five people with spinal cord injury who use manual wheelchairs.
Intervention:
Subjects propelled their own wheelchair on a dynamometer at 0.9 and 1.8m/s. Bilateral biomechanic data were obtained by using force and moment sensing pushrims and a kinematic system. Bilateral median and ulnar nerve conduction studies were also completed.
Main Outcome Measures:
Wrist flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation peaks, and ranges of motion (ROMs) as related to median and ulnar motor and sensory amplitudes. A secondary analysis included peak pushrim forces and moments and stroke frequency.
Results:
There was a significant, positive correlation between flexion and extension ROM and both ulnar motor amplitude (r=.383, P<.05) and median motor amplitude (r=.361, P<.05).
Conclusions:
Contrary to our hypothesis, subjects using a greater ROM showed better nerve function than subjects propelling with a smaller ROM. Subjects using a larger ROM used less force and fewer strokes to propel their wheelchairs at a given speed. It is possible that long, smooth strokes may benefit nerve health in manual wheelchair users.
