Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Determining and Controlling External Power Output During Regular Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion
Published on: February 5, 2020
Handrim wheelchair propulsion training effect on overground propulsion using biomechanical real-time visual feedback
Ian M Rice1, Ryan T Pohlig, Jerri D Gallagher
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. ianrice@illinois.edu
Objective:
To compare the effects of 2 manual wheelchair propulsion training programs on handrim kinetics, contact angle, and stroke frequency collected during overground propulsion.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial comparing handrim kinetics between 3 groups: a control group that received no training, an instruction-only group that reviewed a multimedia presentation, and a feedback group that reviewed the multimedia presentation and real-time visual feedback.
Setting:
Research laboratory.
Participants:
Full-time manual wheelchair users (N=27) with spinal cord injury living in the Pittsburgh area.
Interventions:
Propulsion training was given 3 times over 3 weeks, and data were collected at baseline, immediately after training, and at 3 months.
Main Outcome Measures:
Contact angle, stroke frequency, peak resultant force, and peak rate of rise of resultant force.
Results:
Both feedback and instruction-only groups improved their propulsion biomechanics across all surfaces (carpet, tile, and ramp) at both target and self-selected speeds compared with the control group. While controlling for velocity, both intervention groups showed long-term reductions in the peak rate or rise of resultant force, stroke frequency, and increased contact angle.
Conclusions:
Long-term wheelchair users in both intervention groups significantly improved many aspects of their propulsion technique immediately after training and 3 months from baseline. Furthermore, training with a low-cost instructional video and slide presentation was an effective training tool alone.
