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Efficiency and Rolling Resistance in Manual Wheelchair Propulsion
Tsutomu Hashizume1, Hiroshi Kitagawa2, Hisatoshi Ueda3
1Toyo University.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|September 7, 2017
Summary
Wheelchair efficiency and rolling resistance are key for user health. Higher speeds increase efficiency on treadmills, while lower tire pressure improves it on tracks, impacting daily wheelchair use.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Wheelchair propulsion efficiency and rolling resistance significantly impact the daily comfort and health of wheelchair users.
- Understanding these fundamental interactions is crucial for optimizing wheelchair design and user experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the efficiency and rolling resistance of the wheelchair-user system under varying conditions.
- To investigate the influence of velocity and tire pressure on wheelchair propulsion dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of oxygen uptake (energy input) and propelling torque (mechanical output) were conducted.
- Experiments were performed using a wheelchair-user system on both a treadmill and a track.
- Key variables manipulated included propulsion velocity and tire pressure.
Main Results:
- Wheelchair efficiency increased by 9-13% with increasing velocity on the treadmill.
- Reducing tire pressure on the track led to an 11-12% increase in efficiency.
- The mean coefficient of rolling resistance was 0.012 on the treadmill and 0.016 (at 200 kPa) to 0.026 (at 30 kPa) on the track.
Conclusions:
- Wheelchair efficiency and rolling resistance are demonstrably dependent on propulsion velocity and tire pressure.
- These findings provide valuable data for improving wheelchair performance and user well-being.