Effect of seat position on maximal linear velocity in wheelchair sprinting

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between seat position and linear velocity in wheelchair sprinting. Nine male subjects with various physical disabilities participated in the experiment. Linear velocity was determined by analyzing the filmed performance of subjects wheeling at maximum speed on a wheelchair ergometer. The results revealed no significant differences between the maximal linear velocities at each of the nine seat positions chosen for investigation. These findings suggest that given a limited variability in seat positions, maximal linear velocity will be minimally affected. Simple correlation procedures revealed a significant negative correlation between the length of push and linear velocity. This is in opposition to current findings and suggests that pushing frequency may be more critical than the length of push in generating maximum speed in wheelchair sprinting.