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Handrim forces during wheelies performance in able-bodied and SCI subjects
Didier Pradon1, Claire Marchiori1, Nicolas Roche1
1Laboratoire d'Analyse du Mouvement, U1179 Endicap, APHP, CHU Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
|April 17, 2020
Summary
Able-bodied individuals and those with spinal cord injury (SCI) differ in how they perform stationary wheelies. SCI participants use greater force and a proactive balance strategy, unlike able-bodied individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
- Assistive Technology
Background:
- Performing wheelies is crucial for manual wheelchair users to navigate outdoor obstacles.
- Previous research has not compared balance and handrim forces during stationary wheelies between able-bodied (AB) and spinal cord injury (SCI) groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare handrim force distribution and center of pressure displacement during stationary wheelies.
- To analyze differences between AB and SCI participants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective experimental study was conducted in a university hospital laboratory.
- 27 participants (14 AB, 13 SCI) performed 60-second stationary wheelies using an instrumented wheelchair.
- Force platforms measured center of pressure displacement (DCOP).
Main Results:
- Median DCOP amplitude in the anteroposterior axis was smaller and less variable in AB (19.6 mm) versus SCI (14.9 mm) groups.
- Significant differences in handrim forces were observed only in the posteroanterior axis between AB (6 N) and SCI (2.7 N) groups.
- SCI participants exerted greater posteroanterior forces, with opposite direction compared to AB participants.
Conclusions:
- SCI participants utilize a proactive balance strategy, while AB participants employ a retroactive strategy during stationary wheelies.
- The direction of force application is a key consideration for teaching wheelie techniques.
- Understanding these differences can inform adaptive strategies and training for wheelchair users.
