Curb descent testing of suspension manual wheelchairs

Manual wheelchair users are subjected to wholebody vibrations (WBV) on a regular basis as they traverse obstacles and uneven surfaces. One way users could protect themselves from secondary injuries related to WBV is by using a suspension manual wheelchair. This study investigated the ability of suspension manual wheelchairs to reduce seat accelerations during curb descents of various heights (5, 10, and 15 cm). Sixteen manual wheelchairs (four suspension, four folding, four rigid, and four rigid titanium) were tested. Suspension wheelchairs transmitted significantly lower peak seat accelerations than folding wheelchairs during the 5 cm curb descents (p = 0.048) and significantly lower frequencyweighted peak seat accelerations during the 5 and 10 cm curb descents (p = 0.03 for both heights). However, when the suspension wheelchair Quickie XTR (Sunrise Medical; Carlsbad, California) was removed from the analysis, the suspension wheelchairs were not significantly different from the nonsuspension wheelchairs. When weight was considered, the suspension wheelchairs had significantly lower peak seat accelerations than the lighter rigid wheelchairs during 5 cm curb descents (p = 0.047). While suspension manual wheelchairs offer some reduction in WBV during curb descents, their limitations should be considered when a wheelchair is selected for everyday use

Fatigue testing of selected suspension manual wheelchairs using ANSI/RESNA standards

Objectives To evaluate the durability and value of 3 common suspension manual wheelchairs and to compare the results with those of previously tested lightweight and ultra-lightweight folding-frame wheelchairs. Design Standardized fatigue testing and cost analysis of 3 suspension manual wheelchairs from 3 different manufacturers. Setting A rehabilitation engineering center. Specimens Nine suspension manual wheelchairs. Interventions Wheelchairs were fitted with a standardized wheelchair test dummy and tested on a series of fatigue tests, consistent with those developed by the International Organization for Standardization. Main outcome measures Fatigue life (measured as the number of equivalent cycles completed) and value (equivalent cycles divided by cost) were compared among all wheelchairs. Results Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (P≤.05) in the number of equivalent cycles among the suspension wheelchairs tested. When compared with previously tested ultra-lightweight and lightweight wheelchairs, the suspension wheelchairs failed to show significant improvements; however, significant improvements were found between individual suspension and lightweight wheelchairs. Conclusions We found little evidence to suggest that suspension manual wheelchairs provide advantages in terms of durability or value over standard lightweight and ultra-lightweight folding-frame wheelchairs. © 2005 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Wheelchair tennis match-play demands: effect of player rank and result.

To examine the heart-rate (HR) response and court-movement variables during wheelchair tennis match play for high- (HIGH) and low- (LOW) performance-ranked players. Analysis of physiological and movement-based responses during match play offers an insight into the demands of tennis, allowing practical recommendations to be made. Fourteen male open-class players were monitored during tournament match play. A data logger was used to record distance and speed. HR was recorded during match play. Significant rank-by-result interactions revealed that HIGH winners covered more forward distance than HIGH losers (P < .05) and had higher average (P < .05) and minimum (P < .01) HRs than LOW winners. LOW losers had higher average (P < .01) and minimum (P < .001) HRs than LOW winners. Independent of result, a significant main effect for rank was identified for maximum (P < .001) and average (P < .001) speed and total (P < .001), reverse (P < .001), and forward-to-reverse (P < .001) distance, with higher values for HIGH. Independent of rank, losing players experienced higher minimum HRs (P < .05). Main effects for maximum HR and actual playing time were not significant. Average playing time was 52.0 (9.1) min. These data suggest that independent of rank, tennis players were active for sufficient time to confer health-enhancing effects. While the relative playing intensity is similar, HIGH players push faster and farther than LOW players. HIGH players are therefore more capable of responding to ball movement and the challenges of competitive match play. Adjustments to the sport may be required to encourage skill developmental in LOW players, who move at significantly lower speeds and cover less distance