Lemstra, M. (2014) Effect of wheel specifications on wheelchair basketball performance: wheel stiffness and tyre type. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of wheel stiffness and tyre type on the ergonomics of wheelchair propulsion specific to wheelchair basketball. Three types of wheels (Spinergy SLX, Sun Cross-spokes and Sun Equalizer) in two conditions (brand new and used) equipped with regular Kenda tyres (inflated to 110 psi) and two pairs of wheels (Spinergy SLX and Dutch concept) equipped with high pressure TUFO tyres (inflated to 160 psi) were tested. Eight able-bodied participants familiar to wheelchair propulsion were tested in the laboratory and performed submaximal exercise bouts in two propulsive conditions (1.1 m.s-1 and 2.2 m.s-1) on an ergometer to determine the effect of wheel specifications on physical strain (oxygen uptake (VO2) , heart rate (HR)). Residual torque, power output, push frequency, push time and gross mechanical efficiency (GME) were also calculated. Additionally, three experienced participants performed over-ground wheelchair propulsion and completed 20-m sprints in a field setting. Results suggest that wheel stiffness did not have an effect on physical strain and biomechanical factors during the submaximal performance measurements and on sprint performance. The comparison between Spinergy SLX with Kenda tyres and TUFO tyres at 1.1 m.s-1 emphasises that TUFO tyres are beneficial on submaximal performance in terms of VO2 (p = 0.003), residual torque (p < 0.001), power output (p < 0.001) and GME (p = 0.004). Due to the preliminary character of present study, a large-scale research will be needed to conclude which wheel specifications are favourable in wheelchair basketball performance. Key words: wheel design, tyre pressure, wheelchair sports, physical strain, rolling resistance, mechanical efficiency.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Mason, B.S. and Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. and Vegter, R.J. and Woude, L.H.V. van der |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Apr 2022 14:19 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Apr 2022 14:19 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3034 |
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