Rütte, T. le (Thomas) (2019) Is a newly designed push-pull lever propulsion system a feasible wheelchair alternative? A pilot study. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Relevance Hand-rim wheelchair (HRW) propulsion is a straining and mechanically inefficient mode of transportation, leading to high prevalence of upper limb injury. However, no better replacement has been developed for manual wheelchair users. Alternatives like handcycles and lever-propelled wheelchairs have been tested and showed to perform better or equal in physiological strain and mechanical efficiency. Aim To evaluate a newly designed push-pull lever propulsion system with a conventional handrim wheelchair on propulsion outcomes at low-intensity steady state exercise on a motor driven treadmill. Outcomes studied were propulsion pattern for the production of forward momentum, mechanical efficiency and peak force application. Methods Spread over five training sessions, twenty able-bodied participants performed 60 minutes of training in either a lever wheelchair (n=10) or a HRW (n=10). They were tested on gross mechanical efficiency, heart rate and peak forces applied to the hand-rim or the lever before and after the training protocol. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed, testing group effects, time effects and interaction effects. A paired t-test was used to compared pushing and pulling forces of lever propulsion. Results GME and HR were not found to be different between the lever wheelchair and the HRW. Peak propulsion force during HRW propulsion was found to be higher than both the peak pushing and pulling force in lever propulsion. Forces were found to be equally distributed between the pushing and pulling phase of lever propulsion. Discussion Combined with a more beneficial orientation of the upper limbs in lever propulsion compared to HRW propulsion, lower peak forces in lever propulsion seem to be promising in reducing prevalence of upper limb injuries. Studying joint loads and muscle activity could provide more insight in this matter.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Vegter, dr. R.J.K. and Woude, prof. dr. L.H.V. van der |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 24 May 2022 09:47 |
| Last Modified: | 24 May 2022 09:47 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3427 |
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