WHEELCHAIR PROPULSION TECHNIQUE AND :MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY AFTER 3 WEEKS OF VARIABLE WHEELCHAIR TREADMILL EXERCISE IN ABLE-BODIED SUBJECTS USING THE OPTIPUSH BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM

Heeres, B. (2012) WHEELCHAIR PROPULSION TECHNIQUE AND :MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY AFTER 3 WEEKS OF VARIABLE WHEELCHAIR TREADMILL EXERCISE IN ABLE-BODIED SUBJECTS USING THE OPTIPUSH BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

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Abstract

ABSTRACT- PURPOSE: To examine the differences in propulsion technique and mechanical efficiency after 3 weeks of variable low intensity wheelchair exercise on a motor driven treadmill in able bodied subjects. METHOD: Before and after a 3 week low-intensity wheelchair exercise period, several technique parameters were examined. The training of the eleven able-bodied subjects consisted out of nine sessions of low intensity exercises, with the first and last session (the pre- and post-test) consisting of three 4 minute bouts and all other sessions of two 4 minute bouts on a motordriven treadmill. The treadmill was set at a constant speed of 1.11 rn!s. The variability in the training comprised changes in weight and changes in tire pressure. The power output was measured with the afore mentioned Optipush. The data was analyzed with Matlab and MLwin. RESULTS: The mechanical efficiency improved significantly, and so did a selection of the parameters for propulsion technique, namely the cycle time, the push time, the push frequency, the work per push, the metabolic power, the contact angle, the slope, and the negative power output dips at the start and the end of a push. CONCLUSION: A 3 week variable handrim wheelchair exercise with novice able-bodied subjects and the use of a treadmill had a positive effect on mechanical efficiency in this study. The results of the other variables may indicate a positive effect of the propulsion technique (i.e. the force application and the timing variables) on the mechanical efficiency.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	VEGTER, R.J.K. and WOUDE L.H.V.VAN DER and and GROOT, S. DE
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:44
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:44
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/539

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