Article

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of five distinct slopes on
spatiotemporal and pushrim kinetic measures at the nondominant upper limb during
manual wheelchair (MWC) propulsion on a motorized treadmill in individuals with
spinal cord injury (SCI). Eighteen participants with SCI propelled their MWC at a
self-selected natural speed on a treadmill at different slopes (0, 2.7, 3.6, 4.8,
and 7.1 degrees). Spatiotemporal parameters along with total force and tangential
components of the force applied to the pushrim, including mechanical effective
force, were calculated using an instrumented wheel. The duration of the recovery
phase was 54% to 70% faster as the slope increased, whereas the duration of the
push phase remained similar. The initial contact angles migrated forward on the
pushrim, while the final and total contact angles remained similar as the slope
increased. As the slope increased, the mean total force was 93% to 201% higher
and the mean tangential component of the force was 96% to 176% higher than
propulsion with no slope. Measures were similar for the 2.7 and 3.6 degrees
slopes. Overall, the recovery phase became shorter and the forces applied at the
pushrim became greater as the slope of the treadmill increased during motorized
treadmill MWC propulsion.

Langue : ANGLAIS