Report

Changes in physiology and technique during different modes of wheelchair propulsion

Laboratory-based testing is a popular means for conducting research due to the controlled environment it creates for researchers.

Lead academic:
Dr Barry Mason
Additional academics:
Professor Vicky Tolfrey
Funder:
The Peter Harrison Foundation

However, in order to maximise the ecological validity, research investigations under laboratory conditions should replicate those of everyday life as closely as possible.

For manual wheelchair propulsion this requires a realistic assessment of over-ground wheelchair propulsion. The aim of the current study was to compare the physiological and biomechanical differences between various modes and settings of laboratory-based means for assessing wheelchair propulsion in relation to over-ground propulsion, and to identify an optimal mode for this purpose.

Methods

  • 15 able-bodied participants experienced with wheelchair propulsion performed a 3-minute bout of exercise at 3 fixed speeds (4, 6 and 8 km鈭檋 -1) during i) over-ground propulsion on an indoor basketball court; ii) on a roller wheelchair ergometer (WERG); and iii) on a motor driven treadmill at 4 different gradients (0, 0.7, 1.0 and 1.3%). During each bout, heart rate and oxygen uptake was monitored to determine physiological cost and an instrumented SMARTWheel was attached to the right side of the wheelchair to analyse aspects of propulsion technique.

Main Findings

  • A motor driven treadmill with a 0.7% gradient best replicated the physiological cost of overground propulsion at lower speeds (4 and 6 km鈭檋-1), whereas at the highest speed (8 km鈭檋-1) a 1.0% gradient offered the best representation.
  • A 0% treadmill gradient significantly underrepresented the physiological cost of overground propulsion, whereas a 1.3% gradient of WERG propulsion overrepresented the physiological cost.
  • No laboratory-based modality provided a valid representation of over-ground propulsion biomechanics.

Reference Mason, B. S., Lenton, J. P., Leicht, C. A. and GooseyTolfrey, V. L. (2014). A physiological and biomechanical comparison of over-ground, treadmill and ergometer wheelchair propulsion. Journal of Sports Sciences. 32: 78-91. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2013.807350