Report

Sports wheelchair configuration: A review of the literature

The wheelchair is clearly the most critical part of equipment used by a wheelchair athlete and can have a huge bearing on their sports performance

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

However, scientific literature exploring the performance effects of different configurations has mainly been limited to wheelchairs used for daily-life propulsion.

Of the limited literature that has focused on wheelchair sports, it has been difficult to interpret the findings as studies have implemented a vast range of methodological approaches that relate to the type of wheelchair, standardisation methods, participants, testing modality and exercise protocols used. In order to determine reliable cause and effect relationships and most importantly to make research transferable to athletes, coaches and manufacturers, there are a number of steps that researchers must take in the future:

  • All testing must take place in a sports wheelchair and not a daily life wheelchair as the settings vary considerably between the two different designs.
  • Care must be taken to standardise other areas of wheelchair configuration when manipulating one area.
  • Wherever possible, trained wheelchair athletes should be used as participants.
  • A combination of laboratory and field based testing should be employed.
  • Exercise protocols should be employed that are reflective of the demands of the sports.

Reference

Mason, B. S., van der Woude, L. H. V. and Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L. (2013). The ergonomics of wheelchair configuration for optimal performance in the wheelchair court sports. Sports Medicine. 43: 23-38. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s40279-012-0005-x