PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fixed gear ratio wheel sizes on the physiological and biomechanical responses to submaximal wheelchair propulsion. METHODS: Highly trained wheelchair basketball players (N = 13) propelled an adjustable sports wheelchair in three different wheel sizes (24, 25, and 26 inches) on a motor-driven treadmill. Each wheel was equipped with force-sensing hand-rims (SMARTWheel), which collected kinetic and temporal data. Oxygen uptake (V˙O2) and HR responses were measured with high-speed video footage collected to determine three-dimensional upper body joint kinematics. RESULTS: Mean power output and work per cycle decreased progressively with increasing wheel size (P < 0.0005). Increasing wheel size also reduced the physiological demand with reductions in VO2 for 25-inch (0.90 ± 0.20 L · min(-1), P = 0.01) and 26-inch wheels (0.87 ± 0.16 L · min(-1), P = 0.001) compared with 24-inch wheels (0.98 ± 0.20 L · min(-1)). In addition, reductions in HR were observed for 26-inch wheels (99 ± 6 beats · min(-1)) compared with 25-inch (103 ± 8 beats · min(-1), P = 0.018) and 24-inch wheels (105 ± 9 beats · min(-1), P = 0.004). Mean resultant forces also decreased progressively with increasing wheel size (P < 0.0005). However, no changes in temporal or upper body joint kinematics existed between wheel sizes. CONCLUSIONS: A greater power requirement owing to a greater rolling resistance in 24-inch wheels increased the physiological demand and magnitude of force application during submaximal wheelchair propulsion.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fixed gear ratio wheel sizes on the physiological and biomechanical responses to submaximal wheelchair propulsion. METHODS: Highly trained wheelchair basketball players (N = 13) propelled an adjustable sports wheelchair in three different wheel sizes (24, 25, and 26 inches) on a motor-driven treadmill. Each wheel was equipped with force-sensing hand-rims (SMARTWheel), which collected kinetic and temporal data. Oxygen uptake (V˙O2) and HR responses were measured with high-speed video footage collected to determine three-dimensional upper body joint kinematics. RESULTS: Mean power output and work per cycle decreased progressively with increasing wheel size (P < 0.0005). Increasing wheel size also reduced the physiological demand with reductions in VO2 for 25-inch (0.90 ± 0.20 L · min(-1), P = 0.01) and 26-inch wheels (0.87 ± 0.16 L · min(-1), P = 0.001) compared with 24-inch wheels (0.98 ± 0.20 L · min(-1)). In addition, reductions in HR were observed for 26-inch wheels (99 ± 6 beats · min(-1)) compared with 25-inch (103 ± 8 beats · min(-1), P = 0.018) and 24-inch wheels (105 ± 9 beats · min(-1), P = 0.004). Mean resultant forces also decreased progressively with increasing wheel size (P < 0.0005). However, no changes in temporal or upper body joint kinematics existed between wheel sizes. CONCLUSIONS: A greater power requirement owing to a greater rolling resistance in 24-inch wheels increased the physiological demand and magnitude of force application during submaximal wheelchair propulsion.
Authors: Chandrasekaran Jayaraman; Yaejin Moon; Ian M Rice; Elizabeth T Hsiao Wecksler; Carolyn L Beck; Jacob J Sosnoff Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-03-10 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Riemer J K Vegter; Johanneke Hartog; Sonja de Groot; Claudine J Lamoth; Michel J Bekker; Jan W van der Scheer; Lucas H V van der Woude; Dirkjan H E J Veeger Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2015-03-10 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: Andrew Symonds; Catherine Holloway; Tatsuto Suzuki; Peter Smitham; Angela Gall; Stephen Jg Taylor Journal: J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng Date: 2016-11-29