Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Training

The purpose of this research is to create a manual wheelchair propulsion-training program
(MWPTP) that emphasizes propulsion techniques that improve the manual wheelchair users
stroke pattern and efficiency. It is our hope that the design of a manual
wheelchair-training program can help to minimize the upper extremity pain and injury often
associated with manual wheelchair propulsion.

The MWPTP will exist in three forms, and will be given to three randomly assign groups of
subjects. An instruction only group (IO) will receive general instructions on how to best
propel their wheelchair. A feedback group (FB) will receive additional instruction in
wheelchair propulsion using a monitor displaying stroke pattern, cadence, peak forces,
proportion of time spent in propulsion (PSP) and rate of rise of force. A control group (CG)
will receive only testing which will be identical to the testing procedures followed by the
IO and FB groups. Subjects will be coached to develop an appropriate propulsion style that
minimizes all of the predetermined feedback measures, which indicate poor technique and
maximize all of the graphical measures indicating good propulsion technique.

Participation in this study will consist of four visits to the Human Engineering Research
Lab (HERL) for the FB, IO and CG. Visits 1-4 will be the same, except visit 4 will not
include training for any of the groups. All subjects will use their own wheelchair and
cushion; however researchers will attach SMART Wheels TM to the subjects’ wheelchair in
place of their current wheels. The SMART Wheels TM are used to record the forces and moments
that occur during propulsion and will not alter the dimensions or feel of the subjects
current wheelchair. During each visit, all subjects will be asked to push over a real life
course that includes various grades and surfaces. Then they will be asked to push on a
wheelchair dynamometer at 1 meter/sec for one minute, 2 meter/sec for one minute, and a self
selected speed for one minute. During this time, data will also be collected with use of an
Optotrak kinematic measurement system that incorporates a camera 3D-motion analysis system.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 18 years of age or greater

- Use of a manual wheelchair as primary means of mobility (>80% of their ambulation)

- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) cervical 7 level and lower

Exclusion Criteria:

- Wheelchair athletes having competed in racing in the last year.

- Current upper limb pain that limits mobility.

- <1 year post inpatient rehabilitation