Upward displacement of the centre of gravity in paraplegic patients.
The centres of gravity of 44 complete chronic spinal cord injured patients and 24 normal subjects were measured using a gamma ray scanner (Barycentremetre). The results are expressed as a percentage of body length and as anatomical level. The mean weight of paraplegic patients was 12kg less than the controls. The centre of gravity was 5% of body length higher in the paraplegic patients than in the controls, equivalent to 3 to 4 vertebrae level. The importance of such changes in the centre of gravity for the design of stable wheelchairs is discussed.
Duval-Beaupere
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INSERM U215, Clinique de Réeducation motrice, Garches, France.
Robain
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001827:Body Height; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013909:Thorax