title: Evaluation of selected sidewalk pavement surfaces for vibration experienced by users of manual and powered wheelchairs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstacles such as bumps, curb descents, and uneven driving surfaces cause vibrations that affect the wheelchair, and in turn, the wheelchair user. Chronic exposure can cause low-back pain, disk degeneration, and other harmful effects. Little research has been conducted to assess the vibrations experienced by wheelchair users.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation of the vibration exposure during electric-powered wheelchair driving and mechanical energy requirements for manual wheelchair propulsion over selected sidewalk surfaces. The goal was to determine the criteria for a wheelchair-pedestrian access route that does not require excessive propulsive work or expose wheelchair users to potentially harmful vibrations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten unimpaired individuals participated in this study. Six sidewalk surfaces were tested. Measured variables included power of the acceleration per octave, mechanical work to propel over surfaces, peak acceleration, and frequency at which peak acceleration occurs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For both the manual and electric-powered wheelchair, at 1 m/s, significant differences were found in peak accelerations between the seat and footrest (P < 0.0001) and between the sidewalk surfaces (P = 0.004). The greatest risk for injury caused by shock and vibration exposure occurs at frequencies near the natural frequency of seated humans (4-15 Hz). The values for work required to propel over the surfaces tested were not statistically significantly different. Besides appearance and construction, the only distinguishing characteristic was surface roughness caused by the joints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When treating the poured concrete sidewalk as the standard, surfaces 2, 3, 5, and 6 compared most favorably in terms of vibration exposure, whereas surface 4 produced mixed results. Surfaces 2, 3, 5, and 6 yielded results that were similar to the poured concrete sidewalk and could be considered acceptable for wheelchair users. In conclusion, surfaces other than the traditional poured concrete can be used for pedestrian access routes without adding vibration exposure or reducing propulsion efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. rcooper+@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Rory A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Shirley G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Annmarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kellerher
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ammer
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Boninger
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003252:Construction Materials; D004867:Equipment Design; D016552:Ergometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012307:Risk Factors; D014186:Transportation; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014910:Wheelchairs