Mechanical load on the upper extremity during wheelchair activities.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the net moments on the glenohumeral joint and elbow joint during wheelchair activities.


METHODS
Kinematics and external forces were measured during wheelchair activities of daily living (level propulsion, riding on a slope, weight-relief lifting, reaching, negotiating a curb) and processed in an inverse dynamics biomechanic model.


METHODS
Biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
Five able-bodied subjects, 8 subjects with paraplegia, and 4 subjects with tetraplegia.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Net moments on the glenohumeral joint and elbow joint.


RESULTS
Peak shoulder and elbow moments were significantly higher for negotiating a curb and weight-relief lifting than for reaching, level propulsion, and riding on a slope. Overall, the elbow extension moments were significantly lower for subjects with tetraplegia than for those with paraplegia.


CONCLUSIONS
The net moments during weight-relief lifting and negotiating a curb were high when compared with wheelchair propulsion tasks. Taking the effect of frequency and duration into account, these loads might imply a considerable risk for joint damage in the long term.
Van Drongelen
Stefan
S
Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Van der Woude
Lucas H
LH
Janssen
Thomas W
TW
Angenot
Edmond L
EL
Chadwick
Edward K
EK
Veeger
Dirkjan H
DH
D000054:Acceleration; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D014910:Wheelchairs