Upper-limb joint power and its distribution in spinal cord injured wheelchair users: steady-state self-selected speed versus maximal acceleration trials.
OBJECTIVE
To compare upper-limb joint power magnitude and distribution between the shoulder, elbow, and wrist during maximal acceleration (MAC) versus steady-state, self-selected speed (SSS) manual wheelchair propulsion.


METHODS
Cross-sectional biomechanic study.


METHODS
Research university and teaching hospital.


METHODS
Volunteer sample of 13 manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury below T1.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Propulsive joint power magnitude and fractional distribution among upper-limb joints.


RESULTS
Wilcoxon signed-rank testing revealed shoulder power was larger for MAC versus SSS (median peak, 101.5W; interquartile range [IQR], 74.6; median peak, 37.7W; IQR, 22.9; respectively) (P<.01). Elbow and wrist power were unchanged. Peak shoulder power fraction was larger for MAC versus SSS (median peak, 1.055; IQR, .110 vs peak, .870; IQR, .252) (P<.01). Peak elbow power fraction was smaller for MAC versus SSS (median peak, -.012; IQR, .144 vs peak, .146; IQR, .206) (P<.05). Peak wrist power fraction was smaller for MAC versus SSS (median peak, -.058; IQR, .057 vs peak, -.010; IQR, .150) (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Power at the shoulder was larger than at other joints. Peak shoulder joint power and power fraction was larger during MAC versus SSS propulsion. Elbow and wrist power fractions were smaller for MAC versus SSS propulsion. Higher joint power, present under MAC, may predispose manual wheelchair users to injury, particularly at the shoulder.
Price
Robert
R
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98053, USA. pricer@u.washington.edu
Ashwell
Zachary R
ZR
Chang
Michael W
MW
Boninger
Michael L
ML
Koontz
Alicia M
AM
Sisto
Sue Ann
SA
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D034941:Upper Extremity; D014910:Wheelchairs