title: Comparison of shoulder muscle electromyographic activity during standard manual wheelchair and push-rim activated power assisted wheelchair propulsion in persons with complete tetraplegia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare spatio-temporal propulsion characteristics and shoulder muscle electromyographic activity in persons with cervical spinal cord injury propelling a standard pushrim wheelchair (WC) and a commercially available pushrim-activated power assisted wheelchair (PAPAW) design on a stationary ergometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motion analysis laboratory within a rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men (N=14) with complete (American Spinal Injury Association grade A or B) tetraplegia (C6=5; C7=9).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants propelled a standard pushrim WC and PAPAW during 3 propulsion conditions: self-selected free and fast and simulated 4% or 8% graded resistance propulsion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Median speed, cycle length, cadence, median and peak electromyographic activity intensity, and duration of electromyographic activity in pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles were compared between standard pushrim WC and PAPAW propulsion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant (P<.05) decrease in electromyographic activity intensity and duration of pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, and infraspinatus muscles and significantly reduced intensity and push phase duration of supraspinatus electromyographic activity at faster speeds and with increased resistance were seen during PAPAW propulsion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For participants with complete tetraplegia, push phase shoulder muscle activity was decreased in the PAPAW compared with standard pushrim WC, indicating a reduction in demands when propelling a PAPAW.
authors.affiliation: Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, 7601 E Imperial Highway, Building 800, Room 33, Downey, CA 90242, USA. lhaubert@larei.org
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lighthall-Haubert
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Requejo
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mulroy
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Newsam
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bontrager
authors.forename: JoAnne K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gronley
authors.forename: Jacquelin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004576:Electromyography; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs