Comparison of shoulder muscle electromyographic activity during standard manual wheelchair and push-rim activated power assisted wheelchair propulsion in persons with complete tetraplegia.
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.
Lighthall-Haubert
Lisa
L
Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, 7601 E Imperial Highway, Building 800, Room 33, Downey, CA 90242, USA. lhaubert@larei.org
Requejo
Philip S
PS
Mulroy
Sara J
SJ
Newsam
Craig J
CJ
Bontrager
Ernest
E
Gronley
JoAnne K
JK
Perry
Jacquelin
J
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