title: The influence of speed and grade on wheelchair propulsion hand pattern.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hand pattern used during manual wheelchair propulsion (i.e., full-cycle hand path) can provide insight into an individual's propulsion technique. However, previous analyses of hand patterns have been limited by their focus on a single propulsion condition and reliance on subjective qualitative characterization methods. The purpose of this study was to develop a set of objective quantitative parameters to characterize hand patterns and determine the influence of propulsion speed and grade of incline on the patterns preferred by manual wheelchair users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kinematic and kinetic data were collected from 170 experienced manual wheelchair users on an ergometer during three conditions: level propulsion at their self-selected speed, level propulsion at their fastest comfortable speed and graded propulsion (8%) at their level self-selected speed. Hand patterns were quantified using a set of objective parameters, and differences across conditions were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased propulsion speed resulted in a shift away from under-rim hand patterns. Increased grade of incline resulted in the hand remaining near the handrim throughout the cycle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manual wheelchair users change their hand pattern based on task-specific constraints and goals. Further work is needed to investigate how differences between hand patterns influence upper extremity demand and potentially lead to the development of overuse injuries and pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Slowik
authors.affiliation: Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA; Rehabilitation Engineering, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Requejo
authors.affiliation: Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mulroy
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. Electronic address: rneptune@mail.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Neptune
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Incline; Manual wheelchair; Propulsion pattern; Propulsion technique; Speed