title: Rolling resistance and propulsion efficiency of manual and power-assisted wheelchairs.
abstract: Rolling resistance is one of the main forces resisting wheelchair propulsion and thus affecting stress exerted on the upper limbs. The present study investigates the differences in rolling resistance, propulsion efficiency and energy expenditure required by the user during power-assisted and manual propulsion. Different tire pressures (50%, 75%, 100%) and two different levels of motor assistance were tested. Drag force, energy expenditure and propulsion efficiency were measured in 10 able-bodied individuals under different experimental settings on a treadmill. Results showed that drag force levels were significantly higher in the 50%, compared to the 75% and 100% inflation conditions. In terms of wheelchair type, the manual wheelchair displayed significantly lower drag force values than the power-assisted one. The use of extra-power-assisted wheelchair appeared to be significantly superior to conventional power-assisted and manual wheelchairs concerning both propulsion efficiency and energy expenditure required by the user. Overall, the results of the study suggest that the use of power-assisted wheelchair was more efficient and required less energy input by the user, depending on the motor assistance provided.
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: effie_pav@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Efthymia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pavlidou
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, The Netherlands; Faculty of Engineering Technology, Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke G M
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kloosterman
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, The Netherlands; Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Department of Biomedical Signals and Systems, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaap H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Buurke
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, The Netherlands; Faculty of Engineering Technology, Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rietman
authors.affiliation: MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center | Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thomas W J
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Janssen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Energy expenditure; Power-assisted wheelchair; Propulsion efficiency; Rolling resistance; Tire pressure; Wheelchair