Fundamental locomotive activity time efficiency with differently positioning drive-axis wheelchairs among elders

Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2008 Oct;25(4):322-34. doi: 10.1123/apaq.25.4.322.

Abstract

This study examined time efficiency in wheelchair locomotive activities among four different wheelchairs propelled by elders with arms and/or legs. Sixteen elder manual wheelchair users propelled her/his own wheelchair and three wheelchairs (the main drive-axis wheels positioning in front, middle, and rear, respectively) in the test of seven wheelchair locomotive activities of daily living. A Mixed-Model ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test (p < .05) were employed to determine the time efficiency among four wheelchairs and three groups. The results demonstrated better time efficiency resulted from propelling the mid drive-axis and/or rear drive-axis wheelchairs; using arms and legs simultaneously propelling wheelchairs was more time efficient than using the arms or legs only in the selected locomotive activities.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disabled Persons
  • Efficiency*
  • Equipment Design*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Locomotion* / physiology
  • Male
  • Time Factors
  • Wheelchairs*