Reliability of propulsion technique and physiological parameters during wheelchair ergometer tests and its use in assessing the effects of different hand rim types.

Purpose: Wheelchair optimisation in clinical settings often relies on expert opinion from static wheelchair seating posture. A wheelchair ergometer provides biomechanical and physiological insights during propulsion. This study assessed the reliability of propulsion technique and physiological parameters in submaximal and sprint tests and used these values to compare two hand rim types.

Exploring the biomechanical link between wheelchair propulsion, shoulder injury and shoulder pain: A scoping review.

A high prevalence of shoulder pain and injuries exists in manual wheelchair users (MWUs). Wheelchair propulsion is believed to be related to shoulder pain and injuries, but the exact cause-effect relation remains unclear. The research questions of this narrative review were: 1) What are the differences in propulsion biomechanics for MWUs with different levels of shoulder pain and injuries? 2) How much proof is there for a cause-effect relationship between wheelchair propulsion and the development of shoulder pain and injuries in MWUs? A systematic literature search identified 18 articles matching the selection criteria.

Lower limb movement asymmetry exists during volleyball stop-jump landing: Insights from markerless motion capture.

Patellar tendinopathy is a highly prevalent injury associated with high knee angular accelerations. However, collecting kinematic data on the volleyball court remains challenging. This study investigated landing kinematics between dominant and non-dominant lower limbs during stop-jumps on the volleyball court and analysed landing variables to identify biomechanical patterns associated with high knee angular accelerations.

Difference in daily tasks execution and elbow joint load: a comparison between patients after total elbow arthroplasty and healthy controls.

Background: Overloading of the elbow joint is one of the mechanisms responsible for failure of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Different activities of daily living (ADL) affect joint loading. However, the alteration in task execution and its impact on joint loads after TEA are not well understood.

Development of a Standardized Protocol to Measure the (An)aerobic Capacity on a Roller Ergometer Among Wheelchair Athletes.

To evaluate and update about previous regression equations to derive standardized and individualized resistance settings for wheelchair-specific anaerobic and aerobic capacity tests in wheelchair athletes. An isometric strength test, a sprint test, a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), and an aerobic graded exercise test (GXT) were performed by 43 wheelchair athletes on a computerized roller ergometer. Using previously developed regression equations, measured strength predicted anaerobic power and determined the individual's WAnT resistance.

Enhancing Manual Wheelchair Propulsion: Incremental Assistance Levels of Pushrim-Activated Power-Assist Proportionally Reduce Physiological and Biomechanical Demands in Non-Disabled Participants.

This study assessed the effect of increasing assistance levels of a Pushrim-Activated Power-assisted Wheelchair (PAPAW) on the physiological and biomechanical demands in non-disabled participants propelling a manual wheelchair on an instrumented ergometer. This cross-sectional study included twenty-four non-disabled participants (aged years) who performed 4 submaximal trials of 4-minutes propulsion (at 1.11m/s and 0.

Combined Strength of Standardized Lab Sprint Testing and Wheelchair Mobility Field Testing in Wheelchair Tennis Players.

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined associations between wheelchair sprint and anaerobic power (measured in the lab) and wheelchair mobility performance (measured in the field) among two groups of wheelchair tennis players. Additionally, construct validity was assessed for both lab and field tests.

Design: Nine amateur and nine elite wheelchair tennis players performed a Sprint and Wingate test on a wheelchair ergometer in the lab and a Sprint, Illinois, and Spider test in the field, with inertial measurement units on their wheelchairs.

Correction: Different cadences and resistances in sub-maximal synchronous handcycling in able-bodied men: Effects on efficiency and force application.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The Effect of a Newly Developed Hand Rim on Mobility Performance and Propulsion Technique in Wheelchair Tennis Players.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a newly developed hand rim in wheelchair tennis players from a lab and field perspective.

Methods: Nine wheelchair tennis players performed a set of field and lab tests with the new rim (NR) and regular rim on the racket side. Each player had a 60- to 120-minute regular training session with the NR.

Comparison of rolling resistance, propulsion technique and physiological demands between a rigid, folding and hybrid manual wheelchair frame.

Background: When selecting a manual wheelchair frame, the choice between rigid and folding frames carries significant implications. Traditional folding frames are expected to have more rolling resistance and power dissipation caused by frame deformation, while they are more convenient for transportation, such as in a car. A new hybrid frame, designed to be more rigid, aims to minimize power dissipation while still retaining foldability.

Discriminative validity of summarized hip and knee angular accelerations for lower extremity training load quantification in male soccer players during a standardised training drill.

This study assessed the discriminative validity of summarized hip and knee angular accelerations during a standardized training drill. Twenty-eight soccer players performed a standardized training drill that mimics game demands. Discriminative validity was examined by assessment of between-group differences of summarized preferred kicking leg hip and knee angular accelerations, and Playerload between national and regional soccer players for the full training drill, and parts based on locomotor intensity, or additional pass and jumping header activities.

Steering-by-leaning facilitates intuitive movement control and improved efficiency in manual wheelchairs.

Background: Manual wheelchair propulsion is widely accepted to be biomechanically inefficient, with a high prevalence of shoulder pain and injuries among users. Directional control during wheelchair movement is a major, yet largely overlooked source of energy loss: changing direction or maintaining straightforward motion on tilted surfaces requires unilateral braking. This study evaluates the efficiency of a novel steering-by-leaning mechanism that guides wheelchair turning through upper body leaning.

Elbow joint loads during simulated activities of daily living: implications for formulating recommendations after total elbow arthroplasty.

Background: Overloading of the elbow joint prosthesis following total elbow arthroplasty can lead to implant failure. Joint moments during daily activities are not well contextualized for a prosthesis's failure limits, and the effect of the current postoperative instruction on elbow joint loading is unclear. This study investigates the difference in elbow joint moments between simulated daily tasks and between flexion-extension, pronation-supination, and varus-valgus movement directions.

Development of a Portable Low-Cost System for the Metrological Verification of Wheelchair Roller Ergometers.

Wheelchair ergometers are widely used in research, clinical practice, and sports environments. The majority of wheelchair ergometers are roller systems that allow for wheelchair propulsion in the personal wheelchair on one or two (instrumented) rollers. Oftentimes these systems are only statically calibrated.

Wheelchair rugby players maintain sprint performance but alter propulsion biomechanics after simulated match play.

The study aimed to explore the influence of a sports-specific intermittent sprint protocol (ISP) on wheelchair sprint performance and the kinetics and kinematics of sprinting in elite wheelchair rugby (WR) players with and without spinal cord injury (SCI). Fifteen international WR players (age 30.3 ± 5.

Force-velocity profiling of elite wheelchair rugby players by manipulating rolling resistance over multiple wheelchair sprints.

This study investigated the effect of increased rolling resistance on wheelchair sprint performance and the concomitant force-velocity characteristics. Thirteen wheelchair rugby (WCR) athletes completed five 15 s wheelchair sprints in their own rugby wheelchair on an instrumented dual-roller wheelchair ergometer. The first sprint was performed against a close to overground resistance and in each of the following sprints, the resistance increased with 80% of that resistance.

Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion Technique in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury With and Without Shoulder Pain: A Cross-sectional Comparison.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare handrim wheelchair propulsion technique between individuals with spinal cord injury with and without shoulder pain.

Design: A cross-sectional study including 38 experienced handrim wheelchair users with spinal cord injury was conducted. Participants were divided into the "shoulder pain" ( n = 15) and "no-shoulder pain" ( n = 23) groups using the Local Musculoskeletal Discomfort scale.

Construct Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of Hip Load Compared With Playerload During Football-Specific Running, Kicking, and Jumping Tasks.

Purpose: To determine the test-retest reliability of the recently developed Hip Load metric, evaluate its construct validity, and assess the differences with Playerload during football-specific short-distance shuttle runs.

Methods: Eleven amateur football players participated in 2 identical experimental sessions. Each session included 3 different shuttle runs that were performed at 2 pace-controlled running intensities.

A Scoping Review on Shoulder Injuries of Wheelchair Tennis Players: Potential Risk-Factors and Musculoskeletal Adaptations.

Wheelchair tennis players are prone to develop shoulder injuries, due to the combination of wheelchair propulsion, overhead activities and daily wheelchair activities. A methodical literature search was conducted to identify articles on shoulder complaints in wheelchair tennis, wheelchair sports and tennis. The aims were to identify (1) type of shoulder complaints; (2) possible risk factors for the development of shoulder injuries; (3) musculoskeletal adaptations in the shoulder joint in wheelchair tennis players.

Evaluation of a standardized test protocol to measure wheelchair-specific anaerobic and aerobic exercise capacity in healthy novices on an instrumented roller ergometer.

This study aims to evaluate whether a test protocol with standardized and individualized resistance settings leads to valid wheelchair Wingate tests (WAnT) and graded exercise tests (GXT) in healthy novices. Twenty able-bodied individuals (10M/10F, age 23 ± 2 years, body mass 72 ± 11 kg) performed an isometric strength test, sprint test, WAnT and GXT on a wheelchair ergometer. Using a previously developed set of regression equations, individuals' isometric strength outcome was used to estimate the WAnT result (P30est), from which an effective individual WAnT resistance was derived.

A newly developed hand rim for wheelchair tennis improves propulsion technique and efficiency in able-bodied novices.

A new wheelchair tennis hand rim was developed, having a larger contact area and higher friction. How does this new hand rim compare to a regular hand rim regarding submaximal propulsion with a tennis racket during practice in novices? Twenty-four able-bodied novices (12 Regular Rim, 12 New Rim) completed a one-day experiment: pre-test, three practice-sessions and a post-test of 3 × 4 min each on a wheelchair ergometer (1.11 m/s, 7W).

Alterations in shoulder kinematics are associated with shoulder pain during wheelchair propulsion sprints.

The study purpose was to examine the biomechanical characteristics of sports wheelchair propulsion and determine biomechanical associations with shoulder pain in wheelchair athletes. Twenty wheelchair court-sport athletes (age: 32 ± 11 years old) performed one submaximal propulsion trial in their sports-specific wheelchair at 1.67 m/s for 3 min and two 10 s sprints on a dual-roller ergometer.

Biomechanical Load Quantification Using a Lower Extremity Inertial Sensor Setup During Football Specific Activities.

Training load monitoring systems in football do not focus on lower extremities and therefore potentially neglect important information to optimise performance or reduce injury risk. The current study aims to present joint and segment angular accelerations as novel indicators to quantify lower extremity biomechanical load measured by a new inertial sensor setup. Relationships were explored with commonly used whole-body training load indicators using principal component analysis (PCA).

A novel push-pull central-lever mechanism reduces peak forces and energy-cost compared to hand-rim wheelchair propulsion during a controlled lab-based experiment.

Background: Hand-rim wheelchair propulsion is straining and mechanically inefficient, often leading to upper limb complaints. Previous push-pull lever propulsion mechanisms have shown to perform better or equal in efficiency and physiological strain. Propulsion biomechanics have not been evaluated thus far.