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KMID : 1137820220430040241
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의공학회지
2022 Volume.43 No. 4 p.241 ~ p.250
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Upper Extremity Biomechanics of Manual Wheelchair Propulsion at Different Speeds
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Hwang Seon-Hong
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Abstract
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It is known that chronic pain and injury of upper limb joint tissue in manual wheelchair users is usually caused by muscle imbalance, and the propulsion speed is reported to increase this muscle imbalance. In this study, kinematic variables, electromyography, and ultrasonographic images of the upper limb were measured and analyzed at two different propulsion speeds to provide a quantitative basis for the risk of upper extremity joint injury. Eleven patients with spinal cord injury for the experimental group (GE) and 27 healthy adults for the control group (GC) par- ticipated in this study. Joint angles and electromyography were measured while subjects performed self-selected com- fortable and fast-speed wheelchair propulsion. Ultrasound images were recorded before and after each propulsion task to measure the acromiohumeral distance (AHD). The range of motion of the shoulder (14.35 deg in GE; 20.24 deg in GC) and elbow (5.25 deg in GE; 2.57 deg in GC) joints were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Muscle activation levels of the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii increased at fast propulsion. Spe- cifically, triceps brachii showed a significant increase in muscle activation at fast propulsion. AHD decreased at fast propulsion. Moreover, the AHD of GE was already narrowed by about 60% compared to the GC from the pre-tests. Increased load on wheelchair propulsion, such as fast propulsion, is considered to cause upper limb joint impingement and soft tissue injury due to overuse of the extensor muscles in a narrow joint space. It is expected that the results of this study can be a quantitative and objective basis for training and rehabilitation for manual wheelchair users to prevent joint pain and damage.
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KEYWORD
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Manual wheelchair, Propulsion, Biomechanics, Electromyogram, Joint angle, Ultrasound image
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