The Relationship between Physical Activity and Wheelchair Driving in People with Spinal Cord Injury Using Commercially Available Equipment

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to verify the methods for physical activity measurement in wheelchair users and examine the association between physical activity and wheelchair driving distance.

Methods: The participants were 5 individuals with spinal cord injury （SCI） who were residents of a facility that supports people with disabilities and 5 individuals with SCI who lived in community. All the participants could perform daily activities and live independently using a wheelchair. Measurements were performed using a cycle meter, smart watch, and activity meter. First, we investigated the measurement method of driving distance and wheelchair driving time among the facility residents. Next, we examined the association between the amount of activity and the driving distance among the facility and community residents.

Results: No significant differences were found in the driving distance and driving time between the left- and right-side drive wheels of the wheelchair. Both facility and community residents showed significant correlations between their driving distance and amount of activity.

Conclusions: The driving distances of each side wheel were not significantly different, suggesting that the measurements could be performed using either wheel unilaterally.

Our results suggested that wheelchair driving was useful for improving the physical activity of wheelchair users.