抄録
The attendant operated wheelchair is propelled by applying forces to handles at the back of the chair. However, very few published data justify the design of the push handles on existing wheelchairs. The aim of this study was to analyze the external forces and biomechanical loading on the upper limb system during wheelchair pushing, in relation to different push handle heights. Recommendations for wheelchair pushing in accordance with push handle height were also made. Five subjects carried out two different wheelchair transport tasks (up and down a ramp, pitch angle: 4°) at three different push handle heights. Data on the dynamic positions of the upper limbs were obtained from a motion capture system. To estimate net moments on shoulder and elbow joints, a dynamic two-dimensional linked segment model was used. The lowest maximum net joint moment at the elbow joint was observedat a normalized handle height of 84% for transport in the upward direction and at a normalized handle height of 92% for transport in the downward direction. To minimize the strain on the upper limbs, the optimal handle height is the height that minimizes the elbow net joint moment, which would be a normalized handle height around 90%.
