Development and drive performance evaluation of wheelchair for competition with a function to drive on ahead by one-hand operation.

Abstract

In this study, I evaluated development and the drive performance of the wheelchair for competitions for the wheelchair for the sporting event that had the camber angle to the wheel, it can drive straight on ahead by the one-hand drive that had joint mechanism to transmit driving force from one side wheel to other side wheel. For evaluation of performance to drive, I measured upper limb myoelectric, tractive power and energy metabolism. As a measurement result, operates the wheelchair for the competition a one-hand can drive straight on ahead, becomes necessary to train of the whole upper body such as not only the arm but also latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major and to use the whole body. Also, it is judged that the present operability of this wheelchair is suitable for not aerobic-like long drive but anoxia-like short drive.