We analysed wheelchair driving actions with one-hand and foot (the way many hemiplegic patients have adopted). Fourteen healthy subjects (aged 28.5±8.8) were studied. With high speed videocamera we recorded the subjects driving wheelchair with one-hand and foot. Using PEAK Performance Technology System, we calculated not only elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle joint angles but also trunk angle (relative to vertical line). And timing parameters of upper and lower limbs during wheelchair driving have also been calculated. Then we measured floor reaction forces when the subjects started wheelchairs.
The results are as follows:
1) Lower limb: Knee extended maximally at the heel contact stage and flexed maximally at the toe off stage. Ankle joint movement pattern resembled that had been observed during normal gait. Hip joint flexed in the driving phase and extended in the recovery phase. The extension at the toe off stage was characteristic. The driving force vector of foot was toward posterior and medial sides.
2) Trunk: There were three patterns in the movement of trunk; leaning forward in the driving phase and backward in the recovery phase, the pattern same as that of the former except leaning backward at the toe off stage, and leaning backward in the driving phase and forward in the recovery phase. The trunk movement patterns were variable compared with other joint changes.
3) Upper limb: Shoulder and elbow showed coordinate movement; at the beginning of the driving phase shoulder extension and elbow flexion occured maximally, whereas at the end of the driving phase shoulder flexion and elbow extension occurred maximally.
4) Timing parameters: The beginning and the end of the driving phase of upper limb was ealier than those of lower limb respectively, and the proportion of the driving phase to whole cycle was 53% in upper limb and 60% in lower limb. But the driving frequency of both limbs was equal and it showed the coordinate movement of upper and lower limbs.
Using this study results as controls, we are planning to analyse hemiplegic patients wheelchair driving activities.

View full abstract