The Effect of Rolling Resistance on Stationary Wheelchair Wheelies

Abstract

In conditions of increased RR, rear-wheel displacement and perceived difficulty are reduced during stationary wheelchair wheelies. These findings have implications for teaching wheelchair users to perform wheelies, a foundation of many advanced wheelchair skills.

Effect of a High-Rolling-Resistance Training Method on the Success Rate and Time Required to Learn the Wheelchair Wheelie Skill

“…This was a surprising result, because the two training conditions were quite different, and the participants in the RR group perceived the RR setting to be effective. The results are also surprising in light of the finding of Koshi et al 10 that wheelie-competent people perceive wheelie balance-phase performance in a high-RR setting as much less difficult.…”

“…In a recent study of 20 wheelie-competent participants, using within-subject comparisons, Koshi et al 10 found that increased rolling resistance (RR) substantially reduced the perceived difficulty (P Ͻ 0.007) during the wheelie balance phase. The authors speculated that teaching wheelies in conditions of increased RR might increase the success rate and/or decrease the learning time.…”

“…From the limited number of studies in the literature about the wheelchair wheelie, [5][6][7][8][9][10] it seems that the most conventional method for teaching wheelies takes place on a smooth, tile surface, with a clinician spotting the user from the rear, to prevent full tipping incidents.…”

Effects of rolling resistances on handrim kinetics during the performance of wheelies among manual wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury

“…The reduced perceived exertion previously documented when performing wheelies may also corroborate the present findings. 6 Hence, performing a wheelie with the rear wheels blocked requires different strategies than doing so on a natural surface or on foam with various densities.…”

“…In one study, increasing the RR reduced the perceived difficulty during the balance phase and decreased rear-wheel displacement during the take-off and balance phases of the wheelie among ablebodied individuals. 6 Another group found that increasing the RR neither improved the success rate nor reduced the learning time when teaching wheelies to able-bodied individuals. 7 Although a few studies have investigated the performance of wheelies among ablebodied individuals, 1,8 the effect of varying RRs on handrim kinetics during wheelies has not been extensively studied among individuals with an SCI.…”