The Relationship between Consistency of Propulsive Cycles and Maximum Angular Velocity during Wheelchair Racing

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to examine the consistency of wheelchair athletes’ upper-limb kinematics in consecutive propulsive cycles and to investigate the relationship between the maximum angular velocities of the upper arm and forearm and the consistency of the upper-limb kinematical pattern. Eleven elite international wheelchair racers propelled their own chairs on a roller while performing maximum speeds during wheelchair propulsion. A Qualisys motion analysis system was used to film the wheelchair propulsive cycles. Six reflective markers placed on the right shoulder, elbow, wrist joints, metacarpal, wheel axis, and wheel were automatically digitized. The deviations in cycle time, upper-arm and forearm angles, and angular velocities among these propulsive cycles were analyzed. The results demonstrated that in the consecutive cycles of wheelchair propulsion the increased maximum angular velocity may lead to increased variability in the upper-limb angular kinematics. It is speculated that this increased variability may be important for the distribution of load on different upper-extremity muscles to avoid the fatigue during wheelchair racing.

Constraints influencing sports wheelchair propulsion performance and injury risk

“…Unsurprisingly, a number of studies [4,6,34,35] have indicated that many kinematic and kinetic measures increase with speed. For example, Wang, Vrongistinos, & Xu [34] found that over consecutive pushes during wheelchair sprinting, higher range of motion values occurred around the shoulder and elbow leading to greater maximum angular velocity of the upper arm and forearm and an increased range of motion over which angular acceleration could be produced.…”

“…For example, Wang, Vrongistinos, & Xu [34] found that over consecutive pushes during wheelchair sprinting, higher range of motion values occurred around the shoulder and elbow leading to greater maximum angular velocity of the upper arm and forearm and an increased range of motion over which angular acceleration could be produced. In comparing the speed and stroke cycle characteristics during the 100 m wheelchair race, Chow [35] also found significant differences in stroke speed, length, push and recovery times at different portions of the race.…”

Measurement of push-rim forces during racing wheelchair propulsion using a novel attachable force sensor system

“…The results demonstrated that during consecutive cycles of wheelchair propulsion at maximum speed, the increased maximum angular velocity may lead to increased variability in the upper limb angular kinematics. 8 Masson et al obtained the speed and driving force measured from a roller system and used a video camera to derive push time and recovery time. Theoretical predictions of power transfer to the wheelchair were computed using a muscle-free Lagrangian dynamic model of the upper limb segments.…”

Relationship Between Shoulder Pain and Joint Reaction Forces and Muscle Moments During 2 Speeds of Wheelchair Propulsion

“…We speculated that the increased percentage time in the recovery phase would give the performer more percentage time for acceleration to speed up the hand velocity in the drive phase. 24,44 It is worth noting that the present study's participants were manual wheelchair users using recreational wheelchairs, while the participants in the study of Wang et al 24 were racing wheelchair athletes using racing wheelchairs. Therefore, regardless of the performers and wheelchair types, the propulsion ranges remained relatively constant as the speed increased.…”

“…The results of the linear velocities and accelerations of the upper extremity in the present study are consistent with the results of previous studies. 13,24,44…”