Effects of Trunk Functional Capacity on the Control of Angular Momentum During Manual Wheelchair Braking

Background: Manual wheelchair braking induces an upper body angular impulse which must be controlled by joint moments to prevent a forward fall. Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the effects trunk functional capacity (low, high) on rate change in sagittal plane momentum during manual braking. Methods: Eight users (4 low function, 4 high function) completed 10 trials abrupt Trunk segment angles and abdominal angles, normalized upper-body impulses were computed for each trial. Linear mixed models with initial velocity as covariate used differences between groups. Results: function group had higher than mean difference (MD) ± SE 1.59 0.65 N∙m∙s/kg/m 2 , 95% CI 0.287 2.89, p = 0.018. also extension angle, MD –13.98 degrees, CI: –26.27 –1.69, .027. employed greater range motion when compared group, 12.14 –24.48 0.21, 0.054. Lower fall risk Conclusion: Wheelchair less may at increased suffering bringing their stop due impaired ability arrest momentum.