This study determined and compared wheelchair mobility patterns for older adults during an organized sporting event and within their community. In July 2008, 39 veterans participating in the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games (Omaha, Nebraska) completed the study. Of these, 26 were manual wheelchair and 13 were power wheelchair users. We collected wheelchair-related mobility data using whe...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a new user-adjustable wheelchair seating system designed to relieve discomfort for long-duration wheelchair users. DESIGN This objective was carried out using the newly developed Tool for Assessing Wheelchair disComfort (TAWC) as the primary outcome measure. Two wheelchair users each tested two different designs and fee...

Large accessible transit vehicles (LATVs, fixed-route intracity buses), generally considered safe, may not be as safe for wheelchair-seated passengers. Transit provider practices vary regarding use of wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems (WTORSs), while recent research suggests high levels of WTORS disuse and misuse. We sought to better understand wheelchair and wheelchair passenge...

BACKGROUND Providing wheelchairs without comprehensive support services might be detrimental to user satisfaction and function. OBJECTIVES This paper compares wheelchair user satisfaction and function before and after implementation of comprehensive wheelchair services, based on the World Health Organization guidelines on wheelchair service provision in less resourced settings, in Zimbabwe. ...

BACKGROUND Within a rights-based paradigm, wheelchairs are essential in the promotion of user autonomy, dignity, freedom, inclusion and participation. OBJECTIVES This paper aimed to describe a group of Zimbabwean wheelchair users' satisfaction with wheelchairs, wheelchair services and wheelchair function. METHOD A mixed method, descriptive study was done. Quantitative data was collected fro...

BACKGROUND Wheelchairs provide mobility that can enhance function and community integration. Function in a wheelchair is influenced by wheelchair design. OBJECTIVES To explore the impact of wheelchair design on user function and the variables that guided wheelchair prescription in the study setting. METHOD A mixed-method, descriptive design using convenience sampling was implemented. Quanti...

The characteristics of lead-acid batteries for wheelchairs in terms of a new empirical equation for the capacity, application of the Palmgren-Miner Rule for sizing the battery, and the effect of depth of discharge on the life cycles is presented. A brief section about selecting an economical battery for an electric wheelchair is included.

Optimizing mobility performance in wheelchair court sports (basketball, rugby and tennis) is dependent on a combination of factors associated with the user, the wheelchair and the interfacing between the two. Substantial research has been attributed to the wheelchair athlete yet very little has focused on the role of the wheelchair and the wheelchair-user combination. This article aims to revie...

Manual wheelchair propulsion is a straining form of ambulation, both for the cardio-respiratory as well as the musculo-skeletal system. Wheelchair locomotion implies arm work in every other activity in daily life. Compared to leg work, wheelchair arm work is much less efficient and more straining, and subsequently leads to a lower work capacity. Underlying pathology may further influence perfor...

This study examined the usage of powered seating functions, including tilt-in-space, backrest recline, and seat elevation, among a group of wheelchair users during their typical daily activities. Twelve individuals who used a power wheelchair with seating functions participated in the study. They drove their own wheelchair and used the seating functions as needed in their community environment ...