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Mechanical efficiency and user power requirement with a pushrim activated power assisted wheelchair

Arva, J and Fitzgerald, SG and Cooper, RA and Boninger, ML (2001) Mechanical efficiency and user power requirement with a pushrim activated power assisted wheelchair. Medical Engineering and Physics, 23 (10). 699 - 705. ISSN 1350-4533

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to quantify the difference in mechanical efficiency and user power generation between traditional manual wheelchairs and a pushrim activated power assisted wheelchair (PAPAW). Ten manual wheelchair users were evaluated in a repeated measures design trial with and without the PAPAW for propulsion efficiency. Subjects propelled a Quickie GP equipped with the PAPAW and their own chair on a computer controlled wheelchair dynamometer at five different resistance levels. Power output, user power with the PAPAW hubs, subjects' oxygen consumption per minute and mechanical efficiency were analyzed. Metabolic energy and user power were significantly lower (p<0.05), and mechanical efficiency significantly higher with the PAPAW than with subjects' own chairs. Subjects needed to generate on average 3.65 times more power when propelling their own wheelchairs as compared to PAPAW. Mean mechanical efficiency over all trials was 80.33% higher with the power assisted hubs. PAPAW provides on average 73% of the total power when subjects propel with power assistance. Significantly increased efficiency and reduced requirement of user power is achieved using the PAPAW. With use, the PAPAW may contribute to delaying secondary injuries of manual wheelchair users. In addition, it may be suitable for people who have (or at risk for) upper extremity joint degeneration, reduced exercise capacity, low strength or endurance who currently use electric powered wheelchairs.

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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Arva, J
Fitzgerald, SG
Cooper, RARCOOPER@pitt.eduRCOOPER
Boninger, MLboninger@pitt.eduBONINGER
Centers: Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Human Engineering Research Laboratories
Date: 1 December 2001
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Medical Engineering and Physics
Volume: 23
Number: 10
Page Range: 699 - 705
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1016/s1350-4533(01)00054-6
Schools and Programs: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 1350-4533
MeSH Headings: Adult; Efficiency; Electric Power Supplies; Energy Metabolism; Human Engineering; Humans; Oxygen Consumption; Spinal Cord Injuries--metabolism; Spinal Cord Injuries--rehabilitation; Wheelchairs
PubMed ID: 11801411
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2012 20:58
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2019 03:55
URI: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14413

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