Analysis of whole-body vibration during manual wheelchair propulsion: A comparison of seat cushions and back supports for individuals without a disability

DiGiovine, CP and Cooper, RA and Wolf, E and Fitzgerald, SG and Boninger, ML (2003) Analysis of whole-body vibration during manual wheelchair propulsion: A comparison of seat cushions and back supports for individuals without a disability. Assistive Technology, 15 (2). 129 - 144. ISSN 1040-0435

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Abstract

Whole-body vibration exposure has been found to be detrimental to the health of humans owing to effects such as degraded comfort, disc degeneration, and lower back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine if selected seat cushions and back supports minimize the transmission of vibrations during manual wheelchair propulsion. Ten unimpaired participants traversed an activities of daily living course using four seat cushions and four back supports. Vibrations were measured using triaxial accelerometers. The time domain and frequency domain transmissibility was used to determine if differences exist among seat cushions and back supports. Differences were found among the four seat cushions and four back supports. Seat cushion and back support manufacturers should concentrate on single-event shocks and repeated shocks, as opposed to oscillatory motions and self-generated vibrations, because the vibrations generated by these events tend to reside in the range of frequencies most sensitive to humans. Vibrations in this range of frequencies have the greatest effect on the transmission of whole-body vibration during manual wheelchair propulsion. Differences among the seat cushions and back supports appear to be due to the seat cushion/back support design and postural support. From a clinical perspective, the time domain transmissibility best describes the transmission of whole-body vibration. © 2003 RESNA.

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Details

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Creators/Authors:	Creators Email Pitt Username ORCID DiGiovine, CP Cooper, RA RCOOPER@pitt.edu RCOOPER Wolf, E Fitzgerald, SG Boninger, ML boninger@pitt.edu BONINGER
Centers:	Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Human Engineering Research Laboratories
Date:	1 December 2003
Date Type:	Publication
Journal or Publication Title:	Assistive Technology
Volume:	15
Number:	2
Page Range:	129 - 144
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1080/10400435.2003.10131897
Schools and Programs:	School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1040-0435
MeSH Headings:	Acceleration; Activities of Daily Living; Equipment Design; Female; Human Engineering; Humans; Low Back Pain--etiology; Male; Materials Testing; Posture; Vibration--adverse effects; Wheelchairs
PubMed ID:	15137730
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2012 19:16
Last Modified:	05 Feb 2019 03:55
URI:	http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15700

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