Biomechanical analysis of wheelchair stationary wheelie

• Main Authors: Wei-Chien Fang, 方薇茜
• Other Authors: Yu-Sheng Yang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/98263518358466949491

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 職能治療學研究所 === 99 === Wheelie is an advanced wheelchair skill; however, most wheelchair users did not know how to perform it. Previous study had indicated wheelie training and wheelie balance strategy; but, there was a lack of research literatures regarding wheelie performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanics of wheelchair wheelie. We investigated the relationship between wheelie skill and balance by examining kinematic and kinetic variables, and investigating the difference due to gender effect. Forty-six health adults (25 male, and 21 female) popped and maintained a stationary wheelie for 30 seconds in three trails within a force plate. Kinematic and kinetic data during a wheelie activity were measured. The Pearson''s correlation was used to find any significant correlation between kinematic and kinetic variables. Independent t-test was used to exam variables due to gender effect. Visual analysis during a wheelie was used to identify the take-off patterns. Results showed that there are three take-off patterns: 1) forward- -backward-forward pattern, 2) backward-forward pattern, and 3) forward only pattern. In the take-off phase, the pitch angle had no significant correlation with pitch force. In the balance phase, averaged pitch angle had significant positive correlation with trunk forward angles and force. The deviation of pitch angles increased significant in the sway of center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP). However, neither the COM-COP distance nor the COM-COP inclination angle had significant relationship with pitch angles. The COM-COP distance was significant correlation with the trunk forward angle. Kinematic variables showed the significant differences due to gender effect. Greater forward lean of the trunk angle and larger deviation of COM was found among male subjects. In conclusion, wheelie postural control had related to pitch angle, COM, COP, and trunk-forward angles. The sway of pitch angle during a stationary wheelie can be an indication of balance. The beginners should start with forward-backward-forward pattern to take-off the wheelchair. Once reaching a balance point, it should keep a steady pitch angle entirely to maintain the balance. If the pitch angle was too high, leaning forward could be compensated the balance. However, too much forward lean could loss the balance. Therefore, it is important to understand this phenomenon of losses and gains during a stationary wheelie.