29th Annual RESNA Conference Proceedings



Take-off Strategies Used to Initiate Wheelchair Wheelies: a Kinematic Verification

Kim Parker, MASc, R. Lee Kirby, MD, Rebecca Li

ABSTRACT

We recorded wheelchair kinematics (Optotrak) and surface electromyography (EMG) of the left upper limb as a single skilled subject performed four trials of a stationary wheelie on a smooth level surface. Both forward-only and backward-forward take-off strategies were used. Wheelchair displacement and pitch results were derived. Regardless of take-off strategy, there were no identifiable latencies between the onsets of forward displacement and rear pitch during the take-off phases in all trials. The biceps and forearm muscles were the most active, but the magnitude of the EMG did not exceed 20% of the maximum voluntary contraction in any trial. The temporal EMG patterns were somewhat variable among trials. These findings have implications for future studies.

Keywords:

wheelchair, wheelie, rehabilitation, kinematics, electromyography

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kim Parker, CLFL
QEII Health Sciences Centre
1341 Summer Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4K4
(902) 473-2893.



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