| Wheelchair ramp navigation in snow and ice-grit conditions. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 20875508 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
OBJECTIVE: To explore manual wheelchair propulsion strategies for ramp ascent and descent in snow and snow-ice-grit conditions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Climatic Engineering and Testing Chamber (Ottawa, Canada). PARTICIPANTS: Manual wheelchair users (N=11) who typically self-propel their wheelchair in winter. INTERVENTIONS: Ramp ascent and descent at 3 grades (1:10, 1:12, 1:16) and 2 winter conditions (packed snow, packed snow with a freezing rain cover, and traction grit). MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Type of ascent and descent strategy, success rate, number and severity of obstructions, average speed, and perceived ramp navigation rating. A questionnaire regarding the subject's past experiences with wheelchair propulsion in winter. RESULTS: Snow accumulation on ramps at 1:10 grade will render the ramp inaccessible for many wheelchair users who do not have external assistance. For snow conditions, the transition area from the level group to the first 2m of ramp incline were the most difficult to traverse for both ascent and descent. All subjects were able to ascend and descend the ramp for the ice-grit condition. Two-railing propulsion is a preferred strategy for ice-grit ramp navigation because of enhanced trajectory control and reducing the potential for wheel-slip problems. Backwards ramp ascent was a successful strategy for ascent in soft-snow conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The 1:16 grade is preferred for winter ramp navigation. Backwards ramp ascent for snow conditions should be considered for people with sufficient shoulder and trunk range of motion. Two handrails are recommended for exterior ramps for both propulsion and wheelchair extraction from ruts and other snow-related obstacles. For ice ramp navigation, the amount of grit required and the effective time (ie, time to when grit becomes embedded in snow-ice, becoming much less effective) should be addressed in further research. Front wheels typically available with manual wheelchairs are not appropriate for soft-snow conditions. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Edward D Lemaire; Patricia A O'Neill; Marcel M Desrosiers; D Gordon Robertson |
Related Documents
:
|
11926328 - A kinematic study of the upper-limb motion of wheelchair basketball shooting in tetrapl... 16061318 - Characterization of upper arm synergies during reaching tasks in able-bodied and hemipa... 11415838 - Velocity effects on the scapulo-humeral rhythm. 19964378 - Development of prosthetic arm with pneumatic prosthetic hand and tendon-driven wrist. 20846738 - Differences between experts and novices in kinematics and accuracy of golf putting. 21096378 - Dual-monitor deterministic hardware for visual stimuli generation in neuroscience exper... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Volume: 91 ISSN: 1532-821X ISO Abbreviation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Publication Date: 2010 Oct |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2010-09-29 Completed Date: 2010-10-19 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 2985158R Medline TA: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Country: United States |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 1516-23 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Copyright Information:
|
Copyright © 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
|
Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, ON, Canada. elemaire@toh.on.ca |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Adult Architectural Accessibility / methods* Cross-Sectional Studies Female Humans Male Middle Aged Seasons Snow* Wheelchairs* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Is fatigue associated with short-term health-related quality of life in stroke?
Next Document: Weight-bearing asymmetry in relation to measures of impairment and functional mobility for people wi...