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Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

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  • Title: Shoulder load during synchronous handcycling and handrim wheelchair propulsion in persons with paraplegia.
    Author: Arnet U, van Drongelen S, Scheel-Sailer A, van der Woude LH, Veeger DH.
    Journal: J Rehabil Med; 2012 Mar; 44(3):222-8. PubMed ID: 22367531.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the shoulder load during handcycling and wheelchair propulsion under similar conditions of external power in persons with spinal cord injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: Eight men with spinal cord injury. METHODS: Kinetics and kinematics were measured during handbike and wheelchair propulsion at 25, 35, 45 and 55 W on a treadmill. Shoulder load (glenohumeral contact forces, relative muscle forces) was calculated with the Delft Shoulder and Elbow Model. RESULTS: At all power output levels, glenohumeral contact forces were significantly lower during handcycling compared with wheelchair propulsion (p < 0.001). At 55 W, the mean glenohumeral contact force was 345 N for hand-cycling, whereas it was 585 N for wheelchair propulsion. Also, relative muscle forces were lower during handcycling. The largest differences between handbike and wheelchair propulsion were found in the supraspinatus (4.5% vs. 20.7%), infraspinatus (3.7% vs. 16.5%) and biceps (5.0% vs. 17.7%). CONCLUSION: Due to continuous force application in hand-cycling, shoulder load was lower compared with wheelchair propulsion. Furthermore, muscles that are prone to overuse injuries were less stressed during handcycling. Therefore, handcycling may be a good alternative for outdoor mobility and may help prevent overuse injuries of the shoulder complex.
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