Abstract:
Encouraging an active lifestyle is an essential part of successful rehabilitation programs, and
the link between physical activity and quality of life (QOL) is well established among patients
with mobility disorders. Biomechanical aspects of wheelchair design play an important role in
physical activity and social participation of disabled individuals. This review focuses on key
biomechanical features of wheeled mobility devices including propulsion methods, overuse
injuries, assistive technologies, prevention of pressure ulcers, and tire and frame design.
We briefly review the role of design modifications in increasing the physical activity and
improvement of QOL among wheelchair-bound adults.
Machine summary:
Wheelchair Design and Its Influence on Physical Activity and Quality of Life Among Disabled Individuals.
This review focuses on key biomechanical features of wheeled mobility devices including propulsion methods, overuse injuries, assistive technologies, prevention of pressure ulcers, and tire and frame design.
There is a growing body of evidence on the vital importance of physical activity among these individuals and having an active lifestyle is an essential part of successful rehabili- tation programs for patients with ambulatory disabilities * Corresponding Author: Ali Ebrahimi, MD, PhD Address: Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fewer studies have, however, assessed the role of technological advances in wheelchair design in promoting QOL, level of participation and physical activity in those with lower limb disabilities [25-29].
The current paper briefly reviews the important aspects of wheeled mobility devices that influence physical activity, participation and QOL in wheelchair-bound persons.
Different combinations of queries with the following keywords were used in PubMed; wheelchairs, physical activity, activities of daily living, disabled persons, amputees, paraplegia, quadriplegia, quality of life, social participation, cumula- tive trauma disorders and overuse injuries.
5. Hand Rim Design and Propulsion Efficiency Substantial multidisciplinary research has been dedi- cated to ergonomic modifications, configurations for op- timal performance and mobility of manual wheelchairs in sports [40].
Assessing quality of life in relation to physical activity participation in persons with spinal cord injury: a systematic review.
PMID: 7899486 [34] DiGiovine MM, Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Lawrence BM, VanSickle DP, Rentschler AJ.