ABSTRACT
The equipment for evaluating the propulsion of a wheelchair is very complex and expensive. To validate a new dynamometer prototype for assessing the propulsion capacity of wheelchairs, 21 healthy subjects (age: 20.9±2.4 yr; weight: 68.9±7.9 kg; height: 174.0±7.1 cm; BMI: 22.7±2.5 kg·m -2 ) who do not normally require wheelchairs performed a sprint protocol for 20 s after a 1-min warm-up. The power and rotation data acquired by the prototype (both right and left sides) were compared with those of a reference system via high-speed videography (240 fps). The results showed high levels of accordance (95% CI), excellent values for the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC: .99; P <0.00), no significant differences in the rotation ( P =0.91) and power ( P =0.94) between the methods. The proposed equipment met the validation criteria and thus can be applied as a new tool for assessing wheelchair propulsion.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT To check the cardiac and perceptual responses an incremental protocol on the wheelchair dynamometer, eight volunteers were intentionally selected and evaluated in an experimental session using a compact dynamometer for wheelchairs. A standard wheelchair was used by all participants. After familiarization period, there was a progressive protocol, increasing rate of 5% per minute. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE, 6-20) were measured at the end of every minute. HR on stage 8 was higher compared to the stages 1 and 2. The RPE differed in the first 5 stages. There was a high correlation between FP and FC (r = 0.93; p = 0.0006), and between HR and RPE (r = 0.98; p <0.0001). It was concluded that the equipment has specificity for evaluation of kinetic and kinematic variables of the movement in wheelchairs at the expense of cardiac variables.
RESUMO Para verificar as respostas cardíacas e perceptivas a um protocolo de incremental no dinamômetro para cadeiras de rodas, oito voluntários foram selecionados intencionalmente, e avaliados numa sessão experimental usando um dinamômetro compacto para cadeiras de rodas. Uma cadeira de rodas padronizada foi utilizada por todos os participantes. Após período de familiarização, realizou-se um protocolo progressivo, com incremento de velocidade de 5% por minuto. A frequência cardíaca (FC) e a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE, 6-20) foram medidas ao final de cada minuto. A FC no estágio 8 foi maior em comparação aos estágios 1 e 2. A PSE diferenciou-se nos primeiros 5 estágios. Verificou-se alta correlação entre a FP e a FC (r=0,93; p=0.0006), e entre a FC e a PSE (r=0,98; p<0.0001). Concluiu-se que o equipamento possui especificidade para avaliações de variáveis cinéticas e cinemáticas do movimento em cadeiras de rodas, em detrimento das variáveis cardíacas.