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N. Babu Rajendra Kurup, M. Puchinger, M. Gföhler:
"Forward dynamic optimization of handle path and muscle activity for handle based isokinetic wheelchair propulsion: A simulation study";
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 21 (2018), 9.

Push-rim wheelchair propulsion is biomechanically inefficient and physiologically stressful to the
musculoskeletal structure of human body. This study focuses to obtain a new, optimized propulsion
shape for wheelchair users, which is within the ergonomic ranges of joint motion, thus
reducing the probability of injuries. To identify the propulsion movement, forward dynamic optimization
was performed on a 3D human musculoskeletal model linked to a handle based propulsion
mechanism, having shape and muscle excitations as optimization variables. The
optimization resulted in a handle path shape with a circularity ratio of 0.95, and produced a net
propulsion power of 34.7 watts for an isokinetic propulsion cycle at 50 rpm. Compared to pushrim
propulsion, the compact design of the new propulsion mechanism along with the ergonomically
optimized propulsion shape may help to reduce the risk of injuries and thus improve the
quality of life for wheelchair users.

Rehabilitation, Rollstuhl, wheelchair, Antrieb, propulsion, Wheelchair propulsion, Kinematic analysis, Hand propulsion

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2018.1527321

https://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/publik_274355.pdf