Citation

Bossuyt FM, Arnet U, Cools A, Rigot S, de Vries W, Eriks-Hoogland I, Boninger ML. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, 4028 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PHM.0000000000001267

PMID

31335344

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine if fatigue-inducing wheelchair propulsion changes neuromuscular activation and propulsion biomechanics and to determine predictor variables of susceptibility to fatigue.

DESIGN: This study with a quasi-experimental, one-group, pretest posttest design investigates a population-based sample of wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury (n=34, age: 50.8±9.7 years, 82% males). Muscular activation and propulsion biomechanics during treadmill propulsion at 25W and 45W were assessed before and after a protocol designed to cause fatigue.

RESULTS: With the induced fatigue, wheelchair users propelled with increased muscular activation in the pectoralis major pars sternalis, deltoideus pars acormialis and upper trapezius (45W, p<0.05) and a slightly reduced push angle (25W: 75° to 74°, p<0.05, 45W: 78° to 76°, p<0.05). Wheelchair users susceptible to fatigue (47%) were more often complete, injured at an older age and had less years since injury. This group propelled in general with shorter push angle and greater maximum resultant force, had a greater anaerobic capacity and less muscular activation.

CONCLUSIONS: Compensation strategies in response to fatiguing propulsion could increase the risk of shoulder injury. Predictor variables of susceptibility to fatigue inform interventions preserving shoulder health and include lesion characteristics, propulsion technique, anaerobic capacity, and muscular activation.

Language: en