UPPER EXTREMITY JOINT KINETICS EXPRESSION DURING WHEELCHAIR PROPULSION

摘要

In the wheelchair propulsion literature it is common to report upper extremity joint kinetics as a means to express the load being experienced by the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The task of choosing the appropriate kinetic resolution coordinate system for upper extremity joint forces and moments has shown itself to be a lab-specific process. The differences which arise during interpretation may hinder a clear and broad understanding of upper extremity joint kinetics during wheelchair propulsion. The goal of this communication was to address the inconsistency of kinetic reporting in the wheelchair literature that addresses the pain and injury experienced by manual wheelchair users. To highlight the variety of reporting methods in wheelchair propulsion this note surveyed peer-reviewed, published manuscripts reporting wrist, elbow, or shoulder joint intersegmental forces and moments calculated from inverse dynamics during wheelchair propulsion. To correct this inconsistency, there may be a need for standardization to achieve the goal of a cohesive comprehension of wheelchair biomechanics. This communication is provided to open discussion on the anatomical and clinical relevance of currently employed coordinate systems and other available options, with the additional goal of providing an initial recommendation for kinetic representation during wheelchair propulsion.