A wheelchair ergometer adaptable to the rear-wheel camber

The purpose was to investigate the propulsion cycle on each wheel during maximal wheelchair sprints when performed on a roller ergometer that can be adjusted according to wheel camber. Seven male wheelchair basketball players participated in this investigation. They performed three 8-s maximal sprints as measured by a wheelchair ergometer (9 degrees, 12 degrees, 15 degrees). No significant difference was found between the three wheel cambers used and between the right and the left sides of the wheelchair. The mean values for: residual torque 0.29 +/- 0.06 Nm, velocity 4.28 +/- 0.41 ms(-1), power output 81.67 +/- 16.76 W, cycle time 0.41 +/- 0.03 s and push time 0.15 +/- 0.02 s were found. This study indicates that angular adjustment of the ergometer rollers allow a low residual torque to be maintained with equipped wheelchairs even for wheels with a high camber (up to 15 degrees). The athletes can thus use wheelchairs with a high wheel camber for laboratory tests. Relevance to industry The results of this study provide some ergonomic recommendations for the design of wheelchair ergometer and in this way contributing to the further development of novel wheelchair design. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.