The Influence of Age at Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury and Years of Wheelchair Use on Shoulder Complex Joint Dynamics During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion.

Objective: To assess the association of age at pediatric-onset spinal cord injury (SCI) and years of manual wheelchair use with shoulder dynamics.

Design: Upper extremity kinematics and hand-rim kinetics were obtained during manual wheelchair propulsion. An inverse dynamics model computed three-dimensional acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and glenohumeral joint dynamics.

Three-Dimensional Biomechanics of the Trunk and Upper Extremity During Overhead Throwing in Wheelchair Lacrosse Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: Quantify differences in overhead throwing kinematics between wheelchair lacrosse athletes with spinal cord injury and able-bodied lacrosse athletes.

Design: This is a cross-sectional, prospective study. Motion analysis captured overhead throwing motions of five wheelchair lacrosse athletes with spinal cord injury and six able-bodied lacrosse athletes seated in a wheelchair and standing.

Effect of Rotation Sequence on Thoracohumeral Joint Kinematics during Various Shoulder Postures.

Current methods for selecting a rotation sequence to biomechanically model shoulder joint angles during motion assessment are challenging and controversial due to insufficient knowledge of their effect on the clinical interpretation of movement. Seven rotation sequences were examined by factors including incidences of gimbal lock and joint angle error in two healthy adults during 12 postures using right and left arms. This work was the first to explore the effects of each of the six Cardan angle sequences and the International Society of Biomechanics recommended YXY Euler sequence on the thoracohumeral joint in an array of postures.

Biological Sex-Related Differences in Glenohumeral Dynamics Variability during Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Propulsion.

Shoulder pain and pathology are extremely common in adult manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). Within this population, biological sex and variability in shoulder joint dynamics have been shown to be important contributors to both shoulder pain and pathology. Sex-related differences in shoulder dynamics variability during pediatric manual wheelchair propulsion may influence a user's lifetime risk of shoulder pain and pathology.

The Influence of Sex on Upper Extremity Joint Dynamics in Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury.

Introduction: Manual wheelchair propulsion is a physically demanding task associated with upper extremity pain and pathology. Shoulder pain is reported in over 25% of pediatric manual wheelchairs users, and this number rises over the lifespan. Upper extremity biomechanics in adults has been associated with shoulder pain and pathology; however, few studies have investigated upper extremity joint dynamics in children.

Biomechanical analysis of wheelchair athletes with paraplegia during cross-training exercises.

Context: Extreme conditioning programs (ECPs), such as CrossFit, are a relatively new method of fitness with rapid growth in individuals with paraplegia. However, it is unknown if wheelchair users are at an additional risk of musculoskeletal injury during these exercises. Biomechanical characterization is necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of ECPs as an exercise modality for wheelchair users with paraplegia.

Shoulder complex kinematics pre- and post- rotator cuff repair.

This study investigated shoulder complex joint kinematics and functional outcomes before and after full-thickness supraspinatus rotator cuff repair. Nine adults (mean age 63.4 ± 6.

A comparison of glenohumeral joint kinematics and muscle activation during standard and geared manual wheelchair mobility.

The high prevalence of upper extremity joint injuries among manual wheelchair users is largely attributed to the high repetitive loading during propulsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using geared wheels for manual wheelchair mobility on shoulder joint biomechanics. Fourteen able-bodied participants performed overground propulsion and ramp ascension using standard and geared manual wheelchair wheels.

Glenohumeral joint dynamics and shoulder muscle activity during geared manual wheelchair propulsion on carpeted floor in individuals with spinal cord injury.

This study investigated the effects of using geared wheels on glenohumeral joint dynamics and shoulder muscle activity during manual wheelchair propulsion. Seven veterans with spinal cord injury propelled their wheelchairs equipped with geared wheels over a carpeted floor in low gear (1.5:1) and standard gear (1:1) conditions.

Evaluation of shoulder joint kinematics and muscle activity during geared and standard manual wheelchair mobility.

Manual wheelchairs often lead to reduced independent function and an increase in shoulder pain and injuries. Geared manual wheelchairs may be a promising alternative that reduces the biomechanical demands of the shoulder needed for tasks such as propulsion on ramps and carpeted floors, while maximizing function and participation. To investigate the effects of geared manual wheelchair mobility during demanding tasks such as ramp ascent, six able-bodied subjects were evaluated in this study.

Biomechanics of Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Mobility.

Currently, there is limited research of the biomechanics of pediatric manual wheelchair mobility. Specifically, the biomechanics of functional tasks and their relationship to joint pain and health is not well understood. To contribute to this knowledge gap, a quantitative rehabilitation approach was applied for characterizing upper extremity biomechanics of manual wheelchair mobility in children and adolescents during propulsion, starting, and stopping tasks.

Biomechanical response to ladder slipping events: Effects of hand placement.

Ladder falling accidents are a significant, growing and severe occupational hazard. The factors that contribute to falls from ladders and specifically those that influence the motor response from ladder falls are not well understood. The aims of this research were to determine the effects of hand placement (rung versus rail) on muscle activation onset and peak activity timing in response to slipping on a ladder and to sequence the timing of events following slip initiation.

Evaluation of pediatric manual wheelchair mobility using advanced biomechanical methods.

There is minimal research of upper extremity joint dynamics during pediatric wheelchair mobility despite the large number of children using manual wheelchairs. Special concern arises with the pediatric population, particularly in regard to the longer duration of wheelchair use, joint integrity, participation and community integration, and transitional care into adulthood. This study seeks to provide evaluation methods for characterizing the biomechanics of wheelchair use by children with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Upper extremity biomechanics of children with spinal cord injury during wheelchair mobility.

While much work is being done evaluating the upper extremity joint dynamics of adult manual wheelchair propulsion, limited work has examined the pediatric population of manual wheelchair users. Our group used a custom pediatric biomechanical model to characterize the upper extremity joint dynamics of 12 children and adolescents with spinal cord injury (SCI) during wheelchair propulsion. Results show that loading appears to agree with that of adult manual wheelchair users, with the highest loading primarily seen at the glenohumeral joint.

Biomechanical model for evaluation of pediatric upper extremity joint dynamics during wheelchair mobility.

Pediatric manual wheelchair users (MWU) require high joint demands on their upper extremity (UE) during wheelchair mobility, leading them to be at risk of developing pain and pathology. Studies have examined UE biomechanics during wheelchair mobility in the adult population; however, current methods for evaluating UE joint dynamics of pediatric MWU are limited. An inverse dynamics model is proposed to characterize three-dimensional UE joint kinematics and kinetics during pediatric wheelchair mobility using a SmartWheel instrumented handrim system.