Conclusion : Exercise training programs seem to be effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .
However , there is remarkably little research , particularly for individuals who do not have spinal-cord injury
Objective : An adequate wheelchair propulsion capacity is required to perform daily life activities .
Exercise training may be effective to gain or improve wheelchair propulsion capacity .
This review investigates whether different types of exercise training programs are effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .
Influence of training on biomechanics of wheelchair propulsion.
A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was used to compare pre- and posttraining biomechanical and physiological characteristics of wheelchair propulsion in manual wheelchair users ( MWCU ) across fresh and fatigue states . An instrumented wheelchair ergometer , 3D motion analysis , and computerized open-circuit spirometry were used to collect joint kinetics and kinematics , h and rim kinetics , propulsion temporal characteristics , and oxygen uptake pre- and posttraining during a submaximal exercise test to exhaustion . Each subject ( n = 19 ) participated in a specific intervention program of supervised therapeutic exercise ( strengthening , stretching , and aerobic exercise ) for 6 weeks . Pre- and posttraining measurements were compared with the use of ANOVA with repeated measures . Significant training effects included increased exercise loads for all strengthening activities , decreased stroke frequency , increased maximum elbow extension angle , increased trunk and shoulder flexion/extension range of motion ( ROM ) , increased h and rim propulsive moment , increased wrist extension moment , and increased power output . Results suggest that this training program increased biomechanical economy ( as defined by propulsive moment ) without increasing shoulder or elbow joint stresses
Conclusion : Exercise training programs seem to be effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .
However , there is remarkably little research , particularly for individuals who do not have spinal-cord injury
Objective : An adequate wheelchair propulsion capacity is required to perform daily life activities .
Exercise training may be effective to gain or improve wheelchair propulsion capacity .
This review investigates whether different types of exercise training programs are effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .