Abstract
PURPOSE: This study was measured the differences in the flexor and extensor muscle activities of the elbow joints based on the tire pressure of wheelchairs during propulsion, investigating the optimal tire pressure for improving occupants' propulsion and avoiding related injury. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers (10 men aged $23.1{\pm}1.9years$, weight: $67.9{\pm}3.4kg$, height: $175.1{\pm}2.7cm$) took part in the study. The mean values used in the statistical process were obtained from values measured while a subject sitting on a wheelchair propelled himself forward for 10 meters on a flat floor at maximum speed. The tire pressure of the wheelchairs was set at 100 psi, 50 psi, and 25 psi. All of the subjects performed wheelchair propulsion for each pressure. This study was measured the activation of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles on the dominant side during wheelchair propulsion. The measured data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) via the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 12.0 for Windows to compare the muscle activity. RESULTS: The muscle activities of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii were significant differences between each pressure group. The post hoc test found statistically significant differences between 100 psi and 50 psi and 100 psi and 25 psi for the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles, respectively. CONCLUSION: The maintaining proper tire pressure in a wheelchair may help to prevent overuse syndrome in the occupant's elbow joints.