pilot study for quantifying driving characteristics during power wheelchair soccer

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Kumar A, Karmarkar AM, Collins DM, Souza A, OysterML, Cooper R, Cooper RA. Pilot study for quantifying driving characteristics during power wheelchair soccer. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(1):75–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2010.09.0191

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2010.09.0191JSP

Pilot study for quantifying driving characteristics during

power wheelchair soccer

Amit Kumar, MS, PT; Amol M. Karmarkar, PhD; Diane M. Collins, PhD; Ana Souza, MS, PT;

Michelle L. Oyster, MS; Rosemarie Cooper, MPT; Rory A. Cooper, PhD



• Study Aim– Determine driving characteristics of wheelchair users during

power wheelchair (PWC) soccer games.

• Relevance– Participation in adapted sports significantly enhances quality

of life for veterans with disabilities.– However, individuals with greater physical impairment and

who rely on a PWC have difficulty participating in regular physical activity and are at risk for adopting sedentary lifestyles.

– Little literature exists on PWC use during sports and other mobility-related activities.



Methods• Data were collected at 28th and 29th National

Veterans Wheelchair Games from veterans who were 18 or older and PWC soccer players. – Customized data-logging device was placed on

participant’s wheelchair before power soccer game participation and removed after his/her final game.



Results

Average Distance Traveled 899.5 m

Average Maximum Continuous Distance Traveled 256.0 m

Average Wheelchair Speed 0.8 m/s

Average Duration of Driving Time 17.6 min

Average Proportion of Time Spent at−

>1 m/s 30.7%

0.5 to 1 m/s 16.2%

<0.5 m/s 21.4%



Conclusions• Results may provide future insights to researchers in

adapted sports for people with high-level physical impairments.

• Data loggers may be play significant role in optimizing sports performance through design of customized PWCs, programmable controls, and wheelchair drive types.

• Future studies may include electronic devices that quantify level of participation in PWC sports or risks of injuries, such as seat shear, during adapted sports participation.

pilot study for quantifying driving characteristics during power wheelchair soccer

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