The effect of rear wheel camber in manual wheelchair propulsion.

Eight nonimpaired subjects participated in a wheelchair exercise test using a motor-driven treadmill in order to study the effect of rear wheel camber on wheelchair ambulation. The test consisted of four runs with rear wheels in 0, 3, 6, and 9 degrees camber at four speed steps of 2, 3, 4, and 5 km/hr. There were no significant effects upon oxygen cost, heart rate, and mechanical efficiency. The kinematic parameters of push time, push angle, and abduction showed differences between 3 and 6 degrees camber. The relationship between the findings, using surface EMG results for six shoulder muscles, is discussed. For one subject, data were extended to study the angular velocities of shoulder and elbow.