Wheelchair propulsion kinetic measurements require the use of custom pushrim force/moment measuring instruments which are not currently commercially available. With the ability to measure pushrim forces and moments has come the development of several dynamic metrics derived for analyzing key aspects of wheelchair propulsion. This paper presents several of the equations used to calculate or deri...

The influence of Multi-field coupling on EMHD (electromagnetic hydrodynamics) propulsion by surface has been numerically investigated in this paper. In former studies, induced item in Lorentz force is usually ignored due to low Reynolds number or weakly conductive fluid. However, for some special environments, this influence of induced item cannot be ignored anymore. Based on navigation model, ...

INTRODUCTION Handrim wheelchair propulsion is a mechanically inefficient mode of locomotion in comparison to arm cranking and cycling (de Groot et al., 2002). In addition, wheelchair propulsion has been associated with high physical strain and repetitive strain injuries (Janssen et al., 1994). The inefficiency of wheelchair propulsion has been attributed to factors such as, improper fit of the ...

A number of studies have examined the functional roles of individual muscles during normal walking, but few studies have examined which are the primary muscles that respond to changes in external mechanical demand. Here we use a novel combination of experimental perturbations and forward dynamics simulations to determine how muscle mechanical output and contributions to body support and forward...

This paper discusses pre-design and integration considerations involved when implementing distributed propulsion for future aircraft concepts. In this context, distributed propulsion is achieved by utilization of multiple or a single (large) fan. The distributed integration of the propulsion system leads to strong coupling between airframe aerodynamics and motive power performance, which is add...

BACKGROUND Persons with post-stroke hemiparesis usually walk slowly and asymmetrically. Stroke severity and functional walking status are commonly predicted by post-stroke walking speed. The mechanisms that limit walking speed, and by extension functional walking status, need to be understood to improve post-stroke rehabilitation methods. METHODS Three-dimensional forward dynamics walking sim...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of workload setting (speed at constant power, method to impose power) on the propulsion technique (i.e. force and timing characteristics) in handrim wheelchair propulsion. METHOD Twelve able-bodied men participated in this study. External forces were measured during handrim wheelchair propulsion on a motor driven treadmill at different velocities and con...

Reasoning for Planning and Coordination Bradley J. Clement [email protected] Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop: 126-347, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA Edmund H. Durfee [email protected] University of Michigan, EECS Department,Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA Anthony C. Barrett [email protected] Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop: 126-347, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA

The ankle plantar flexor muscles, gastrocnemius (Gas) and soleus (Sol), have been shown to play important roles in providing body support and forward propulsion during human walking. However, there has been disagreement about the relative contributions of Gas and Sol to these functional tasks. In this study, using independent manipulations of body weight and body mass, we examined the relative ...

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to examine how surface electrical stimulation of trunk musculature influences the kinematic, kinetic, and metabolic characteristics, as well as shoulder muscle activity, during wheelchair propulsion. METHODS Eleven participants with spinal cord injury propelled their own wheelchairs on a dynamometer at a speed of 1.3 m/s for three 5-minute trials. Du...