Education in Motion / Resources / Manual Mobility Resources / Manual Wheelchair Propulsion

Manual Wheelchair Propulsion

Take it offline!

This Education in Motion resource is also available as a printable PDF.

Download PDF

Before a wheelchair user starts using a manual wheelchair, these key points of rear wheel position should be considered. It is essential for wheelchairs to be set up correctly and for wheelchair users to learn proper propulsion techniques. This makes manual propulsion easy - and minimizes the risk of injury.

Set Up and Positioning

Set Up diagram

Set Up

Elbow Angle diagram

Elbow Angle

Ten o'clock diagram

Ten o'clock

Two o'clock diagram

Two o'clock

Wheelchair users ideally should be seated so that the tip of the middle finger can reach the center of the hub when the upper extremity is in a relaxed position. For most end-users, this will help to ensure that 70-80% of the user's weight is over the rear wheels. It is important to note, however, that each wheelchair set up should be as individual as each wheelchair user and take into account each person's center of mass. Having 70-80% of the user's mass over the rear wheels has a positive impact on:

  • Ensuring that when the hand is placed at the center of the handrim, the elbow is at an angle of 100° to 120°. This helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints.
  • Ensuring that the hand makes contact on the handrim near ten o'clock (10:00) on the clock face, releasing near two o'clock (2:00). This maximizes access to the handrim for the duration of the push.
  • Ensuring that the majority of the person's weight is over the rear wheels ensures the wheelchair is easier to push. If the body weight is too far forward on the casters, pushing is more difficult.
  • Don't forget camber! Camber, or the lateral angle of the wheels, increases the ease of the push, as it follows the biomechanics of the shoulder while maximizing lateral stability. By adding camber to the rear wheels, this lateral position increases the ease to push and navigate turns.
Camber angle diagram

Camber Angle

Propulsion

Propulsion is broken down into two phases: the push phase and the recovery phase. The push phase refers to the time that the user's hand is physically pushing the chair, while the recovery phase (also known as the rest phase) is when the hand is waiting to make contact with the handrim again.

Ideally, the push phase duration = the recovery phase duration
Longer strokes = fewer strokes = less force = less chance of injury

Contact and Release diagram
Push and Recovery diagram

Just like anything we do in life, the ideal push requires education followed by practice! The use of video feedback is a great way for the user to review their propelling technique and to help them implement longer and fewer strokes!


References

  1. Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Clinical Practice Guideline for Health-Care Professionals. (2005). The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 28(5), 434-470. doi:10.1080/10790268.2005.11753844
  2. Symonds, A., Barbareschi, G., Taylor, S., & Holloway, C. (2017). A systematic review: The influence of real time feedback on wheelchair propulsion biomechanics. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13(1), 47-53.
  3. Wheelchair configuration for optimal propulsion: Agency for Clinical Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/spinal-cord-injury/spinal-seating/module-9/wheelchair-configuration-for-optimal-propulsion

Published: 2020-11-12


DISCLAIMER: FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY. THIS WEBSITE (AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERENCED HEREIN) DO NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Sunrise Medical (CA) LLC ("Sunrise") does not provide clinician services. The information contained on this website (and the documents referenced herein), including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, and descriptions, are for informational purposes only and should be utilized as a general resource for clinicians and suppliers to then use clinical reasoning skills to determine optimal seating and mobility solutions for individual patients. No material on this website (or any document referenced herein) is intended to be used as (or a substitute for) professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard your professional medical training when providing medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on this website (or any document referenced herein). Clinicians should review this (and any other materials) carefully and confirm information contained herein with other sources. Reliance on this website (and the information contained herein) is solely at your own risk.