Seat and Footrest Shocks and Vibrations in Manual Wheelchairs
Authors
Rory A. Cooper, Erik Wolf, Shirley G. Fitzgerald, Michael L. Boninger, Rhys Ulerich, William A. Ammer
Summary
This study evaluates the effectiveness of suspension caster forks (SCFs) and rear-suspension systems in reducing shocks and vibrations in manual wheelchairs. Key findings include:
- SCFs significantly reduce both seat and footrest vibrations across a wide range of frequencies, improving user comfort.
- Rear-suspension systems provide some vibration reduction but are not consistently superior to traditional designs.
- Vibrations in the range of 4-12 Hz, which overlap with the human body’s natural frequency, pose the greatest injury risks.
The study highlights that suspension systems like SCFs should be considered for active users or those experiencing chronic pain, while rear-suspension designs require further refinement for optimal performance.
Keywords
suspension systems, shock absorption, vibration reduction, wheelchair comfort, injury prevention