The purpose of this study was to establish whether bilateral symmetry exist
s during wheelchair propulsion in the elbow movement pattern of trained whe
elchair racers. Seven endurance-trained wheelchair racers volunteered to pa
rticipate in the study. Each subject was recorded by two-dimensional video
analysis while pushing on a single-roller wheelchair ergometer at 14 mph (6
.58 ms(-1)) in their own racing wheelchair. The range of elbow flexion, elb
ow orientation and selected timing parameters including cycle time and time
spent in contact with the handrim (propulsion phase) were obtained from bo
th left and right sides. Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks tests determin
ed the differences between the left and right sagittal plane images of whee
lchair propulsion. Furthermore, the Bland-Altman method determined the agre
ement between the left and right sagittal plane images. The results indicat
ed that the propulsion phase, elbow height and elbow angular displacement c
haracteristics were not significantly different between right and left side
s. The right elbow was higher than the left during the recovery phase, but
the magnitude of this difference was only 0.03 m (N.S). Factors associated
with chair design and the athlete's posture may have contributed to the sma
ll differences noted between left and right sides. In conclusion, the resul
ts appear to suggest that the assumption of bilateral symmetry of the elbow
movement pattern during wheelchair propulsion is valid for the group. Howe
ver, it is important to note that asymmetries exist in individuals and furt
her research is warranted.