Evaluation of ambulatory performance of the arm propelled three-wheeled chair using heart rate as a control index

Citation
G. Mukherjee et A. Samanta, Evaluation of ambulatory performance of the arm propelled three-wheeled chair using heart rate as a control index, DISABIL REH, 22(10), 2000, pp. 464-470
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Rehabilitation
Journal title
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
ISSN journal
09638288 → ACNP
Volume
22
Issue
10
Year of publication
2000
Pages
464 - 470
Database
ISI
SICI code
0963-8288(20000710)22:10<464:EOAPOT>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
Purpose : The Arm propelled three wheeled chair (APTWC) is in common use in the economically poor countries for outdoor ambulation. the propulsion for ce of which is exerted by arm cranking in asynchronous fashion. The purpose of the study was to assess the ambulatory performance of the users of the device using heart rate as a control index, at graded speeds. Method: Fifteen regular users of APTWC male with paraplegia and poliomyelit is were ambulated at seven different graded speeds in outdoor settings and the resting and ambulatory heart rate was measured during steady state and then physiological cost index and comfortable speed of propulsion was compu ted. Results: The physiological strain, linear regression of the relationship be tween heart rate and speed with correlation coefficient of r = 0.86 (p < 0. 001), polynomial regression of the relationship between physiological cost index (PCI) and speed with correlation coefficient of r = 0.83 (p < 0.001) and comfortable speed of propulsion (120 m/min) was reported. Conclusions: Heart rate can be used to evaluate the ambulatory performance of the device, quantifying energy economy for outcome evaluation and decisi on making for clinical recommendation.