The effect of a novel square-profile hand rim on propulsion technique of wheelchair tennis players

Sonja de Groot*, Femke Bos, Jorine Koopman, Aldo E Hoekstra, Riemer J K Vegter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)
147 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a square-profile hand rim (SPR) on propulsion technique of wheelchair tennis players. Eight experienced wheelchair tennis players performed two sets of three submaximal exercise tests and six sprint tests on a wheelchair ergometer, once with a regular rim (RR) and once with a SPR. Torque and velocity were measured continuously and power output and timing variables were calculated. No significant differences were found in propulsion technique between the RR and SPR during the submaximal tests. When sprinting with the racket, the SPR showed a significantly lower overall speed (9.1 vs. 9.8 m s(-1)), maximal speed (10.5 vs. 11.4 m s(-1)), and maximal acceleration (18.6 vs. 10.9 m s(-2)). The SPR does not seem to improve the propulsion technique when propelling a wheelchair with a tennis racket in the hand. However, the results gave input for new hand rim designs for wheelchair tennis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)38-44
Number of pages7
JournalApplied Ergonomics
Volume71
Early online date16-Apr-2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept-2018

Keywords

  • Design
  • Task performance and analysis
  • Torque
  • Wheelchair ergonomics
  • Wheelchair tennis
  • acceleration
  • article
  • ergometer
  • ergonomics
  • exercise test
  • human
  • task performance
  • tennis
  • torque
  • wheelchair

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