Hand-rim Forces and Gross Mechanical Efficiency at Various Frequencies of Wheelchair Propulsion

To determine the effects of push frequency changes on force application, fraction of effective force (FEF) and gross efficiency (GE) during hand-rim propulsion. 8 male able-bodied participants performed five 4-min sub-maximal exercise bouts at 1.8 m·s  − 1 ; the freely chosen frequency (FCF), followed by 4 counter-balanced trials at 60, 80, 120 and 140% FCF. Kinetic data was obtained using a SMART Wheel , measuring forces and moments. The GE was determined as the ratio of external work done and the total energy expended. Increased push frequency led to reductions in peak resultant force (P