Original Articles
13 February 2025
Vol. 42 No. 1 (2020)
https://doi.org/10.4081/gimle.440

A COMPARISON OF THE ENERGY COSTS WITH USE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANUAL WHEELCHAIR IN DISABLED PERSONS

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Wheelchair, energy cost.
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Elena Prestifilippo
Unit of Occupational Therapy and Ergonomics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Pavia-Montescano, Italy.
Monica Panigazzi
Unit of Occupational Therapy and Ergonomics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Pavia-Montescano, Italy.
Sara Scanarotti
Unit of Occupational Therapy and Ergonomics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Pavia-Montescano, Italy.
Jonathan Seitanidis
Unit of Occupational Therapy and Ergonomics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Pavia-Montescano, Italy.
Roberto Maestri
roberto.maestri@icsmaugeri.it
Unit of Bioengineering, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Montescano (PV), Italy.
Paola Abelli
Health Administration, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Montescano (PV), Italy.
Giacomo Bazzini
Unit of Occupational Therapy and Ergonomics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Institute of Pavia-Montescano (PV), Italy.

The energy cost of physical activity is a well-documented field of research both in non-disabled subjects and in subjects with physical disabilities, in particular spinal cord lesions. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the energy cost and subjective fatigue in disabled persons who make daily use of a manual wheelchair by comparing three different types of wheelchair (standard, lightweight and ultra-light) in order to obtain indices useful for prescribing the most effective and appropriate wheelchairaid for the individual patient. The study was carried out on 18 patients affected by paraplegia or paraparesis due to spinal cord injury at different levels. Result revealed a significant difference across the three types of wheelchair, with the energy expenditure to cover 100 m increasing from the ultra-light (lowest expenditure) to the lightweight to the standard type (highest expenditure). The differences observed in the average energy consumed to cover a distance of 100 meters with the three types of wheelchair confirm the hypothesis that it is the weight of the wheelchair chosen by the rehabilitation team together with the patient that constitutes the fundamental criterion in making such a prescription. Obviously, in making the final choice, other factors as well need to be taken into account, such as the person's age and anthropometric characteristics, the nature of the disability and prognosis, the achievable degree of autonomy, functional capacities, personal preferences, the type of use (domestic or external), accessibility, reliability and durability, esthetic features, eventual accessories available, etc.

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How to Cite



A COMPARISON OF THE ENERGY COSTS WITH USE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANUAL WHEELCHAIR IN DISABLED PERSONS. (2025). Giornale Italiano Di Medicina Del Lavoro Ed Ergonomia, 42(1), 55-59. https://doi.org/10.4081/gimle.440
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