Pilot study for quantifying driving characteristics during power wheelchair soccer

Abstract

Abstract-This study determined the driving characteristics of wheelchair users during power wheelchair soccer games. Data for this study were collected at the 28th and 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Nineteen veterans who were 18 years or older and power wheelchair soccer players completed a brief demographic survey and provided information about their power wheelchairs. A customized data-logging device was placed on each participant's wheelchair before power soccer game participation. The data logger was removed at the end of the final game for each participant. The average distance traveled during the games was 899.5 +/-592.5 m, and the average maximum continuous distance traveled was 256.0 +/-209.4 m. The average wheelchair speed was 0.8 +/-0.2 m/s, and the average duration of driving time was 17.6 +/-8.3 min. Average proportion of time spent at a speed >1 m/s was 30.7% +/-33.8%, between 0.5 and 1 m/s was 16.2% +/-34.4%, and <0.5 m/s was 21.4% +/-24.3%. The information from this descriptive study provides insight for future research in the field of adapted sports for people with high levels of impairments who use power wheelchairs for their mobility.

Perceived exercise benefits and barriers among power wheelchair soccer players

“…Although wheelchair sport is an option for many persons with physical disabilities, those with the highest levels of functional impairment have fewer disability sport options and therefore are at greater risk for reduced exercise and associated secondary conditions [22][23]. Power wheelchair soccer was the first sport developed for persons requiring electric rather than manual wheelchairs.…”

“…Power wheelchair soccer was the first sport developed for persons requiring electric rather than manual wheelchairs. It is an increasingly popular exercise option for persons with high levels of impairment [22,24]. Although little research has addressed outcomes of power soccer participation, limited empirical data support similar psychomotor and affective benefits as disability sport in general.…”

“…This intensity is associated with healthrelated fitness improvement. Additionally, Kumar and colleagues noted greater community interaction among power wheelchair users who participated in veteran wheelchair games compared with nonparticipants [22]. To increase the number of persons benefiting, however, researchers must understand factors that encourage or discourage exercise within this population.…”

Adaptive Sports Technology and Biomechanics: Wheelchairs

“…There are few opportunities for people with high levels of impairment who use electric‐powered wheelchairs to participate in sports, and the opportunities are even fewer for team sports. The creation of power wheelchair soccer opened a new avenue for people with upper and lower extremity impairments to compete in a dynamic team sport that requires little in the way of equipment or modification of their wheelchairs [14]. As the sport has evolved, some modifications to the athletes' chairs have advanced.…”

Psychosocial effects of competitive Boccia program in persons with severe chronic disability

“…One of the most popular competitive sport activities for athletes with a severe disability is Boccia. It is also the most established and, with the exception of power soccer appearing in recent years [12][13][14], the only group game activity available for persons with severe disability in most countries. Boccia can be played by athletes with neuromuscular disorders that severely affect the motor system, such as muscular dystrophy, Friedrich ataxia, and multiple sclerosis [15].…”