Ramp length/grade prescriptions for wheelchair dependent individuals

Canale, I; Felici, Francesco; Marchetti, Marco; Ricci, B

doi:10.1038/sc.1991.65

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Many studies have focused on determining the most suitable ramp slope for wheelchair users. Amomg these, Canale et al 7 ) found 1:6–1:6.7 slopes to be the most suitable, and Sanford et al 8 ) proposed a 1:12 slope as the most suitable gradient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of ramp slope on physiological characteristic and performance time of healthy adults propelling and pushing wheelchairs

Choi

Lee

et al. 2015

J Phys Ther Sci

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[Purpose] This study examined the effects of ramp slope (1:12, 1:10, 1:8, and 1:6) on physiological characteristics and performance times of wheelchair users and the performance times of caregivers to determine which slope would be the best for wheelchairs, in order to propose a ramp slope that incorporates a universal design. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Fifteen of these subjects also volunteered to participate as caregivers. A wooden ramp with an adjustable slope was constructed. As manual wheelchair users, the participants performed propulsion of a wheelchair up the ramp at a self-selected pace. Four ramp slopes (1:12, 1:10, 1:8, and 1:6) were used, and the participants sequentially ascended them in order from the gentlest to the steepest slope. The caregivers also pushed a wheelchair up the ramp at a self-selected pace. The blood pressure and pulse of participants after the ascent, as well as the performance times of the caregivers and manual wheelchair users, were measured on each of the different ramp slopes. The measured data, pulse, blood pressure, and performance time, were analyzed using repeated ANOVA. [Results] Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher after ascending the 1:6 slope than after ascending the 1:12 and 1:8 slopes. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher after ascending the 1:6 slope than after ascending the 1:12 and 1:8 slopes. The participants’ pulses tended to increase significantly with an increase in slope. An assessment of the propulsion performance times revealed significant differences among the slopes. [Conclusion] Considering the results of the wheelchair users and caregivers, the 1:12 and 1:10 slopes are suitable ramp slopes for wheelchairs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of ramp slope on physiological characteristic and performance time of healthy adults propelling and pushing wheelchairs

Choi

Lee

et al. 2015

J Phys Ther Sci

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“…Brubaker, McLaurin, and McClay (1986) found that when an individual propelled a manual wheelchair over a cross-slope, it resulted in a total drag force roughly double that of the rolling drag due to the downward turning moment (i.e., tendency of the wheelchair to turn downhill on a slope) of the wheelchair on a two-degree cross-slope. Research has also found traversing a cross-slope in a manual wheelchair to have a negative impact on users' propulsion, forcing them to push harder and more frequently as well as rotating or twisting their seated posture to compensate for the uneven surface (Brubaker et al, 1986;Canale, Felici, Marchetti, & Ricci, 1991). In contrast, a case-series study concluded that cross-slope affected neither the cadence nor the push angle of individuals propelling manual wheelchairs in a biomechanics laboratory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Over Cross-Sloped Surfaces: A Literature Review

Cooper

Teodorski

Sporner

et al. 2011

Assistive Technology

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Manual wheelchair propulsion may be facilitated or impeded depending upon the surface and the environment. One barrier may be the cross-slope of pathways. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to determine the quality of the evidence on the effects of cross-slopes on manual wheelchair propulsion. The goal was to identify and to understand the optimal design for cross-slopes that have the least negative impact for wheelchair users. Fifty-two articles were reviewed by 15 expert reviewers. Six were identified to be relevant to propulsion over cross-slopes. Most studies agree that traversing a cross-slope in a manual wheelchair is more difficult than propelling on a level surface. However, agreement has not been reached as to the percentage increase in effort or the optimal degree of cross-slopes that should be used as an acceptable standard. There is a paucity of research investigating the impact of cross-slopes on wheelchair mobility and community participation.

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“…First, different participants groups were used in these studies. Both Elmer (1957) and Canale et al (1991) recruited young and healthy participants, whereas Steinfeld et al (1979) used older individuals and people with more limited functioning as participants. On the other hand, different surface length settings may be another reason for the different conclusions of prior studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Ramp Slope and Height on Usability and Physiology during Wheelchair Driving

Kim

Lee

et al. 2010

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

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A ramp is the basic type of an assisting device for wheelchair users. Although the height of a ramp is an important design element, it has not been considered in prior studies. Therefore, in this study, the ramp slope and height are considered as independent variables. To analyze the effects of the slope and height, five levels of slope (1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 1:12 and 1:14) and three levels of height (15 cm, 30 cm and 45 cm) are considered. For the dependent variables, the total time and velocity were considered as performance measures, pulse rate changes and EMG signals of four related muscles (extensor carpi radialis, triceps brachii, anterior deltoid and posterior deltoid) were considered as physiology measures, and perceived discomfort while ascending and descending were considered as perceived discomfort measures. As a result, differences among performance, physiological characteristic and perceived discomfort for the five slopes increased as the height increased. Additionally, slope effects were minor when the height was low (15 cm). In summary, there was no significant difference between 1:10 and 1:12 (as suggested by ADAAG). In addition, slope effects were minor at a low height; thus, a slope of 1:8 can be recommended if the installation space for a gentler ramp is not sufficient.

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Ramp length/grade prescriptions for wheelchair dependent individuals

Cited by 15 publications

References 7 publications

Effects of ramp slope on physiological characteristic and performance time of healthy adults propelling and pushing wheelchairs

Effects of ramp slope on physiological characteristic and performance time of healthy adults propelling and pushing wheelchairs

Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Over Cross-Sloped Surfaces: A Literature Review

Effects of Ramp Slope and Height on Usability and Physiology during Wheelchair Driving

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