Oftentimes these systems are only statically calibrated. However, wheelchair propulsion is dynamic by nature, requiring a dynamic validation process. The aim of the current project was to present a low-cost portable system for the dynamic metrological verification of wheelchair roller ergometers, based on an instrumented reference wheel. The tangential force on the roller is determined, along with its uncertainty, from the reference wheel properties, and compared with the force measured by the ergometer. Uncertainty of this reference wheel system was found to be lower than the one of the ergometer used, indicating that this novel approach can be used for the metrological verification of ergometers.
Wheelchair ergometer Obtaining objective propulsion data to analyze the interface of user and wheelchair in action to contribute to the advice for adjustments. Active lifestyle A well-adjusted wheelchair can contribute to an active lifestyle, maximal participation in society and avoiding overload. Current status Protocol consisted of 30s sprint, driving at comfortable speed and maintaining given constant speed.
The wheelchair ergometer (Lode Esseda) can be used to monitor propulsion variables of wheelchair users, for example to evaluate wheelchair adaptations. In order to interpret the outcomes of the measurements and to support clinical decision making, it is important to distinguish real changes in propulsion technique and physiological outcomes from measurement errors.
