Jake Siong, “Comparison of Joint Forces and Moments in Manual Wheelchair Users Using Two Inverse Dynamics Models”
Mentor: Brooke Slavens, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering & Applied Science (College of)
Poster #47
Manual wheelchair propulsion is a repetitive task that can lead to long-term complications including joint degeneration, chronic pain, and reduced overall mobility. Understanding the effects of propulsion on joint loading is essential to identify interventions that would mitigate these issues. In the UWM Mobility lab, Vicon, a 3D motion capture system, records motion data of reflective markers placed on the body. In conjunction with SmartWheel data, the tri-axial forces and moments from hand-handrim contact are used to determine joint loading, using inverse dynamics. However, there is no standardized marker set for the upper extremity. This study compares two models with different marker placements at the elbow joint: one using markers on the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus and the other with one marker on the olecranon. Although the epicondyle method is recommended, it presents challenges: the medial epicondyle marker may be obscured from the 3D motion capture cameras, may collide with the wheelchair, or may cause patients to alter their natural movement to avoid contact. The purpose of this project is to compare the joint forces and moments of the wrist, elbow and glenohumeral joint of multiple manual wheelchair users, calculated using the two models. It is expected that the two models will yield no significant differences in joint forces and moments data.