Wheelchair use in ultra-lightweight wheelchair users

Purpose: The goal of this study was to describe how ultra-lightweight wheelchair users use their wheelchairs during everyday mobility. Method: We instrumented a convenience sample of 69 ultra-lightweight wheelchair users with a seat switch to measure their occupancy, and an accelerometer on their wheel to measure distance wheeled, time spent wheeling and daily bouts of mobility. Results: On the median day, subjects wheeled 83 bouts and 1.4km over 45 min. A typical bout of mobility was 8.3 m in length, lasting 20 s and occurring at a speed of 0.44 m/s. Fast (> 1 m/s) and long (> 2min) bouts represented less than 4% of bouts and were more common among younger participants and those who were employed or a student. Conclusions: Highly functional manual wheelchair users present with a significant mobility disability, moving far less than their ambulating peers despite moving with similar mobility characteristics. The typical bout characteristics - short and slow bouts - are consistent with indoor mobility and transitions between functional activities. For wheelchair users, it highlights the importance of manoeuverability and the need for prescription and training to emphasize manoeuverability.