Constructive optimization of a wheelchair for sport activities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The wheelchair is a medical device that provides mobility and postural support, for those who have walking difficulties. At present, there are many types of wheelchairs, which aim to improve the quality of life for people who have lost some motor functions. Each model is designed according to the severity of the trauma and the mobility available to the patient; in other words, in addition to standard type seats, each model is customized according to user needs and the environment to be used in. OBJECTIVE: This article aims at making an important contribution in the development of assistive equipment wheelchair type for disabled people, with the achievement of an adaptable central axis, enabling the change of angle between the wheels and the ground. By help of this change, people who need such devices can use a single seat for both everyday activities and sports activities. The most important problem in the production of medical devices (prostheses, orthotics, assistive equipment), is the need to personalize these devices depending on the exact dimensions of the human subject requiring assistance. METHODS: The qualitative research regarding the opinion of disabled persons took place at the Sports Club VeraFlor Brasov, over a period of 8 months, and at the gym room of Transylvania University, the subjects of the research being athletes in wheelchairs, from the department of handball. RESULTS: The players of the ACSH VeraFlor club participated in the European wheelchair championship in wheelchair in November 2019, where they got sixth place. Based on the results of the questionnaire made at the beginning of the research we found that most wheelchair users who wish to participate in various sports have to purchase several types of such equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, this paper aims to eliminate the economic barrier, making it possible to use a wheelchair in certain environments - both the everyday and sports facilities. In doing so we have adjusted the central axis, to make it easy to handle even by the user.