摘要：The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological responses of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to propulsion
in wheelchairs of different design. Thirty (30) male spinal cord injury (SCI) patients propelled both standard and lightweight
wheelchairs at a ¡°Sprint pace (Sp)¡± for 400 feet and at a ¡°Duration pace (Du)¡± for four continuous minutes. Pulse, Blood
pressure and Respiration rate were measured before and after each trial and physiological cost index (PCI) and speed was
calculated using standard formula. Appropriate training and rest periods were given and order of wheelchair testing was
randomized. Obtained data were analyzed using two tailed paired ¡°t¡± tests. Variations in pulse, systolic blood pressure, and
respiration rate were not affected by the type of wheelchair used. But, the variations in physiological cost index and speed were
significant among the individuals with SCI those who propelled lightweight wheelchair design.
关键词：Spinal cord injury, Wheelchair, Energy consumption
