Comparison of multidirectional upper limb strength for non-disabled individuals and individuals with C4–C7 spinal cord injury in a seated position

Abstract

This study investigates the multidirectional upper limb strength of individuals with a C4–C7 spinal cord injury (SCI) and non-disabled individuals in a seated position by measuring multidirectional force at the hand. Current literature lacks quantitative strength data to evaluate strength requirements for people who have reduced upper limb function due to a cervical SCI. Seated multidirectional force measurements were recorded for eleven non-disabled and ten males with a C4–C7 SCI. Collected data was displayed using detailed force polar plots. The resulting plots revealed a clear difference in polar plot shape for non-disabled participants and participants with a C4–C7 SCI. Namely that SCI participants had more elliptical polar plots due to reductions in circumferential strength compared to non-disabled participants. However, the polar plots for higher SCIs tended to have an increasingly more circular shape. The results provide insight into the differences in strength between people with cervical SCI and no disability.