Muscle activation pattern and weight bearing of limbs during wheelchair transfers in healthy individuals– a step towards lower limb FES assisted transfer for paraplegics

Abstract

Wheelchair (WC) transfer is one of the most strenuous upper extremity activities of daily life performed by a paraplegic individual. In this paper we present the muscle activation patterns and weight bearing of the lower and upper extremity of healthy individuals as they perform wheelchair transfer. This information can be used for optimizing manual transfers and planning FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) transfers.