The effects of trunk kinematics and EMG activity of wheelchair racing T54 athletes on wheelchair propulsion speeds

Background The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of trunk kinematic characteristics and trunk muscle electromyography (EMG) activity on propulsion speeds in wheelchair racing T54 athletes. Method The Vicon infrared high-speed 3D motion capture system was utilized to acquire kinematic data of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and trunk from twelve T54 athletes at four different speeds (5.55 m/s, 6.94 m/s, 8.33 m/s, and personal maximum speed). Additionally, the Trigno Wireless EMG system was employed to collect synchronous surface electromyography (EMG) data from the rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles. The kinematics and EMG data of the trunk were compared across various wheelchair propulsion speeds while also examining the correlation coefficient between wheelchair propulsion speeds and: (1) the range of motion of upper limb joints as well as the trunk; (2) the maximum angular velocities of the upper limbs joints as well as the trunk; and (3) rectus abdominis and erector spinae EMG activity. Two multiple linear stepwise regression models were utilized to examine the impact of variables that had been identified as significant through correlation coefficient tests (1) and (2) on propulsion speed, respectively. Results There were significant differences in the range of motion (p0.3), while one variable derived from the erector spinae was found to be significantly correlated with propulsion speed (p