Research on Body Pressure Distribution at Different Angles of Wheelchair Seat Surface

Abstract:

The objective of the present study was to study the effect of seat angle change on body pressure distribution. The body pressure distribution and body subjective comfort evaluation were recorded in five angles of wheelchair seat surface(0 °, 3 °, 6 °, 9 °and 12 °) by using X-Sensor system. 20 healthy volunteers (10 males and 10 females) were tested to obtain the average pressure of back, the maximum pressure of back, the contact area of back, the average pressure of buttock, the maximum pressure of buttock, the contact area of buttock. The experimental data were analyzed by statistical analysis software SPSS 19.0 and MATLAB. Finally the comfort indicator of wheelchair was determined based on body pressure distribution, and the more comfortable angle of wheelchair seat surface was also obtained, which was 3.17°. The study should provide a strong help for the comfortable wheelchair designing.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 477-478)
• Pages: 345-348
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.477-478.345
• Online since: December 2013
• Authors: Tian Qin*, Jian Guo Zhang, Yu Xing Dai
• Keywords: Body Pressure Distribution, Comfort, Contact Area of Buttock, Seat Surface Angle, Wheelchair

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