Evaluation of Physical Load while Propelling Manual Wheelchair on a Slope

Objective. The vertical slope in sidewalk is a big barrier for the wheelchair users. In Japan, the Law for Promoting Barrier-free Transport and Facilities for the Elderly and the Disabled and it's guideline indicate that the vertical slope in sidewalk is expected to be 5% gradient or less and it can be allowed 8% or less when it is unavoidable. Grounds of this guideline depended from existing studies and related documents reported that most of wheelchair users were able to climb up 5% gradient slope and 24/25 subjects were able to climb up 8% slope. However, the research on the relationship between the feature of slope with gradient, distance, ascending speed and the physical load of wheelchair users was still remained. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physical load of the wheelchair users by the oxygen uptake values and the wheelchair driving force while they are propelling a wheelchair upward on a slope, and to realize barrier-free environment.