Estimating whole-body vibration limits of manual wheelchair mobility over common surfaces

Whole-body vibration (WBV) experienced during manual wheelchair use was quantified across several types of terrain (tile, sidewalk, decorative bricks, expanded metal grates). Over-ground travel was controlled using a robotic propulsion system. Vibrations along the vertical axis were measured with a triaxial accelerometer mounted to the seat of the wheelchair. Root-mean-square acceleration values were compared to the health guidance exposure limits established by the European Council using the WBV calculator tool published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Vibrations along the vertical axis were well below the exposure values associated with health risks. Even the most aggressive tactile surface (grates) tested in this study would require more than 14 h of daily travel to reach the “exposure action value,” and more than 24 h would be required to reach the “exposure limit value”. Considering the average cumulative duration of active self-propulsion among manual wheelchair users is around an hour or less, none of the tested conditions were deemed unsafe or damaging.