Effects of Wheelchair Design and Propulsion Resistance on Upper-limb Kinematics During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Olorunfemi Ayodele*, Karen Roemer, Tim Burnham, Robert Pritchett, Eric Foch Project Mentor(s): Karen Roemer, PhD Understanding upper-body movement during manual wheelchair propulsion is important for reducing overuse injury risk. Musculoskeletal modeling is commonly used to study propulsion biomechanics through adaptation of the Upper Extremity Dynamic Model (Saul Etal, 2014). Wheelchair design influences propulsion mechanics and upper limb movement patterns. Because propulsion involves repeated, coordinated shoulder, elbow, and wrist motion, mechanical demands may alter movement strategies and contribute to injury risk. This study examined how wheelchair design and propulsion resistance influence upper-limb kinematics with respect to joint range of motion, performance, and injury risk. Fifteen physically active adults ( n = 15, 5 females, 10 males; age: 24.5±6.8 years; BMI: 25.1±2.1) with no upper limb or spinal cord injury history participated (CWU HSRC 2024-093). Participants completed two 4-minute propulsion sessions at 2.4 m/s under two resistance conditions (20W and 40W); data from the final minute were analyzed. Motion capture data were collected at 100 Hz across three wheelchair types: Regular, Court, and Race. Repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons examined effects of chair type and resistance ( α = 0.05). Upper-limb ROM changed consistently across wheelchair designs and resistance levels. The racing wheelchair produced notably different shoulder and elbow patterns compared with regular and court chairs, reflecting increased reach demands from its lower hand rim and longer stroke. Increasing resistance from 20W to 40W produced greater joint excursions, suggesting participants expanded range of motion rather than increasing peak force. This strategy may support propulsion efficiency under load but could elevate cumulative joint stress, increasing long-term injury risk. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation (May 20, 9:30am–5:00pm) Keywords: markerless motion capture; inverse kinematics; wheelchair propulsion; sport performance; injury risk SOURCE Form ID: 221 Pathways to Nursing: A Decision Framework for Education in Washington State Sara Simonson, Debra Rich DrPH, MPH Project Mentor(s): Debra Rich, DrPH, MPH Introduction: There is a dire need to replenish and grow the nursing workforce in Washington State. Students who desire to help others and have a passion for science and health are drawn to the nursing profession and want to fill this need. Educational pathways to nursing careers are complicated by availability of multiple degree programs that will prepare students for a Registered Nurse licensing exam; however, each degree type may result in different employment opportunities and potential earnings for graduates. Methods: Public health students researched opportunities for nursing education in Washington State. Data collection included available degree types, the educational requirements for each level, current programs and prerequisites for enrollment, and the professional-clinical authority expected for each level. Results: A decisional framework was created using a feature comparison matrix of estimated time to complete degree program and desired professional-clinical levels of authority. Color coded information tabs were created to provide specific details of the professional-clinical authority expected from each degree. Conclusion: Students will benefit from clear guidance regarding their choices for nursing education. A comparison matrix that considers the students time commitment and goals for level of nursing responsibly can aid in the process of choosing the most appropriate education path to a nursing career. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords : Nursing, Education, Washington State SOURCE Form ID: 163
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