Desenvolvimento de uma estação de treinamento muscular para cadeirantes

Abstract

The wheelchair is an indispensable accessory to carry out daily activities for people with motor disabilities. However, although it is an essential accessory, its continuous use is associated with the appearance of lesions and pains, such as rotator cuff dysfunction, gout, and shoulder collision syndrome, among others. It is well known that physical training and rehabilitation programs have considerable improvements in the quality of life of these people, promote an increase in health, increase their independence, improve their mobility and indirectly help reduce pain. Although the literature confirms the benefits of physical activity for people with physical disabilities, the number of equipment intended for this public is scarce and, in general, are adaptations of existing conventional equipment used by people without disabilities. The lack of this equipment, and even the lack of specialized personnel in this area, is the main factors that discourage the practice of physical exercises and physical activities for wheelchair users. The objective of this work is to contribute to change this reality through the development of a muscular training station for wheelchair users that can even be used for muscular rehabilitation. The station was developed using design criteria and the equipment allows the accomplishment of at least 20 types of exercises that work the main muscles involved in the propulsion of the wheelchair. The station has been designed in an ergonomic way and has several adjustments in its structure to provide greater comfort and safety for its users. Some types of physical exercises are performed slowly, similarly to gym equipment. However, the training station also features an innovative cam / spring / follower type system that enables faster muscle trainings and whose cam curve can be designed to meet the maximum strength-producing capacity of the muscle group. This feature makes this station suitable for the training of Paralympic athletes and people who want to make faster gains. In this work the station was developed and designed.