Design enhancement of overall Paralympics wheelchair for para table tennis competition

Abstract

This study focused on enhancing the performance of the para table tennis player by implementing design modifications to the wheelchair to increase the sweep area of the player. In this article, a detailed study of pressure distribution on the player’s seat during play was performed to facilitate potential enhancements to the wheelchair that would alleviate issues that could arise from long hours of training and actual competition. Some of these issues include the discomfort and fatigue that could develop from an imbalanced posture resulting in imbalanced seat pressure distribution exerted on the gluteus maximus, as well as pressure sores that could develop during training and competition. Such issues impact the immediate and long-term development of competitiveness in the player. Through a systematic and quantitative understanding of the situation, further structural enhancements to the wheelchair as well as modifications to the training methodologies, strategies and techniques of gameplay could be implemented.