Manual Wheelchair Tire Pressure and Ride Comfort when Pushed by a Caregiver.

Wheelchairs are very convenient for the elderly who cannot walk, but the vibration generated during use can cause discomfort to the rider and can have consequences, such as convulsions. Tire pressure is one of the factors that affects the ride quality of wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are often used indoors, in which case they travel on hard flooring or on carpet. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the road surface on which the wheelchair travels and the tire pressure of the wheelchair contribute to the vibration experienced by the rider, and the influence of the vibration on the human body. We used an air pressure indicator that measured an English valve. The vibration generated was measured and the sensory perception of comfort and security were evaluated on hard and soft surfaces at different tire pressures. The vibration test revealed that vibration tends to increase as tire pressure increases and that ride comfort decreases as tire pressure increases.