Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs

In the context of wheelchair racing, research primarily focuses on studying wheelchair ergonomics and determining kinematic, kinetic, and rolling resistance variables. One factor identified as influencing athletes’ performance is wheel skidding on the ground, a parameter complementary to rolling res...

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Main Authors: Nolwenn Poquerusse, Arnaud Hays, Aurélie Cortial, Opale Vigié, Ilona Alberca, Mathieu Deves, Lorian Honnorat, Safiya Noury, Bruno Watier, Arnaud Faupin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Methods and Protocols
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/8/2/28
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author Nolwenn Poquerusse
Arnaud Hays
Aurélie Cortial
Opale Vigié
Ilona Alberca
Mathieu Deves
Lorian Honnorat
Safiya Noury
Bruno Watier
Arnaud Faupin
author_facet Nolwenn Poquerusse
Arnaud Hays
Aurélie Cortial
Opale Vigié
Ilona Alberca
Mathieu Deves
Lorian Honnorat
Safiya Noury
Bruno Watier
Arnaud Faupin
author_sort Nolwenn Poquerusse
collection DOAJ
description In the context of wheelchair racing, research primarily focuses on studying wheelchair ergonomics and determining kinematic, kinetic, and rolling resistance variables. One factor identified as influencing athletes’ performance is wheel skidding on the ground, a parameter complementary to rolling resistance. The objective of this study, therefore, is to identify, within a laboratory setting, the parameters that influence the risk of skidding in racing wheelchairs by measuring skidding torque. The ultimate goal is to enhance athletes’ performance by optimizing the interaction between the athlete and their wheelchair, and the wheelchair and the environment. In this perspective, four parameters were examined: the type of tubular, the camber angle, the tire pressure, and the load applied to the wheel using a skidometer. This tool characterizes a tire’s grip on a surface by measuring torques. The aim is to develop a system for classifying tire grip on dry athletics track at ambient temperature. The findings revealed that only the effects of load and tubular type had a significant impact on the torque values obtained. The tire that minimized the risk of skidding, among all tested combinations, is the Vittoria Pista Speed 23–28″. Furthermore, as the mass applied to the wheel increases, so do the resulting torques. This implies that a heavier athlete would require a greater force to be applied to the hand rim for the tire to skid. However, it was also demonstrated that the risk of skidding in a racing wheelchair is unlikely, as the torques obtained were over a range of 90 to 190 Nm. These values far exceed those typically exerted by para-athletes, which are a maximum of 60 Nm. The long-term goal would be to adjust the mode of torque application on the wheel using the skidometer for a more realistic field approach.
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spelling doaj-art-6e535d323453451b808a3afbdbecd02f2025-08-20T02:18:00ZengMDPI AGMethods and Protocols2409-92792025-03-01822810.3390/mps8020028Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing WheelchairsNolwenn Poquerusse0Arnaud Hays1Aurélie Cortial2Opale Vigié3Ilona Alberca4Mathieu Deves5Lorian Honnorat6Safiya Noury7Bruno Watier8Arnaud Faupin9Jeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceHealth Improvement Through Physical Exercise Human Laboratory, Aix Marseille University, 13002 Marseille, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceLaboratoire d’Analyses et d’Architecture des Systèmes, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, 31031 Toulouse, FranceJeunesse Activité Physique Sport Santé Laboratory, University of Toulon, 83130 La Garde, FranceIn the context of wheelchair racing, research primarily focuses on studying wheelchair ergonomics and determining kinematic, kinetic, and rolling resistance variables. One factor identified as influencing athletes’ performance is wheel skidding on the ground, a parameter complementary to rolling resistance. The objective of this study, therefore, is to identify, within a laboratory setting, the parameters that influence the risk of skidding in racing wheelchairs by measuring skidding torque. The ultimate goal is to enhance athletes’ performance by optimizing the interaction between the athlete and their wheelchair, and the wheelchair and the environment. In this perspective, four parameters were examined: the type of tubular, the camber angle, the tire pressure, and the load applied to the wheel using a skidometer. This tool characterizes a tire’s grip on a surface by measuring torques. The aim is to develop a system for classifying tire grip on dry athletics track at ambient temperature. The findings revealed that only the effects of load and tubular type had a significant impact on the torque values obtained. The tire that minimized the risk of skidding, among all tested combinations, is the Vittoria Pista Speed 23–28″. Furthermore, as the mass applied to the wheel increases, so do the resulting torques. This implies that a heavier athlete would require a greater force to be applied to the hand rim for the tire to skid. However, it was also demonstrated that the risk of skidding in a racing wheelchair is unlikely, as the torques obtained were over a range of 90 to 190 Nm. These values far exceed those typically exerted by para-athletes, which are a maximum of 60 Nm. The long-term goal would be to adjust the mode of torque application on the wheel using the skidometer for a more realistic field approach.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/8/2/28wheelchair racingbiomechanicsskidding
spellingShingle Nolwenn Poquerusse
Arnaud Hays
Aurélie Cortial
Opale Vigié
Ilona Alberca
Mathieu Deves
Lorian Honnorat
Safiya Noury
Bruno Watier
Arnaud Faupin
Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs
Methods and Protocols
wheelchair racing
biomechanics
skidding
title Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs
title_full Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs
title_fullStr Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs
title_full_unstemmed Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs
title_short Measurement of Wheel Skidding on Racing Wheelchairs
title_sort measurement of wheel skidding on racing wheelchairs
topic wheelchair racing
biomechanics
skidding
url https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/8/2/28
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