From Inactivity to Activity

Passive Wheelchair Bike Rides Increase Trapezius Muscle Activity in Non-Ambulant Youth with Disabilities

Bibliographic Data

ID15719333
AuthorsLisa Musso-Daury (0009-0000-7055-2941, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes), Celia García‐Chico (0009-0007-0743-1283, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes), Susana López‐Ortiz (0000-0002-9758-8239, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes, corresponding author), Saúl Peñín‐Grandes (0000-0002-5820-4925, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes), Diego del Pozo-González (Colegio de Educación Especial Pino de Obregón, Fundación Personas, 47008 Valladolid, Spain), Rosa Ana Sánchez-García (Colegio de Educación Especial Pino de Obregón, Fundación Personas, 47008 Valladolid, Spain), Laura Marín-Varela (Colegio de Educación Especial Pino de Obregón, Fundación Personas, 47008 Valladolid, Spain), Carmen Matey-Rodríguez (0000-0002-7502-0845, Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes), Alejandro Santos‐Lozano (0000-0002-2309-3583, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue6
Pages792-792
Publication date2025-06-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children12060792
PMID40564750
OpenAlexW4411366199
LanguageEN
References cited37

Background/Objectives : Children at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V experience severe motor impairments, yet the effects of passive wheelchair rides on their physiological parameters remain unexplored. This study aimed to examine the acute physiological response to passive bike in non-ambulant children with physical disabilities. Methods : This quasi-experimental study included 24 non-ambulant participants with cognitive impairments (6-21 years old, 50% female). After a 10-min rest, participants underwent a 10-min passive wheelchair bike. Muscle activity, oxygen consumption, and heart rate variability were assessed. Results : Passive bike rides significantly increased muscle activity in the right upper ( p = 0.050), left upper ( p = 0.008), and left lower trapezius ( p = 0.038), with increases of 97-112%. However, no significant changes were observed in oxygen consumption or cardiorespiratory parameters. Conclusions : This study suggests that passive wheelchair bike rides increase trapezius muscle activity in children with severe disabilities at GMFCS levels IV and V, offering potential benefits for this population

Electromyography · Physical activity · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Physical therapy · Trapezius muscle · Wheelchair · Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders · Computer Science · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Medicine · Psychology · Spinal Cord Injury Research