arXiv subjects

Félix Chénier

Publications and source records attributed to Félix Chénier.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Validation of a Real-Time Manual Wheelchair Simulator through Biomechanical and Perceptual Measures: A Comparison with Overground Propulsion

Purpose: Manual wheelchair simulators can provide a safe and controlled environment for propulsion training, biofeedback, and biomechanical assessment. However, their ecological validity must be established to ensure that simulator-based outcomes reflect overground propulsion. This study aimed to evaluate the ecological validity of a real-time manual wheelchair simulator by comparing biomechanical and perceptual outcomes during matched overground and simulator tasks. Materials and Methods: Thirteen participants (10 able-bodied individuals, 3 experienced manual wheelchair users), performed propulsion tasks overground and on the simulator. Task segments included straight-line propulsion, acceleration, turning, ascending, and descending. Biomechanical outcomes were collected using instrumented wheels and compared between environments using temporal, kinetic, and waveform-based measures. Perceived realism and user experience were assessed using task-specific realism ratings, a post-test questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. Results: Temporal variables showed relatively small differences between overground and simulator propulsion, whereas kinetic variables showed larger discrepancies, consistent with previous simulator comparisons. Waveform patterns for force, moment, and power demonstrated high similarity between environments. Participants generally reported positive perceptions of realism, safety, and satisfaction, and highlighted the value of practicing wheelchair skills in a controlled environment. Conclusion: The simulator demonstrated partial ecological validity, particularly for temporal and waveform-based propulsion outcomes. Its ability to accommodate the user's own wheelchair configuration may help preserve ergonomics and enhance realism, supporting its potential use as an assistive technology tool for manual wheelchair propulsion training.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2024

Using a quantitative assessment of propulsion biomechanics in wheelchair racing to guide the design of personalized gloves: a case study

This study with a T-52 class wheelchair racing athlete aimed to combine quantitative biomechanical measurements to the athlete's perception to design and test different prototypes of a new kind of rigid gloves. Three personalized rigid gloves with various, fixed wrist extension angles were prototyped and tested on a treadmill in a biomechanics laboratory. The prototype with 45° wrist extension was the athlete's favourite as it reduced his perception of effort. Biomechanical assessment and user-experience data indicated that his favourite prototype increased wrist stability throughout the propulsion cycle while maintaining a very similar propulsion technique to the athlete's prior soft gloves. Moreover, the inclusion of an innovative attachment system on the new gloves allowed the athlete to put his gloves on by himself, eliminating the need for external assistance and thus significantly increasing his autonomy. This multidisciplinary approach helped to prototype and develop a new rigid personalized gloves concept and is clearly a promising avenue to tailor adaptive sports equipment to an athlete's needs.

q-bio.QM↗

arXiv2023

Tracking the whole-body centre of mass while seated in a wheelchair using motion capture

Estimating the position of the whole-body centre of mass (CoM) based on skin markers and anthropometric tables requires tracking the pelvis and lower body, which is impossible for wheelchair users due to occlusion. In this work, we present a method to track the user's whole-body CoM using visible markers affixed to the user and wheelchair where the user remains seated in their wheelchair, by expressing the pelvis and lower body segments in wheelchair coordinates. The accuracy of this method was evaluated on the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) axes by comparing the projected CoM to the centre of pressure measured by four force plates, for 11 able-bodied participants adopting 9 static postures that include extreme reaching postures. The estimation accuracy was within 33 mm (AP) and 9 mm (ML), with a precision within 23 mm (AP) and 12 mm (ML). Tracking the whole-body CoM during wheelchair propulsion will allow researchers to better understand the dynamics of propulsion, which may help devise new approaches to increase the energy transfer from the arms to the ground and reduce the risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2021

Interpreting the Tilt-and-Torsion Method to Express Shoulder Joint Kinematics

Background: Kinematics is studied by practitioners and researchers in different fields of practice. It is therefore critically important to adhere to a taxonomy that explicitly describes positions and movements. However, current representation methods such as cardan and Euler angles fail to report shoulder angles in a way that is easily and correctly interpreted by practitioners, and that is free from numerical instability such as gimbal lock. Methods: In this paper, we comprehensively describe the recent Tilt-and-Torsion method and compare it to the Euler YXY method currently recommended by the International Society of Biomechanics. While using the same three rotations (plane of elevation, elevation, humeral rotation), the Tilt-and-Torsion method reports humeral rotation independently from the plane of elevation. We assess how it can be used to describe shoulder angles (1) in a simulated assessment of humeral rotation with the arm at the side, which constitutes a gimbal lock position, and (2) during an experimental functional task, with 10 wheelchair basketball athletes who sprint in straight line using a sports wheelchair. Findings: In the simulated gimbal lock experiment, the Tilt-and-Torsion method provided both humeral elevation and rotation measurements, contrary to the Euler YXY method. During the wheelchair sprints, humeral rotation ranged from 14° (externally) to 13° (internally), which is consistent with typical maximal ranges of humeral rotation, compared to 65° to 50° with the Euler YXY method. Interpretation: Based on our results, we recommend that shoulder angles be expressed using Tilt-and-Torsion angles instead of Euler YXY.

q-bio.QM↗