How to choose a sports wheelchair?
As people's living standards improve, many wheelchair users are no longer satisfied with the use of conventional wheelchairs, and have set their sights on lighter sports wheelchairs. Sports wheelchairs are not only designed for disabled athletes, but also for every wheelchair user who is interested in sports. So how do you choose a suitable sports wheelchair? Let me share with you briefly today.
1. Clarify your needs. Before you consider buying a sports wheelchair, you must clarify the user's purchasing needs. Do you need it for competitive games? Or just for daily activities, outdoor sports and exercise? Different needs will affect the choice of sports wheelchairs.
2. The frame and material of the wheelchair. Common materials for sports wheelchairs are aluminum alloy, aluminum-magnesium alloy, magnesium alloy, and carbon fiber. The weight of the materials is roughly as follows: aluminum alloy ≈ aluminum-magnesium alloy > magnesium alloy > carbon fiber; magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy are more common materials on the market, and carbon fiber is a high-end lightweight material that has emerged in recent years. It is relatively lighter and more expensive. The material of a sports wheelchair will be high-strength and low-density materials to reduce the weight of the wheelchair and increase the structural strength of the wheelchair. Compared with conventional manual wheelchairs, the rear wheels of a sports wheelchair are designed at a certain angle to the ground, and the backrest is smaller in height. This is to prevent the backrest from being too high and hindering the user's upper limb movement. Sports wheelchairs need to complete actions such as rapid forward movement and rapid turning, so the design of the wheelchair will pay more attention to flexibility so that athletes can react quickly during competitions.
3. Comfort and safety. Users who choose sports wheelchairs usually have the need for high-intensity exercise, which requires consideration of the user's comfort and safety. Through the principles of ergonomics, the design of the sports wheelchair seat and backrest is optimized to reduce the pressure caused by long-term sitting. At the same time, it is necessary to equip the corresponding safety devices, such as anti-roll cages and efficient braking systems, to ensure the safety of users during exercise.
4. Personalized customization and test drive. If a wheelchair athlete wants to purchase a sports wheelchair, it is likely that personalized customization will be required, tailored to the individual's basic physical information and sports events, so that the athlete can perform better. If it is to meet the user's daily life and exercise, consider whether to customize it based on personal needs. Customization is not necessary, and choosing customization also requires higher costs. In addition, before deciding to buy, it is recommended to try sitting and trying the wheelchair in person. This allows you to more intuitively feel the comfort, controllability and flexibility of the wheelchair, thereby ensuring that the selected sports wheelchair is truly suitable for your needs.