Isometric Push-up and Pull-down Strengths of Paraplegics in the Workspace: 2. Statistical Analysis of Spatial Factors

Abstract

The reach level had a significant effect on isometric push-up strength for both male and female paraplegics. Whereas the reach level had a significant effect on the pull-down strength only for the male paraplegics. Significant increases of men's push-up strength were found between normal and other reach levels, maximum, and extreme. Similar results were found for the female and additionally a significant increase was found between the maximum and extreme reach levels. For male pull-down strength, a significant increase was found only between normal and extreme reach levels. The vertical angle had a significant effect only on pull-down strength for both the male and female paraplegics. Significant increases in pull-down strength were found between vertical angle Φ = 45° and other angles, 0° and −20° for male and between vertical angle Φ = 0° and other angles, 45° and −20° for female. The horizontal angle, θ, had no impact on the push-up and pull-down strengths in the present instance. For the design of a workstation for paraplegics that involves push-up and pull-down forces, consideration must be given to spacial factors.