Author/s: Alma Lilly Nava Sedano, Alfredo Olarte Paredes, Carolina Osorio Cano and Gabriel Luna Bueno Tecnológico Nacional de México / Instituto Tecnológico de Zacatepec (Mexico)
In it V International Congress Preventheld in Madrid on the days September 24, 25 and 26, 2025the communication was presented “Ergonomic evaluation of the use of a biomedical device for self-propelled wheelchairs”developed by the research team of the National Technological Institute of Mexico / Zacatepec Technological Institute.
The study is part of the SIRUN innovation and social impact projectaimed at improving the mobility and quality of life of people with motor disabilities by incorporating a electrical device that turns a self-propelled wheelchair into a electric chairreducing physical effort and preventing musculoskeletal injuries resulting from repetitive use of the upper extremities.
The research applied a comparative ergonomic evaluation between the traditional use of a self-propelled wheelchair and its modified version with the SIRUN device. It was used the REBA methodsupported by software Ergo/IBV of the Biomechanics Institute of Valenciato analyze the postures adopted by the user in three situations: rest, movement on flat terrain and ascent up an accessibility ramp.
The results showed a significant reduction in RULA scoremoving from “soon” action values (levels 5–6) to “possible” levels (value 3) when using the electrical device. This improvement reflects a effective reduction of ergonomic riskby replacing the manual effort of propulsion with a motorized control of low physical impact.
The work concludes by highlighting the importance of integrating the ergonomics in the design of technical aids and adapt the devices to the individual characteristics of userspromoting an inclusive approach that promotes the health, safety and autonomy of people with disabilities.
