User centered design of a wheelchair based in an anthropometric study

In order to propose a wheelchairs user centered design an anthropometric study is performed in the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador. The study group consists of 22 people who: are wheelchairs users, are capable to perform professional activities with their upper limbs, have acquired the disability after reaching their physical maturity and are in working-age. A Kanos refined model questionnaire was applied to categorize criteria related to wheelchairs design parameters into different types of qualities to determine the user´s preferences. In order to determinate the wheelchair dimensions, a chart with 13 chosen body measurements were developed. The results indicate, that the design requirements that should be included are: (1) capacity of adjustment in width and height to adapt to the user body, (2) a mechanism to vary the inclination of the back support, (3) a brake system in at least two wheels, (4) an electric system to extend the chair from sitting to standing position and backward (stand up mechanism), (5) a restraint system in feet, legs and waist. Calculated dimensions and adjustment, for the metal frame of a wheelchair that fits the physical characteristics of the local population, are presented and corroborate the need of the anthropometric studies in populations with specific ethnic compositions.