Evaluation of the bilateral symmetry assumption in manual wheelchair propulsion: a systematic review of literature in daily-life and sports contexts

This systematic review aimed to 1) verify bilateral symmetry assumption in manual wheelchair propulsion in daily life and sports, and its relationship with injury risk and sports performance, and 2) evaluate methods for assessing bilateral symmetry. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCO databases were searched for articles published before January 2024 investigating bilateral symmetry in manual wheelchair users and/or healthy participants during manual wheelchair propulsion. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of retrieved papers. Twenty-five studies were included. In daily ground-level propulsion, minimal asymmetries were observed in kinematic, kinetic, and temporal parameters when averaging three or more push cycles. In the sports context, diverse findings emerged, ranging from up to 27% side-to-side differences in propulsion kinetics and kinematics during sprinting, to descriptions of both symmetrical and asymmetrical upper limb motions. Limited evidence exists regarding the role of asymmetry in manual wheelchair propulsion as a risk factor for injury and pain, as well as the association between sprinting performance and symmetry. In conclusion, bilateral symmetry assumption in manual wheelchair propulsion is valid only under specific conditions (i.e., slow/moderate speed, averaging ≥3 push cycles, smooth level ground). The wheeling environment and interindividual variability impact symmetry research outcome and require consideration in future studies. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.