What is an Active Wheelchair?
An Active Manual Wheelchair is a type of wheelchair designed for individuals who lead active lifestyles and require mobility support that enables them to maintain their independence, agility, and freedom of movement. Unlike standard wheelchairs, active wheelchairs are lightweight, highly customisable, and optimised for performance.
Active Wheelchairs are often used by individuals with spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, or other mobility impairments who participate in sports, outdoor activities, or lead dynamic day-to-day lives.
Key Features of an Active Wheelchair
Lightweight Materials
Active wheelchairs are often made from lightweight materials to enhance manoeuvrability and ease of use. The most common materials include:
Aluminium: Widely used due to its balance of strength, lightweight properties, and affordability. It's a popular choice for active users who seek a robust yet cost-effective solution.
Titanium: Known for being extremely lightweight and durable, titanium offers superior shock absorption, making it ideal for users who engage in high-impact activities. Its strength-to-weight ratio is better than aluminium, though it tends to be more expensive.
Carbon Fibre: This is the lightest material used for wheelchair frames and provides excellent durability. Carbon fibre also has vibration-dampening properties, making it a high-end option preferred by athletes and users looking for maximum performance. However, it can be costly.
Types of Frames
Active wheelchairs come in two main frame types, each offering distinct advantages depending on user needs and preferences:
Rigid Frame: Rigid wheelchairs have a solid, non-folding frame that offers superior performance, responsiveness, and efficiency. The rigidity of the frame allows for minimal energy loss during movement, making it easier for users to propel themselves. Rigid frames are often the preferred choice for active users, particularly athletes, due to their excellent handling and reduced weight.
Folding Frame: Folding wheelchairs offer greater portability and convenience, allowing users to collapse the wheelchair for easy transport or storage. While they may be slightly heavier and less efficient than rigid frames due to the folding mechanism, they provide a good option for users who prioritize flexibility over performance.
Customization Options
Active wheelchairs are highly customisable, allowing users to adjust various aspects to match their individual needs and preferences. Customization options include:
Seat width and depth: to provide optimal comfort and fit.
Wheel sizes: large rear wheels for better propulsion or smaller front wheels for increased manoeuvrability.
Backrest height and angle: to support posture and comfort.
Camber angle of the rear wheels for improved stability during fast or sharp turns, often preferred in sports wheelchairs.
Leading Manufacturers of Active Wheelchairs
Several companies specialise in producing high-quality active wheelchairs. Some of the leading manufacturers include:
TiLite: is renowned for its use of titanium frames, offering lightweight, durable wheelchairs that are highly customisable to individual requirements. Models like the TiLite TRA and TiLite ZR are among the top choices for active users seeking performance and aesthetics. (TiLite)
Progeo: Creating aesthetically pleasing wheelchairs such as the Progeo Joker R2 or Noir 2.0. Progeo designs wheelchairs using the best materials, as well as high quality craftsmanship. (Progeo)
Panthera: a Swedish company that manufactures lightweight wheelchairs for adults and children. Panthera's wheelchairs are known for being some of the lightest on the market, with some models weighing as little as 2.1 kg. Some of their wheelchairs include the Panthera X3 and the Panthera U3 Light. (Panthera)
Benefits of Active Wheelchairs
Improved Mobility and Independence
Active wheelchairs are designed for easy manoeuvrability, allowing users to move more freely and with less effort. The lightweight materials and advanced design enable users to propel themselves more efficiently, maintaining greater independence.
Custom Fit and Comfort
Active wheelchairs can be tailored to an individual’s specific needs, ensuring a comfortable and supportive fit. From the size and positioning of the seat to the angle of the wheels, these customisation help users avoid discomfort or injury from prolonged use.
Enhanced Performance
For users who lead active lives or participate in sports, active wheelchairs offer superior performance in terms of speed, control, and handling. Features like cambered wheels and rigid frames allow users to navigate challenging terrain or make quick turns with ease.
Portability and Convenience
Folding frame options offer great portability for those who travel frequently or need to store their wheelchairs in compact spaces. Even rigid-frame models are designed to be as light as possible, making transportation easier.
Durability and Longevity
The high-quality materials used in active wheelchairs, particularly titanium and carbon fibre, ensure that they are durable and long-lasting. This makes them a sound investment for users who rely on their wheelchairs daily.
Conclusion
An active wheelchair is much more than just a mode of transport; it is a critical tool that enables individuals to live their lives to the fullest. With a range of materials, frame types, and customization options, active wheelchairs provide comfort, performance, and independence. By choosing the right model and manufacturer, users can find a wheelchair that perfectly suits their needs, whether for daily use, sports, or more demanding activities.
Beyond Mobility specialise in active manual wheelchairs - Contact us to arrange your free demonstration and professional assessment.
