OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that, during wheelie training, adding the proactive balance strategy (PBS) to the conventional reactive balance strategy (RBS) increases the success rate, decreases training time, and lessens postural sway during the wheelie. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Kinesiologic laboratory in a rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two participants (12 wheelchair users, 10 able-bodied) randomly assigned to the RBS group or to the PBS+RBS group; the groups were balanced according to gender, age, and diagnostic category. INTERVENTION: Participants were trained to perform stationary wheelies in 2 highly structured settings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success rate in achieving wheelie competence, training time, and postural sway on a force platform. RESULTS: Success rate was 100% for both groups. The RBS group required a mean +/- standard deviation of 43 +/- 31 minutes of training time and the PBS+RBS group required 45 +/- 28 minutes (p = 0.54). There was no significant difference between training groups with respect to postural sway measures (p = 0.50). Age correlated with both training time (r = 0.70, p = 0.001) and postural sway (r = 0.52, p = 0.03). Qualitatively, we identified 3 take-off patterns and confirmed the use of the 2 balance patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the PBS to RBS training did not improve wheelie success rate, training time, or postural sway. Although older wheelchair users require more training time, many such users can learn this useful skill if given the opportunity.

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