Which chair would not benefit an active patient with incomplete spinal cord injury relying on a wheelchair for primary transportation?

• A. Standard chair due to increased weight.
• B. Folding frame chair.
• C. Lightweight chair with rigid frame.
• D. Tilt-in-space chair.

Answer: (B)

For an active user who relies on a wheelchair for most daily transportation, propulsion efficiency and energy conservation are the main goals. A lightweight chair with a rigid frame delivers the most direct transfer of push into forward motion, minimizing energy loss from frame flex and reducing fatigue over longer distances.

A folding-frame chair, while convenient for storage and transport, has joints that can flex under load and may feel less stable during propulsion. That reduced stiffness can make pushing less efficient and require more effort, which is a drawback for someone who needs to cover distance regularly.

The other options have tradeoffs too: a standard chair is heavier and harder to propel, and a tilt-in-space chair adds weight and complexity but serves pressure-relief and postural needs rather than primary transportation performance.