[Purpose] A potential issue for wheelchair sports are the characteristics of wheelchair design. The purpose of this review was to investigate the characteristics of design in wheelchair sports including the height of seat, camber and handrim size for improving the performance. [Results] The optimum height of seat related to trunk, arm length and handrim size. The lower seat showed the push efficient highly, while higher seat increased the energy expenditure. In energy expenditure, the optimum height of seat was 100-120° of elbow angle. Handrim size play the role in gear. The smaller handrim size acts like high gear, it gains disadvantages in acceleration, it gains advantages in maximum velocity. On the contrary, the higher handrim size acts like low gear, it gains disadvantages in maximum speed, it gains advantages in acceleration. The ratio of gear consideration in power and velocity. When increased camber enhanced the lateral stability, easier catch the handrim and easier arm motion. So it improved the energy expenditure and push technique. When increased camber enhanced the mechanical efficiency and stability, but it decreased the power. The racing wheelchair camber using the 8° and 10°. [Conclusion] Athletes, coaches and wheelchair experts are provided with insight in the performance effect of key wheelchair design settings, and they are offered a proven sensitive method to apply in sports practice, in their search for the best wheelchair-athlete combination.
