Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project: Final Report

3.3.7 Toe Clearance Height, minimum

There is relatively large disparity between the standards for toe clearance height, with the U.S. having the lowest (230 mm or 9 in.), followed by Australia (280 mm or 11 in.) and the U.K. (300 mm or 12 in.) (Figure 3‒7). Our study suggests that the standards required in each of the countries, do not accommodate the vast majority of WhMD users, especially in the U.S. The mean toe height for the overall sample of WhMD users in our study was 230 mm (9 in.).

In particular, the 80th percentile of toe clearance height for manual chairs (276 mm or 10 in.) suggests that over 20% of manual chair users exceed the minimum required toe clearance height of 230 mm (9 in.). Corresponding clearance heights for power chair users were typically greater than manual chair users, and with over half the sample exceeding the minimum toe clearance height requirement.

* indicates data plotted in the graph

** does not include individuals with a below-knee right leg amputation (n=10) or with the right leg constrained in fully extended position (n=3) such as in an orthopedic cast

Figure 3-7. Toe clearance height: research findings versus the standards.