Engineering concepts for basketball wheelchairs

Center of gravity is where the chair and the athletes mass are equally distributed in all directions. Points at which the wheelchair can tip over sideways are the fulcrum. A wheelchair with a higher seat is easier to tip. Sports wheelchairs have lower seats and wheels that are angled outward so that the center of gravity has to move a greater distance before it passes over the fulcrum and tips the chair. Basketball wheelchairs are classified in two groups based on position. There are chairs for forwards and centers and there are chairs for guards. Forwards and centers are typically under the net. Their chairs have higher seats and therefore less mobility. However these athletes need to be able to reach for the ball such as for rebounds. Guards have lower seats and therefore greater mobility for ball handling and getting down the court as quickly as possible.