The initiation of wheelchair movement is a function of starting technique, upper extremity strength and the stabilizing potential of the trunk musculature. This study examined the relation between arm strength, activity level, degree of disability and the maximum impulse generated from a resting position while seated in a wheelchair. Two starting techniques were examined using a force platform. Sixteen male paraplegic adults (age 28·1 ±6·9 year, supine length l·62±0·16m, total body mass 61·2±16·2 kg) performed three grab starts and three strike starts on a Kistler force platform. For each technique, the processed data were averaged together and impulse in the forward/backward and vertical directions was determined. Isokinetic shoulder flexion and elbow extension moments of force were measured at an angular velocity of 60 degs−1. Peak power and average power were calculated from digitized values of the moment of force-time curves. Subjects were classified as highly active (HA, >2 exercise periods per week,...