Understanding Tilt-in-Space vs. Recline Strollers
When choosing a seating system, "tilt" and "recline" are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they provide different benefits and function in distinct ways. Understanding these differences will help you select the best chair for your needs.
The Basics
Tilt-in-Space features tilt the entire chair backward while keeping the user's hip, knee, and ankle angles fixed. Recline features move only the backrest, opening the hip angle.
Key Definitions
- Tilt-in-Space (Noun): Refers to a chair’s ability to rotate the entire seat, backrest, and leg rests as a single, fixed unit.
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- How it works: Your hip, knee, and ankle angles remain fixed while the whole chair tilts backward.
- Core benefits: Redistributes body weight away from the tailbone and buttocks to a larger surface area (the back) and helps maintain alignment to prevent sliding or slumping. These systems also allow a user to remain in an upright position for active engagement, and then easily be tilted back into a more comfortable, resting position without changing their posture.
- Best for: Individuals who cannot shift their own weight, those at high risk for pressure sores (ulcers), and users with poor trunk control or spasticity especially extensor thrusting.
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- Recline (Noun): Refers to a chair’s ability to pivot the backrest backward independently while the seat base stays flat.
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- How it works: Opening the angle between the torso and the thighs.
- Core benefits: Allows users to stretch their hip joints and assume a more relaxed posture.
- Best for: Users who need to stretch their hip joints or individuals requiring personal care such as catheterization or diaper changes.
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Important Considerations
- Shearing: Because the recline function changes the hip angle, users may slide down the backrest as the seat back moves. This friction, known as "shearing," can damage the skin.
- Posture: Tilt chairs preserve the initial posture, while recline chairs require a user to have decent trunk strength; otherwise, they may slide out or lean to one side.
Convaid Stroller: Tilt & Recline Guide
| Model | Tilt Feature | Recline Feature |
|---|---|---|
| EZ Rider, Cruiser, and Cruiser Scout |
Fixed Tilt: Does not move. EZ Rider has 10 degrees of fixed tilt. Cruiser & Cruiser Scout has 30 degrees of fixed tilt. |
None. |
| Rodeo | Tilt-in-Space: Can be adjusted "on the go" to be upright or tilted back while maintaining a 90-degree hip angle. | Optional Recline: Available with an optional mechanism to increase the hip angle "on the go." |
| Coaster Scout | Fixed Tilt: Set with tools at 10, 20, or 30 degrees. Not adjustable "on the go." | Fixed Recline: Set with tools at one of four angles. Not adjustable "on the go." |
Note: For the Coaster Scout, "Fixed" means these settings are "set and forget it." To change these angles, the user must be removed from the chair and tools must be used to adjust the settings.
Please contact us if you have any questions about Tilt-in-Space or Recline Strollers.
Click to locate Tilt-in-Space Strollers
Click to locate Recline Strollers
