Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Determining and Controlling External Power Output During Regular Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion
Published on: February 5, 2020
Effects of 4-weeks of asynchronous hand-rim wheelchair practice on mechanical efficiency and timing
John Paul Lenton1, Lucas H V Van Der Woude, Neil E Fowler
1Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. J.P.Lenton@lboro.ac.uk
Purpose:
To investigate the consequence on gross mechanical efficiency (GE), arm frequency and sub-maximal performance, of paced and unpaced practice during asynchronous hand-rim wheelchair propulsion.
Methods:
Twenty-five able-bodied participants performed five, 4-min exercise bouts at 1.7 m/s, at the freely chosen frequency (FCF) and four paced arm frequencies of 60, 80, 120 and 140% FCF. GE, arm frequency and measures of sub-maximal performance were determined. Participants were assigned to an unpaced (FCF, N = 9), paced (80% FCF, N = 8) or control (CON, N = 8) no practice group. The FCF and 80% FCF groups received 4-weeks (unpaced and paced, respectively) propulsion practice (three sessions·per wk, four 4 min/trials; 33-35 W) at 1.7 m/s on a wheelchair ergometer. Following practice, the pre-testing protocol was repeated.
Results:
Mean GE showed a relative increase in both experimental groups (21 and 17%; FCF and 80% FCF respectively; p = 0.001) compared to no change in CON (-1.5%). The FCF arm frequency decreased in both experimental groups (p = 0.001), with larger changes evident following FCF practice.
Conclusion:
Four weeks of unpaced or paced practice had a beneficial effect on GE. This improvement seems to be associated with a reduction in arm frequency.
