Physiological Responses of Endurance-Trained Male Wheelchair Athletes to a 10-Kilometer Treadmill Time Trial

The purpose was to examine selected physiological responses of endurance-trained male wheelchair athletes in different Paralympic racing classes (T2, n = 3; T3, n = 8; T4, n = 7) during a 10-km treadmill time trial (TM:10-km). Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O_2peak) was determined, and a TM:10-km was completed on a motorized treadmill. From this, % V̇O_2peak utilized and the relationship between V̇O_2peak and TM:10-km were established. During the TM:10-km, the following dependent variables were examined: propulsion speed, oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate. The results showed athletes utilize a high % V̇O_2peak (78.4 -13.6%) during the TM:10-km. There was a moderate correlation (r = -.57, p < .01) between VO_2peak and TM:10-km. No physiological differences were found between the paraplegic racing classes (T3, T4), which suggests that there is some justification in amalgamating these racing classes for endurance events.