Metabolic and heart rate responses to submaximal arm lever and arm crank ergometry

Previous studies have shown that arm cranks and arm levers, working as propulsion mechanisms for nonambulatory individuals, may have mechanical and physiologic advantages over standard handrim wheelchairs. This study evaluated physiologic responses to arm lever and arm crank ergometry using identical workloads. An arm lever ergometer (ALE) was constructed and adapted to an arm crank ergometer (ACE) so that equal workloads could be applied with both ergometers. Fifteen able-bodied men and 15 able-bodied women exercised at a low (15 watts) and a high (45 watts) workload, with a three-minute rest interval. While exercising at each level, oxygen consumption (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), and heart rate (HR) were monitored. When low workloads with ALE and ACE were compared, no significant differences (p greater than 0.05) were demonstrated in any of the variables for men or women. For the men, at the high workload, the ALE elicited significantly lower (p less than 0.05) VO2 (by 9.8%), HR (by 6.3%), and VE (by 7.5%), than did the ACE. For the women, at the high workload, VO2 was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) (by 7.6%) with the ALE, as was VE (by 7.5%), but HR, although 3.3% lower with the ALE, was not significantly different (p greater than 0.05) from the ACE. These data suggest that the ALE is physiologically less stressful than the ACE at high workloads. Arm levers may, therefore, provide an advantage for handicapped persons when they propel themselves in wheelchairs.