Effect of a 7-week low intensity synchronous handcycling training programme on physical capacity in abled-bodied...

This study evaluated the effect of a low-intensity norm duration synchronous handcycle wheelchair training in untrained able-bodied women. The training group (n = 9) received 7-weeks of low-intensity upper body training in an instrumented handcycle on a motor-driven treadmill (MDT), 3 × 30 min/week at 30% heart rate reserve. The control group (n = 10) received no training. Incremental handcycle tests on the MDT were used to determine peak values for oxygen uptake (VO_2peak), power output (PO_peak), heart rate (HR_peak), minute ventilation (V_Epeak), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER_peak), submaximal values for heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO₂) and gross efficiency (GE) before and after training. Local perceived discomfort and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were also assessed. Training significantly improved PO_peak (+20%), HR_peak (+3%), RER_peak (+5%), submaximal GE (+21%), VO₂ (-20%), V_E (-33%), HR (-12%) and RPE was low (7.1 ± 0.5) (p < 0.05). No effects were found in VO_2peak and V_Epeak (p > 0.05). Though VO_2peak did not improve, low-intensity norm duration handcycling training improved handcycling PO_peak, while RPE was low. Also, GE increased, suggesting a motor control improvement. Handcycle training seems to be an appropriate exercise mode to improve physical capacity, and prevent early fatigue and overuse in untrained individuals.