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document
Mechanical efficiency and propulsion technique after 7 weeks of low-intensity wheelchair training . BACKGROUND To evaluate the effect of a 7-week low-intensity hand rim wheelchair training on the submaximal metabolic cost , mechanical efficiency and propulsion technique in able-bodied participants . METHODS Participants were randomly divided over an experimental group ( n=14 ) and a control group ( n=7 ) . The experimental group received 7 weeks wheelchair training ( 3 week ( -1 ) , 70 min ) at a low intensity ( 30 % of the heart rate reserve ) , whereas the control group did not receive training . During pre- and post-tests , submaximal exercise was performed on a stationary wheelchair ergometer at fixed levels of power output . Mechanical efficiency , oxygen uptake , heart rate , timing parameters and stroke angles were measured . Video recordings were made to determine the stroke pattern . FINDINGS Mechanical efficiency increased and metabolic cost decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group . Push time increased and cycle frequency decreased as a result of training . The stroke angle increased in the experimental group during the training period . The experimental group preferred double-looping over propulsion , while the control group mainly used single-looping over propulsion patterns during the post-test . INTERPRETATION A low-intensity , 7-week training protocol has a beneficial effect on the mechanical efficiency and metabolic cost of wheelchair propulsion in able-bodied participants . The improved mechanical efficiency seems to be the result of changes in propulsion technique that were found .
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Intervention_Physical
wheelchair training
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Intervention_Physical
low intensity
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Intervention_Control
control
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Intervention_Control
did not receive training
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Outcome_Other
Mechanical efficiency and propulsion technique
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Outcome_Other
mechanical efficiency
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Outcome_Other
Mechanical efficiency ,
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Outcome_Physical
oxygen uptake
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Outcome_Other
,
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Outcome_Physical
heart rate
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Outcome_Other
, timing parameters and
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Outcome_Physical
stroke angles
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Outcome_Physical
stroke pattern
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Outcome_Other
Mechanical efficiency increased and
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Outcome_Physical
metabolic cost
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Outcome_Other
decreased
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Outcome_Other
Push time
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Outcome_Other
cycle frequency
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Outcome_Physical
stroke angle
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Outcome_Other
single-looping over propulsion
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Outcome_Other
mechanical efficiency and metabolic cost