Abstract
Background: This study aimed at comparing bioenergetics and biomechanical parameters between athletes with tetraplegia and paraplegia riding race handbikes at submaximal speeds in ecological conditions. Methods: Five athletes with tetraplegia (C6-T1, 43 ± 6 yrs, 63 ± 14 kg) and 12 athletes with paraplegia (T4-S5, 44 ± 7 yrs, 72 ± 12 kg) rode their handbikes at submaximal speeds under metabolic measurements. A deceleration method (coasting down) was applied to calculate the rolling resistance and frontal picture of each participant was taken to calculate air resistance. The net overall Mechanical Efficiency (Eff) was calculated by dividing external mechanical work to the corresponding Metabolic Power. Results: Athletes with tetraplegia reached a lower aerobic speed (4.7 ± 0.6 m s−1 vs. 7.1 ± 0.9 m s−1, P = 0.001) and Mechanical Power (54 ± 15 W vs. 111 ± 25 W, P = 0.001) compared with athletes with paraplegia. The metabolic cost was around 1 J kg−1 m−1 for both groups. The Eff values (17 ± 2% vs. 19 ± 3%, P = 0.262) suggested that the handbike is an efficient assisted locomotion device. Conclusion: Handbikers with tetraplegia showed lower aerobic performances but a similar metabolic cost compared with handbikers with paraplegia at submaximal speeds in ecological conditions.
Highlights
The handbike is one of most popular alternative propulsion devices for people with spinal cord injuries and is commonly used in rehabilitation programs [1,2], recreational activities [2,3], and competitions [4,5,6]
A large effect size was found in Mass (1.04) and the rolling coefficient (1.46), while a moderate effect size was found in rolling resistance (0.41) and the project frontal area (0.5)
Our results are in line with such an explanation given that our athletes with tetraplegia rode their handbikes at speeds 34% lower than athletes with paraplegia
Summary
The handbike is one of most popular alternative propulsion devices for people with spinal cord injuries and is commonly used in rehabilitation programs [1,2], recreational activities [2,3], and competitions [4,5,6]. This study aimed at comparing bioenergetics and biomechanical parameters between athletes with tetraplegia and paraplegia riding race handbikes at submaximal speeds in ecological conditions. Methods: Five athletes with tetraplegia (C6-T1, 43 ± 6 yrs, 63 ± 14 kg) and athletes with paraplegia (T4-S5, 44 ± 7 yrs, 72 ± 12 kg) rode their handbikes at submaximal speeds under metabolic measurements. Results: Athletes with tetraplegia reached a lower aerobic speed (4.7 ± 0.6 m s−1 vs 7.1 ± 0.9 m s−1 , P = 0.001) and Mechanical Power Conclusion: Handbikers with tetraplegia showed lower aerobic performances but a similar metabolic cost compared with handbikers with paraplegia at submaximal speeds in ecological conditions
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