Abstract
BackgroundEndurance capacity is one of the main performance determinants in handcycling. There are two exercise test procedures primarily applied to determine endurance capacity, to verify training adaptations and predict race performance. This study aims to evaluate the agreement of these applied concepts in handcycling.MethodsIn a repeated measures cross-over design, 11 highly trained male spinal cord injured (Th12 to L1) handcyclists (age: 40 ± 9 years, height: 183 ± 8 cm, body mass: 73.2 ± 8.5 kg) performed a graded exercise test (GXT) and a lactate minimum test (LMT) to determine lactate threshold at 4 mmol L–1 (LT4 mmol L−1) and lactate minimum (LM), respectively. The agreement of both lactate thresholds concepts for constant load performance prediction (change of ≤ 1 mmol L–1 during the last 20 min) was evaluated within constant load tests (CLT; 30 min) at a power output (PO) corresponding to LT4 mmol L–1 and LM. Oxygen uptake (), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La) were measured during all tests.ResultsPower output at the corresponding thresholds (LT4 mmol L−1: 149 ± 34 W vs. LM: 137 ± 18 W) revealed no significant difference (p = 0.06). During the CLT at LT4 mmol⋅L−1 and LM, , and RPE were not significantly different. However, LA, RER, and HR were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.02) during CLT at LT4 mmol L−1. Bland–Altman plots indicate a wide range of dispersion for all parameters between both lactate threshold concepts. Evaluations of LT4 mmol L−1 and LM did not meet the criteria for constant load performance within the CLT for 33 and 17% of the athletes, respectively.DiscussionBoth exercise tests and the corresponding lactate threshold concept revealed appropriate estimates to predict a steady state performance for the majority of participants. However, as PO determination at LT4 mmol L−1 and LM exceeds the criteria for constant load performance (increase of ≥ 1 mmol L–1) for 33 and 17% respectively the current results indicate the common criteria for constant load performance (change of ± 1 mmol L–1) might not be sufficiently precise for elite athletes in handcycling. Consequently, exercise test results of elite athletes should be analyzed individually and verified by means of several CLT.
Highlights
The first world championships in handcycling were staged in 1999 and the debut at Paralympic Games was 2004 in Athens
While the lactate minimum test (LMT) revealed the highest values for respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and power output (PO) maximum, the peak values for LA and heart rate (HR) were achieved during the graded exercise test (GXT) (Table 2)
Mean differences of peak responses for VOs showed a good agreement between GXT and LMT
Summary
The first world championships in handcycling were staged in 1999 and the debut at Paralympic Games was 2004 in Athens. To date there are two exercise test procedures primarily applied to determine endurance capacity in handcycling; the lactate minimum test (LMT) (Perret et al, 2012) and the graded exercise test (GXT) to exhaustion (Zeller et al, 2015). The obtained test results allow the analysis of current endurance capacity to verify training adaptations and are routinely used as a time-efficient alternative to predict maximum lactate steady state (MLSS) (Jones and Doust, 1998; Billat et al, 2003; Faude et al, 2009; Adam et al, 2015). The LMT protocol involves a ramp test until volitional exhaustion to induce a hyperlactemia This is followed by a recovery phase allowing an equilibration of lactate concentration between muscle and blood. There are two exercise test procedures primarily applied to determine endurance capacity, to verify training adaptations and predict race performance. This study aims to evaluate the agreement of these applied concepts in handcycling
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