Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of intensity and duration of training on physical capacity in a 7 weeks hand rim wheelchair training in able-bodied men. Thirty-six able-bodied men participated in three groups: a 30% heart rate reserve (HRR) 70 min training group (N = 14), a 70% HRR 30 minutes training group (N = 13) and a 30% HRR 30 minutes training group (N = 9). All groups trained 3 times per week for 7 weeks on a treadmill. Pre and post tests on a wheelchair ergometer comprised a submaximal test at 20% and 40% of the estimated peak power output, in which submaximal heart rate, oxygen uptake and mechanical efficiency were determined. In maximal exercise tests, maximal isometric strength, sprint power, peak power output and peak oxygen uptake were measured. No significant differences were found between the training groups on submaximal and maximal parameters. It can be concluded that, in persons new to wheelchair use, seven weeks of wheelchair endurance training at an intensity of 30% HRR for 30 minutes is as effective as a training at a higher intensity (70% HRR) or with a longer duration (70 min).
Highlights
During almost all activities of daily living, wheelchairdependent persons rely on their upper-body only
Regular training programs are often based on the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommending minimum exercise intensities of 40% of the heart rate reserve (HRR) [4]
Fiso showed an increase in all training groups (30% HRR-70 min: +55 N; 30% HRR-30 min: +29 N; 70% HRR-30 min: +41 N), but this increase was not significantly different between the groups
Summary
During almost all activities of daily living, wheelchairdependent persons rely on their upper-body only. Van der Woude et al [2] showed that a 70% HRR as well as a 50% HRR intensity hand rim wheelchair training (30 minutes, 3 times/week) were effective in improving the physical capacity of able-bodied men. Such training intensities are deemed to lead to fatigue and pain in hand rim wheelchair propulsion at the start of inpatient rehabilitation. Low-intensity wheelchair training might be very useful in the early rehabilitation setting when the physical capacity of patients is often low [8] and musculoskeletal complaints
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