METABOLIC RESPONSE TO A SIMULATED 10KM WHEELCHAIR RACE IN HIGHLY TRAINED INDIVIDUALS WITH PARAPLEGIA

Abstract

1839 Nine highly trained wheelchair track athletes with paraplegia (5 women, 4 men), mean age (± SD) 22.9 ± 4.6 yrs, weight 52.0 ± 7.9 kg completed assessment of max push speed and peak VO2 (lab visit 1) and a simulated 10 km time trial (lab visit 2). The peak VO2 assessment and 10 km time trial were both completed on an Eagle stationary free spinning roller using individual race chairs. Push speed and distance traveled were assessed with a calibrated Cateye Cyclo-computer. Peak VO2 was the highest VO2 observed during a progressive speed test (Stage 1 @ 60% max speed, speed increased 2% every 2 min to volitional exhaustion). VO2 and heart rate (HR) (Polar telemetry) were assessed continuously during the 10 km time trial. Peak values for VO2 (ml·kg−1·min−1), HR (beats·min−1), and push speed (km·hr−1) were: 43.3 ± 7.5, 194.3 ± 7.9, and 34.3 ± 4.2, respectively. The mean time and average speed for the 10km trial were 20.9 ± 2.5 min and 29.0 ± 3.4 km·hr−1 (83% max speed), respectively. The average VO2 and HR during the 10km trial were 35.5 ± 6.6 ml·kg−1·min−1 and 185.2 ± 9.3 beats·min−1, or approximately 79% of VO2 peak and 95% peak HR. Peak VO2 was significantly correlated with 10km trial time (r = −0.83, p < .01). These results indicate that trained individuals with paraplegia are able to sustain a high percentage of their maximal metabolic capacity during a 10 km trial. Peak VO2 assessed by a progressive speed test in a race wheelchair is highly associated 10km trial performance.