Physiological responses to maximal effort wheelchair and arm crank ergometry.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to compare physical work capacity (PWC), peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), maximal pulmonary ventilation (VEmax), maximal heart rate (HRmax), and maximal blood lactate concentration (LAmax) for wheelchair ergometer (WERG) and arm crank ergometer (ACE) exercise. For this, wheelchair-dependent (n = 6) and able-bodied (n = 10) subjects completed a progressive intensity, discontinuous test for each mode of exercise. Each test was terminated by physical exhaustion and/or an inability to maintain a flywheel velocity of 180 m.min-1. Relatively high correlation coefficients were found between values obtained during the two modes of ergometry for PWC, peak VO2, VEmax, and HRmax. WERG exercise was found to elicit a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower PWC (by 36%), HRmax (by 7%), and LAmax (by 26%) than ACE exercise. Peak VO2 and VEmax, however, were similar for both exercise modes. These data suggest that either exercise mode may be used for fitness testing and training of people who cannot use their legs and that arm cranking may be a superior method to propel wheelchairs.