Abstract
Current knowledge of recumbent handbike configuration and handcycling technique is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the upper limb kinematics and handbike configurations of recreational and competitive recumbent handcyclists, during sport‐specific intensities. Thirteen handcyclists were divided into two significantly different groups based on peak aerobic power output (POpeak) and race experience; competitive (n = 7; 5 H3 and 2 H4 classes; POpeak: 247 ± 20 W) and recreational (n = 6; 4 H3 and 2 H4 classes; POpeak: 198 ± 21 W). Participants performed bouts of exercise at training (50% POpeak), competition (70% POpeak), and sprint intensity while three‐dimensional kinematic data (thorax, scapula, shoulder, elbow, and wrist) were collected. Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare the kinematics of competitive and recreational handcyclists. Handbike configurations were determined from additional markers on the handbike. Competitive handcyclists flexed their thorax (~5°, P < 0.05), extended their shoulder (~10°, P < 0.01), and posteriorly tilted their scapular (~15°, P < 0.05) more than recreational handcyclists. Differences in scapular motion occurred only at training intensity while differences in shoulder extension and thorax flexion occurred both at training and competition intensities. No differences were observed during sprinting. No significant differences in handbike configuration were identified. This study is the first to compare the upper limb kinematics of competitive recreational handcyclists at sport‐specific intensities. Competitive handcyclists employed significantly different propulsion strategies at training and competition intensities. Since no differences in handbike configuration were identified, these kinematic differences could be due to technical training adaptations potentially optimizing muscle recruitment or force generation of the arm.
Highlights
Handcycling is an activity that has increased in popularity at both a recreational and sporting level.[1]
While the physiological performance determinants of recumbent handcycling have been investigated extensively,[6,8,9] very little is known about handcycling biomechanics or handbike configuration, which is critical for the development of the sport from both a performance and injury perspective
It has been suggested that factors such as participant classification and backrest shape affected thorax flexion while the position of the crank axis, crank length, crank width, and the position of the athlete affected posterior scapular tilt and shoulder flexion/extension.[5,13,19]
Summary
Handcycling is an activity that has increased in popularity at both a recreational and sporting level.[1]. While the physiological performance determinants of recumbent handcycling have been investigated extensively,[6,8,9] very little is known about handcycling biomechanics or handbike configuration, which is critical for the development of the sport from both a performance and injury perspective. It has been established in able‐bodied cycling that components of the bike and bike‐rider interface impact technique and potentially sports performance.[10] Of the handcycling biomechanical literature, studies have established that factors such as exercise intensity[11,12] and handbike configuration[13,14] affect handcycling technique. The use of able‐bodied or less experienced participants can bias the findings, for example, in the context of wheelchair propulsion “skilled users” push with higher efficiencies[15] and following training or familiarization display improved techniques.[16,17] factors such as the participant's skill level and other characteristics of the experimental study such as the exercise intensity and handbike configuration need to be carefully considered
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