Hand Cycle Research Articles

Differentiated ratings of perceived exertion in upper body exercise.

This study examined whether differentiated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (local; RPEL and central; RPEC) and overall RPE (RPEO) were different between exercise modes (upper- versus lower body) and/or changed after upper body training, providing relevant input for upper body exercise prescription/regulation. Eight rowers completed an incremental cycling test (CY), and incremental handcycle (HC) tests before (HCpre) and after three weeks of handcycle training (HCpost). RPEc was higher during CY (17.4±2.4) compared to HCpost (15.9±1.9). However, RPEo was higher during HCpost (9.1±0.6) compared to CY (8.3±1.1). During the HC tests, RPEL was consistently higher than RPEO at the same PO. Training resulted in higher RPEc (HCpre: 14.6±2.6; HCpost: 15.9±1.9) and RPEo (HCpre: 7.9±0.9; HCpost: 9.1±0.6). No differences were found for RPEL between CY and HCpost (8.7±1.1; 9.3±0.4) and after HC training (HCpre: 9.1±1.0; HCpost: 9.3±0.4). At the point of exhaustion, RPEc was higher in CY than during HCpre and HCpost, suggesting RPEC is not causing exercise termination in HC. Furthermore, RPEL is perceived higher than RPEO during all stages of the incremental HC tests compared to CY. This suggests that in contrast to cycling, local factors during arm work are perceived more strongly than central or overall cues of exertion.

Maximal lactate accumulation rate and post-exercise lactate kinetics in handcycling and cycling

The aim of this study was to assess lactate kinetics, maximal lactate accumulation rate (⩒Lamax) and peak power output (POmax) in a 15-s all-out exercise in handcycling (HC) and cycling (C) in terms of (1) reliability, (2) differences and (3) correlations between HC and C. Eighteen female and male competitive triathletes performed two trials (separated by one week) of a 15-s all-out sprint test in HC and C. Tests were performed in a recumbent racing handcycle and on the participants’ own road bike that were attached to an ergometer. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). POmax and ⩒Lamax demonstrated high reliability in HC (ICC = 0.972, ICC = 0.828) and C (ICC = 0.937, ICC = 0.872). POmax (d = −2.54, P < 0.0005) and ⩒Lamax (d = −1.62, P < 0.0005) were lower in HC compared to C. POmax and ⩒Lamax correlated in HC (r = 0.729, P = 0.001) and C (r = 0.710, P = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between HC and C in POmax (r = 0.442, P = 0.066) and ⩒Lamax (r = 0.455, P = 0.058). Whereas the exchange velocity of lactate (k1) was similar in HC and C, the removal velocity (k2) was significantly higher in HC. ⩒Lamax and POmax during sprint exercise are highly reliable and demonstrate a correlation in both HC and C. However, since ⩒Lamax and POmax are significantly higher in C and not correlated between HC and C, ⩒Lamax and POmax seem to be extremity-specific.

Inflammation-mediating cytokine response to acute handcycling exercise with/without functional electrical stimulation-evoked lower-limb cycling.

This feasibility study compared the plasma inflammation-mediating cytokine response to an acute bout of handcycling (HC) with and without the addition of functional electrical stimulation (FES)-evoked lower-limb cycling. On two separate occasions, five recreationally active, community-based participants with motor complete paraplegia (thoracic 5- 7) performed 30 min HC and hybrid exercise (HYB) at a fixed power output. Venous blood samples were collected at rest, immediately postexercise, 1 h postexercise (post+1) and 2 h postexercise (post+2). Plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), adrenaline, and cortisol concentrations were determined via enzyme-linked immunoassay. Plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly (p < 0.04) elevated (~2.5-fold) at post+1 and post+2 in HYB only. A small (0.5-fold), nonsignificant (p > 0.05) increase in IL-6 was observed at post+1 in HC, with concentrations significantly higher in HYB at post+2 (p < 0.02). Plasma IL-1ra was unaffected in both trials. Although not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.15), a ~1-fold increase in IL-10 concentration was seen in HYB at post+2. In contrast, increases in adrenaline (p < 0.04) and cortisol (p = 0.08) were observed immediately postexercise in HC and HYB. Initial findings suggest paralyzed skeletal muscle releases IL-6 in response to FES-evoked contractions. HYB may provide a greater anti-inflammatory potential in individuals with a thoracic spinal cord injury compared with HC alone.

Effects of type and mode of propulsion on hand-cycling biomechanics in nondisabled subjects

This study investigated the range of motion (ROM) (in degrees) of the upper limb and trunk, forces (Newtons), two-dimensional fraction effective force (FEF(2D)) (in percent), and torque (Newton meters) during hand cycling. Seven nondisabled participants performed a 1 min exercise test at 70 rpm on a hand cycle (HC) fixed to an ergometer in synchronous (SC) mode versus asynchronous (AC) mode and in arm-power (AP) versus arm-trunk-power (ATP) type of propulsion. Higher (p < 0.001) flexion/extension of the trunk was found during ATP versus AP type and higher (p < 0.001) lateral flexion and rotation of the trunk in AC versus SC mode. The trunk ROM should explain the different force generation patterns observed in this investigation between AC and SC modes and AP and ATP types. However, kinetic results do not allow the most effective type or mode of propulsion (FEF(2D): from 72.9% to 89.3%) to be established. We conclude that trunk movement is an important parameter to consider in ergonomically optimizing hand cycling. Nevertheless, future studies in experienced HC users, especially with limited trunk function, should be performed.

EFFECT OF HAND CYCLE TRAINING ON PHYSICAL CAPACITY IN PERSONS WITH A TETRAPLEGIA

Synchronous hand cycling (HC) is a common form of wheeled ambulation for daily use, sports and recreation in persons with a spinal cord injury in the Netherlands. HC has been shown to be more efficient and less straining than wheelchair propulsion. Therefore HC seems to be a useful alternative for improving physical capacity (PC) in persons with a low physical ability level, like persons with tetraplegia (TP). However, little is known about training effects in HC. PURPOSE To determine the effects of an 8-week HC interval training program in TP and to gain insight in training principles of HC in TP. METHODS At this stage four trained subjects with TP (>2yrs post-injury) received a HC interval training intervention and were tested before and after the training period. The 8-week interval training consisted of 30 minute sessions, 3 times a week, at an intensity of 70–90% heart rate reserve. Peak VO2 and power output (POmax) were evaluated during a discontinuous maximal HC exercise test on a motor driven treadmill. Arm strength (hand-held dynamometry) and pulmonary function were determined as other parameters of PC. RESULTS Results in these four initially trained subjects showed a strong tendency for an increase in VO2 (pre:1.73 ± 0.32, post: 1.93± 0.14 1/min; p = 0.1) and POmax (pre: 65.6± 9.7, post: 75.1± 7.6W; p = 0.06). No tendencies for improvement of arm strength and pulmonary function were seen. CONCLUSIONS Even in this small and trained TP group (n=4) a strong tendency for improvement in PC was seen after an 8-week HC interval training. Future results will involve data of groups of untrained (n=10) and trained TP (n=10) and their controls.