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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(5): 384-389
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965569
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Efficiency of Wheelchair Propulsion and Effects of Strategy

J. P. Lenton1 , N. Fowler1 , L. van der Woude2 , V. L. Goosey-Tolfrey1
  • 1Exercise and Sport Science, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire, United Kingdom
  • 2Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 11, 2007

Publication Date:
18 September 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of arm frequency and propulsion mode on the internal work during submaximal wheelchair propulsion. Twelve able-bodied participants performed a V·O2 peak test on a wheelchair ergometer. On a separate occasion, six (4 min) submaximal exercise conditions employing two modes of propulsion (synchronous, SYN vs. asynchronous, ASY) at arm frequencies of 40 and 80 rev · min-1 were performed at 1.2 m · s-1 and 1.7 m · s-1. These conditions resulted in three push strategy combinations (ASY [20 : 20], SYN [40 : 40] & ASY [40 : 40]) at two speeds. Gross, net, work and delta efficiency were determined. The cost of unloaded exercise was significantly lower for the ASY [20 : 20] than both ASY and SYN [40 : 40] (0.49 vs. 0.58 and 0.57 L · min-1, respectively). All the efficiency indices decreased as velocity increased (p < 0.01). ASY [20 : 20] was the least efficient (gross and work) mode (4.2 ± 0.4 % and 6.2 ± 0.8 % respectively). Comparison of equal arm frequencies (ASY [40 : 40] vs. SYN [40 : 40]); found the efficiency to be lower for ASY propulsion (p < 0.05). Under the current testing conditions SYN propulsion mode offers greater efficiency during wheelchair propulsion.

Key words

gross efficiency - work efficiency - wheelchair exercise - synchronous - asynchronous

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Dr. PhD Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey

The Manchester Metropolitan University
Exercise and Sport Science

Cheshire

United Kingdom

Phone: + 44 0 15 09 22 63 02/3

Fax: + 44 0 15 09 22 63 01

Email: v.l.tolfrey@lboro.ac.uk