Energy expenditure in wheelchair racing and handbiking - a basis for prevention of cardiovascular diseases in those with disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
Handbiking and wheelchair racing have gained increased popularity in Germany. This is important because of the inability of wheelchair-dependent people to maintain cardiovascular health and fitness through daily activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy expenditure (EE; kcal/h) of wheelchair-dependent individuals.


METHODS
Ten wheelchair racers (WR) and 17 handbikers (HB) completed a basal metabolism evaluation, an incremental exercise test until exhaustion and an endurance test. Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production ([V(. -)]O(2), [V(. -)]CO(2); ml/min), arterialized capillary blood lactate concentration (LA; mmol/l) and heart rate (HR; bpm) were recorded during each test. EE was calculated by indirect calorimetry.


RESULTS
In the endurance test [V(. -)]O(2), [V(. -)]CO(2), LA, HR and EE at an intensity corresponding to 2 mmol/l lactate were: HB: 1332+/-368 ml/min, 1178+/-303 ml/min, 2.23+/-0.85 mmol/l, 116.8+/-19.1 bpm, 389.6+/-105.4 kcal/h; WR:1175+/-285 ml/min, 1145+/-258 ml/min, 2.65+/-0.36 mmol/l, 142.5+/-28.0 bpm, 341.7+/-84.0 kcal/h. At an intensity corresponding to 4 mmol/l lactate the values were: HB: 1792+/-408 ml/min, 1666+/-326 ml/min, 4.27+/-1.40 mmol/l 146.1+/-22.8 bpm, 530.1+/- 115.4 kcal/h; WR: 1505+/-210 ml/min, 1427+/-188 ml/min, 3.31+/-1.0 mmol/l, 165.3+/-22.7 bpm, 445.5+/-70.8 kcal/h.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that EE of HB and WR is high enough to maintain fitness and probably to help to prevent cardiovascular diseases even at a moderate intensity.
Abel
Thomas
T
Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne. abel@dshs-koeln.de
Kröner
Michael
M
Rojas Vega
Sandra
S
Peters
Christiane
C
Klose
Christiane
C
Platen
Petra
P
D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs
D019344:Lactic Acid