title: Efficiency of wheelchair propulsion and effects of strategy.
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.O (2) 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.
authors: Exercise and Sport Science, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire, United Kingdom.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Lenton
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Fowler
authors: L
authors: L
authors: van der Woude
authors: V L
authors: VL
authors: Goosey-Tolfrey
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D004526:Efficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D014910:Wheelchairs