title: A physiological and biomechanical comparison of over-ground, treadmill and ergometer wheelchair propulsion.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine which laboratory-based modality provides the most valid physiological and biomechanical representation of over-ground sports wheelchair propulsion. Fifteen able-bodied participants with previous experience of wheelchair propulsion performed a 3-minute exercise trial at three speeds (4, 6 and 8 km ∙ h(-1)) in three testing modalities over separate sessions: (i) over-ground propulsion on a wooden sprung surface; (ii) wheelchair ergometer propulsion; (iii) treadmill propulsion at four different gradients (0%, 0.7%, 1.0% and 1,3%). A 0.7% treadmill gradient was shown to best reflect the oxygen uptake (7.3 to 9.1% coefficient of variation (CV)) and heart rate responses (4.9 to 6.4% CV) of over-ground propulsion at 4 and 6 km ∙ h(-1). A 1.0% treadmill gradient provided a more valid representation of oxygen uptake during over-ground propulsion at 8 km ∙ h(-1) (8.6% CV). Physiological demand was significantly underestimated in the 0% gradient and overestimated in the 1.3% gradient and wheelchair ergometer trials compared to over-ground trials (P<0.05). No laboratory-based modality provided a valid representation of the forces applied during OG (≥ 18.4% CV). To conclude, a 0.7% treadmill gradient is recommended to replicate over-ground wheelchair propulsion at lower speeds (4 and 6 km ∙ h(-1)) whereas a 1.0% gradient may be more suitable at 8 km ∙ h(-1).
authors.affiliation: a Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Loughborough , UK.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lenton
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leicht
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goosey-Tolfrey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004526:Efficiency / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult