Mountain time trial in handcycling: exercise intensity and predictors of race time in people with spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Cross-sectional analyses.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze exercise intensity during a mountain time trial in handcycling and to determine predictors of race time.


METHODS
Eight Dutch rehabilitation centers and Austrian mountain.


METHODS
Forty participants with spinal cord injury (SCI; high lesion level (>T6): N=11; low lesion level (⩽T6): N=29) handcycled a 20.2-km mountain time trial. Heart rate (HR) was monitored in 17 (high: N=5, low: N=12) participants during the race to determine exercise intensity, expressed relative to the heart rate reserve (%HRR). Two weeks before the race all participants completed laboratory tests to measure anthropometrics and peak values for power output (POpeak), oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and HR.


RESULTS
Mean race time was 4 h and 1 min (s.d.: 1 h and 24 min), with no difference in race time between lesion groups. Mean exercise intensity during the race was 70±7%HRR. Exercise was mainly (73% of the race time) at a vigorous intensity (60-89%HRR), with 29% of the total time in the 80-89%HRR zone. No clear differences were found in exercise intensities between lesion groups. The strongest predictors for better race times were higher mean %HRR during race (R(2)=57%), lower waist circumference (R(2)=39%), higher POpeak (R(2)=39%) and VO2peak (R(2)=32%).


CONCLUSIONS
A 20-km mountain time trial in a handcycle is intensive. Faster race times were achieved by those with a lower waist circumference, greater fitness level and ability to perform at higher average exercise intensities during the race. Level of SCI was not significantly associated with race time.
1] Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center|Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
S
S
de Groot
1] SCI unit, Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmuc MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
K
K
Postma
Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center|Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
L
L
van Vliet
SCI unit, Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
R
R
Timmermans
Research and Development, Rehabilitation Center Heliomare, Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands.
L J M
LJ
Valent
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult