title: Handcycling: training effects of a specific dose of upper body endurance training in females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate a handcycling training protocol based on ACSM guidelines in a well-controlled laboratory setting. Training responses of a specific dose of handcycling training were quantified in a homogeneous female subject population to obtain a more in depth understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying adaptations in upper body training.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 female able-bodied participants were randomly divided in a training (T) and control group (C). T received 7-weeks of handcycling training, 3 × 30 min/week at 65 % heart rate reserve (HRR). An incremental handcycling test was used to determine local, exercise-specific adaptations. An incremental cycling test was performed to determine non-exercise-specific central/cardiovascular adaptations. Peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), heart rate (peakHR) and power output (peakPO) were compared between T and C before and after training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  T completed the training sessions at 65 ± 3 % HRR, at increasing power output (59.4 ± 8.2 to 69.5 ± 8.9 W) over the training program. T improved on handcycling peakVO2 (+18.1 %), peakPO (+31.9 %), and peakHR (+4.0 %). No improvements were found in cycling parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Handcycling training led to local, exercise-specific improvements in upper body parameters. Results could provide input for the design of effective evidence-based training programs specifically aimed at upper body endurance exercise in females.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Sport and Exercise Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK. fjhett@essex.ac.uk.|Center of Human Movement Sciences and Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center of the University of Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. fjhett@essex.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Florentina J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hettinga
authors.affiliation: Center of Human Movement Sciences and Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center of the University of Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoogwerf
authors.affiliation: Center of Human Movement Sciences and Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center of the University of Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lucas H V
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: van der Woude
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D004735:Energy Transfer / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Arm exercise; Exercise specificity; Fitness; Health and mobility; Training program; Upper body physiology