Effect of a 7-week low intensity synchronous handcycling training programme on physical capacity in abled-bodied women

This study evaluated the effect of a low-intensity norm duration synchronous handcycle wheelchair training in untrained able-bodied women. The training group (n = 9) received 7-weeks of low-intensity upper body training in an instrumented handcycle on a motor-driven treadmill (MDT), 3 × 30 min/week at 30% heart rate reserve. The control group (n = 10) received no training. Incremental handcycle tests on the MDT were used to determine peak values for oxygen uptake (VO2peak), power output (POpeak), heart rate (HRpeak), minute ventilation (VEpeak), and respiratory exchange ratio (RERpeak), submaximal values for heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2) and gross efficiency (GE) before and after training. Local perceived discomfort and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were also assessed. Training significantly improved POpeak (+20%), HRpeak (+3%), RERpeak (+5%), submaximal GE (+21%), VO2 (−20%), VE (−33%), HR (−12%) and RPE was low (7.1 ± 0.5) (p < 0.05). No effects were found in VO2peak and VEpeak (p > 0.05). Though VO2peak did not improve, low-intensity norm duration handcycling training improved handcycling POpeak, while RPE was low. Also, GE increased, suggesting a motor control improvement. Handcycle training seems to be an appropriate exercise mode to improve physical capacity, and prevent early fatigue and overuse in untrained individuals.