Effects of an Upper-Body Training Program Involving Resistance Exercise and High-Intensity Arm Cranking on Peak Handcycling Performance and Wheelchair Propulsion Efficiency in Able-Bodied Men

Chaikhot, D, Reed, K, Petroongrad, W, Athanasiou, F, van Kooten, D, and Hettinga, FJ. Effects of an upper-body training program involving resistance exercise and high-intensity arm cranking on peak handcycling performance and wheelchair propulsion efficiency in able-bodied men. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2267–2275, 2020—The aim of this study was to determine the training effects of an upper-body training program involving resistance exercise and high-intensity arm cranking on peak handcycling performance, propulsion efficiency, and biomechanical characteristics of wheelchair propulsion in able-bodied men. The training group (n = 10) received a 4-week upper-body resistance training (RT), 70% of 1 repetition maximum, 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 8 exercise stations, 2 times per week, combined with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) 2 times per week. High-intensity interval training consisted of arm-crank exercise, 7 intervals of 2 minutes at 80–90% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) with 2-minute active rest at 50–60% of HRpeak. The control group (n = 10) received no training. Both groups performed a preincremental and postincremental handcycling test until volitional exhaustion to evaluate fitness and a 4-minute submaximal wheelchair propulsion test at comfortable speed (CS), 125 and 145% of CS, to evaluate gross mechanical efficiency (GE), fraction of effective force (FEF), percentage of peak oxygen consumption (% V̇o2peak), and propulsion characteristics. Repeated-measur...
Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Original Research Source Type: research