Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 49, Issue 5 784-788, Copyright © 1980 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Metabolic and circulatory responses to wheelchair and arm crank exercise

M. N. Sawka, R. M. Glaser, S. W. Wilde and T. C. von Luhrte

To compare metabolic and circulatory responses for wheelchair ergometer (WERG) and arm crank ergometer (ACE) exercise at equal power-output (PO) levels, wheelchair-dependent (n = 7) and able-bodied (n = 10) subjects exercised at PO levels at 30, 90, 150, and 210 kpm times min-1 for each mode of ergometry. Steady-state values of oxygen uptake (VO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), ventilatory equivalent of oxygen (VE times VO2-1), cardiac output (Q), stroke volume (SV), arteriovenous oxygen difference (a-VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate pressure product (RPP) were determined at each PO. With the exception of VE times VO2-1 and a-VO2, each variable tended to increase with PO. Generally, VO2, VE, Q, SV, HR, SBP, and RPP responses were higher for WERG than ACE exercise at each PO level. When Q and RPP were expressed in relation to VO2, both variables were higher for WERG exercise. These data suggest that the wheelchair hand-rim system is inherently more strenuous than arm cranking, and that the latter should be studied further as an alternative method for wheelchair propulsion.

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