Energy expenditure in wheelchair racing and handbiking - a basis for prevention of cardiovascular diseases in those with disabilities

Abstract

Objective

Handbiking and wheelchair racing have gained increased popularity in Germany. This is important because of the inability of wheelchair-dependent people to maintain cardiovascular health and fitness through daily activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy expenditure (EE; kcal/h) of wheelchair-dependent individuals.

Methods

Ten wheelchair racers (WR) and 17 handbikers (HB) completed a basal metabolism evaluation, an incremental exercise test until exhaustion and an endurance test. Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production ( ${\stackrel{.}{\text{V}}\text{O}}_2$ , ${\stackrel{.}{\text{V}}\text{CO}}_2$ ; ml/min), arterialized capillary blood lactate concentration (LA; mmol/l) and heart rate (HR; bpm) were recorded during each test. EE was calculated by indirect calorimetry.

Results

In the endurance test ${\stackrel{.}{\text{V}}\text{O}}_2$ , ${\stackrel{.}{\text{V}}\text{CO}}_2$ , LA, HR and EE at an intensity corresponding to 2 mmol/l lactate were: HB: 1332 ± 368 ml/min, 1178 ± 303 ml/min, 2.23 ± 0.85 mmol/l, 116.8 ± 19.1 bpm, 389.6 ± 105.4 kcal/h; WR: 1175 ± 285 ml/min, 1145 ± 258 ml/min, 2.65 ± 0.36 mmol/l, 142.5 ± 28.0 bpm, 341.7 ± 84.0 kcal/h. At an intensity corresponding to 4 mmol/l lactate the values were: HB: 1792 ± 408 ml/min, 1666 ± 326 ml/min, 4.27 ± 1.40 mmol/l 146.1 ± 22.8 bpm, 530.1 ± 115.4 kcal/h; WR: 1505 ± 210 ml/min, 1427 ± 188 ml/min, 3.31 ± 1.0 mmol/l, 165.3 ± 22.7 bpm, 445.5 ± 70.8 kcal/h.

Conclusion

The results show that EE of HB and WR is high enough to maintain fitness and probably to help to prevent cardiovascular diseases even at a moderate intensity.