Abstract
Purpose. To investigate the consequence on gross mechanical efficiency (GE), arm frequency and sub-maximal performance, of paced and unpaced practice during asynchronous hand-rim wheelchair propulsion.
Methods. Twenty-five able-bodied participants performed five, 4-min exercise bouts at 1.7 m/s, at the freely chosen frequency (FCF) and four paced arm frequencies of 60, 80, 120 and 140% FCF. GE, arm frequency and measures of sub-maximal performance were determined. Participants were assigned to an unpaced (FCF, N = 9), paced (80% FCF, N = 8) or control (CON, N = 8) no practice group. The FCF and 80% FCF groups received 4-weeks (unpaced and paced, respectively) propulsion practice (three sessions center dot per wk, four 4 min/trials; 33-35 W) at 1.7 m/s on a wheelchair ergometer. Following practice, the pre-testing protocol was repeated.
Results. Mean GE showed a relative increase in both experimental groups (21 and 17%; FCF and 80% FCF respectively; p = 0.001) compared to no change in CON (-1.5%). The FCF arm frequency decreased in both experimental groups (p = 0.001), with larger changes evident following FCF practice.
Conclusion. Four weeks of unpaced or paced practice had a beneficial effect on GE. This improvement seems to be associated with a reduction in arm frequency.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2155-2163 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 26 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- Able-bodied
- wheelchair ergometry
- arm frequency
- gross efficiency
- skill acquisition
- SPINAL-CORD-INJURY
- PROPULSION TECHNIQUE
- INPATIENT REHABILITATION
- PUSHRIM BIOMECHANICS
- PERCEIVED EXERTION
- PHYSICAL CAPACITY
- INITIAL PHASE
- PERFORMANCE
- FREQUENCY
- STRATEGY