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Handcycling with concurrent lower body low-frequency electromyostimulation significantly increases acute oxygen uptake in elite wheelchair basketball players: an acute crossover trial
Wheelchair basketball (WCB) demands high-intensity training due to its intermittent nature. However, acute oxygen uptake (V˙O2) in handcycling is restricted. Combining handcycling with low-frequency electromyostimulation (LF-EMS) may enhance V˙O2 in elite WBC athletes. Randomized crossover trail. Tw...
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Published in: | Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2024-06, Vol.56, p.jrm40028 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Wheelchair basketball (WCB) demands high-intensity training due to its intermittent nature. However, acute oxygen uptake (V˙O2) in handcycling is restricted. Combining handcycling with low-frequency electromyostimulation (LF-EMS) may enhance V˙O2 in elite WBC athletes.
Randomized crossover trail.
Twelve German national team WCB players (age: 25.6 [5.6] years, height: 1.75 [0.16] m, mass: 74.0 [21.7] kg, classification: 2.92 [1.26]).
Participants underwent 2×5 min of handcycling (60 rpm, ¾ bodyweight resistance in watts) (HANDCYCLE) and 2×5 min of handcycling with concurrent LF-EMS (EMS_HANDCYCLE). LF-EMS (4Hz, 350µs, continuous stimulation) targeted gluteal, quadriceps, and calf muscles, adjusted to individual pain thresholds (buttocks: 69.5 [22.3] mA, thighs: 66.8 [20.0] mA, calves: 68.9 [31.5] mA).
Significant mode-dependent differences between HANDCYCLE and EMS_HANDCYCLE were found in V˙O2 (17.60 [3.57] vs 19.23 [4.37] ml min-1 kg-1, p = 0.001) and oxygen pulse (16.69 [4.51] vs 18.41 [5.17] ml, p = 0.002). ΔLactate was significantly lower in HANDCYCLE (0.04 [0.28] vs 0.31 [0.26] mmol l-1). Although perceived effort did not differ (p = 0.293), discomfort was rated lower in HANDCYCLE (1.44 [1.28] vs 3.94 [2.14], p = 0.002).
LF-EMS applied to the lower extremities increases oxygen demand during submaximal handcycling. Thus, longitudinal application of LF-EMS should be investigated as a potential training stimulus to improve aerobic capacity in wheelchair athletes. |
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ISSN: | 1651-2081 1650-1977 1651-2081 |
DOI: | 10.2340/jrm.v56.40028 |