Physiological Determinants of Handcycling Performance

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected anthropometric, physiological, and upper body strength measures and 15-km handcycling time trial performance. Methods: Thirteen, trained H3/H4 male handcyclists performed a 15-km time trial, graded exercise test, 15-s all-out sprint and one repetition maximum assessment of bench press and prone bench pull strength. Relationship between all variables were assessed using a Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix with mean time trial velocity representing the principal performance outcome. Results: Power at a fixed blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol·l-1 (r = .927; p <0.01) showed an extremely large correlation to TT performance, whilst relative V̇ O2peak (r = .879; p <0.01), power-to-mass ratio (r = .879; p < 0.01), peak aerobic power (r = .851; p <0.01), gross mechanical efficiency (r = 733; p <0.01), relative prone bench pull strength (r = .770; p = 0.03) relative bench press strength (r = .703, p = 0.11), and maximum anaerobic power (r = .678; p = 0.15) all demonstrated a very large correlation with performance outcomes. Conclusion: Findings of the present study indicate that power at a fixed blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol·l-1, relative V̇ O2peak, power-to-mass ratio, peak aerobic power, gross mechanical efficiency, relative upper body strength, and maximum anaerobic power are all significant determinants of 15- km TT performance in H3/H4 handcyclists.