Eccentric Arm Cycling: A Potential Exercise for Wheelchair Users.

OBJECTIVE

To compare metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and perceptual responses to acute eccentric and traditional concentric arm cycling in a cohort of wheelchair users.

DESIGN

Single-group repeated measures.

SETTING

Exercise physiology laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 7 manual wheelchair users (45±15 y; 87±21 kg; 1.8±0.1 m; time in wheelchair 17±14 y) volunteered.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants performed 5-minute trials of eccentric and concentric arm cycling at (1) isometabolic rate (35% of peak oxygen consumption) and (2) isopower output (80W). Exercise trials were performed on an eccentric/concentric arm cycle ergometer that integrated with a personal wheelchair.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary measures included power output, oxygen consumption, heart rate, ventilation, blood lactate, and perceived exertion. Secondary measures assessed included perceived muscle soreness, likability, frequency of use, and duration of use.

RESULTS

At isometabolic rate, power production during eccentric arm cycling was ∼3× greater than concentric arm cycling (80±36 vs 26±10 W; P<.01). When exercising at isopower output, oxygen consumption during eccentric arm cycling was ∼1/2 that of concentric arm cycling (0.66±0.15 vs 1.30±0.65 L/min; P=.03). Heart rate and perceived exertion were also substantially lower during eccentric arm cycling (both P<.05). Muscle soreness assessed 24-72 hours postexercise was minimal (<1.0 cm). Preference scores and anticipated frequency and duration of use did not differ between eccentric arm cycling and concentric arm cycling (all P>.05).

CONCLUSION

Eccentric arm cycling provided a metabolically efficient (high-force, low-energy cost) and usable (wheelchair accessible, safe, likable) exercise for wheelchair users. Implementation of eccentric arm cycling with this population is promising but additional research is needed to confirm this possibility.