Energy cost and locomotive economy of handbike and rowcycle propulsion by persons with spinal cord injury.

Seven subjects with chronic paralysis due to spinal cord injury completed a series of experiments to 1) determine and compare the metabolic cost of propelling the Handbike and Rowcycle, and 2) evaluate the potential of these upper body-powered devices for improving the cardiorespiratory fitness of persons with lower limb disabilities. Mean intrasubject differences between the Handbike and Rowcycle rides for heart rate, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, and net locomotive energy cost were small and did not reach statistical significance for any of the ride conditions. Lower net locomotive energy cost (greater economy) during a 5.5 mi.hr-1 ride condition predicted vehicle preference in all cases (P = 0.008). The range of values for percent peak oxygen uptake suggests that all but one of the subjects were able to utilize either vehicle at an intensity sufficient for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness without undue fatigue.