The purposes of this study were:
(1) to compare the physiological responses
during simulated wheelchair racing (SR) between male quadriplegics and para
plegics, (2) to test the validity of the SR against a track race (TR) and
(3) to examine the relationship between the peak oxygen uptake (peak V02) and
wheeling velocity (WV) during the SR and TR. Seven quadriplegics (CS-8
lesions) and six paraplegics (TS-L4 lesions) completed (1) an incremental
wheelchair velocity test, (2) a SR (1.6 km for quadriplegics and 3.2 km for
paraplegics), and (3) an indoor TR of the same distance. The subjects per
formed the incremental velocity test and SR in their personal wheelchairs
mounted on a roller system interfaced with customized software programmed to
provide velocity and distance feedback. Physiological responses were monitored
using an automated metabolic cart and electrocardiogram. Blood lactate concen
tration [La] was determined from finger prick samples. Peak V02 and peak
heart rate (peak HR) were significantly higher in the paraplegics compared to
quadriplegics: 1.90 ± 0.S4 vs 1.07 ± 0.3S l/min, and 188 ± 11 beats/min vs 117 ±
12 beats/min respectively. The paraplegics exercised at significantly (p < O.OS)
higher percentages of peak V02 and peak HR during the SR compared to
quadriplegics (9S% vs 76% and 9S% vs 86%, respectiv .ely). No significant
relationships (p > O.OS) were observed between the peak V02 and WV during
the SR and TR in either group. Significant relationships (p < O.OS) were
observed between the SR and TR for the race time, WV, HR, and [La] in both
groups of subjects. These results suggest: (1) that factors other than peak V02
infuence wheelchair racing performance in quadriplegics and paraplegics, and
(2) that wheelchair roller racing evaluated in the laboratory is a valid measure of track racing performance in spinal cord injured subjects.