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Kinematics and kinetics of handcycling propulsion at increasing workloads in able-bodied subjects

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A Correction to this article was published on 29 May 2018

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Abstract

In Paralympic sports, biomechanical optimisation of movements and equipment seems to be promising for improving performance. In handcycling, information about the biomechanics of this sport is mainly provided by case studies. The aim of the current study was (1) to examine changes in handcycling propulsion kinematics and kinetics due to increasing workloads and (2) identify parameters that are associated with peak aerobic performance. Twelve non-disabled male competitive triathletes without handcycling experience voluntarily participated in the study. They performed an initial familiarisation protocol and incremental step test until exhaustion in a recumbent racing handcycle that was attached to an ergometer. During the incremental test, tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics, blood lactate and ratings of perceived exertion (local and global) were identified. As a performance criterion, the maximal power output during the step test (Pmax) was calculated and correlated with biomechanical parameters. For higher workloads, an increase in crank torque was observed that was even more pronounced in the pull phase than in the push phase. Furthermore, participants showed an increase in shoulder internal rotation and abduction and a decrease in elbow flexion and retroversion. These changes were negatively correlated with performance. At high workloads, it seems that power output is more limited by the transition from pull to push phase than at low workloads. It is suggested that successful athletes demonstrate small alterations of their kinematic profile due to increasing workloads. Future studies should replicate and expand the test spectrum (sprint and continuous loads) as well as use methods like surface electromyography (sEMG) with elite handcyclists.

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Change history

  • 29 May 2018

    In the original article, the surname of the second author is published incorrectly. The correct author name should be “Joshua Meskemper”.

Abbreviations

AL:

Arm length

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

AOC:

Height of the acromion above crank axis

b T :

Increase in power output with each step of the incremental test

BR:

Back rest

Cad:

Cadence

EF:

Elbow flexion

HRmax :

Maximal heart rate during the incremental test

Lamax :

Maximal lactate concentration during the incremental test

M :

Torque

MaxI:

Crank angle of maximal value

Max or MaxV:

Maximal value

MaxV–MinV:

Range

MinI:

Crank angle of minimal value

Min or MinV:

Minimal value

MV:

Mean value

P 4 :

Calculated power output at a fixed lactate concentration of 4 mmol l-1

PF:

Palmar flexion

P L :

Power output of the last step of the incremental test

P max :

Maximal power output during the incremental test

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

SA:

Shoulder abduction

SCI:

Spinal cord injury

SD:

Standard deviation

sEMG:

Surface electromyography

SF:

Shoulder flexion

SR:

Shoulder internal rotation

SW:

Shoulder width

TF:

Trunk flexion

t L :

Duration within the last (unfinished) step of the incremental test

t T :

Prescribed duration of each step of the incremental test

W crank :

Rotational work

@MaxP:

Crank angle of maximal power

@MinP:

Crank angle of minimal power

θ :

Angle

ω :

Angular velocity

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all participants for their patience and commitment during the study. In addition, they would also to express their gratitude to Alessandro Fasse for his help in data processing and Carolin Stangier for her support during the tests.

Funding

Self-funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany

    Oliver J. Quittmann, Thomas Abel, Tina Foitschik, Sandra Rojas-Vega & Heiko K. Strüder

  2. Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Joshua Meskemper & Kirsten Albracht

  3. European Research Group in Disability Sport (ERGiDS), Cologne, Germany

    Thomas Abel

  4. Faculty of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics, FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany

    Kirsten Albracht

Authors
  1. Oliver J. Quittmann
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  2. Joshua Meskemper
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Correspondence to Oliver J. Quittmann.

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The original version of this article was revised with the correct author name.

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Quittmann, O.J., Meskemper, J., Abel, T. et al. Kinematics and kinetics of handcycling propulsion at increasing workloads in able-bodied subjects. Sports Eng 21, 283–294 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-018-0269-y

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