Metabolic rate and cardiorespiratory response during hybrid cycling versus handcycling at equal subjective exercise intensity levels in people with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the metabolic rate and cardiorespiratory response during hybrid cycling versus handcycling at equal subjective exercise intensity levels in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Centre | Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

METHODS

On separate days, nine individuals with a motor complete paraplegia or tetraplegia (eight men, age 40 ± 13 years, time since injury 12 ± 10 years) performed 5-minute bouts of hybrid cycling (day 1) and handcycling (day 2) at moderate (level 3 on a 10-point rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale) and vigorous (RPE level 6) subjective exercise intensity, while respiratory gas exchange was measured by open-circuit spirometry and heart rate was monitored using radiotelemetry.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Metabolic rate (calculated with the Weir equation) and cardiorespiratory response (heart rate, oxygen pulse, and ventilation).

RESULTS

Overall, the metabolic rate during hybrid cycling was 3.4 kJ (16%) higher (P = 0.006) than during handcycling. Furthermore, compared with handcycling, the overall heart rate and ventilation during hybrid cycling was 11 bpm (11%) and 5.3 l/minute (18%) higher (P = 0.004 and 0.024), respectively, while the oxygen pulse was the same (P = 0.26).

CONCLUSION

Hybrid cycling induces a higher metabolic rate and cardiorespiratory response at equal RPE levels than handcycling, suggesting that hybrid cycling is more suitable for fighting obesity and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with SCI.