Handcycling with concurrent lower body low-frequency electromyostimulation significantly increases acute oxygen uptake in elite wheelchair basketball players: an acute crossover trial

Authors

  • Ludwig Rappelt 1Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Movement and Training Science, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
  • Steffen Held Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Sport and Management, IST University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • Florian Micke Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Sport and Management, IST University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • Tim Wiedenmann Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • Jan-Philip Deutsch Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • Heinz Kleinöder Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • Lars Donath Department of Intervention Research in Exercise Training, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.40028

Keywords:

Cardiorespiratory fitness, EMS, Electrical muscle stimulation, Endurance, SCI, Spinal cord injury, elite

Abstract

Objective: Wheelchair basketball (WCB) demands high-intensity training due to its intermittent nature. However, acute oxygen uptake (V˙O2) in handcycling is restricted. Combining handcycling with low-frequency electromyostimulation (LF-EMS) may enhance V˙O2 in elite WBC athletes.

Design: Randomized crossover trail.

Subjects: Twelve German national team WCB players (age: 25.6 [5.6] years, height: 1.75 [0.16] m, mass: 74.0 [21.7] kg, classification: 2.92 [1.26]).

Method: Participants underwent 2×5 min of handcycling (60 rpm, ¾ bodyweight resistance in watts) (HANDCYCLE) and 2×5 min of handcycling with concurrent LF-EMS (EMS_HANDCYCLE). LF-EMS (4Hz, 350µs, continuous stimulation) targeted gluteal, quadriceps, and calf muscles, adjusted to individual pain thresholds (buttocks: 69.5 [22.3] mA, thighs: 66.8 [20.0] mA, calves: 68.9 [31.5] mA).

Results: Significant mode-dependent differences between HANDCYCLE and EMS_HANDCYCLE were found in V˙O2 (17.60 [3.57] vs 19.23 [4.37] ml min-1 kg-1, p = 0.001) and oxygen pulse (16.69 [4.51] vs 18.41 [5.17] ml, p = 0.002). ΔLactate was significantly lower in HANDCYCLE (0.04 [0.28] vs 0.31 [0.26] mmol l-1). Although perceived effort did not differ (p = 0.293), discomfort was rated lower in HANDCYCLE (1.44 [1.28] vs 3.94 [2.14], p = 0.002).

Conclusion: LF-EMS applied to the lower extremities increases oxygen demand during submaximal handcycling. Thus, longitudinal application of LF-EMS should be investigated as a potential training stimulus to improve aerobic capacity in wheelchair athletes.

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Published

2024-06-08

How to Cite

Rappelt, L., Held, S., Micke, F., Wiedenmann, T., Deutsch, J.-P., Kleinöder, H., & Donath, L. (2024). Handcycling with concurrent lower body low-frequency electromyostimulation significantly increases acute oxygen uptake in elite wheelchair basketball players: an acute crossover trial. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 56, jrm40028. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.40028

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Vol. 56 (2024)

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Original Report

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Copyright (c) 2024 Ludwig Rappelt, Steffen Held, Florian Micke, Tim Wiedenmann, Jan-Philip Deutsch, Heinz Kleinöder, Lars Donath

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