Article

The purpose of this study was to provide a predictive peak oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2 peak) equation in wheelchair-dependent athletes using the Adapted Leger and Boucher test. Subjects and protocol : Fifty-six wheelchair-dependent athletes, 47 males and nine females (30.3 +/- 4 years), underwent a clinical examination to assess their anthropometric characteristics: height, mass, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass, arm length, and muscular arm volume. They performed a deceleration field test to assess the subject-wheelchair resistance defined as a mechanical variable, and they then performed the Adapted Leger and Boucher test to assess physiological data at maximal exercise ((V) over dot O-2 peak, heart rate max) concomitantly with biomechanical (number of pushes) and performance variables (maximal aerobic velocity Va(max) and maximal distance). The (V) over dot O-2 peak was measured directly using a portable telemetric oxygen analyzer. Subjects were then randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 49) to determine the predictive equation, and a validation group (n = 7) to check the external validity of the equation. Results: A stepwise multiple regression with (V) over dot O-2 peak (1 min(-1)) as the dependent variable led to the following equation: (V) over dot O-2 peak = 0.22 Va(max) - 0.63 log(age) + 0.05 BMI 0.25 level + 0.52, with r(2) =0.81 and SEE = 0.01. Paraplegic subjects with high and low lesion level spinal injuries were attributed the coefficient of 1 and 0, respectively. The external validity of the equation was positive since the predicted (V) over dot O-2 peak values did not significantly differ from directly measured (V) over dot O-2, peak (P > 0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that (V) over dot O-2 peak in wheelchair-dependent athletes was predictable using the equation of the present study and the described incremental test.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Identifiant basis : 2002224552