Article

Recognizing the encouraging effect of challenging events, the
HandbikeBattle (HBB) was created to promote exercise among wheelchair users.
The purpose of this study was to reveal the effects on physical fitness and health
outcomes of four-month handbike training under free-living conditions in
preparation for the event. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 59
relatively inexperienced handyclists participated in the HBB of 2013 or 2014.
Incremental exercise tests were conducted, respiratory function was tested and
anthropometrics were measured before and after the preparation period. Main
outcome measures were peak power output (POpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)
and waist circumference, of which the changes were tested using repeated measures
ANOVA. To detect possible determinants of changes in physical fitness, a linear
regression analysis was conducted with personal characteristics, executed
training volume and upper-extremity complaints during the training period as
independent variables. RESULTS: POpeak, VO2peak and waist circumference improved
significantly with 17%, 7% and 4.1%, respectively. None of the included variables
were significant determinants for the changes in POpeak found as a result of the
training. CONCLUSION: A challenging event such as the HBB provokes training
regimes among participants of sufficient load to realize substantial improvements
in physical fitness and health outcomes. Implications for Rehabilitation Due to
the often impaired muscle function in the lower-limbs and an inactive lifestyle,
wheelchair users generally show considerably lower levels of fitness compared to
able-bodied individuals. This prospective cohort study showed that four months of
handbike training under free-living conditions in preparation for this event
resulted in substantial improvements in physical fitness and health outcomes in
wheelchair users. The creation of a challenging event such as the HandbikeBattle
as part of a follow-up rehabilitation practice can therefore be a useful tool to
help wheelchair users initiate or keep training to improve their physical fitness
and health.

Langue : ANGLAIS