Effects of 7-week Resistance Training on Handcycle Performance in Able-bodied Males

The effect of an upper body resistance training program on maximal and submaximal handcycling performance in able-bodied males was explored. Eighteen able-bodied men were randomly assigned to a training group (TG: n=10) and a control group (CG: n=8). TG received 7 weeks of upper body resistance training (60% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM), 3x10 repetitions, 6 exercise stations, 2 times per week). CG received no training. Peak values for oxygen uptake (VO (2peak) ), power output (PO (peak) ), heart rate (HR (peak) ), minute ventilation (VO (Epeak) ) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER (peak) ), submaximal values (HR, VO (2) , RER, PO, and gross mechanical efficiency (GE)), and time to exhaustion (TTE) were determined in an incremental test pre- and post-training. Maximal isokinetic arm strength and 1RM tests were conducted. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons were performed to examine the effect of time, group and its interaction (p<0.05). TG improved on PO (peak) (8.55%), TTE (10.73%), and 1RM (12.28-38.98%). RPE at the same stage during pre- and post-test was lower during the post-test (8.17%). Despite no improvements in VO (2peak) , training improved PO (peak) , muscular strength, and TTE. Upper body resistance training has the potential to improve handcycling performance.