Assessment of Arm Crank and Wheelchair Treadmill Ergometry in Wheelchair Basketball Players

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Assessing training program in competitive wheelchair basketball players is essential for successful competition and performance. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare arm to treadmill wheelchair ergometry and to determine various metabolic and respiratory thresholds to provide athletes with optimal training prescription and training program. METHODS: Five male and 3 female wheelchair basketball players (age: 29.3+2.9yrs; BW: 68.0+14.3kg; Ht: 164.5+20.6cm) of the first German division participated in this study. Participants were tested twice, once via arm ergometry and again via wheelchair treadmill in randomized order. Measured threshold variables were: blood lactate concentration (LA mmol.l-1), heart rate in beats per minute (HR bpm), power output in Watts (PO), energy expenditure (EE, Kcals), oxygen uptake (VO2 ml.kg-1.min-1) and maximal performance expressed in percent (%). The data were calculated for differences via non-parametric statistical analysis, correlation and statistical significance (r; P<0.05). The data was assessed according to two different concepts previously reported by Dickhuth and by Mader. RESULTS: When considering Dickhuth concept, our results yielded significant differences for LA (P<0.025), EE (P<0.012), VO2 (P<0.012) and maximal performance (P<0.036). According to Mader concept, we found significant differences for HR (P<0.012), EE (P<0.012), VO2 (P<0.012) and maximal performance (P<0.02). When utilizing Dickhuth concept, results yielded significant correlation for EE (r=0.81; P<0.015) only; while Mader concept revealed significant correlation for HR (r=0.76; P<0.031), EE (r=0.81; P<0.015) and maximal performance (r=0.81; P<0.015). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that measures generated from arm ergometry vs. wheelchair treadmill are not useful to monitor training prescription. The large and expected significant differences in VO2 uptake alone between arm and treadmill tests lacked usefulness of the tests. We therefore recommend using treadmill test for wheelchair basketball players as it better mirrors demands of wheelchair basketball competition.

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