Metabolic rate and cardiorespiratory response during hybrid cycling versus handcycling at equal subjective exercise intensity levels in people with spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2014 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000164 · Published: January 1, 2014

Simple Explanation

People with spinal cord injuries often have reduced daily energy expenditure and physical activity, leading to lower fitness levels and obesity. Upper-body exercises like handcycling may not be enough to combat these issues due to limited muscle mass use. This study compares hybrid cycling (combining hand and FES-induced leg cycling) with handcycling at the same perceived exertion levels to see which is better for increasing metabolic rate and cardiorespiratory response. The goal was to find out if hybrid cycling, which uses more muscle mass, could lead to a higher metabolic rate and better cardiorespiratory response, making it more effective for fighting obesity and improving fitness in people with SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Nine individuals with a motor complete paraplegia or tetraplegia

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Metabolic rate during hybrid cycling was significantly higher (16%) than during handcycling when participants rated the exercise at the same level of perceived exertion.
2
Heart rate and ventilation were also significantly higher during hybrid cycling compared to handcycling at equal perceived exertion levels, while oxygen pulse remained the same.
3
The study suggests that hybrid cycling places a greater demand on the heart and lungs compared to handcycling, indicating a better training stimulus for improving cardiorespiratory fitness.

Research Summary

This study compared metabolic rate and cardiorespiratory response during hybrid cycling versus handcycling at equal subjective exercise intensity levels in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that hybrid cycling induced a higher metabolic rate, heart rate, and ventilation compared to handcycling at the same RPE levels, suggesting it's more effective for fighting obesity and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness in SCI individuals. Despite the higher metabolic rate, there was no difference in power output between the two cycling methods, which the authors attribute to hybrid cycling being less efficient.

Practical Implications

Exercise Recommendations

People with SCI should consider incorporating hybrid exercise training into their routines due to its potential benefits for weight loss, fitness, and overall health.

Therapeutic intervention

Hybrid cycling may be a more effective exercise modality for improving cardiorespiratory fitness compared to handcycling in individuals with SCI.

Future Research

Further research is needed to determine the optimal duration, frequency, and intensity of hybrid cycling to maximize its benefits for fighting obesity and improving fitness in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The type of cycling was not randomized, which might have caused systematic differences between measurement occasions.
2
The exercise bouts were relatively short (5 minutes), and the long-term effects of hybrid cycling are unclear.
3
The study did not examine whether the beneficial effects of hybrid cycling persist during longer exercise periods, where lower-limb muscles may fatigue.

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