Physiological Responses to Two Wheelchair-Racing Exercise Protocols

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the blood lactate accumulation during two wheelchair-racing protocols. During exercise, energy is required, which causes me tabolism to increase and blood lactate to accumulate. Proper training can reduce the amount of blood lactate accumulation and increase tolerance to blood lactate accu mulation during aerobic exercise. Methods: Eleven male wheelchair elite track ath letes with a spinal cord injury were tested to determine their blood lactate response to speed and resistance workouts. A computer-monitored wheelchair dynamometer was used during all exercise tests. The order of the test (e.g., speed or resistance work- out) was randomized. Blood pressure and blood samples were taken immediately be fore and after completion of each exercise test. Results: The difference between the blood lactate concentrations before and after testing were 8 56 ± 4.42, and 11.67 ± 4.69 mM for the resistance and speed tests, respectively. Conclusions: Our results showed that the blood lactate responses were significantly different for the resistance and speed workouts. Key Words: Wheelchair racing—Exercise—Fitness—Spinal cord injury—Fitness.