Conclusion : Exercise training programs seem to be effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .
However , there is remarkably little research , particularly for individuals who do not have spinal-cord injury
Objective : An adequate wheelchair propulsion capacity is required to perform daily life activities .
Exercise training may be effective to gain or improve wheelchair propulsion capacity .
This review investigates whether different types of exercise training programs are effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .
Specific and transfer effects induced by arm or leg training.
The purpose of the present study was to examine both the specific and the transfer effects of a Square Wave Endurance Exercise Test ( SWEET ) and to investigate the determining factors of transfer effect . A control group ( CG , n = 5 ) and 2 experimental groups were studied . Experimental groups completed 3 days/week a 45 min SWEET over 6 weeks , either with the arms using a wheelchair ergometer ( AG , n = 5 ) or with the legs using a cycling ergometer ( LG , n = 5 ) . All subjects performed before and after training two maximal progressive tests : the first one with the arms and the second with the legs . During those tests oxygen uptake ( VO(2 ) ) and cardiorespiratory parameters were continuously measured . Specific effects ( changes between the tests performed with trained limbs ) were observed : the peak power output ( W(p ) ) and VO(2 ) were significantly increased by both arm ( + 66 % , + 35 % ) and leg ( + 17 % , + 14 % ) training . At ventilatory threshold ( VT ) , power output ( W ) and VO(2 ) were significantly increased with arm ( + 145 % and + 51 % ) and leg ( + 53 % and + 46 % ) training . Transfer effects ( changes between pre and post tests performed with untrained limbs ) were observed : W(p ) and VO(2 ) were not increased in AG while W(p ) was increased in LG ( + 11 % ) . At VT , W and VO(2 ) were increased with arm ( + 19 % and + 23 % ) and leg ( + 33 % and + 46 % ) training . For AG and LG the VO(2 ) expressed in percent of the VO(2 ) peak was increased ( + 19 % and + 33 % , respectively ) and the O(2p ) was also increased ( + 30 % ) for LG . These results show that SWEET training induced specific and transfer effects . Moreover , the initial level of the subjects , the type and the intensity of the training seem to be the major factors for effective observable transfer effects
Conclusion : Exercise training programs seem to be effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .
However , there is remarkably little research , particularly for individuals who do not have spinal-cord injury
Objective : An adequate wheelchair propulsion capacity is required to perform daily life activities .
Exercise training may be effective to gain or improve wheelchair propulsion capacity .
This review investigates whether different types of exercise training programs are effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity .