A PHYSIOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF FORWARD VS REVERSE WHEELCHAIR ERGOMETRY

The purpose of this study was to compare metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses for forward wheelchair ergometry (FOR) and reverse wheelcha ir ergometry (REV) at equal power outputs (PO) levels. Moderately acti ve able-bodied (N = 21) subjects exercised at 3-min stages at PO level s of 15, 20, 25, and 30 W for each mode of ergometry. Oxygen uptake (V O2), pulmonary ventilation (V(E)), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), h eart rate (HR), percent net mechanical efficiency (ME), revolutions pe r minute (RPM) and strikes per minute (SPM) were determined at each PO level. With the exception of RER, all the physiological responses (VO 2, V(E), and HR) were higher for FOR exercise (P < 0.05) than REV exer cise. ME increased with PO and was higher (P < 0.05) for REV than FOR at each PO level. SPM values for the REV were lower (P < 0.01) by almo st half of that for the FOR exercise, although RPM remained constant b etween modes during all four stages. In general, these data suggest th at reverse wheelchair ergometry is physiologically more efficient than conventional wheelchair ergometry and should be studied further as an alternative method for wheelchair ambulation.