Determinants of shuttle run performance in the prediction of peak VO₂ in wheelchair users

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ergonomic and environmental variations on indoor shuttle run (SR) performance in wheelchair sportsmen.

Methods. Eleven experienced male wheelchair sportsmen performed three 25-m SRs in random order with varying turning capacity (TC) and mechanical resistance (MR): condition NN where participants used their sports wheelchair on a tartan surface, condition RN with increased MR, and condition RD with limited TC. Metabolic data were continuously recorded using a portable K4b² system.

Results. Friedman ANOVA with Wilcoxon a posteriori testing indicated similar VO_2peak values in all three tests. SR performance, however, was significantly different across the three test conditions (NN: 536.18 ± 119.09 s; RN: 488.82 ± 119.84 s; RD: 404.91 ± 88.41 s). SR performance contributed for 28% of the explained variance of the measured VO_2peak. The addition of TC or MR or both increased the explained variance to 32, 38 and 41%, respectively.

Conclusions. These findings demonstrate a significant impact of variations in floor surface and wheelchair-user interface on SR performance. The findings also suggest that strong reservations have to be made regarding the validity of a SR test, as predictor of VO_2peak in a wheelchair user population.

Keywords:

• Exercise testing
• aerobic capacity
• field test
• physical fitness
• wheelchair-user configuration