Maximal lactate accumulation rate and post‐exercise lactate kinetics in handcycling and cycling

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess lactate kinetics, maximal lactate accumulation rate (V ̇La max ) and peak power output (PO max ) in a 15-s all-out exercise in handcycling (HC) and cycling (C) in terms of (1) reliability, (2) differences and (3) correlations between HC and C. Eighteen female and male competitive triathletes performed two trials (separated by one week) of a 15-s all-out sprint test in HC and C. Tests were performed in a recumbent racing handcycle and on the participants' own road bike that were attached to an ergometer. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). PO max and V ̇La max demonstrated high reliability in HC (ICC = 0.972, ICC = 0.828) and C (ICC = 0.937, ICC = 0.872). PO max (d = −2.54, P < 0.0005) and V ̇La max (d = −1.62, P < 0.0005) were lower in HC compared to C. PO max and V ̇La max correlated in HC (r = 0.729, P = 0.001) and C (r = 0.710, P = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between HC and C in PO max (r = 0.442, P = 0.066) and V ̇La max (r = 0.455, P = 0.058). Whereas the exchange velocity of lactate (k 1 ) was similar in HC and C, the removal velocity (k 2 ) was significantly higher in HC. V ̇La max and PO max during sprint exercise are highly reliable and demonstrate a correlation in both HC and C. However, since V ̇La max and PO max are significantly higher in C and not correlated between HC and C, V ̇La max and PO max seem to be extremityspecific.

Maximal Lactate Accumulation Rate in All-out Exercise Differs between Cycling and Running

“…The reliability attained in cycling and running was in accordance with previous research [7,23,28]. V La max and P max attained 'good' to 'excellent' reliability in both cycling and running.…”

“…V La max and P max attained 'good' to 'excellent' reliability in both cycling and running. For the cycling data, the results of the reliability analysis have already been reported in a previous article [23], which are similar to the findings of This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited.…”

“…In cycling, 15-s all-out tests were performed on the participants' own road bikes that were attached to a fully calibrated and validated ergometer (TE 2 %, Cyclus 2, 8 Hz, RBM electronic automation GmbH, Leipzig, Germany). Prior to the 15-s all-out tests, participants performed a standardized low-intensity warm-up of 10 min (at 100 W), including three acceleration bursts of ten seconds (linearly up to 500 W) [23,27]. After the warm-up, participants performed a passive rest for 5 min in seated position.…”

Physiology of handcycling: A current sports perspective

“…Only a limited number of reviewed studies have documented output parameters related to anaerobic performance during handcycling (Table 3; 114 athletes including 19 females). 26,35,47,[51][52][53][54][55] Further, while research exists concerning the anaerobic capabilities of athletes with a physical impairment during ACE, 56 no studies have recruited trained handcyclists. Of the studies shown in Table 3, only one recruited recumbent handcyclists with the rest studying AB participants, commonly in a touring configuration.…”

“…51 That said, in AB participants, maximum and average PO during sprint handcycling ranged from 409 ± 100 to 873 ± 293 W and 281 ± 96 to 435 ± 51 W, respectively (Table 3). 32,51,53,54 The large range in POs are most likely influenced by differences in protocol durations (3-20 s), cadences (isokinetic protocols limited between 110 and 140 rev min −1 ), resistance applied (20-4.4 Nm), gear ratios (2.86-4.45), ergometers used (inertial load flywheel or electromagnetically braked) as well as participants' sex and upper body training history (Table 3). Further, while studies accepted maximum PO as the peak value recorded during tests, 26,47,54 Kramer et al utilized the apex of the PO versus cadence curve by second-order polynomial curve, 51 and some studies do not state their method of calculating maximum PO.…”