OBJECTIVE: Wheelchair basketball (WCB) demands high-intensity training due to its intermittent nature. However, acute oxygen uptake (V O2) in handcycling is restricted. Combining handcycling with low-frequency electromyostimulation (LF-EMS) may enhance V O2 in elite WBC athletes. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trail. Subjects: Twelve German national team WCB players (age 25.6 (5.6) years, height: 1.75 (0.16) m, mass: 74.0 (21.7) kg, classification: 2.92 (1.26)). METHOD: Participants underwent 2x5 min of hand-cycling (60 rpm, 3/4 bodyweight resistance in watts) (HANDCYCLE) and 2x5 min of handcycling with concurrent LF-EMS (EMS_HANDCYCLE). LF-EMS (4Hz, 350ps, continuous stimulation) targeted gluteal, quadriceps, and calf muscles, adjusted to individual pain thresholds (buttocks: 69.5 (22.3) mA, thighs: 66.8 (20.0) mA, calves: 68.9 (31.5) mA). RESULTS: Significant mode-dependent differences between HANDCYCLE and EMS HANDCYCLE were found in V O2 (17.60 (3.57) versus 19.23 (4.37) ml min-1 kg-1, p = 0.001) and oxygen pulse (16.69 (4.51) versus 18.41 (5.17) ml, p = 0.002). ?Lactate was significantly lower in HANDCYCLE (0.04 (0.28) versus 0.31 (0.26) mmol l-1). Although perceived effort did not differ (p = 0.293), discomfort was rated lower in HANDCYCLE (1.44 (1.28) versus 3.94 (2.14), p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: LF-EMS applied to the lower extremities increases oxygen demand during submaximal handcycling. Thus, longitudinal application of LF-EMS should be investigated as a potential training stimulus to improve aerobic capacity in wheelchair athletes.

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