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The increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with spinal cord injuries motivates work to identify exercise options that improve health outcomes without causing risk of musculoskeletal injury. Handcycling is an exercise mode that may be beneficial for wheelchair users, but further work is needed to establish appropriate guidelines and requires assessment of the external loads. The goal of this research was to predict the six-degree-of-freedom external loads during handcycling from data similar to those which can be measured from inertial measurement units (segment accelerations and velocities) using machine learning. Five neural network models and two ensemble models were compared against a statistical model. A temporal convolutional network (TCN) yielded the best predictions. Predictions of forces and moments in-plane with the crank were the most accurate (r = 0.95–0.97). The TCN model could predict external loads during activities of different intensities, making it viable for different exercise protocols. The ability to predict the loads associated with forward propulsion using wearable-type data enables the development of informed exercise guidelines.

Background Altitude training is a common practice among middle-distance and marathon runners. During acclimatization, sympathetic drive may increase resting metabolic rate (RMR), therefore implementation of targeted nutritional interventions based on training demands and environmental conditions becomes paramount. This single case study represents the first nutritional intervention performed under hypobaric hypoxic conditions (3900 m) in Paralympic sport. These results may elucidate the unique nutritional requirements of upper body endurance athletes training at altitude. Case presentation This case study examined the effects of a nutritional intervention on the body mass of a 36-year-old professional wheelchair athlete (silver medalist at the Paralympic Games and 106 victories in assorted road events) during a five-week altitude training camp, divided into pre-altitude at sea level (BN), acclimatization to altitude (Puno, 3860 m) (BH), specific training (W1,2,3,4) and return to sea level (Post) phases. Energy intake (kcal) and body mass (kg) were recorded daily. Results demonstrated significant decrease in body mass between BN and BH (52.6 ± 0.4 vs 50.7 ± 0.5 kg, P 0.80). Conclusions These results suggest an elite wheelchair marathoner training at 3860 m required increased nutrient requirements as well as the systematic control needed to re-adapt a nutritional program. Moreover, our findings highlight training and nutritional prescription optimization of elite wheelchair athletes, under challenging environmental conditions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate university students with physical disabilities’ (SWD) perceptions of physical activity (PA) and how these perceptions may influence activity levels. Methods: Using reliable and validated surveys with in-depth interviews, researchers examined the perspectives of 13 undergraduate SWD regarding PA in the context of their university environment. Four quantitative surveys were used to understand participants’ health practices (SRAHP), exercise self-efficacy (EXSE), barriers to PA (BARSE), and outcome expectations for PA (MOEES). To gather richer, exploratory data, interviews were focused on answering how do SWD perceive and define PA, and what factors influence their PA participation? Correlational analysis and independent t-tests were used to examine survey outcomes. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and line-by-line coding strategies. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed correlations between all MOEES surveys, as well as the EXSE, BARSE, and SRAHP. Analysis of the surveys and interviews resulted in two primary themes and seven subthemes. The first primary theme, personal perceptions of PA, had two subthemes: Personal definitions and personal practices. The second theme, influences on PA participation, consisted of five subthemes: University assistive resources, aspects of personal well-being, symptoms and physical limitations, time and scheduling, and social inclusion. Conclusions: Results from this study helped to understand how SWD identified with PA and identified both motivations and barriers to PA unique to SWD. Data from this study can be used to improve accessibility and disability programming for SWD to promote PA.

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the influence of a training load (TL), oxygen saturation (SO2) and blood pressure (BP) on mood states in a wheelchair marathoner during (7 weeks at sea level (SL), 5 weeks at 3860 m altitude, 1 week returning to SL). TL was obtained with Foster’s equation while mood states were obtained with the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS). Furthermore, SO2 and BP were assessed upon wakening. SO2 (%) decreased at altitude, compared to SL (88.31 ± 2.46 vs. 98.52 ± 0.11) and increased until the last week at altitude (92.64 ± 1.12). Systolic pressure (SP) increased at altitude compared to pre-altitude (126.0 ± 5.1 vs. 107.6 ± 4.4 mmhg), and was not different from the last week at altitude. Controlling for SO2 and SP, differences were also observed in fatigue (97.66 ± 18.92 vs. 17.39 ± 13.71) and vigor (73.23 ± 8.62 vs. 26.48 ± 11.89) as a function of altitude. Upon return to SL, fatigue, vigor, SO2 and SP returned to pre values. This case study demonstrated the POMS was sensitive to worsening patterns in fatigue and vigor at altitude through a practical survey approach combined with daily physiological assessment.