Characterizing The Thermal Demands And Wheelchair Kinematics During International Wheelchair Rugby Competition

Abstract

METHODS: Two adolescent males with diagnosis of spina bifida participated in this case series. To comply with the necessary variables needed to fill out the NET questionnaire, height and weight were measured to calculate BMI. Physical activity level was self-reported by the parents of both adolescents. Resting heart rate was measured via pulse oximeter on the index finger after five minutes rest in the seated position. Force expiratory volume (FEV) was measured via spirometry to determine pulmonary function and lung capacity. Each child performed a submaximal VO2 test on a cycle ergometer while wearing a Cosmed K5 gas analyzer. The K5 was calibrated according to manufacturer's recommendations prior to being used to measure the participant's oxygen consumption and heart rate during the 12-minute cycle ergometer test. A percent difference was calculated between METs obtained from the NET and those obtained directly from the K5. The percent difference formula used was ((NET-K5)/((NET+K5)/2)*100). RESULTS: The percent difference for both adolescents were 60% and 85% for an average of 73% difference between the METs calculated by the NET and those directly obtained from the K5. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data collected from the two adolescents, it appears that the NET is not a valid outcome measure to estimate VO2 max in children of this population. New formulation of a percent difference to calculate MET's acquired from the NET is necessary for future trials to validate the NET more accurately.