Exercise Intensity During Power Wheelchair Soccer.

Abstract

To determine exercise intensity during power wheelchair soccer among a sample of persons with mobility impairments. Cross-sectional descriptive. On-site training facilities of multiple power wheelchair soccer teams. Participants with severe mobility impairments (N=30) (mean ± SD, age: 29.40±15.51y, body mass index: 24.11±6.47kg/m², power soccer experience: 7.91±3.93y, disability sport experience: 12.44±9.73y) were recruited from multiple power wheelchair soccer teams. Portable metabolic carts were used to collect oxygen consumption (V˙o₂) data during resting and game play conditions. Average V˙o₂ (expressed in metabolic equivalent tasks [METs]) during resting and game play conditions and rating of perceived exertion for game play. V˙o₂ increased from 1.35±0.47 METs at rest to 1.81±0.65 METs during game play. This 34% increase in exercise intensity was significant (P<.01) and supported by a mean perceived exertion score of approximately 13 (somewhat hard). Although not able to sustain an intensity associated with reduced secondary disease risk (ie, 3 METs), the documented light-intensity exercise in the current study surpassed an intensity threshold associated with improved functional capacity and performance of daily living activities (ie, 1.5 METs).