Authors: Christian Krämer Lutz Hilker Harald Böhm
Publish Date: 2009/05/12
Volume: 106, Issue: 5, Pages: 749-757
Abstract
The effect of different crank lengths and crank widths on maximal hand cycling power cadence and handle speed were determined Crank lengths and crank widths were adapted to anthropometric data of the participants as the ratio to forward reach FR and shoulder breadth SB respectively 25 ablebodied subjects performed maximal inertial load hand cycle ergometry using crank lengths of 19 225 and 26 of FR and 72 85 and 98 of SB Maximum power ranged from 754 246 W for the crank geometry short wide crank length × crank width to 873 293 W for the combination long middle Every crank length differed significantly P 005 from each other whereas no significant effect of crank width to maximum power output was revealed Optimal cadence decreased significantly P 0001 with increasing crank length from 1248 09 rpm for the short to 1075 16 rpm for the long cranks whereas optimal handle speed increased significantly P 0001 with increasing crank length from 181 001 m/s for the short to 213 003 m/s for the long cranks Crank width did neither influence optimal cadence nor optimal handle speed significantly From the results of this study for maximum hand cycling power a crank length to FR ratio of 26 for a crank width to SB ratio of 85 is recommended
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