External and Internal Work Load During a Mountain Time Trial in Trained Handcyclists Versus a World-Class Handcyclist and Determinants of Performance.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the external and internal work load of trained handcyclists during a mountain time trial, to compare the results with a world-class handcyclist, and to identify time trial performance determinants.

Design: Ten trained and one world-class handcyclists performed a graded exercise test to determine power output and heart rate at the (first and second) ventilatory thresholds and exhaustion. Power output and heart rate were continuously measured during the race.