SHOULDER LOAD DURING SYNCHRONOUS HANDCYCLING AND HANDRIM : +((/ &+$,535238/6,21,13(56216: ,7+3$5$3/(*,$

pared with wheelchair propulsion (p < 0.001). At 55 W, the mean glenohumeral contact force was 345 N for hand cycling, whereas it was 585 N for wheelchair propulsion. Also, relative muscle forces were lower during handcycling. The largest differences between handbike and wheelchair propulsion were found in the supraspinatus (4.5% vs. 20.7%), infraspinatus (3.7% vs. 16.5%) and biceps (5.0% vs. 17.7%). Conclusion: Due to continuous force application in handcycling, shoulder load was lower compared with wheelchair propulsion. Furthermore, muscles that are prone to overuse injuries were less stressed during handcycling. Therefore, handcycling may be a good alternative for outdoor mobility and may help prevent overuse injuries of the shoulder complex.