Resumo. ABSTRACT To check the cardiac and perceptual responses an incremental protocol on the wheelchair dynamometer, eight volunteers were intentionally selected and evaluated in an experimental session using a compact dynamometer for wheelchairs. A standard wheelchair was used by all participants. After familiarization period, there was a progressive protocol, increasing rate of 5% per minute. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE, 6-20) were measured at the end of every minute. HR on stage 8 was higher compared to the stages 1 and 2. The RPE differed in the first 5 stages. There was a high correlation between FP and FC (r = 0.93; p = 0.0006), and between HR and RPE (r = 0.98; p <0.0001). It was concluded that the equipment has specificity for evaluation of kinetic and kinematic variables of the movement in wheelchairs at the expense of cardiac variables.