Wheelchair Athletes

The human body is relatively energy efficient, approaching an efficiency of 30% (see internal combustion engine 15 -20%).
Consider the following: The winner of the London marathon men generally defines a period of just over two hours while the wheelchair winner takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes.
The 10,000 meter track event at the Olympics was won in about 26 minutes, the 10,000-meter speed skating at the Winter Games was won in about 12 minutes.

when you run on your legs you need to move your weight around, throw a leg press with another, back and forth, while in a wheelchair just push the front wheel to rotate. movement is through the wheels, and not the members.

For the same reason that the car is faster than a horse.

A little invention called the wheel.

The runner is "bouncing up and down" at each step. This movement of / low energy intensive. The wheel allows movement is almost entirely linear, without much movement and wasting energy.

Best wishes and good luck.