The reasons for testing anaerobic power and capacity are to determine the body’s ability to activate the immediate and short-term energy systems during maximal exercise efforts.
METHOD
Three individuals volunteered to take part in the study (one male, two females). The subjects height, weight, age and training profiles were recorded before testing and they were informed about the experimental procedures The seat was first adjusted to suit each individual’s limb length (they should allow a slight bend at the knee), and the resistive force was calculated. The flywheel resistance equals 0.0075kg per body mass, so the resistance on each flywheel would differ between each subject.
Male 1- 97.5kg x 0.0075 = 0.73kg
Female 1 – 81.1kg x 0.0075 = 0.60kg
Female 2 – 67.5kg x 0.0075 = 0.51kg
The subject warmed up first by pedalling slowly for a minute or so. The recommended warm up time is from 2-10minutes with 2-3 all sprints on the cycle for optimal performance (Inbar et al, 1996). On the command ‘go’ the subjects beagn pedalling as fast as they can, and then the resistance is applied to the flywheel within 2-3 seconds, when the subjects have reached maximal speed. The subjects pedalled maximally for 30 seconds with verbal encouragement throughout for willpower. To prevent any problems after the experiment the individual pedalled for 2 to3 minutes following the test as they are susceptible to dizziness and nausea. This is important so the body is able to recover properly.
RESULTS
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
This table shows the mean ± standard deviation for the three subjects.
The highest maximal power is attained by the male participant on both occasions due to his larger stature and greater muscle mass in his legs. The subjects body mass determines the resistance during the exercise which is applied during the first few seconds of the test. We would have expected to see the male participant achieve a greater maximum power output not only due to muscle mass but he is also the most anaerobically trained subject.
DISCUSSION
The anaerobic Wingate test assumes that peak power output is representative to the energy that is generated on the ergometer. Exercise differences on the Wingate test could occur due to gender differences. This would mean that body and muscle mass, fat free mass and anaerobic power outputs are different. This occurred in the results taken above where the male participant had a greater output and fatigue index compared to the female participants. It has, however been indicated that the difference in anaerobic power output between males and females cannot be fully explained.
It has been argued that the results from the Anaerobic Wingate test can achieve the highest values for peak and mean anaerobic values compared to that, for example of the vertical jumping test.
Vandewalle et al. (1987) highlighted the fact that the amount of work performed during the Wingate Test is probably dependant on the glycolic and aerobic power as well as anaerobic capacity. He also comments that the Wingate Test is unable to estimate the force and components of power.
Marsh et al. (1999) found that the ability to perform high intensity exercise is reduced as an inevitable effect of aging. However, the extent at which this decline varies is due to the different muscle groups.
References
McArdle W D, Katch F I & Katch V L (2001) Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition & Performance (Fifth Edition), Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, U.S.A.
Vanderwalle. H, Peres.G, Monod H (1987) Standard anaerobic exercise tests. Journal of Sports Medicine. 4 :( 4) 268-89.
Marsh G D, Paterson D H, Govindasamy D, Cunningham D A (1999) Anaerobic power of the arms and legs of young and older men. Journal of Experimental Physiology. Vol 84, 3, 589-597 (9)
Inbar. O, Bar-Or. O, & Skinner, S. (1996) The Wingate Anaerobic Test. Human Kinetics. Leeds