EVIDENCE FOR THE INVALIDITY OF THE WINGATE TEST FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAK POWER, POWER DECREMENT AND MUSCULAR FATIGUE

• Authors: Robert A Robergs , David Kennedy , Ann L. Gibson , Micah Zuhl , Hung-Sheng Hsu , Jason Beam , Roy M. Salgado , Ailish C. White , Aditi Majumdar , Steve Lawson , Edson Estrada , Gustavo Sierra
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

We hypothesized that the protocol-induced initial cadence of the WAnT is too high to allow high muscle force production and peak power generation. Twenty endurance, strength or power trained subjects (9 male, 11 female) completed two 30 s maximal exertion stationary cycle ergometer tests involving the traditional peak cadence start (TRAD) vs. a stationary start (STAT). Inertia corrected mechanical power, cadence, EMG from the vastus lateralis, and applied force to the pedals were measured continuously throughout both tests. Peak power was higher during TRAD; 11.32 ±1.41 vs. 10.40 ±1.35 Watts/kg (p < 0.0001), as was peak cadence; 171.4 ±16.3 vs. 120.9 ±15.1 rev/min (p < 0.0001). However, during TRAD EMG root mean squared (rms) increased continuously throughout the test, force applied to the pedals increased from 1 to 3 s (0.73 ±0.27 vs. 0.90 ±0.39 N/kg; p = 0.02) and thereafter remained relatively stable. EMG mean frequency also increased from 1 to 3 s, but then decreased throughout the remainder of the test. During TRAD, mechanical power decreased near immediately despite increasing EMG rms, EMGmean frequency and force application to the pedals. The initial 10 s of data from the WAnT is invalid. We recommend that intense cycle ergometer testing should commence with a stationary start.

Keywords

EN

cadence; ergometry; fatigue; force; motor unit recruitment

Discipline

• MEDICINE: MEDICINE

• Publisher: Faculty of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, Szczecin University
• Journal: Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine
• Year: 2015
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 63-78

Contributors

author

Robert A Robergs

• School Of Human Movement Studies, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst NSW, 2795, Australia

author

David Kennedy

• Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia

author

Ann L. Gibson

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A.

author

Micah Zuhl

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A

author

Hung-Sheng Hsu

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A

author

Jason Beam

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A

author

Roy M. Salgado

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A

author

Ailish C. White

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A

author

Aditi Majumdar

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A

author

Steve Lawson

• Kelver International, Jwaneng, Botswana

author

Edson Estrada

• Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas-El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79902, U.S.A

author

Gustavo Sierra

• Exercise Science Program, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM, 87131, U.S.A.

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• Document Type: article