Optimal load setting provides higher peak power and fatigue index with a similar mean power during 30-s Wingate anaerobic test in physically active men

ABSTRACT

Background: The Wingate test is usually conducted using resistance loads of 7.5, 8.5 or 8.7 g.kg⁻¹ of body mass. However, these cycle ergometer resistance loads may be insufficient to enable maximal power values. As such, the use of individual optimal load selection (OPT) can positively influence other Wingate test parameters. Moreover, anthropometric parameters, e.g. body mass index, may also affect the OPT, but have not been well investigated. Aim: To investigate (i) individual OPT on the Wingate Test for peak power (PP), mean power outputs (MP), and the fatigue index (FI) and (ii) the association between OPT and anthropometric parameters. Methods: Fifteen physically active men (age = 26.4 ± 4.1 yr) performed six 30-s Wingate tests, with loads corresponding to 6.5%, 8.5%, 10.5% 11.5% 12.5%, and 13.5% of body mass to determine OPT (the load corresponding with the highest peak power), and also PP, MP, and FI. Results: Peak Power was 15% higher (p<0.001) and FI was 21% higher (p=0.03) for the OPT method, whereas Mean Power values were similar between OPT and the 8.5% of body mass load. The 8.5% of body mass resistance load underestimates power outputs and is directly related to individual Peak Power (r=0.58, p=0.02). Furthermore, the load corresponding to OPT was inversely correlated to body mass index (r=−0.81, p<0.001) and percent body fat (r=−0.51, p=0.04). Conclusion: Optimal load selection is more appropriate than the use of 8.5% of body mass load to enable higher Peak power in the 30-s Wingate test in a physically active male population.

KEYWORDS:

• Anaerobic power
• optimum load
• force-velocity
• power output
• physical fitness

Acknowledgements

To members of Lafise and LabMov from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais for their collaboration in the data collection and equipment loan process. Authors are also grateful to volunteer participating in this study. Support: Special Secretary for Sport, Ministery of Citizenship (Federal Government, Brazil. Project Number: 71000.059807 / 2019-15).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors are grateful to Minas Gerais State Agency for Research and Development (FAPEMIG) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. Support: Special Secretary for Sport, Ministery of Citizenship (Federal Government, Brazil. Project Number: 71000.059807 / 2019-15).

Notes on contributors

João Gabriel Silveira-Rodrigues

João Gabriel Silveira-Rodrigues is a Sports Science Phd Candidate at the School of Physical Education, Physioteraphy and Occupational Theraphy of Federal University of Minas Gerais, BR. Her primary research interests are the assessment of physical training effects on physical, functional and cognitive outcomes.

André Maia-Lima

André Maia-Lima is a lecturer at the Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of Roraima, Boa Vista, BR. Her primary research interest lies at the intersection between heat, pre-cooling and aerobic performance. He completed his MsC and PhD in Sports Science at the Federal University of Minas Gerais.

Pedro Augusto Santos Almeida

Pedro Augusto Santos Almeida is a coordinator of Physical Education at the University of Itauna, BR, and MSc in Sports Science at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Her primary research interests are the effects of exercise protocols in health parameters and the assessment of the specific physical training effects on performance outcomes, including the Wingate test.

Bárbara Marielle Silva França

Bárbara Marielle Silva França is a bachelor in Physical Education from Federal University of Minas Gerais. This study was based on their undergraduate thesis.

Bruno Teobaldo Campos

Bruno Teobaldo Campos is a Physiologist at Minas Tenis Clube and Sports Science Phd Candidate at the School of Physical Education, Physioteraphy and Occupational Theraphy of Federal University of Minas Gerais, BR. Bruno brings a wealth of knowledge as a physiologist working with elite athletes in modalities with the anaerobic capacity is crucial to the athletic performance.

Eduardo Macedo Penna

Eduardo Macedo Penna is an Adjunct Professor at the Castanhal University center of University of Para, BR. Her primary research interest themes are mental fatigue, relative age and sport's psychology.

Dan Gordon

Dan Gordon is a Principal Lecturer at the Department of Life Science, Anglia Ruskin University. Had expertise in the assessment of endurance physiology and the impact of training. Dan Gordon brings wealth of knowledge both as a physiologist working with elite athletes through clinical groups and his research into the classroom. These are combined with Dan being a former GB Paralympic cyclist, a sport for which he still holds a world record to provide a unique and fascinating insight into the physiological of sport and exercise. The research interests are the limitations to oxygen uptake during exercise, Marathon physiology and Disability sport.

Luciano Sales Prado

Luciano Sales Prado is an Associate Professor at the Department of Physical Education of the School of Physical Education, Physioteraphy and Occupational Theraphy of Federal University of Minas Gerais, BR. He has large expertise in the study of acute and chronic exercise-related fatigue, heat stress and thermorregulation.