Anaerobic Capacity

Objectives
 Distinguish between absolute and relative Peak Power
 Discuss anaerobic fatigue and specificity
 Measure peak power, relative peak power, anaerobic fatigue
 Subjectively compare subject’s absolute and relative Peak Power Data

Wingate Protocol for Anaerobic Capacity

Each cyclist will have weight and height measured. The cyclist will warm-up on the ergometer at a light workload
(~50 Watts). Resistance of 0.075 kp per kg of body weight will be applied for the Wingate test. For example, an 80
kg subject would pedal against 6 kp (0.075*80) for 30 seconds.

Prior to applying the resistance, the cyclist should begin pedaling as fast as possible. Apply the appropriate
resistance and start the stopwatch. Verbally encourage the subject to keep pedaling the entire test period. The
subject MUST stay in the seated position during the test. Once 30 seconds is completed reduce the workload and
have him/her continue pedaling for 1-2 minutes.

During the test, assigned students need to count the number of revolutions in 5-second intervals for the entire
duration of the 30-second test. These valules will be used to calculate anaerobic capacity.

Wingate Power Calculations*

*use provided excel spreadsheet for calculations

Absolute Peak Power (Watts) = Highest number of revolutions in 5 seconds * kp * 12 * 0.705

Absolute Mean Power (Watts) = Revolutions in 30 sec * kp * 2 * 0.705

Absolute Fatigue Index (percent):

1. Minimum Power (Watts) = Revolutions in the LAST 5 seconds * kp * 12 * 0.705

2. Power Reserve (Watts) = Absolute Peak Power – Minimum Power

3. Fatigue Index = (Power Reserve / Absolute Peak Power) * 100

*All of these “absolute” values can be translated into “relative” values by dividing by body weight (in kg).
Power Output during the Wingate Test

Subject Section Weight KP # Rev/5 #Rev/5 #Rev/5 #Rev/5 #Rev/5 #Rev/5

Number seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds
Male 100 kg 12 11 5 4 3 3

Female 50 kg 8 8 7 6 6 6

Summary Data form the Wingate Test

PP % tile RPP % tile AF Average % tile
Power
1059.2 W >90% 10.6 W/kg 85% 75.0 % 558.5 W 45%

357.8 W 10% 7.2 W/kg 40% 25.0% 305.5 W 10%

Subject 1 Current Physical Activity level:

Subject 2 Current Physical Activity level:

1. Peak Power (PP)

Peak power is measured in highest 5-second interval of the Wingate test.

Force x Total Distance (Time in minutes)

Force is the amount of resistance (kp) added to the flywheel. Total distance is the number of revolutions x the
distance per revolution (6 m). Time is 5 seconds or 0.0833 minutes. The result for peak power is expressed in watts
(W).

2. Relative Peak Power (RPP)

Relative peak power is determined by dividing peak power by body mass and is expressed as W/kg

3. Anaerobic Fatigue (AF)

Anaerobic fatigue is calculated as follows:

PP - Lowest 5-second power output/PP X 100

4. Average Power (AC on the spreadsheet)

This is the average amount of work performed in 30 seconds.

5. Anaerobic Capacity is the Total Power Output (Sum of Interval Power Outputs)
Percentile norms for Peak Power

Male Female
%Rank Watts Watts
90 822 560
80 777 527
70 757 505
60 721 480
50 689 449
40 671 432
30 656 399
20 618 376
10 570 353

Percentile norms for Relative Peak Power Output (RPP)

Male Female
%Rank Watts.Kg Watts.Kg
90 10.89 9.02
80 10.39 8.83
70 10.20 8.53
60 9.80 8.14
50 9.22 7.65
40 8.92 6.96
30 8.53 6.86
20 8.24 6.57
10 7.06 5.98
Critical Thinking Question
 What was the percent rank Average Power and Peak Power for both participants?
Male—PP= >90% Average Power= 45%
Female—PP= 10% Average Power= 10%

 Does participant’s training reflect the test results? Explain your answer.

Yes she was not in any high percentile categories for her test so she must be a long distance
athlete such as biking and or cross country where she is not used to making power plays
meaning she does not usually exert herself entirely for 30s because when she is running or
biking she needs to conserve her energy instead of using it all up. However, the male on the
other hand must be a weight lifter of some sort because his data and peak power was quite
literally off the charts therefore the test confirmed that he must be involved in a sport where he
is training to use all his power in the first 30s of his sport.