The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among anaerobic capacity, body composition, and sport level of male junior and senior speedway riders. Sixty riders of professional clubs in the Polish top motorcycle speedway league participated in this study. They were divided into two equal groups (n = 30): junior (age = 19.7 ± 1.1 years) and senior (age = 29.7 ± 5.2). Body composition assessment, Wingate test (WAnT) on cycloergometer, with analysis of acute cardiorespiratory and biochemical responses were performed. Sport level was defined as the number of heats (races) won, winning percentage, total points scored during the season, and average points scored per heat. Seniors had higher point ratings indicating sport levels. As compared to the seniors, the juniors had lower BMI 4% (p < 0.01) and fat tissue mass by 20.5% (p < 0.01). A higher power decrease of 2.3% (p < 0.05) in the WAnT test was found in seniors. Body height negatively correlated with all indicators of seniors’ sport level (r = −0.41 to −0.55). Peak power output negatively correlated with seniors’ sport level (r = −0.39 to −0.41). Among the seniors, there was a negative correlation between post-exercise hydrogen ion concentration (r = −0.38), carbon dioxide partial pressure (r = −0.45) and average points scored per season. Conclusion: The anthropometric characteristics of body height, lean body mass and body surface area, are significantly correlated with the sport levels of the seniors motorcycle speedway riders. When selecting motorcycle speedway riders, use of these anthropometric characteristics may aid in determining the riders with the most potential to be successful. Metabolic acidosis tolerance and gas exchange efficiency show significance in seniors, indicating the need for intense exercise sessions.

The study aimed to determine whether the reaction time (RT) to the starting signal has an impact on the points scored by elite male motorcycle speedway riders, or whether it depends on the starting position (gate). Differences among junior and senior riders, and how it changes during a single match (15 heats) and in the subsequent phases of the competitive season (the main and knockout phases) were investigated. The database of reaction times to the starting signal obtained by motorcycle speedway riders was collected from a mobile application called PGE Ekstraliga ver. 1.0.66 (PGE Ekstraliga, Warsaw, Poland). The database included 1.261 results obtained by 65 male riders (age 25.9 ±7.6 years), competing in the highest league in Poland (PGE Speedway Ekstraliga) in the 2021 competitive season. Reaction time was measured using the Pegasus Speedway © telemetry system (Black Burst, Warsaw, PL). Riders scoring 3 points during a heat had the fastest reaction time (F(3,1257) = 8.90, p<0.001, η2 = 0.02), but RT did not influence the final result of the match (p<0.130). The times differ depending on the occupied starting position (F(3,1257) = 6.89, p<0.001, η2 = 0.02), with the fastest RT in the inner position–A compared to the B (p<0.05) and C (p <0.001) positions. Senior riders showed significantly faster RT (0.246s) compared to junior ones (0.258s) (p<0.001). The width of the starting line affects the reaction time (F(3,1257) = 7.94, p<0.001, η2 = 0.02). In the last (15th) heat of the match, RT was the fastest. The fast reaction time during the start affects the scoring of more points in a heat but depends on riders’ experience, the starting position and the straight width of the motorcycle speedway stadium. Coaches should pay attention to these factors when programming training measures.

The purpose of this study was to compare body composition components and anaerobic capacity indices in elite motorcycle speedway riders before and after the competitive season. This study included 12 volunteer male motorcycle speedway riders from the highest speedway league in Poland (PGE Speedway Ekstraliga) (age: 22.7 ± 6.0 years, body height: 171.3 ± 4.0 cm, body weight: 62.5 ± 3.1 kg). Before and after the competitive season, an assessment of body composition and Wingate test (WAnT) on a cycle ergometer with analysis of acute cardiorespiratory and biochemical responses was conducted. Sport level for all riders was defined by the number of heats won (WS), the total number of points scored in all heats including bonus points (PTS + B), and the percentage of heats won (%W). The motorcycle speedway riders participated in an average of 75.3 ± 15.0 total heats (HS) and obtained PTS + B equal 136.8 ± 48.2. The anaerobic performance, body composition, cardiorespiratory and biochemical responses did not changed after the competitive season. The significant statistical correlations were noted between the differences in the Fatigue Index during WAnT and total number of heats (r = −0.61) and with PTS + B (r = −0.58). Positively correlations were observed also between HS and differences: fat mass (FM) (r = 0.60) and percentage of fat mass (r = 0.61) (all p &lt; 0.05). These findings reveal that the HS during the competitive season is related to the stabilization of anaerobic capacity in the WAnT. The HS is positively correlated with an increase in fat mass, and additional fat mass can adversely affect athletic performance in speedway.