Analysis of anaerobic capacity in rowers using Wingate test on cycle and rowing ergometer

Abstract

The 30-s all-out Wingate test has been used in athletes of all sport specialties to measure the capacity for short duration, high power output while cycling. The aim of this study was to establish differences in measuring anaerobic capacity between the classic Wingate test on a cycling ergometer and the modified Wingate test on a rowing ergometer in rowers. A group of20 rowers was tested by both the cycle and rowing ergometers during 30s of maximum power to test anaerobic capacity and to make correlation between these tests. The parameters measured were the peak power and mean power. The peak power on the cycling ergometer was 475 +/- 75.1W and 522.4 +/- 81W (p < 0.05) on the rowing ergometer. The mean power on the cycling ergometer and the rowing ergometer was 344.4 +/- 51.1W and 473.7W +/- 67.2, (p < 0.05) respectively. The maximum values were achieved at the same time on both ergometers, but remained on the higher level till the end of the test on the rowing ergometer. By correlating the anaerobic parameters of the classic Wingate test and a modified Wingate test on the rowing ergometer a significant positive correlation was detected in the peak power (r = 0.63, p < 0.05) as well as in the mean power (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). The results show that the rowers achieved better results of the anaerobic parameters on the rowing ergometer compared to the cycling ergometer due to a better mechanical efficiency. It is concluded that the modified Wingate test on the rowing ergometer can be used in rowers for testing their anaerobic capacity as a sport specific test ergometer since it provides more precise results.

Development of the Rope-Climbing Ergometer for Physical Training and Testing

“…5b ) on average. This magnitude is smaller than those of the preceding studies that used the cycle 20 and the rowing 17 ergometers. Regarding cycle ergometry, an interpolating calculation with regression formulae has been generally used to estimate the peak power over various loads.…”

“…With the use of this calculation, the peak power with the cycle ergometer was recorded around 930 W for adult male non-athletic subjects 20 and up to 1 600 W for male elite cyclists 10 . As for the rowing ergometer, Klasnja et al (2010) reported that 522 W of peak power was observed for male rowers 17 . A presumable rationale for the smaller peak power with the present ergometer is the total volume of muscles involved in the pulling exercise.…”

“…Ergometer measurements are typically performed in a laboratory instead of in field tests, allowing for precise quantification of the mechanical output with discretional choice of measuring protocols. Owing to these advantages, many studies have used ergometers to evaluate physiological characteristics and indices, such as the force-velocity relationship of muscle 12 28 , maximum anaerobic power 4 10 30 , anaerobic capacity 17 , and maximum oxygen consumption 3 . Treadmills are also preferred by many technicians and researchers, because running recruits a larger active muscle mass with greater maximum oxygen consumption 3 .…”

“…Validity and reproducibility of cycle ergometers have also been confirmed in previous studies 4 6 23 24 29 . Other methods have also been developed to duplicate specific conditions of each sport and approximate muscles that are involved 8 22 25 26 27 , including an arm-cranking ergometer 7 and a rowing ergometer 5 13 17 19 30 . The ergometer test for physical fitness includes a variety of movements.…”

Associations between Multimodal Fitness Assessments and Rowing Ergometer Performance in Collegiate Female Athletes

“…Certain testing procedures were chosen at the request of the team’s coaching staff (e.g., treadmill GXT and cycle WAnT). Previous research investigating the relationship of 2peak from a GXT and power output from the WAnT with rowing performance have done so using rowing ergometer-based testing procedures [ 20 , 31 ], in order to better simulate on-water racing scenarios. The rationale for the utilization of the current study’s varying modality approach was to evaluate fitness parameters independent of technical rowing skill and expertise; however, because the tests of the current study differed in primary muscle groups utilized and the capabilities of those muscles, comparison between methods is somewhat difficult.…”