Factors affecting anaerobic power output in the Margaria-Kalamen test

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three approach distances and two vertical ascent methods on approach velocity, vertical velocity and power output of the Margaria-Kalamen test. Male (n = 43) and female (n = 53) university students were tested using a traditional and a modified (ramp) Margaria-Kalamen test with approaches of 2, 6 and 10m. The average of five trials for each approach distance was used to calculate anaerobic power. Males averaged 14.0% greater approach velocity, 28.8% greater vertical velocity and 41.1% greater power output than females, regardless of approach distance or vertical ascent method. Anaerobic power output was not significantly different between the sexes for any method when the effects of the percentage of fat and lean body mass were removed by the covariance technique. The 2m approach produced significantly slower approach velocity, vertical velocity and power output than the other approaches. The ramp method resulted in significantly greater approach velocity (11.5%), vertical velocity (9.6%) and anaerobic power output (9.4%) than the stair method. Males averaged 8.4% higher power output using the ramp, while females averaged 11.0% higher than the conventional stair method. Females appeared to benefit more than males from using a ramp in the anaerobic power test. Anaerobic power measurement from the Margaria-Kalamen method can be maximized using a ramp method.