Fatigue Indices and Perceived Exertion Highlight Ergometer Specificity for Repeated Sprint Ability Testing

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Repeated-sprint ability (RSA) is crucial for performance in many sports.
• Assessing RSA typically involves non-motorized treadmills (NMT) or cycling ergometers (CE).
• Understanding the differences in physiological responses between NMT and CE for RSA is important for accurate testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the time course of performance, fatigue, and perceived exertion during RSA testing on NMT versus CE.
• To determine if NMT and CE elicit comparable physiological and performance responses during RSA.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen physically active participants completed two 10 x 6-second RSA tests with a 1:4 work-to-rest ratio on NMT and CE.
• Measures included peak and mean power output (PPO, MPO), cadence, time to reach PPO (TTP), fatigue indices, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).

Main Results:

• RSA on NMT resulted in significantly greater fatigue indices and higher RPE during and after exercise compared to CE.
• Cadence was higher and decreased more rapidly on NMT, while TTP was shorter and more affected by fatigue on NMT.
• While absolute power output measures were correlated, NMT and CE elicited markedly different physiological and performance responses.

Conclusions:

• RSA testing on NMT induces greater fatigue and physiological load than on CE.
• Due to distinct physiological responses, NMT and CE should not be used interchangeably for RSA assessment.
• Differences in active muscle mass and power application patterns contribute to the varied responses between NMT and CE during RSA.