Anaerobic testing using the Wingate and Evans-Quinney protocols with and without toe stirrups

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Accurate measurement of maximal anaerobic power is crucial in sports science.
• Existing protocols like the Wingate test have limitations in optimizing load settings.
• The Evans-Quinney protocol offers a more individualized approach by considering leg volume and body weight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare anaerobic power outputs using the Wingate and Evans-Quinney protocols.
• To investigate the effect of toe stirrups on power measurements within these protocols.
• To determine the most effective protocol for maximizing anaerobic power assessment.

Main Methods:

• Fifty male athletes performed four maximal 30-second anaerobic power tests on a bicycle ergometer.
• Tests utilized load settings from the Wingate (0.075 kp/kg body weight) and Evans-Quinney protocols.
• Subjects were tested with and without toe stirrups in a counterbalanced order.

Main Results:

• The Evans-Quinney protocol with toe stirrups yielded significantly higher 5-second peak power and 30-second anaerobic capacity.
• Significantly lower power outputs were recorded for the Wingate protocol without toe stirrups.
• All measured variables (peak power, anaerobic capacity, fatigue) showed significant differences based on protocol and stirrup use.

Conclusions:

• The Evans-Quinney load setting protocol, particularly with the use of toe stirrups, results in significantly higher maximal anaerobic power measures.
• This suggests that individualized load calculations and ergometer technique influence power output assessments.
• The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing anaerobic power testing in athletic populations.