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Wingate ANaerobic cycle Test

The Wingate Anaerobic 30 cycle Test (WANT) was developed during the 1970s at the Wingate Institute in Israel and is used to determine an athlete's peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity (Inbar et al. 1996)[1]

Required Resources

To conduct this test, you will require:

  • Bicycle ergometer, which continuously records flywheel revolutions in 5-second intervals
  • Weighing Scales
  • Stopwatch
  • Assistant

How to conduct the test

This test requires the athlete to cycle as fast as possible for 30 seconds.

  • The assistant weighs the athlete (kg)
  • The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
  • The assistant calculates and records the flywheel resistance required as follows:
    • Athlete's weight x 0.08
  • The assistant gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch, and the athlete pedals as fast as possible with no flywheel resistance
  • After 3 seconds, the assistant applies the calculated flywheel resistance, and the athlete continues to pedal as fast as possible until 30 seconds have elapsed
  • After 30 seconds, the athlete stops pedalling, and the assistant records the flywheel revolutions for each 5-second interval of the test

Assessment

Peak Power Output (PP)

PP calculated every 5-second is calculated as follows:

  • Distance = number of revolutions in the first 5 seconds x distance per revolution
  • PP = Force x Distance ÷ 0.0833

Percentile norms for Peak Power for active young adults (Maud and Shultz 1998)[2] is :

  Male Female
%Rank Watts Watts
90 822 560
80 777 527
70 757 505
60 721 480
50 689 449
40 671 432
30 656 399
20 618 376
10 570 353

Relative Peak Power Output (RPP)

Relative Peak power output relative to body mass for each 5-second period is calculated as follows:

  • RPP = PP / Body mass (kg)

Percentile norms for Relative Peak Power for active young adults (Maud and Shultz 1998)[2] are:

  Male Female
%Rank Watts/Kg Watts/Kg
90 10.89 9.02
80 10.39 8.83
70 10.20 8.53
60 9.80 8.14
50 9.22 7.65
40 8.92 6.96
30 8.53 6.86
20 8.24 6.57
10 7.06 5.98

Anaerobic Fatigue (AF)

AF provides a percentage decline in power output and is calculated as follows:

  • AF = ((Highest 5 sec PP - Lowest 5 sec PP) ÷ (Highest 5 sec PP)) x 100.

Anaerobic Capacity (AC)

Total work accomplished in 30 secs. AC is calculated as follows:

  • AC = Sum of each 5 sec PP

Analysis

Analysis of the test result compares it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity.

Target Group

This test is suitable for sprint cyclists and sprinters but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Test reliability refers to how a test is consistent and stable in measuring its intended measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides various factors influencing the results and therefore, the test reliability.

Validity

Assessment of anaerobic performance can provide the coach with valuable information about the athlete's fitness status and allow them to monitor progress through training. The test scores can determine peak anaerobic power, anaerobic fatigue, and total anaerobic capacity.

Advantages

  • Minimal equipment required
  • Simple to set up and conduct

Disadvantages

  • Specialist equipment required
  • Assistant required to administer the test

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References

  1. INBAR, O. et al. (1996) The wingate anaerobic test. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics
  2. MAUD, P.J. and SHULTZ, B.B. (1998) Norms for the Wingate anaerobic test with comparison to another similar test. Res Q Exerc Sport, 60 (2), p. 144-151.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

  • MACKENZIE, B. (1998) Wingate ANaerobic cycle Test [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/want.htm [Accessed