Evaluation of the immediate energy system

Anaerobic Power Tests

Click here to download and print out a data sheet and the questions
 
 

INTRODUCTION

The anaerobic component of performance has been one of the most difficult to objectively quantify. Part of this difficulty stems from a basic lack of agreement among sport scientists as to how this component is defined. In fact, the use of different terminology to represent the same basic concepts has greatly confused the issue. The terms anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, and anaerobic threshold have all been used interchangeably to denote the same physiological concept by some scient ists, and have been used independently to describe other physiological events by others. Byway of introduction, the following definitions will be used in this lab:

Anaerobic power is defined as the peak power output attained in a testof short duration, usually lasting less than/equal to 30 sec. Anaerobiccapacity is defined as the maximal work performed over a period of 30 secto 2 min. Anaerobic threshold is defined as being identical in conceptto the lactate threshold--that rate of work, or that percentage of VO2max,corresponding to the initial increase in blood lactate above resting levels.

The ability to jump, sprint, put the shot, throw the javelin, or perform fast starts as would be required of running backs in football or sprintersare a few examples of athletes converting energy to power. The abilityto develop considerable power is of prime importance when predicting athletic success. Power is performance of work expressed per unit of time.The term anaerobic power ha s been associated with anaerobic metabolismand the tests that measure it. The development of power is related to muscular strength and especially to the amount and rate of utilization of the stored phosphagens. Therefore, the tests that follow reflect the ability to employthe immediate energy system.

Aerobic power during exercise is relatively simply and quite accurately assessed by measuring the maximal oxygen uptake. A similar tool for thedirect measure of anaerobic power is lacking, so vari ous indirect method shave been developed to study the kinetics, power, and capacity of the non-oxidative processes. Performance tests that apparently cause maximal activation ofthe ATP-CP system have been developed to provide practical "field tests"to evaluate the capacity of immediate energy transfer. These tests aregenerally referred to as power tests where power is determined using thefollowing formula:

POWER = F X D /Time

where:

F = force produced (generated)

D = distance through which force is moved or applied

T = time or duration of the work period

Depending on the units of measurement, power can be expressed in termsof foot-pounds (ft-lbs) per sec or per minute, kilogram-meters (kgm) persec or per minute, kcals per sec or per minute (kcal/sec or kcal/min),or in terms of watts (W) or horsepower (hp).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this lab is to perform assorted field power tests in order to evaluate the immediate energy system.

MATERIALS

1. switch mats

2. electronic timer

3. a flight of 18-20 cm steps

4. meter stick

5. VERTEC or other means of assessing vertical jump

6.  16" bench

7.  hand grip dynamometer

METHODS/PROCEDURES

Three methods of anaerobic power assessment will be reviewed today.These are three of the many methods by which exercise and sport scientists have attempted to evaluate the capacity of the stored phosphagen energysystem.

Each lab group will need to identify one power trained athletes and one aerobically trained athletes (preferably of the same gender) for comparison purposes. Everyone should perform the Jump test, grip strength tests, Margaria step test and choice of one of the other tests.

1. MARGARIA POWER TEST

In 1966, Margaria, Aghemo, and Rovelli proposed a measure of maximalanaerobic power by calculating power output during stair climbing at maximal speed. This test was modified by Kalamen in 1968 and is now referred toas the Margaria-Kalamen Power test. As illustrated in figure G-2,the subject runs up a staircase as fast as possible taking three stepsat a time. The external work done in the test is the total vertical distancethe body is lifted up the stairs.

The test is performed in the following manner:

1.  switch mats wired to an electronic timer are placed on thethird and ninth step of the staircase
2. subject stands six (6) meters from the start of the stairs
3.  starting at the 6 meter mark, the subject when ready, runsas fast as they can up the stairs taking three at a time landing on themats placed on the 3rd and 9th steps
4. each subject is to perform 3 trials; the best time is recorded
5. record results on the data sheet; time is r ecorded to a hundredthof a second
6. compute the power output using the following formula:

W X D  = P           where: P = power
    T
W = weight of person (kg)

D = vertical height between first and last step *

T = time from first to last switchmat

units: all measures should be expressed in kilogram-meters per sec (kgm/sec)

* D = 1.08 meters
 

2. SARGENT VERTICAL JUMP TEST

Measuring the difference between a person's standing reach and the height to which he/she can jump and touch has been widely (although possibly erroneously)used as an index of power. If body weight and the speed in performing the jump are not part of the measurement, one cannot regard this test as a true measure of power. (Certainly a 70 kg subject who jumps 1 meter vertically produces less power than a 100 kg subject who jumps 1 meter).

In order to make the jump reach test more valid as a measure of power use the Lewis nomogram or P (kgm/sec)= 2.21 x (wt) x sq root of D in meters

Where 2.21 = constant based on rate of falling of bodies.

wt = body weight (kg) in jumping clothes

D = difference between standing reach and jumping height (meters)

All tests will be performed in the following manner:

1. determine standing reach height

2. subject will perform three trials; record the best height

3. calculate the power output as follows:

a. find difference between best vertical jump height and standing reachheight

b. calulcate power in kgm/sec using calculation above

3. ANAEROBIC POWER STEP TEST

This test may be categorized as a long anaerobic test because the test duration is 60 sec. therefore, the performance of the anaerobic power step test is primarily dependent on the glycolytic pathway of metabolism, and secondarily on the phophagen system. In preparation for the step test the subject should follow appropriate warm-up procedures.

Perform the test as follows:

1. the subject stands alongside the bench with the dominant leg resting on top of the bench

2. the subject performs as many steps as possible in 60 sec, by raising the body to the top of the step with the test leg. The legs and back must be straightened w ith each step.

3. the free leg dangles in a straight position during the ascent, and supports and pushes off when the foot contacts the floor during the descent.

4. a step is counted each time the subject's support leg is straightened and then returned to the starting position.

5. the number of steps should be recorded at 60 sec.
 

4. WINGATE BICYCLE TEST

For the methods, please refer to your Exercise Physiology textbook.

5. HAND GRIP STRENGTH

Background Information:

This experiment we will explore an important concept: relative versus absolute measures. Absolute measures could be considered the raw scores or the measurements before you do any treatments to them. An example of an absolute measure would be mass. Relative measures have been scaled to some factor, usually for comparison. These scores have been manipulated in some fashion. Often times, physiological variables are reported relative to mass. An example of a relative measure would be mass/unit of height.

Procedures:

Get into groups. Each group should have 1 grip dynamometer (a device used to measure grip strength). Using the NON-DOMINANT HAND and DOMINANT HAND, determine maximal grip strength by:

After you have performed 1 trial, pass the dynamometer to the next person in your group. Only after each person has performed his or her first trial should you perform your second trial.

Do one trial; use the highest score as your absolute maximum grip strength.
 
 

Trial	DOM	NON DOM	Body Mass
Grip Strength (kg)

Absolute Maximum Grip Strength (kg): __________

Relative Grip Strength Score = Absolute Maximum Grip Strength/Body Mass: ______________

CONVERSIONS (for anaerobic step test)

Anaerobic Capacity (An Cap) in units of (kgm/sec) = (+w/t) x 1.33 or [F x D/t] x1.33

+w = positive work

t = 60 sec for An Cap

1.33 = factor to convert +w to total work

F = force; the weight of the subject in kg

D = 0.40 m x number of steps in 60 sec 

To convert An Cap from kgm/sec to watts, use the conversion factor 1 kgm/sec = 9.81 W. 

RESULTS

Record all data on the downloaded data sheet and on the computer spread sheet.

Make sure you have all of your data recorded and appropriate calculations.

Make sure that all appropriate data have been entered into the computer spread sheet.