RESEARCH
UPPER BODY
ANAEROBIC EXERCISE
A classic method for assessing anaerobic power and functional
performance highlights the differences in energy contribution
between the upper and lower body.
Research paper: The contribution of energy systems
during the upper body Wingate anaerobic test
Research team: Dale Lovell PhD, Ava Kerr, Aaron Wiegand PhD,
Colin Solomon PhD, Leonie Harvey & Chris McLellan PhD
Published: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2013, 38(2)
Read more: nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/
apnm-2012-0101#.U9XTlfmSyCi
Introduction: One of the most commonly used methods of measuring
anaerobic performance is the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT),
so-called because it was developed at the Wingate Academy in the
1970s. Most commonly performed on an ergometer, the WAnT has
been shown to be a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of
anaerobic power and functional performance of elite athletes and
clinical populations. While a number of studies have characterised
the contribution of the different energy systems during the WAnT for
the lower body, little data exists on the contribution of the energy
systems during an upper body WAnT.
There are significant differences in neuromuscular and
cardiovascular function between the upper and lower body at rest
and during exercise. The upper body is reported to have a higher
percentage of type II fibres and extract less oxygen during exercise
compared to the lower body. Significant differences in peak and
mean power have also been reported between the upper and lower
body, even when normalised for active muscle mass. Therefore the
contribution of the energy systems to Wingate performance during
arm cranking may be different to the lower body during a cycle WAnT.
Accordingly, this study measured the aerobic, anaerobic alactic
and anaerobic lactic energy contribution during a WAnT for the upper
body. In addition, correlations between energy contribution and
active and total muscle mass were also assessed. (The lower body
was also assessed for energy contribution and body composition,
although this information is from unpublished data).
Electro-magnetically braked cycle ergometer
Methods: Fourteen physically active men volunteered to
participate in the study. Each participant reported to the laboratory for
30 minutes on three separate occasions. On the initial visit participants
underwent body composition analysis. Then on two separate visits
in a random order participants completed an upper and lower body
WAnT. The upper body WAnT was conducted on a modified electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer (EE) (Lode Excalibur Sport).
The EE was fixed to a table, which in turn was fixed to the ground
to prevent any movement in the EE during the WAnT (see photo).
The lower body WAnT was conducted on a standard electronically
braked cycle ergometer (Velotron, Racermate). Five minutes before,
during and for 20 minutes after the WAnT, oxygen uptake (VO2) was
measured continuously using open circuit spirometry. Blood lactate
concentration was determined from capillary blood samples drawn
from the finger at rest, immediately after and every second minute
up to the 20th minute post-WAnT. The total energy cost of the WAnT
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