Anaerobic Capacity and Power Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT)

Discussion Questions

Discussion Question 1

The human body’s skeletal musculature produces force through the conversion of nutrients. Different types of nutrients are implicated in different types of energy utilization and generally depend on the type of force required by the body. Short bursts of high energy requirements require the use of anaerobic respiratory mechanisms. Generally, when the body experiences energy requirement due to physical exercise the primary energy source is muscle glycogen which comprises nearly half of the energy source for the first hour or so of exercise (Arslan, 2005). Muscle triglycerides and plasma free fatty acids also have roles in the first hour or so of exercise, with blood glucose being used in very small amounts. A short burst of energy requires quick action. This quick action is supplied by Adenine Triphosphate (ATP) and Creatine Phosphate (CP). ATP is used up very quickly, not requiring oxygen, and CP is used subsequently to regenerate ATP until CP is used up (Arslan, 2005).

Discussion Question 2

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The corresponding line shows the average power. Average power declines over time, due to the anaerobic energy reserves being depleted. The energy metabolites implicated include ATP and CP.

Discussion Question 3

Anaerobic capacity is the measure of a body’s ability to produce force through the skeletal musculature of the various body segments in the short-term. Health care professionals and athletic trainers can use a working knowledge of respiratory mechanisms to enhance athletic performance in the short-term. When an athlete is required to produce quick bursts of force in a short time their skeletal musculature does not have the time to respire aerobically. They must produce force in the absence of oxygen, and thus anaerobic mechanisms use ATP and CP to produce force without oxygen. When CP stores are depleted, the athlete will experience muscle fatigue. Maximizing muscle utilization within the short time period, and understanding the buildup of respiratory byproducts like lactate helps trainers and health care professionals train non-endurance short-burst athletes to perform more efficiently.

Discussion Question 4

The Wingate Anaerobic Test is an anaerobic exercise test generally performed on a cycle ergometer. The Wingate test measures the capacity for anaerobic exercise and total peak anaerobic power as a function of exercise-induced stressors over a short period of time (0-2 minutes). There are variations of the Wingate test, including the use of an arm crank and variations in time intervals. The original Wingate test is a 30-second test with a weight load of 0.075 kp per kg of body weight (Arslan, 2005). The original study has been criticized, though, due to its use of younger study participants. Variations in the Wingate test use differences in time and workload to produce the most accurate results as they relate to anaerobic exercise in the short term.

Discussion Question 5

Lactate is a metabolic product of anaerobic glycolysis, the primary energy system implemented within skeletal musculature during short, intense energy requirements. Lactate, then, is a good indicator of the activation, duration, and intensity of anaerobic glycolysis in bodybuilders and athletes. In an analysis of sprint (high intensity) exercise performance, Crampton, Egaña, Donne, and Warmington (2014) found that improvements in sprint performance occur after active cold water immersion recovery. They measured this through a regimen of three traditional Wingate tests followed by active recovery, 40 minutes of rest, and three more traditional Wingate tests. They measured blood lactate levels prior to and following Wingate tests to understand the individual anaerobic performance. Their results indicate cold water immersion and active recovery as helpful mechanisms for increasing the efficiency of anaerobic, short-term exercise.

Conclusion

Anaerobic respiratory mechanisms are an important part of understanding exercise physiology. Respiration in the .absence of oxygen isn’t a natural concept to grasp. The molecular mechanisms at play are integral to the functioning of aerobic exercise. In this laboratory assignment, small bursts of energy were quantified through the Wingate Anaerobic Test. This test allowed for the understanding of power production as a function of resistance and anaerobic exercise. By plotting experimental data it is evident that power production in an anaerobic sense is a short term gain. Long term exercise mediated mechanisms employ aerobic respiratory mechanisms.

References

Arslan, C. (2005). Relationship Between the 30-Second Wingate Test and Characteristics of Isometric and Explosive Leg Strength in Young Subjects. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19(3), 658.

Crampton, D., Egaña, M., Donne, B., & Warmington, S. (2014). Including Arm Exercise During a Cold Water Immersion Recovery Better Assists Restoration of Sprint Cycling Performance. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 10.1111, 1-9