Postural Effects On Power Outputs And Lactate Recovery During The Wingate Test

The Wingate Cycle Test (Wingate) is a measure of anaerobic activity. Primarily performed in the seated posture, results are varied when performing the Wingate in other postures. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in Wingate measures and lactic acid levels during recovery between seated (S), standing (ST), and combined (C) postures during the Wingate. METHODS: Fifteen subjects (21.8 + 0.94 yrs, 178.2 + 7.99 cm, 81.0 + 14.5 kg) completed three Wingate sessions (S, ST, C). For eligibility, subjects were required to have a VO2peak between 30-50 ml/kg/min. Testing sessions for each posture were randomized and separated by a minimum of 48 hrs. Testing sessions began with a 5-min warm up, pedaling against 3.2% body mass (BM) with three 4-6 sec sprints at 7.5% BM separated by 60 sec. Wingate testing used 7.5% BM, followed by a 5-min cool down against no resistance, followed by 25 min of seated rest. Blood lactic acid was collected by finger capillary puncture at baseline, immediate pre-test and post-test, then every 5-min for the next 30-min. RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between postures for peak power (S: 7.12 + 2.51 W/kg; ST: 7.60 + 2.45 W/kg; C: 7.64 + 2.44 W/kg), average power (S: 5.59 + 1.87 W/kg; ST: 5.74 + 1.63 W/kg; C: 5.81 + 1.76 W/kg), power drop (S: 44.92 + 15.80%; ST: 46.31 + 11.81%; C: 48.51 + 13.25%), time at maximal speed (S: 10170.13 + 7860.09 ms; ST: 7420.27 + 5829.45 ms; C: 7831.96 + 6752.99 ms), and total energy produced (S: 13526.60 + 4713.80 J; ST: 13915.80 + 4527.81 J; C: 13818.60 + 4772.80 J). There were no significant differences in lactic acid levels between postures (p > 0.05). For lactic acid levels during recovery, baseline was lower than all other points (p = 0.000). 5-min was greater than all time points (baseline, immediate pre-test and post-test, 10-min, 15-min, 20-min, 25-min, 30-min: p < 0.05). 10-min was less than 5-min (p = 0.006) and greater than all other time points (baseline, immediate pre-test and post-test, 15-min, 20-min, 25-min, 30-min: p = 0.000). 30-min was greater than baseline (p = 0.000) and less than all other time points (immediate pre-test: p = 0.001; immediate post-test, 5-min, 10-min, 15-min, 20-min, 25-min: p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Postural changes during the Wingate do not affect physiological responses when compared to the original seated posture.