Evaluation of Anaerobic Power and Capacity Tests and Correlation with Sprinting Performance

Abstract

There are many tests that have been employed to quantify anaerobic power and these tests have been correlated with maximum sprint running performance and the maximal muscle leg power. Although the validity of these tests is questionable most of them have been used to evaluate anaerobic capacity, predict sprinting performance and identify differences between power and endurance athletes. PURPOSE: To evaluate and determine the relationship between various anaerobic tests and maximum sprinting performance and muscle leg power. METHODS: Fifteen male young sprinters were tested on six separated (randomly) occasions. During the first visit the 40 m maximum sprint time was measured including the time at 10 m and 30 m, the intermediate sections of 10-30 m and 30-40 m as well as the maximum running speed, stride length and rate at 35 m. Additionally during the others five visits the 30 s maximal cycle ergometer test (Wingate test), the squat jump test, the maximal unilateral voluntary isotonic power of the leg extensors and flexors, the Cunningham and Faulkner anaerobic test (CFAT) and the running anaerobic sprint test (RAST, 6 × 35m interspersed with 10sec recovery) were performed. RESULTS: The results indicated that Wingate test was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with RAST (r=-0.71), sprinting performance (from r=-0.71 to r=-0.78), squat jump (r=0.76), CFAT (r=0.72) and muscle leg power (from r=0.88 to r=0.94). The RAST test significantly (p<0.05) correlated with sprinting performance (from r=-0.57 to r=-0.88), squat jump (r=0.68), CFAT (r=0.91) and muscle leg power (from r=0.67 to r=0.79). The squat jump significantly (p<0.05) correlated with sprinting performance (from r=-0.78 to r=-0.86), CFAT (r=0.68) and muscle leg power (from r=0.68 to r=0.81) and CFAT significantly (p<0.05) correlated with sprinting performance (from r=-0.72 to r=-0.88), and muscle leg power (from r=0.67 to r=0.79). Interestingly stride length significantly (p<0.05) correlated with leg power of muscle extensors (from r=0.69 to r=0.75) and stride frequency significantly (p<0.05) correlated with leg power of muscle flexors (from r=0.51 to r=0.59). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study indicated that the examined anaerobic tests produced significant correlations and could successfully predict sprint running performance and leg muscle power.