Influence of Testing Sequence on a Child's Ability to Achieve Maximal Anaerobic and Aerobic Power

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the order of testing sequence on a child's ability to achieve maximal anaerobic and aerobic power. Thirty-two children (20 females, 12 males) between 7 - 11 years of age participated in this study. All subjects were tested on three separate occasions as follows: anaerobic power session - Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) only; aerobic power session - maximal oxygen consumption (V.O (2max)) test only; and experimental session - WAnT followed by a V.O (2max) test (WAnT/V.O (2max)) or a V.O (2max) test followed by a WAnT (V.O (2max)/WAnT), each with 20 minutes of rest between the assessments. No significant differences were observed between the baseline WAnT or V.O (2max) between the two groups. No significant differences were observed for WAnT power values in either group regardless of testing sequence. Children in the WAnT/V.O (2max) group had significantly lower experimental V.O (2max) (38.6 +/- 7.6 vs. 40.6 +/- 7.4 mL . kg (-1) . min (-1); p < 0.05), RER (1.10 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.13 +/- 0.07; p < 0.05), and exercise time (472 +/- 87 vs. 511 +/- 79 s; p < 0.01) values when compared to the baseline V.O (2max) test. The results of this study indicate that when assessing a child's anaerobic and aerobic power during the same testing session, the testing sequence is of importance. However, it appears that a V.O (2max) test can be performed 20 minutes prior to the WAnT without affecting anaerobic power in children.