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.

Key words

WAnT - maximal oxygen consumption - children - peak power - exercise tests

References

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