Affiliations: [a] Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Physical Education
and Sports, Samsun, Turkey | [b] Ege University, School of Physical Education and
Sports, Coaching Education Department, Izmir, Turkey | [c] Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Engineering,
Electrical and Electronical Engineering Department, Samsun, Turkey | [d] Celal Bayar University, School of Physical Education
and Sports, Coaching Education Department, Manisa, Turkey
Abstract: The aim of this study was to modify an elliptical trainer and
determine a suitable test load with it in order to perform Wingate anaerobic
testing (WAnTet). Modifications were made to an electromagnetically braked
elliptical trainer. Study participants were forty-eight physically active male
college athletes (mean age 20 ± 1 years). Two pilot studies (n = 8) were
administered to determine electrical signalling errors and to select the range
of potentially suitable test loads (between 0.5 to 1.3 watt/kg). The 1.0
watt/kg WAnTet load was determined to be the most suitable for WAnTet
applications amongst 0.8 to 1.1 watt/kg loads (n = 40; p < 0.05).
Test-retest results using the 1.0 watt/kg load for peak power (PP) (1477 ±
258 and 1484 ± 271 watts), average power (AP) (1134 ± 209 and 1120
± 208 watts), fatigue index ratio (FI%) (49 ± 10% and 49 ±
10%) and change in lactate levels (12.6 ± 1.7 and 12.4 ± 2.1 mM)
were highly correlated (r: 0.94, 0.94, 0.80 and 0.74, respectively; p <
0.001). An electromagnetically braked elliptical trainer may be used to measure
anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity of athletes and may be substituted for
the usual Wingate anaerobic test performed on a cycle ergometer.
