Question

Fatigue Index (Wingate Test) - (no exercise physiology subject)

What is the logic behind expressing peak power in both absolute (Watts) and relative (Watts per kg)? Is one more relevant to a certain type of athlete than another? Provide examples to support your thoughts.

What does the Fatigue Index measures/represent? What does a 0% and a 100% Fatigue Index represents, and what each of these values would indicate. Is it really possible for someone to have a FI of 0% in the Wingate test? Why?

Answer 1

1.The Wintage anaerobic test was performed on a cycle ergonometer. This ergnometer was modified with an extra photocell, placed on the floor exactly under the lowest position of the right pedal which was connected to a computer so each revolution was recorded inorder to calculate the main indices of the test. Participants were asked to pedal as fast as possible for 30s against a breaking force that was determined by the product of body mass in kg by0.075. The test weight is 7.5% of person's body mass

2.Peak power(PP) was estimated as the average power over a 5s period with the highest performance, which occurs usually in the first 5s of the test.

It is calcualted from the formula

P=F*d/t, wher 't'is the time in seconds, 'F' is the force is the resistance (kg) added to the fly wheel, while 'd' is the distance which is calculated from the fromula=revolutions * df , df is the distance around the flywheel measued in meters. Peak values are given on a computer with electromagnetically braked ergometers. Hence, power is expressed in Watts

Relative Peak Powe(RPP) , this allows comparison between people of variying sizes and body masses, and is calcualted by

RPP=PP/BW, where BW is the body weight and is expressed in Watts/Kg

This can be explained with an example of a study to assess the relationship between anaerobic performance and body composition among international players. The game of rugby union football demand a wide variety of playing skills; as a result there tends to be a fairly high degree of player specialization. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify the status of anaerobic performance and body composition in iternational rugby players and to establish a relationship between the various expressions of anaerobic performance and the components of body composition. They found a high relative peak value output in japanese players. Although the absolute values of peak power output are less less in Japanese players because of their small body mass , the relative values of their peak power output are actually higher. That is they have large power to body mass ratio. Absolute and relative aspects of anaerobic performance both make their contribution to thier game at set pieces and open play respectively

3.Fatige Index is the difference between the muscle power generated during peak exertion and the power that can be generated after repeated loading and unloading of the muscle. it is a measure of anaerobic capacity and endurance . It is the rate at which power declines in each individual athlete. In other words, it signifies te rate at which an athlete tire when sprinting . The higher the fatigue index the lower your ability to maintain power over a series of sprints

Fatigue Index is calculated as FI = 100* (Ppeak - minimal Power)/ Ppeak, where as minimal power as the lowest power output over a 5s period , occuring usually towards the end of the test

FI in wintage test