Reproducibility of Determining Anaerobic Capacity Using Treadmill Ergometry

ABSTRACT

To implement a method measuring anaerobic capacity within the field of training control, the reproducibility of the results is of deciding significance.

In this study, we examined the test-retest-reliability of the most commonly used method for measuring anaerobic capacity to date, modified according to Monod and Scherrer, on a motorized treadmill. Ten healthy, athletically active, male participants carried out two defined test series of each three sprint tests with an interval of one week. The work output of each participant and test series was calculated from this data. These results, as well as the running time of the sprint tests were graphically plotted using a work-exhaustion-time-diagram. After calculating a linear regression, the point of intersection of the regression line with the y-axis (y-intercept) was defined as the measure of anaerobic capacity (AC).

The mean AC determined from the first sprint test series was 1.4 ± 0.8KJ and from the second sprint test series 1.2 ± 0.06KJ. The AC shows a mean difference of 18.4% (95% CI: 10.5 - 26.4), which is statistically significantly higher (p=0.004) than a tolerable mean difference level of 5%.

Based on this difference, the described method does not seem suitable as a training control in competitive sport. This method, however, could be implemented for talent sighting.