Anaerobic Power

Anaerobic energy is produced without the use of oxygen.  The anaerobic energy system can provide great amounts of energy but this system fatigues quickly.  People participating in sprinting, speed or power events are very familiar with this form of energy production.  By-products of the anaerobic energy system cause us to breathe rapidly, our legs to burn and our heart to pound when we forcefully exert ourselves.  In the laboratory, the Wingate Anaerobic Bicycle Test is the standard for assessing an individual's anaerobic capacity.  It is a 30 second all out test completed on a stationary bicycle ergometer.  You must ride as hard as you can against a very heavy load from the beginning to the end and most people average about 200-600watts during this time.  Just for reference, Lance Armstrong can ride his bicycle at this pace for an hour!  Speedskaters and sprint cyclists typically get the highest values on this test and can reach power outputs of over 2000 watts.  This is 3 times as high as a fit college aged male.  If you have a fast internet connnection, click on the picture to see one of the U.S. Speedskaters doing a 10 second Wingate test prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

JSC Students performing the Wingate Anaerobic Bicycle Test