The Effects of Load, Crank Position, and Sex on the Biomechanics and Performance during an Upper Body Wingate Anaerobic Test

INTRODUCTION

The upper body Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is a 30-s maximal effort sprint against a set load (percentage of body mass). However, there is no consensus on the optimal load and no differential values for males and females, even when there are well-studied anatomical and physiological differences in muscle mass for the upper body. Our goal was to describe the effects of load, sex, and crank position on the kinetics, kinematics, and performance of the upper body WAnT.

METHODS

Eighteen participants (9 females) performed three WAnTs at 3%, 4%, and 5% of body mass. Arm crank forces, 2D kinematics, and performance variables were recorded during each WAnT.

RESULTS

Our results showed an increase of ~49% effective force, ~36% peak power, ~5° neck flexion, and ~30° shoulder flexion from 3% to 5% load ( P < 0.05). Mean power and anaerobic capacity decreased by 15%, with no changes in fatigue index ( P < 0.05). The positions of higher force efficiency were at 12 and 6 o'clock. The least force efficiency occurred at 3 o'clock ( P < 0.05). Sex differences showed that males produced 97% more effective force and 109% greater mean power than females, with 11.7% more force efficiency ( P < 0.001). Males had 16° more head/neck flexion than females, and females had greater elbow joint variability with 17° more wrist extension at higher loads. Males cycled ~32% faster at 3% versus 5% WAnT load with a 65% higher angular velocity than females. Grip strength, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, mass, and height positively correlated with peak and mean power ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, load, sex, and crank position have a significant impact on performance of the WAnT. These factors should be considered when developing and implementing an upper body WAnT.

Case Report: Training Monitoring and Performance Development of a Triathlete With Spinal Cord Injury and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia During a Paralympic Cycle

Introduction

Paratriathlon allows competition for athletes with various physical impairments. The wheelchair category stands out from other paratriathlon categories, since competing in swimming, handcycling, and wheelchair racing entails substantial demands on the upper extremity. Therefore, knowledge about exercise testing and training is needed to improve performance and avoid overuse injuries. We described the training monitoring and performance development throughout a Paralympic cycle of an elite triathlete with spinal cord injury (SCI) and a recent diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Case Presentation/Methods

A 30-year-old wheelchair athlete with 10-years experience in wheelchair basketball contacted us for guidance regarding testing and training in paratriathlon. Laboratory and field tests were modified from protocols used for testing non-disabled athletes to examine their physical abilities. In handcycling, incremental tests were used to monitor performance development by means of lactate threshold (P_OBLA) and define heart rate-based training zones. All-out sprint tests were applied to calculate maximal lactate accumulation rate (V˙Lamax) as a measure of glycolytic capabilities in all disciplines. From 2017 to 2020, training was monitored to quantify training load (TL) and training intensity distribution (TID).

Results

From 2016 to 2019, the athlete was ranked within the top ten at the European and World Championships. From 2017 to 2019, annual TL increased from 414 to 604 h and demonstrated a shift in TID from 77-17-6% to 88-8-4%. In this period, P_OBLA increased from 101 to 158 W and V˙Lamax decreased from 0.56 to 0.36 mmol·l⁻¹·s⁻¹. TL was highest during training camps. In 2020, after he received his CML diagnosis, TL, TID, and P_OBLA were 317 h, 94-5-1%, and 108 W, respectively.

Discussion

TL and TID demonstrated similar values when compared with previous studies in para-swimming and long-distance paratriathlon, respectively. In contrast, relative TL during training camps exceeded those described in the literature and was accompanied by physical stress. Increased volumes at low intensity are assumed to increase P_OBLA and decrease V˙Lamax over time. CML treatment and side effects drastically decreased TL, intensity, and performance, which ultimately hindered a qualification for Tokyo 2020/21. In conclusion, there is a need for careful training prescription and monitoring in wheelchair triathletes to improve performance and avoid non-functional overreaching.