Influence of Velotron chainring size on Wingate anaerobic test

Objectives: This study compared an 85-tooth versus the standard 62-tooth chainring for power outputs during a Wingate test using a Velotron electromagnetically-braked cycle ergometer. Design: All participants completed trials using both chainring sizes in a repeated-measures cross-over design. Methods: Resistance-trained male participants (n = 20. 24.6 +/- 4.5 years) performed two Wingate tests separated by at least 48 h. Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), fatigue index (FI), peak cadence, mean cadence, and total work (TW) were recorded. Results: Peak power was not significantly different (p = 0.10) between trials (62-tooth = 1111 +/- 187 W vs. 85-tooth = 1188 +/- 103 W). However, MP, mean cadence, and TW were significantly greater (p < 0.01) for the 85-tooth trial (869 +/- 114 W, 131 +/- 16 rpm, and 26,063 +/- 3418 J) compared to the 62-tooth test (673 +/- 136 W, 102 +/- 24 rpm, and 20,199 +/- 4066 J). Fatigue index was reduced during the 85-tooth trial (49.9 +/- 9.1% vs. 61.6 +/- 8.8%; p < 0.01). Agreement was poor with most ICCs approximate to 0.19 and large SEMs. Conclusions: The two options for chainrings on Velotron cycle ergometers should not be interchangeably used with the Wingate test software; the 62-tooth ring is recommended for most applications. Individuals who can attain peak cadence >180 rpm have less variability and tend to achieve higher power outputs on the 62-tooth ring. We suspect that the manufacturer's software limits peak cadence to 182 rpm when using the 85-tooth chainring. (C) 2017 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.