The Wingate Test

The Wingate test is an ergometer exercise testing procedure that measures lower body peak power and anaerobic capacity. It is commonly used for sports and physically active individuals, and has been validated as a measure of lower body and upper body power in a variety of sporting disciplines.

The test involves pedaling a mechanically braked cycle ergometer at an "all out" speed for 30 seconds, while recording revolutions on a counter. A varying resistance load is applied for the first 3 seconds of the test, then fixed for the remaining duration. Typically, a load of 45 g/kg (Fleisch) or 75 g/kg (Monark) is utilized to assess the ability of an individual to produce high peak power.

Diurnal Variations in Wingate Performance
The peak power output of a Wingate test can differ significantly between different times of day, due to the body's circadian rhythms. In particular, an early morning Wingate test produces lower peak power than a late afternoon or evening Wingate test.

In addition, the onset of sleep can also affect peak power output in Wingate tests, a phenomenon known as "recovery". The same is true for fatigue.

During the Wingate test, the individual cycles against a pre-determined external load determined by age and sex. This load is often between 45 g/kg and 75 g/kg of body weight, although higher loads have been used in NHL pre-draft testing.

The wingate test can be added to the standard clinic assessment of children with JDM and may be a resource-saving alternative to other time-intensive assessments such as the CMAS and MMT-8, or the timed squat. However, the addition of a new test to the clinical protocol would require a designated space large enough to accommodate the cycle ergometer and appropriately trained personnel to conduct and supervise the testing.

Moreover, a lack of familiarisation is thought to negatively impact results obtained from the Wingate all-out test. This is especially true if the Wingate all-out test is conducted against a fixed resistance. This is a problem because the time-based power outcomes obtained from non-familiarised controls are not correlated with the curve specificity of the Wingate all-out test performed with the optimal three-second interval of the test. Therefore, there is a need for research on the effect of lack of familiarisation on Wingate all-out test.