Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of test sequence on adults' ability to achieve maximal aerobic and anaerobic power during a single assessment visit. Forty-one adults (24 men, 17 women; 22.0 ± 1.8 years) completed two baseline visits in randomized order consisting of either a maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O(2max)) or Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). The subsequent experimental visit consisted of both V̇O(2max) and WAnT in randomized order separated by 20 minutes of rest. Mixed-model ANOVAs compared baseline and experimental performance between and within groups. Chi Squared Goodness of Fit tests determined if test sequence significantly affected V̇O(2max) criteria achievement. Significant interaction effects were observed for relative V̇O(2max) (p = 0.005), RER (p < 0.001), and exercise time (p = 0.022). Within WAnT/V̇O(2max) subjects, these values significantly decreased from baseline to experimental tests. No differences were found for WAnT values. During the experimental session, 50% of subjects who performed WAnt/V̇O(2max) and 81% of subjects who performed V̇O(2max)/WAnT achieved a valid V̇O(2max). Chi squared analysis found the change to be significant in WAnT/V̇O(2max) subjects only. Therefore, performing the WAnT before V̇O(2max) sequence significantly reduced the percent of subjects who achieved V̇O(2max) criteria. These findings indicate that the sequence of V̇O(2max) testing before a WAnT allowed maximal results similar to expected baseline values.