Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between performance of an anaerobic capacity test (Wingate test) and muscle fiber type distribution. Subjects (n = 19) were 20- to 30-year-old male physical education students. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle at rest. The Wingate test is a 30-s cycle ergometer ride at maximal pedaling frequency, against a resistance set relative to the body weight. Average mechanical poweroutput, peak 5 s power output, and the power decrease were calculated. Averagepower output was related to the relative fiber size (Average FT area/average St area); peak power, to FT and to Ft area; and the power decrease to relative fiber size. It is suggested that muscular performance, as determined bythe Wingate test, is positively related to preponderance and size of FT fibers. This test is a valid means of evaluating maximal short-term muscular power, in which energy pathways are predominantly anaerobic. Verf.-Referat