Eur J Appl Physiol (2007) 100:645–651 DOI 10.1007/s00421-007-0454-3 123 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Cross-validation of the 20- versus 30-s Wingate anaerobic test C. Matthew Laurent Jr. · Michael C. Meyers · Clay A. Robinson · J. Matt Green Accepted: 19 March 2007 / Published online: 12 April 2007  Springer-Verlag 2007 Abstract The 30-s Wingate anaerobic test (30-WAT) is the most widely accepted protocol for measuring anaerobic response, despite documented physical side eVects. Abbre- viation of the 30-WAT without loss of data could enhance subject compliance while maintaining test applicability. The intent of this study was to quantify the validity of the 20-s Wingate anaerobic test (20-WAT) versus the tradi- tional 30-WAT. Fifty males (mean § SEM; age = 20.5 § 0.3 years; Ht = 1.6 § 0.01 m; Wt = 75.5 § 2.6 kg) were randomly selected to either a validation (N = 35) or cross- validation group (N = 15) and completed a 20-WAT and 30-WAT in double blind, random order on separate days to determine peak power (PP; W kg ¡1 ), mean power (MP; W kg ¡1 ), and fatigue index (FI; %). Utilizing power outputs (relative to body mass) recorded during each sec- ond of both protocols, a non-linear regression equation (Y 20WAT+10 = 31.4697 e ¡0.5 [ln(X second /1174.3961)/2.6369 2 ]; r 2 = 0.97; SEE = 0.56 W kg ¡1 ) successfully predicted (error »10%) the Wnal 10 s of power outputs in the cross- validation population. There were no signiWcant diVer- ences between MP and FI between the 20-WAT that included the predicted 10 s of power outputs (20-WAT+10) and the 30-WAT. When derived data were subjected to Bland–Altman analyses, the majority of plots (93%) fell within the limits of agreement (§2SD). Therefore, when compared to the 30-WAT, the 20-WAT may be considered a valid alternative when used with the predictive non-linear regression equation to derive the Wnal power output values. Keywords Leg power · Work capacity · Cycle ergometry · Sprint test Introduction The most commonly employed protocol for the measure- ment of anaerobic response is the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test (30-WAT). Developed almost 30 years ago, the 30- WAT involves a maximal exertion bout on a cycle ergome- ter to evaluate peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and fatigue index (FI; Bar-Or 1987; Bar-Or et al. 1977). When performing a 30-WAT, a subject typically exhibits a sharp rise in power output, reaching peak power within the Wrst few seconds. Typically, subjects are unable to maintain this output, leading to an exponential decline in power through- out the remaining duration of the test (Bar-Or et al. 1977; Marquardt et al. 1993). During this prolonged period of maximal eVort, the accumulation of [H + ] and lactate as byproducts of anaerobic glycolysis results in a drop in blood pH (lactic acidosis). The increased acidity impairs enzyme activity involved in energy metabolism and reduces maximal muscle Wbre recruitment (Allen et al. 1992; Davis 1985). In addition, the acute increase of blood glucose as a substrate for glycolysis during maximal exer- cise can result in hypoglycemia (Vincent et al. 2004). Together these responses may result in unwelcome physical side eVects, including fatigue, headache, dizziness, and C. Matthew Laurent Jr. (&) · J. Matt Green Department of Kinesiology, The University of Alabama, Box 83012, Moore Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0312, USA e-mail: cmlaurentjr@bama.ua.edu M. C. Meyers Human Performance Research Laboratory, Department of Sports and Exercise Sciences, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016, USA C. A. Robinson Department of Agriculture, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016, USA