Wingate Test is a Strong Predictor of 1500m Performance in Elite Speed Skaters

Wingate test scores are strongly associated with anaerobic capacity in athletes involved in speed-endurance sports. In speed skating Wingate results are known to predict performance cross-sectionally, but have not been investigated relative to their ability to predict performance longitudinally. PURPOSE: To investigate whether Wingate tests performed during summer training are predictive of 1500m speed skating performance the subsequent winter in elite speed skaters. METHODS: Wingate test results from the summer training periods and 1500m performances during the subsequent winter were analyzed over a 3-year period, in 5 female and 8 male elite (Olympic, World Championship and World Cup medalists) speed skaters. Regression analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the relationship between Wingate test variables and 1500m speed skating performance. Wingate peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were used to predict 1500m time and 400m lap times. RESULTS: The results indicate that an improvement of 1 W/kg on PP and MP in women predict improvements of -0.75 s and -2.05 s, respectively, on 1500 m time (World Record 110.85 s). In men, improvement in PP and MP were associated with performance improvements of -0.92 s and -2.32 s on 1500 m time per 1 W/kg (World Record 101.04 s). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that Wingate test results achieved during the summer training period are a good predictor of improvements in 1500 m speed skating performance during the subsequent winter. For the smallest worthwhile improvement in 1500 m performance a gain in PP or MP of 2.1 and 1.4% (0.38 and 0.14 W/kg) for females and 1.2 and 0.9% (0.29 and 0.12 W/kg) for males is needed