Gender differences in anaerobic power in Nigerian students

Abstract

This study was undertaken in order to determine gender differences in anaerobic power of undergraduate physical education students. An attempt was also made to assess the relationship between selected anthropometric variables and indices of anaerobic power: peak power (PP), Mean power (MP), and fatigue index (FI). The participants were 116 men (n=76) and women (n=40). All participants performed a maximal 30- second anaerobic power test utilizing the force setting of 75g.kgBM-1 on a cycle ergometer. Results indicated significant (p < 0.01) gender differences in PP and MP when expressed in absolute units or relative to body mass. But when expressed relative to lean body mass (LBM), the significant differences attenuated. Similarly, FI did not show any significant (p > 0.01) gender differences. Results of the multiple regression analysis for the combined groups of participants showed that a substantial portion of the variance in both PP and MP were explained by LBM and stature, but this relationship was not consistent across gender. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the gender differences in anaerobic power of participants is a function of LBM, stature, and body mass.

Key words: Wingate anaerobic test, peak power, mean power, fatigue index, body composition, gender differences.

AJPHERD Vol.11(2) 2005: 163-174