The Effects of Deceptive Intensities During Wingate Testing on the Anaerobic Performance and Fatigue Index of Male Cross-Country Cyclists
Objective: This study investigated the impact of deceptive intensities during Wingate tests on anaerobic performance and fatigue in elite male cross-country cyclists.
Methods: Twenty participants were divided into deception and control groups. Both groups completed three Wingate tests, with the deception group experiencing manipulated resistances (-10% and +10% from standard) in the second and third sessions. Peak power (PP), average power (AP), minimum power (MP), and fatigue index (FI) were measured.
Results: The deception group demonstrated significant PP improvements during both manipulated conditions (p<0.001), with increases of 19.3% and 14.9% for -10% and +10% loads, respectively. Average power also increased significantly (p<0.014). Minimum power improved significantly only during the -10% load (p=0.001). Fatigue index remained unchanged across all sessions (p>0.05). The control group showed no significant changes.
Conclusion: Results indicate that deceptive loading can enhance anaerobic performance in elite cyclists without increasing fatigue. This suggests perceived effort significantly influences maximal performance, and deceptive interventions may unlock greater athletic potential.
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