A MACRO-DRIVEN EXCEL TEMPLATE FOR DETERMINING THE ANAEROBIC CAPACITY USING AN AIR-BRAKED ERGOMETER

This paper describes a microcomputer system for automating the process of data collection, calculation and display of anaerobic capacity tes ts on an air-braked ergometer. The use of the spreadsheet Excel and as sociated 'Dalog' program represents an advance on current software whi ch estimates the anaerobic capacity from work performed alone. Numerou s calculations are required when air-braked, rather than friction-brak ed ergometers are used. Each 1 s power output collected during an all- out sprint on the ergometer is corrected against the criterion of a dy namic calibration rig and adjusted for differences in barometric press ure, ambient temperature and humidity. The Excel template features a s eries of macros invoked by buttons imbedded in the spreadsheet. Their selection displays various dialogue boxes which request input related to the calculation of oxygen deficit and related variables. Selecting the final macro prints a summary table and charts which include: power output, fatigue index, mechanical work performed, % aerobic contribut ion to work, oxygen demand, oxygen consumption and anaerobic capacity as determined by the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit.