Mechanical power output is unaffected by starting cadence during Wingate-type sprint interval training

Wingate-type repeated sprint intervals (SITWingate) rely on the attainment of high peak power output (PPO) and the maintenance of average power output (AvPO) as mechanical acute responses that are critical for eliciting aerobic and anaerobic adaptations. In recreationally active participants, the starting cadence of a single WAnT has been shown to influence mechanical power indices. However, the effect of different starting cadences on mechanical power indices during a SITWingate protocol remains unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether different starting cadences in SITWingate alter mechanical power outputs. Eight recreationally active men (age: 21.1 ± 2.1 years; height: 179 ± 6.4 cm; body mass: 69.8 ± 7.1 kg) volunteered to participate. Participants completed two SIT protocols with different starting cadences (SIT80rpm and SIT120rpm) in sessions separated by ≥72 hours. Each protocol consisted of three 30-s all-out cycling bouts against a standardized load corresponding to 7.5% of body mass, interspersed with 4-min passive recovery. For each bout, PPO and AvPO were obtained. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated no significant main effect of starting cadence on PPO (F(1,7) = 0.11, p = 0.755, ηp² = 0.015), and AvPO (F(1,7) = 0.11, p = 0.753, ηp² = 0.015). Moreover, when the means of the three sprints were compared, no differences between protocols were detected for PPO (p = 0.755) and AvPO (p = 0.753). In conclusion, starting cadences (SIT80rpm vs. SIT120rpm) had no statistically significant effect on SITWingate performance indices among recreationally active men.