Correlation Between VO2max and Anaerobic Power in Law Enforcement SWAT Team Members

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and anaerobic power in Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members of law enforcement. METHODS: Fourteen healthy men and one healthy woman (age: 33 ± 6 y, height: 179.6 ± 6.7 cm, body mass: 89.6 ± 10.4 kg) performed a graded exercise test to measure V̇O2max and a Wingate Anaerobic Test to measure anaerobic power on two separate occasions. V̇O2max was determined with a graded exercise test on a motorized treadmill using the Costill-Fox protocol. Anaerobic power was determined using the Wingate Anaerobic Test where participants cycled against a resistance of 9% of body mass (8 ± 1 kg) on a Wingate cycle ergometer. Pearson’s r correlations were conducted to analyze the relationship between absolute V̇O2max and absolute power as well as relative V̇O2max and relative power. RESULTS: Absolute V̇O2max was significantly positively correlated to absolute peak power (r = 0.60; p = 0.02) and absolute average power (r = 0.75; p < 0.01). Moreover, relative V̇O2max was significantly positively correlated to relative peak power (r = 0.56; p = 0.03) and relative average power (r = 0.64; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There are moderate-to-strong positive correlations between V̇O2max and anaerobic power. It is possible that adaptations that occur with high intensity anaerobic exertions might be related to changes in aerobic metabolism. Future research might consider examining the effectiveness of anaerobic power training on aerobic fitness among the tactical athlete populations.