The aim of this study was to verify the necessity to use a specific protocol for evaluating the aerobic capacity in table tennis players, comparing the tests applied in conventional ergometers with test applied in specific ergometer. Nine table tennis players were participants in the study (18.22 ± 2.33 years; 1.76 ± 0.09 m of height; 67.36 ± 10.03 Kg of body mass; 14.74 ± 6.69 % of fat mass and 21.69 ± 2.71 Kg/m² of body mass index). The participants performed lactate minimum tests in the arm ergometer and cycle ergometer; in addition to incremental test in specific ergometer for determination of the anaerobic threshold (AnTspec) through visual inspection. Statistical procedures used Analysis of Variance test (one-way ANOVA) and the Pearson correlation test, with level of significance of 5%. There was not significant correlation between the AnTspec (48.11 ± 6.82 shots.min-1) and the lactate minimum intensity obtained in arm ergometry (91.94 ± 11.51 W) (r=0.18; p=0.72). The lactate minimum intensity in cycle ergometer (157.97 ± 12.51 W) presented significant correlation with the AnTspec (r=-0.80; p=0.02), but a negative correlation was verified. Therefore, a specific protocol is needed for measuring the aerobic capacity in table tennis.
specific test; ergometers; anaerobic threshold; lactate minimum test; table tennis
