Anaerobic capacity is the total amount of energy that can be obtained from anaerobic sources (creatine phosphate breakdown and anaerobic glycolysis) in a single short term bout of exercise with maximal effort. Anaerobic capacity is an important parameter for athletic performance, not only for short high-intensity activities but also for breakaway efforts and end spurts during endurance events.
Even in leisure time activities situations demanding high burst of anaerobic power can be met (uphill jogging or biking, jumping, downhill skiing, playing tennis, squash and other racket sports, etc.). Unlike aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity cannot be easily quantified.
Speed and explosive power as important components of success in many sports can be tested with the help of vertical jump and/or Margaria-Kalamen test. The most suitable test of anaerobic glycolytic capacity is Wingate 30s test.
There is a large number of other tests with relation to anaerobic abilities based on single exercise bouts, repeat sprint tests, strength and strength endurance tests and others, which can discover critical loss of anaerobic and power capacity mainly in seniors.