Critical Power is Related to Cycling Time Trial Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate critical power (W(CP)) as an indicator of aerobic fitness in trained cyclists, and to determine its relationship to cycling time trial (TT) performance. Thirteen competitive USCF category 2 or 3 cyclists provided season's best 40 km TT times (mean [SD]) time = 59.6 min (3.1), and performed two 17 km TT under controlled conditions (26.6 min [1.1]). Ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2max were determined from a maximal incremental test. W(CP) was calculated using the results of four all-out constant power tests. Mean W(CP) was 299 (61) W or 4.1 W x kg(-1), VT was 3616 (750) ml x min(-1) or 49.8 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (7.5), and VO2max was 4596 ml x min(-1) or 63.5 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) (8.0). W(CP) was strongly related to VT and VO2max, demonstrating that it can serve as a measure of aerobic fitness in this population. Expressions of W(CP) were slightly to considerably more highly related to 17 km and 40 km TT performances (r = -0.77 to -0.91) than were expressions of VT and VO2max (r = -0.71 to -0.87). It is concluded that W(CP) provides an aerobic fitness measure for competitive cyclists which can be obtained without invasive testing. In addition, W(CP) is strongly related to the TT performance of competitive cyclists.

A single test for the determination of parameters of the speed–time relationship for running

“…O 2max ) is elicited (critical power (CP) for cycling exercise and critical speed (CS) for running), as well as the amount of work that can be performed above CP (W`) or distance that can be covered above CS (D`) before fatigue terminates the exercise. This relationship has been demonstrated across the spectrum of conditioning from elite athletes (Smith et al, 1999) at the upper end, to patient populations (Neder et al, 2000) at the lower end. Further, there is building evidence that CP and CS are better predictors of exercise tolerance than the traditionally used V .…”

“…The power-time relationship has been observed in cycling (Barker et al, 2006, Gaesser and Wilson, 1988, Hill et al, 1995, Housh et al, 1989, Miura et al, 1999, Miura et al, 2000, Miura et al, 2009, Neder et al, 2000, Poole et al, 1988, Poole et al, 1990, Pringle and Jones, 2002, Smith et al, 1999, rowing (Cheng et al, 2012, Hill et al, 2003, Kendall et al, 2011, knee-extension (Burnley, 2009), and running (Bull et al, 2008, Hughson et al, 1984, Smith and Jones, 2001) where a substitute for power is used when necessary. CP is associated with the muscle's aerobic power (Gaesser and Wilson, 1988, Gaesser et al, 1995, Jenkins and Quigley, 1992, McLellan and Cheung, 1992, Miura et al, 1999, Miura et al, 2000, Moritani et al, 1981, Moritani et al, 1981, Poole et al, 1990, while W` represents predominantly 'anaerobic' characteristics (Ferguson et al, 2007, Ferguson et al, 2010, Gaesser and Wilson, 1988, Jenkins and Quigley, 1992, Miura et al, 1999, Miura et al, 2000, Moritani et al, 1981, Poole et al, 1990 and is determined, in part, by intramuscular energy stores of phosphate, glycogen, and oxygen (Miura et al, 1999…”

Effect of heavy strength training on thigh muscle cross-sectional area, performance determinants, and performance in well-trained cyclists

“…The latter is in theory the highest constant-load power-output that can be sustained for a prolonged duration and is related to endurance ability (Poole et al 1988). The critical power has been shown to be a useful fitness measure in trained cyclists (Smith et al 1999) and is related to the maximal lactate steady state (Jones and Carter 2000). Furthermore, it has been shown that any rightward shift of the power output -blood lactate relation reflects improved lactate threshold regardless how the lactate threshold have been determined (Tokmakidis et al 1998).…”

Inspiratory muscle training improves cycling time-trial performance and anaerobic work capacity but not critical power

“…The mechanism(s) by which RMT may improve exercise tolerance has yet to be fully revealed although it has been argued that constant-power and time-trial exercise performances are predominantly governed by the parameters critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (AWC) (Brandon 1995;Bulbulian et al 1986;Fernández-García et al 2000;Fukuba and Whipp 1999;Smith et al 1999). Therefore, if RMT elicits a genuine ergogenic effect one might expect one or both of these parameters to be affected.…”