Determination of critical power in trained rowers using a three-minute all-out rowing test

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the hyperbolic relationship between power output and time to exhaustion (work -time and power -[1/time] models) could be estimated from a modified version of a three-minute all-out rowing test (3-min RT), and to investigate the test-retest reliability of the 3-min RT. Eighteen male rowers volunteered to participate in this study and underwent an incremental exercise test (IRT), three constant-work rate tests to establish the critical power (CP) and the curvature constant (W 0 ), and two 3-min RTs against a fixed resistance to estimate the end-test power (EP) and work-done-above-EP (WEP) on a rowing ergometer. Peak _ VO 2peak À Á and maximal _ VO 2 max À Á oxygen uptakes were calculated as the highest 30 s average achieved during the 3-min RT and IRT tests. The results showed that EP and WEP determinations, based on the 3-min RT, have moderate reproducibility (P = 0.002). EP (269 ± 39 W) was significantly correlated with CP (work -time, 272 ± 30 W; power -[1/time], 276 ± 32 W) (P = 0.000), with no significant differences observed between the EP and CP values (P = 0.474). However, WEP did not significantly correlate with W 0 (P = 0.254), and was significantly higher than the W 0 values. There was a significant correlation between the _ VO 2peak (60 ± 3 ml kg -1 min -1 ) and _ VO 2 max (61 ± 4 ml kg -1 min -1 ) (P = 0.003). These results indicate that the 3-min RT has moderate reliability, and is able to appropriately estimate the aerobic capacity in rowers, particularly for the CP and _ VO 2 max parameters.

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

“…This underestimation of D` is likely influenced by the larger standard error associated with D` than with CS, differences between the treadmill tests and the 3-min test, and whether distance is the equivalent of work from the powertime relationship (see below). However, this underestimation of D` is consistent with previous reports in which there was high variability between the work above end-test power and W` (Burnley, 2009, Cheng et al, 2012.…”

“…O 2 and perturbation of pH, [Pi] and [PCr] , Poole et al, 1988. In support of this, CS has been shown to occur in close proximity to maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) (Smith and Jones, 2001 The availability of a single test to determine the parameters of the speed-time relationship would facilitate use of the relationship by reducing the number of testing sessions necessary, as the all-out test has done for other modes of exercise (Burnley, 2009, Cheng et al, 2012, Vanhatalo et al, 2007. For example, a single test would be more practical in the athletic arena, so as to minimize any disruption to a training schedule.…”

“…For cycling, 3-min is adequate time to allow for the complete depletion of W` and a leveling off in power output equal to CP (Burnley et al, 2006, Vanhatalo et al, 2007. It has recently been demonstrated that 3-min is also adequate time for an all-out rowing test (Cheng et al, 2012). However, for knee-extension exercise the all-out test needs to be extended to 5-min in order to allow for the complete depletion of W` (Burnley, 2009).…”

“…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…”

“…Indeed, Vanhatalo et al (2007) found that the end-test power (average power output over final 30 s) and the work above end-test power for a single 3-min cycling test can accurately determine CP and W` respectively. The all-out test has since been utilized for several other cycling studies (Parker Simpson et al, 2012, Vanhatalo and Jones, 2008, as well as adapted for knee-extension exercise (Burnley, 2009) and rowing (Cheng et al, 2012).…”