Determination of Critical Power Using a 3-min All-out Cycling Test

Abstract

During a 3-min all-out cycling test, power output declined to a stable value in approximately the last 45 s, and this power output was not significantly different from the independently measured critical power.

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

“…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).…”

“…The theoretical basis for the all-out test is in accordance with the mathematical description of the power-time relationship, i.e., upon depletion of W` the remaining maximally sustainable power output must be equivalent to CP (Vanhatalo et al, 2007). 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).…”

“…For example, intervention studies typically require a minimum of eight testing sessions per subject (Barker et al, 2006, Gaesser and Wilson, 1988, Hill et al, 1995, Miura et al, 1999, Miura et al, 2000, Miura et al, 2009, Poole et al, 1990. The development of the all-out test (Burnley et al, 2006, Dekerle et al, 2006 has led to a reduction in the number of testing sessions required to determine the parameters of the power-time relationship (Vanhatalo et al, 2007), directly addressing the time consuming dilemma. The theoretical basis for the all-out test is in accordance with the mathematical description of the power-time relationship, i.e., upon depletion of W` the remaining maximally sustainable power output must be equivalent to CP (Vanhatalo et al, 2007).…”

“…The development of the all-out test (Burnley et al, 2006, Dekerle et al, 2006 has led to a reduction in the number of testing sessions required to determine the parameters of the power-time relationship (Vanhatalo et al, 2007), directly addressing the time consuming dilemma. The theoretical basis for the all-out test is in accordance with the mathematical description of the power-time relationship, i.e., upon depletion of W` the remaining maximally sustainable power output must be equivalent to CP (Vanhatalo et al, 2007). 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.…”