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Road cycle TT performance: Relationship to the power-duration model and association with FTP |
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| Authors: | Paul T Morgan Matthew I Black Stephen J Bailey Andrew M Jones |
| Institution: | 1. Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK;2. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK |
| Abstract: | Purpose: To determine the accuracy of critical power (CP) and W? (the curvature constant of the power-duration relationship) derived from self-paced time-trial (TT) prediction trials using mobile power meters to predict 16.1-km road cycling TT performance. This study also aimed to assess the agreement between functional threshold power (FTP) and CP. Methods: Twelve competitive male cyclists completed an incremental test to exhaustion, a FTP test and 4–5 self-paced TT bouts on a stationary bike within the lab, and a 16.1 km road TT, using mobile power meters. Results: CP and W? derived from the power-duration relationship closely predicted TT performance. The 16.1-km road TT completion time (26.7 ± 2.2 min) was not significantly different from and was significantly correlated with the predicted time-to-completion (27.5 ± 3.3 min, r = 0.89, P < 0.01). CP and FTP were not significantly different (275 ± 40 W vs. 278 ± 42 W, P > 0.05); however, the limits of agreement between CP and FTP were 30 to -36 W. Discussion: The findings of this study indicate that CP and W? determined using mobile power meters during maximal, self-paced TT prediction trials can be used to accurately predict 16.1-km cycling performance, supporting the application of the CP and W? for performance prediction. However, the limits of agreement were too large to consider FTP and CP interchangeable. |
| Keywords: | Critical power functional threshold power power meter power-duration relationship time-trial |