Responses during exhaustive exercise at critical power determined from the 3-min all-out test

The purpose of the present study was to examine oxygen consumption rate ([Vdot][Formula: see text]), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) responses, as well as time to exhaustion (Tlim) values during continuous rides at critical power (CP) determined from the 3-min all-out test. Eighteen participants (mean ± s: 23.6 ± 3.5 years; 72.7 ± 18.2 kg) performed an incremental cycle ergometer test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen consumption rate ([Vdot][Formula: see text] peak) and HR peak. Critical power was determined from the 3-min all-out test. Metabolic responses ([Vdot][Formula: see text] and heart rate), RPE, and Tlim were recorded during continuous rides to exhaustion at CP. Linear regression and t-tests were used to compare [Vdot][Formula: see text], heart rate, and RPE responses during the continuous rides to exhaustion. The Tlim at CP was 12.5 ± 6.5 min. There were significant increases in [Vdot][Formula: see text], HR, and RPE during the continuous rides at CP and 15 of the 18 participants reached [Vdot][Formula: see text] peak at exhaustion. Therefore, the [Vdot][Formula: see text], heart rate, and RPE responses, as well as the Tlim values in the present study suggested that CP determined from the 3-min all-out test overestimated the "true" CP and was within the severe exercise intensity domain.