Functional Threshold Power Is Not Equivalent to Lactate Parameters in Trained Cyclists

Jeffries, O, Simmons, R, Patterson, SD, and Waldron, M. Functional threshold power is not equivalent to lactate parameters in trained cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2790-2794, 2021-Functional threshold power (FTP) is derived from a maximal self-paced 20-minute cycling time trial whereby the average power output is scaled by 95%. However, the physiological basis of the FTP concept is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship of FTP with a range of laboratory-based blood lactate parameters derived from a submaximal threshold test. Twenty competitive male cyclists completed a maximal 20-minute time trial and an incremental exercise test to establish a range of blood lactate parameters. Functional threshold power (266 ± 42 W) was strongly correlated (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) with the power output associated with a fixed blood lactate concentration 4.0 mmol·L-1 (LT4.0) (268 ± 30 W) and not significantly different (p > 0.05). While mean bias was 2.9 ± 24.6 W, there were large limits of agreement (LOA) between FTP and LT4.0 (-45 to 51 W). All other lactate parameters, lactate threshold (LT) (236 ± 32 W), individual anaerobic threshold (244 ± 33 W), and LT thresholds determined using the Dmax method (221 ± 25 W) and modified Dmax method (238 ± 32 W) were significantly different from FTP (p < 0.05). While FTP strongly correlated with LT4.0, the large LOA refutes any equivalence as a measure with physiological basis. Therefore, we would encourage athletes and coaches to use alternative field-based methods to predict cycling performance.