Estimate Anaerobic Work Capacity and Critical Power with Constant-Power All-Out Test

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Biophysics

Background:

• The critical power model (CPM) is vital for characterizing athlete fitness, estimating anaerobic work capacity (W') and critical power (CP).
• Traditional methods for CP and W' estimation are time-consuming, and the 3-minute all-out test (3MT), while effective, is physically demanding.
• A need exists for a less strenuous, single-session protocol to accurately assess CPM parameters for regular fitness monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a novel single-session constant-power test (CPT) protocol for accurately estimating critical power model parameters.
• To compare the efficacy of CPT against traditional CP protocols and the 3-minute all-out test (3MT).

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight competitive cyclists and triathletes underwent five testing sessions over two weeks.
• A 3MT was performed first to establish initial CPM parameters.
• Four subsequent constant-power tests (CPT) were conducted, with durations selected to induce exhaustion between 1 and 10 minutes.

Main Results:

• Constant-power tests (CPT) did not accurately estimate traditional CP and W' parameters across all durations when compared to the gold standard.
• However, CPT protocols with durations less than 3 minutes demonstrated accurate estimation of CP and W' parameters derived from the 3MT.
• Significant differences were observed when comparing CPT durations to the traditional CP protocol for all CPT durations, and to the 3MT for CPT durations exceeding 3 minutes.

Conclusions:

• The constant-power test (CPT) protocol, particularly durations under 3 minutes, can serve as a practical and less strenuous alternative for assessing critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (W') parameters.
• This finding supports the use of CPT for more frequent and accessible athlete fitness monitoring.