Critical Power Is More Strongly Associated With Rowing Performance Than the Second Lactate Threshold

Area of Science:

• Sports Physiology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Critical Power (CP) and second lactate threshold are key physiological markers for endurance performance.
• Understanding the agreement and predictive accuracy of these markers is crucial for training optimization in rowers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the agreement between Critical Power (CP) and the second lactate threshold (using ModDmax and LogPoly methods) in rowers.
• To examine the relationship between these physiological markers and rowing performance.
• To evaluate the accuracy of the CP model in predicting 2000-m rowing performance.

Main Methods:

• Retrieved data from 38 national/international level male and female rowers.
• Determined the second lactate threshold using modified Dmax (ModDmax) and LogPoly methods during an incremental ergometer test.
• Calculated CP and work above CP (W') using time-trial data (500m, 2000m, and 5000m/6000m) and the linear 1/time model.

Main Results:

• Moderate to strong associations (r² = .49-.70) were found between CP, ModDmax, and LogPoly.
• Power output at CP was lower than at ModDmax and LogPoly (P < .001).
• CP demonstrated the strongest association with rowing performance (r² = -.81; P < .001), followed by ModDmax and LogPoly (r² = -.75; P < .001).
• The CP model, including W', accurately predicted 2000-m rowing time (male r² = .92, female r² = .81; P < .001).

Conclusions:

• While absolute power output agreement was not confirmed, strong associations exist between CP, ModDmax, and LogPoly.
• All tested methods showed moderate to high correlations with 2000-m rowing performance.
• The CP model is a valid tool for predicting rowing performance in trained athletes.