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The relationship between critical power and running performance

T Kolbe1, S C Dennis, E Selley

  • 1MRC/UCT Bioenergetics of Exercise Research Unit, Department of Physiology, University of Cape Town Medical School, South Africa.

Journal of Sports Sciences
|June 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
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Critical power, a measure of sustainable work rate, was found to be a reliable predictor of running performance across various distances in male long-distance runners. This study establishes a strong correlation between laboratory critical power measurements and field running results.

Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Science
  • Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

  • Critical power is a theoretical concept representing the highest work rate sustainable indefinitely.
  • The predictive validity of critical power for running performance across diverse distances remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To correlate laboratory-derived critical power measurements with actual running performances in the field.
  • To assess the utility of critical power as a predictor for distances ranging from 40 meters to 21.1 kilometers.

Main Methods:

  • Collected critical power data from 17 male long-distance runners via treadmill tests to exhaustion at varying speeds.
  • Calculated critical power using an exponential decay model (y = A.e(-Bx) + C).
  • Measured VO2 max and timed runners over 40m, 1km, 10km, and 21.1km.

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Main Results:

  • Demonstrated a high test-retest reliability for critical power determination (r = 0.99).
  • Mean critical power was 18.5 +/- 1.6 km/h, with a mean VO2 max of 59.2 +/- 4.6 ml O2 kg-1 min-1.
  • Significant correlations were observed between critical power and field running performances.

Conclusions:

  • Laboratory-determined critical power is a reliable and valid predictor of running performance in male long-distance runners.
  • Critical power can be effectively utilized to forecast performance across a spectrum of running distances.
  • Further research could explore critical power's application in training program design.