Running Critical Power and W´: Influence of the Environment,
                    Timing and Time Trial Order

Santiago A. Ruiz-Alias; Alberto A. Ñancupil-Andrade; Alejandro Pérez-Castilla; Felipe García-Pinillos

doi:10.1055/a-2201-7081

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(04): 309-315
DOI: 10.1055/a-2201-7081

Training & Testing

Running Critical Power and W´: Influence of the Environment, Timing and Time Trial Order

Santiago A. Ruiz-Alias

¹Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

,

Alberto A. Ñancupil-Andrade

²Department of Health, Universidad de Los Lagos, Puerto Montt, Chile

,

Alejandro Pérez-Castilla

³Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almería, Almería, Spain. SPORT Research Group (CTS-1024), CERNEP Research Center, University of Almería, Almería, Spain

,

Felipe García-Pinillos

¹Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

⁴Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the influence of the testing environment (track vs. treadmill), time trial order (long-short vs. short-long), and timing (within-session vs. between-sessions) on the critical power (CP) and work over CP (W´), using the power metric in runners. Fifteen highly trained athletes performed three test sessions composed of two time trials of 9- and 3-min, separated by a 30-min rest period. One session was performed on a track, and two sessions on a treadmill, alternating the order of the time trials. The CP and W´ values determined on the track were significantly greater and lower than on the treadmill, respectively (p<0.001; CP≥89 W; W´≥3.7 kJ). Their degree of agreement was low (SEE CP>5%; W´>10%) and therefore was not interchangeable. There were no performance differences in the timing of the time trials (p=0.320). Lastly, performing the 9-min trial first resulted in a greater power output compared to when executed last (p<0.001; 4.9 W), although this resulted in similar CP and W´ values (Bias<5 and 10%, respectively). In conclusion, it is feasible to test CP and W´ in a single testing session, irrespective of the time trial order, although not interchangeably between track and treadmill.

Key words

running - critical power - endurance performance - training

Full Text

References

References
1 Jones AM, Vanhatalo A. The ‘critical power’ concept: Applications to sports performance with a focus on intermittent high-intensity exercise. Sports Med 2017; 47: 65-78
2 Hill DW. The critical power concept: A review. Sports Med 1993; 16: 237-254
3 Kordi M, Menzies C, Galbraith A. Comparison of critical speed and D′ derived from 2 or 3 maximal tests. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2019; 14: 685-688
4 Ruiz-Alias SA, Ñancupil-Andrade AA, Pérez-Castilla A. et al. Determining critical power and W´ in running: Accuracy of different two-point models using the power metric. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part P J Sports Eng Technol 2023;
5 Moritani T, Ata AN, Devries HA. et al. Critical power as a measure of physical work capacity and anaerobic threshold. Ergonomics 1981; 24: 339-350
6 Whipp BJ, Huntsman DJ, Storer TW. et al. A constant which determines the duration of tolerance to high-intensity work. Faseb J 1982; 41: 1591
7 Triska C, Karsten B, Nimmerichter A. et al. Iso-duration determination of D′ and CS under laboratory and field conditions. Int J Sports Med 2017; 38: 527-533
8 Cerezuela-Espejo V, Hernández-Belmonte A, Courel-Ibáñez J. et al. Are we ready to measure running power? Repeatability and concurrent validity of five commercial technologies. Eur J Sport Sci 2021; 21: 341-350
9 Ruiz-Alias SA, Olaya-Cuartero J, Ñancupil-Andrade AA. et al. 9/3-minute running critical power test: Mechanical threshold location with respect to ventilatory thresholds and maximum oxygen uptake. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022; 17: 1111-1118
10 Imbach F, Candau R, Chailan R. et al. Validity of the Stryd power meter in measuring running parameters at submaximal speeds. Sports 2020; 8: 103
11 Taboga P, Giovanelli N, Spinazzè E. et al. Running power: Lab based vs. portable devices measurements and its relationship with aerobic power. Eur J Sport Sci 2022; 22: 1555-1568
12 Galbraith A, Hopker JG, Jobson SA. et al. A novel field test to determine critical speed. J of Sports Med and Dop St 2011; 1: 1-4
13 Caen K, Bourgois JG, Bourgois G. et al. The Reconstitution of W´ Depends on Both Work and Recovery Characteristics. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019; 51: 1745-1751
14 Goulding RP, Burnley M, Wüst RC. How Priming Exercise Affects Oxygen Uptake Kinetics: From Underpinning Mechanisms to Endurance Performance. Sports Med 2023; 53: 959-976
15 Galbraith A, Hopker J, Lelliott S. et al. A single-visit field test of critical speed. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2014; 9: 931-935
16 McKay AK, Stellingwerff T, Smith ES. et al Defining training and performance caliber: A participant classification framework. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2021; 17: 317-331
17 Stryd. Running Against the Wind: Adding Air Resistance Costs to Power Estimates in Running. 2023. Retrieved from: https://blogstrydcom/2019/08/17/adding-air-resistance-costs-to-power-estimates-in-running-white-paper/
18 Cerezuela-Espejo V, Hernández-Belmonte A, Courel-Ibáñez J. et al. Running power meters and theoretical models based on laws of physics: Effects of environments and running conditions. Physiol Behav 2020; 223: 112972
19 Jones AM, Burnley M, Black MI. et al. The maximal metabolic steady state: Redefining the ‘gold standard’. Physiol Rep 2019; 7: e14098
20 Ruiz-Alias SA, Ñacupil-Andrade AA, Pérez-Castilla A. et al. Critical Power in Endurance Runners: A Comparison of the Estimated Parameters Reported by Different Theoretical Models. Int J Sports Med 2023;
21 Skiba PF, Clarke DC. The W´ balance model: Mathematical and methodological considerations. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2021; 16: 1561-1572
22 Hill DW, Poole DC, Smith JC. The relationship between power and the time to achieve VO2max. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002; 34: 709-714
23 Poole DC, Ward SA, Gardner GW. et al. Metabolic and respiratory profile of the upper limit for prolonged exercise in man. Ergonomics 1988; 31: 1265-1279
24 Jones AM, Wilkerson DP, DiMenna F. et al. Muscle metabolic responses to exercise above and below the “critical power” assessed using 31P-MRS. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp 2008; 294: R585-R593
25 Black MI, Jones AM, Bailey SJ. et al. Self-pacing increases critical power and improves performance during severe-intensity exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2015; 40: 662-670
26 Black MI, Jones AM, Blackwell JR. et al. Muscle metabolic and neuromuscular determinants of fatigue during cycling in different exercise intensity domains. J Appl Physiol 2017; 122: 446-459
27 Vanhatalo A, Fulford J, DiMenna FJ. et al. Influence of hyperoxia on muscle metabolic responses and the power-duration relationship during severe-intensity exercise in humans: a 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Exp Phy 2010; 95: 528-540
28 Chorley A, Bott RP, Marwood S. et al. Slowing the reconstitution of w′ in recovery with repeated bouts of maximal exercise. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2019; 14: 149-155
29 Laursen PB, Francis GT, Abbiss CR. et al. Reliability of time-to-exhaustion versus time-trial running tests in runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007; 39: 1374-1379
30 Beukeboom C, Birmingham TB, Forwell L. et al. Asymmetrical strength changes and injuries in athletes training on a small radius curve indoor track. Clic J Sport Med 2000; 10: 245-250
31 Shiotani H, Yamashita R, Mizokuchi T. et al. Track distance runners exhibit bilateral differences in the plantar fascia stiffness. Sci Rep 2021; 11: 9260
32 Stryd. How Does Stryd Measure Power? 2023. Retrieved from: https://blog.stryd.com/
33 Hill DW, Smith JC. A method to ensure accuracy of estimates of anaerobic capacity derived using the critical power concept. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1994; 34: 23-37
34 Jones AM, Grassi B, Krustrup P. et al. Slow Component of VO2 Kinetics: Mechanistic Bases and Practical Applications. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2018; 43: 2046-2062
35 Burnley M, Jones AM. Oxygen uptake kinetics as a determinant of sports performance. J Sports Sci 2007; 7: 63-79