The Power Profile Predicts Road Cycling MMP

Abstract

Laboratory tests of fitness variables have previously been shown to be valid predictors of cycling time-trial performance. However, due to the influence of drafting, tactics and the variability of power output in mass-start road races, comparisons between laboratory tests and competition performance are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the power produced in the laboratory Power Profile (PP) test and Maximum Mean Power (MMP) analysis of competition data. Ten male cyclists (mean±SD: 20.8±1.5 y, 67.3±5.5 kg, V˙O_2max 72.7±5.1 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) completed a PP test within 14 days of competing in a series of road races. No differences were found between PP results and MMP analysis of competition data for durations of 60–600 s, total work or estimates of critical power and the fixed amount of work that can be completed above critical power (W’). Self-selected cadence was 15±7 rpm higher in the lab. These results indicate that the PP test is an ecologically valid assessment of power producing capacity over cycling specific durations. In combination with MMP analysis, this may be a useful tool for quantifying elements of cycling specific performance in competitive cyclists.

Key words

maximum mean power - critical power - self-selected cadence

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