Predictive Validity of Critical Power, The Onset of Blood Lactate and Anaerobic Capacity for Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race Performance
Journal Title: Sports and Exercise Medicine – Open Journal - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 4
Abstract
Critical power is emerging as an important indicator of high intensity endurance exercise capability. Little is known regarding its ability to predict performance during high intensity intermittent events such as Olympic format cross country mountain bike racing. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to assess the validity of critical power and anaerobic capacity compared to the more traditional measure of power at physiological thresholds previously related to race performance. Five nationally competitive athletes (mean±s: age:31.4±9.3 years; mass: 70.8±9.5 kg; VO2max: 63.8±7.0 ml•kg-1•min) volunteered for this study. Participants completed a cycle ergometry step test to exhaustion in order to determine the anaerobic threshold. On a separate occasion participants completed a 3-minute all-out test against a fixed resistance to determine critical power and anaerobic capacity. Laboratory data showed no differences (P=0.057) between the power output at the onset of blood lactate or critical power and neither related to anaerobic capacity (p=0.499 and p=0.344, respectively). Performance was measured via race data analysis gathered from a USA Cycling sanctioned race. Linear regression was used to assess the prediction of performance. Critical power predicts Olympic format cross country mountain bike performance (r2=0.943, p=0.006) to a greater degree of accuracy than anaerobic threshold (r2=0.785, p=0.046) or anaerobic capacity (r2=0.477, p=0.197) with less error (39.413; 76.526; 118.9 s, respectively). Therefore, the ability to sustain a high intensity effort for the race duration, determined via critical power rather than the onset of blood lactate, is likely more valuable to cross country mountain bike athletes than anaerobic capacity.
Authors and Affiliations
Matthew C. Miller
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP548434
- DOI 10.17140/SEMOJ-1-116
- Views 117
- Downloads 0
Linearity of the Scale for Mass and Volume within the Air Displacement Plethysmograph (BOD POD): A Methodological Investigation
Introduction: In order to maintain the accuracy and reliability for both volume and mass measurements of the air displacement plethysmograph (BOD POD) on a day-to-day basis, quality assurance processes are undertaken. Gi...
A Comparison of the Degree of Perceived Exertion by Participants In Nordic Walking and Level Walking at Equal Levels of Relative Exercise Intensity
It has been reported that the perceived exertion in level walking (LW) is the same with or lower than that of nordic walking (NW), although the exercise intensity of NW is higher than LW. Based on this fact, it could be...
Effects of 4 Weeks High-Intensity Training on Running and Cycling Performance in Well-Trained Triathletes
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 4 week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on running and cycling performance. HIIT is a training method which can be used to improve phy...
The Effect of a Heel Insert Intervention on Achilles Tendon Loading during Running in Soccer
The use of heel inserts has been shown to reduce the risk of sustaining Achilles Tendon (AT) injury in soccer. Likewise, heel lifts have been positively used in the treatment of Achilles tendon injury. Despite this evide...
Effects of a Periodized Training Program and a Traditional Military Training Program on Functional Movement and Y-Balance Tests in ROTC Cadets
Background: Functional movement screening (FMS) and Y-balance test (YBT) are assessment procedures used to examine the ‘quality’ of movement patterns and identify individuals that might have specific limitations or asymm...