Authors
D. Luke Wilkins, [1]Campus Recreation/Outdoor Recreation, Utah Tech University, St. George, Utah, USA, [2]Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Julie E. Taylor, Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation Department, Southern Utah University, Utah, USA
Robert W. Pettitt, School of Health Sciences, Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Mark Kramer, Physical Activity, Sport, and Recreation (PhASRec) Research Focus Area, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 757-773, 2025.
DOI: 10.70252/NEFW5464
Abstract
This study aimed to establish whether a laboratory (lab) based 3- minute all-out (3MT) protocol and a field-based 3MT protocol would yield similar peak power (Pmax), critical power (CP), and curvature constant (W’) profiles and the implications of parameter estimation for informing a 40-km time trial (TT) performance. Nine competitive male cyclists (mean ± SD: age 36.5 ± 10.42 y, mass = 80.5 ± 10.6 kg, height 1.8 ± 0.1 m) completed two 3MTs on separate days, as well as a 40-km time trial. Both lab and field-based protocols evoked similar CP (p = 0.160) and W′ (p = 0.200) profiles, but Pmax (p = 0.012) may be more sensitive to biomechanical disparities and testing environment. Strong positive associations were observed with W’-kinetics (r = 0.73) and W’ (r = 0.83) and moderate-to-strong negative associations with mean TT power (r = -0.75) and CP (r = -0.68). TT power outputs occur at 59-65% of CP, and finishing times appear to be informed by CP, W’ and Pmax with high degrees of accuracy (R2 > 0.90). Although TT performances occur predominantly within the moderate-to-heavy intensity domains, the mean intensity from a cardiovascular and core temperature perspective was high (i.e., ~90% HRmax; ~39oC). TT performances appear to be accurately informed by CP, W’ and Pmax, with W’ dominating the predictive capacity associated with longer TT performances.
Recommended Citation
Wilkins, D. Luke; Taylor, Julie E.; Pettitt, Robert W.; Kramer, Mark (2025) “Associations of Laboratory- and Field- derived Measurements of Critical Power with W’-kinetics during 40-km Cycling Time Trial Performances,” International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 18 : Iss. 8, Pages 757 – 773.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/NEFW5464