Kritisk Power Test Theory

What is critical power testing?

Critical power testing can be used as a better alternative to FTP testing, allowing athletes to determine the size of your anaerobic capacity at the same time as their aerobic fitness. This article explains what critical power is, why you might want to use it and how to go about performing accurate testing. Includes a critical power calculator.

What is critical power?

Critical power derives from the concept that the power-duration relationship above a certain ‘critical power’ follows a well-defined hyperbolic curve as shown: The curve can be defined by two parameters: the critical power (CP) and W’ (pronounced as ‘W prime’). We’ll take a look at each of these in turn:

What are the benefits of critical power testing?

The obvious benefit of critical power testing is that it gives you two physiological markers from one test: critical power and W’. As the lactate threshold is a balance between the aerobic and anaerobic systems, knowing both CP and W’ can be useful in determining how best to balance these different parts of your physiology (read more on this here).

How is critical power determined?

Critical power and its related maximum work above CP ( W ′) were determined using two linear and one hyperbolic model: The inverse time linear model ( P = W′/t + CP) provided the lowest combined standard error of the estimate (SEE) (i.e., sum of SEE% of CP and W ′) and was consequently used.

How is critical power measured in a group of highly trained runners?

Measurements of the anaerobic work capacity in a group of highly trained runners A methodological consideration for the determination of critical power and anaerobic work capacity Critical power: implications for determination of VO 2max and exercise tolerance A comparative evaluation of the individual anaerobic threshold and the critical power

What is a critical power curve?

The curve can be defined by two parameters: the critical power (CP) and W’ (pronounced as ‘W prime’). We’ll take a look at each of these in turn: CP is the power output that you’ll trend towards when riding at a high intensity, as exercise duration is increased ‘indefinitely’.