Is the FTP Test a Reliable, Reproducible and Functional Assessment Tool in Highly-Trained Athletes?

Authors

Eanna M. Mc Grath, Trinity College DublinFollow
Nicholas Mahony, Trinity College DublinFollow
Neil Fleming, Trinity College Dublin, IrelandFollow
Bernard Donne, Trinity College DublinFollow

Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(4): 1334-1345, 2019. The aim of the current study was to assess reliability of the Functional Threshold Power test (FTP) and the corresponding intensity sustainable for 1-hour in a “quasi-steady state”. Highly-trained athletes (n = 19) completed four non-randomized tests over successive weeks on a Wattbike; a 3-min incremental test (GxT) to exhaustion, two 20-min FTP tests and a 60-min test at computed FTP (cFTP). Power at cFTP was calculated by reducing 20-min FTP data by 5% and was compared with power at Dmax and lactate threshold (T_Lac). Ventilatory and blood lactate (BLa) responses to cFTP were measured to determine whether cFTP was quasi-steady state. Agreement between consecutive FTP tests was quantified using a Bland-Altman plot with 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) set at ± 20 W. Satisfactory agreement between FTP tests was detected (95% LoA = +13 and -17 W, bias +2 W). The 60-min effort at cFTP was successfully completed by 17 participants, and BLa and ventilatory data at cFTP were classified as quasi-steady state. A 5% increase in power above cFTP destabilized BLa data (p < 0.05) and prompted VO₂ to increase to peak GxT rates. The FTP test is therefore deemed representative of the uppermost power a highly-trained athlete can maintain in a quasi-steady state for 60-min. Agreement between repeated 20-min FTP tests was judged acceptable.

Recommended Citation

Mc Grath, Eanna M.; Mahony, Nicholas; Fleming, Neil; and Donne, Bernard (2019) "Is the FTP Test a Reliable, Reproducible and Functional Assessment Tool in Highly-Trained Athletes?," International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 12 : Iss. 4, Pages 1334 - 1345.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/RQOO7391
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol12/iss4/23