Predictive Validity of Critical Power and Functional Threshold Power for Mountain Bike Race Performance.

Authors

M. Miller, East Stroudsburg UniversityFollow
C. Witmer, East Stroudsburg UniversityFollow
G. Moir, East Stroudsburg UniversityFollow
S. Davis, East Stroudsburg UniversityFollow

Abstract

Miller, M., Witmer, C., Moir, G., Davis, S., East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA

Purpose: This study tested the predictive validity of critical power (CP) and functional threshold power (FTP) for mountain bike cross-country (MTB) race performance. Methods: Five well-trained MTB athletes (mean ± s: age: 31.4 ± 9.3 years; mass: 70.8 ± 9.5kg; VO_2max: 63.8 ± 7.0 ml/kg/min) volunteered for this study. Participants’ FTP was measured during a ramped cycle ergometer test to exhaustion and was indicated as the point at which blood lactate reached 4.0 mmol/L. This test also served to measure the gas exchange threshold and VO_2peak for CPtesting. CP was tested during a 3-minute all-out test on a cycle ergometer against a fixed resistance. MTB performance measures were gathered from a USA Cycling sanctioned MTB race and reduced to mean lap time over four laps of 7.5 km each. Linear regression was used to assess the prediction of MTB performance using either FTP or CP. Results: This study shows that CP can predict MTB better than FTP (R²=0.943 versus R²=0.784). CP can also predict MTB with less error than FTP (39.413 s versus 76.526 s). Conclusion: Coaches and athletes can use this information to gauge ability and prescribe training for MTB athletes.

Recommended Citation

Miller, M.; Witmer, C.; Moir, G.; and Davis, S. (2014) "Predictive Validity of Critical Power and Functional Threshold Power for Mountain Bike Race Performance.," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 9: Iss. 2, Article 55.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol9/iss2/55