Allometric scaling of peak power output accurately predicts time trial performance and maximal oxygen consumption in trained cyclists
- UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, The Sport Science Institute of South Africa, Newlands, South Africa
- Correspondence to Dr Robert Patrick Lamberts, UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Sport Science Institute of South Africa, University of Cape Town, PO Box 115, Newlands 7725, South Africa; RPLam{at}hotmail.com
- Accepted 29 June 2011
- Published Online First 4 August 2011
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if peak power output (PPO) adjusted for body mass0.32 is able to accurately predict 40-km time trial (40-km TT) performance.
Methods 45 trained male cyclists completed after familiarisation, a PPO test including respiratory gas analysis, and a 40-km TT. PPO, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and 40-km TT time were measured. Relationships between 40-km TT performance and (I) absolute PPO (W) and VO2max (l/min), (II) relative PPO (W/kg) and VO2max (ml/min/kg) and (III) PPO and VO2max adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32 and ml/min/kg0.32, respectively) were studied.
Results The continuous ramp protocol resulted in a similar relationship between PPO and VO2max (r=0.96, p<0.0001) compared with a stepwise testing protocol but was associated with a lower standard error of the estimated when predicting VO2max. PPO adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32) had the strongest relationship with 40-km TT performance (s) (r=−0.96, p<0.0001). Although significant relationships were also found between absolute (W) and/or relative PPO (W/kg) and 40-km TT performance (s), these relationships were significantly weaker than the relationship between 40-km TT performance and PPO adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32) (p<0.0001).
Conclusions VO2max can be accurately predicted from PPO when using a continuous ramp protocol, possibly even more accurately than when using a stepwise testing protocol. 40-km TT performance (s) in trained cyclists can be predicted most accurately by PPO adjusted for body mass (W/kg0.32). As both VO2max and 40-km TT performance can be accurately predicted from a PPO test, this suggests that (well)-trained cyclists can possibly be monitored more frequently and with fewer tests.
Footnotes
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Funding This study was funded by the RA Noakes Fellowship, Medical Research Council of South Africa, Discovery Health and the University of Cape Town.
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Competing interests None.
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Ethics approval This study was conducted with the approval provided by the Research and Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Cape Town.
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Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
