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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(6): 397-401
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247528
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Power Profile Predicts Road Cycling MMP

M. J. Quod1 , 3 , D. T. Martin1 , J. C. Martin2 , P. B. Laursen3
  • 1Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Physiology, Belconnen, Australia
  • 2University of Utah, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Salt Lake City, United States
  • 3Edith Cowan University, School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Perth, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision December 16, 2009

Publication Date:
18 March 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Laboratory tests of fitness variables have previously been shown to be valid predictors of cycling time-trial performance. However, due to the influence of drafting, tactics and the variability of power output in mass-start road races, comparisons between laboratory tests and competition performance are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the power produced in the laboratory Power Profile (PP) test and Maximum Mean Power (MMP) analysis of competition data. Ten male cyclists (mean±SD: 20.8±1.5 y, 67.3±5.5 kg, V˙O2max 72.7±5.1 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed a PP test within 14 days of competing in a series of road races. No differences were found between PP results and MMP analysis of competition data for durations of 60–600 s, total work or estimates of critical power and the fixed amount of work that can be completed above critical power (W’). Self-selected cadence was 15±7 rpm higher in the lab. These results indicate that the PP test is an ecologically valid assessment of power producing capacity over cycling specific durations. In combination with MMP analysis, this may be a useful tool for quantifying elements of cycling specific performance in competitive cyclists.

Key words

maximum mean power - critical power - self-selected cadence

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Correspondence

Marc J. Quod

Edith Cowan University

School of Exercise,

Biomedical and Health Sciences

Perth, Australia

Email: marcquod@yahoo.com