The purpose of this study was to determine whether mean power output in 30 seconds
was greater in a paced effort test or an all-out effort under optimal loading conditions.
Nine male athletes volunteered to participate. All testing was done on a Monark cycle
ergometer with continuous measurement of velocity and resistance. Power output was
calculated (Resistance · Velocity) and corrected for acceleration of the flywheel.
For each subject, optimal resistance for peak power output was determined with 5 brief
(7-second) tests. Subsequently, 3 all-out 30-second tests using 80, 90 and 100 % of
this estimated optimal resistance, then 3 paced effort 30-second tests were completed
on separate days. Pacing was accomplished with velocity feedback at 80, 100 or 120
% of optimal velocity calculated from the all-out tests. Subjects were encouraged
to try to exceed the target velocity if possible during the final 10 seconds of the
paced effort test. The best all-out test (772 ± 35 W) was not different (paired t
test, p = 0.31) from the best paced effort test (787 ± 27 W). Furthermore, there was
no significant difference between mean power output in the all-out tests at 90 % (736
± 28 W) and 100 % (766 ± 36 W) of estimated optimal resistance for peak power output
(1.16 ± 0.05 N · kg-1). but mean power at 80 % of the estimated optimal resistance was lower (722 ± 31
W; ANOVA for repeated measures, p < 0.05). In conclusion, a paced effort test does
not permit greater mean power output over 30 seconds than an all-out test, and there
is considerable latitude in apparent optimal resistance for mean power output in a
30-second test.
Key words
Power - cycle ergometry - anaerobic
