Time Trials Versus Time-to-Exhaustion Tests: Effects on Critical Power, W′, and Oxygen-Uptake Kinetics

in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Bettina Karsten
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Jonathan Baker
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Fernando Naclerio
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Andreas Klose
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Antonino Bianco
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Alfred Nimmerichter
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2016-0761
Keywords:
V˙O2 response; anaerobic work capacity; power–duration relationship; severe-intensity exercise
In Print:
Volume 13: Issue 2
Page Range:
183–188
Restricted access

Purpose: To investigate single-day time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and time-trial (TT) -based laboratory tests values of critical power (CP), W prime (W′), and respective oxygen-uptake-kinetic responses. Methods: Twelve cyclists performed a maximal ramp test followed by 3 TTE and 3 TT efforts interspersed by 60 min recovery between efforts. Oxygen uptake (V˙O2) was measured during all trials. The mean response time was calculated as a description of the overall V˙O2-kinetic response from the onset to 2 min of exercise. Results: TTE-determined CP was 279 ± 52 W, and TT-determined CP was 276 ± 50 W (P = .237). Values of W′ were 14.3 ± 3.4 kJ (TTE W′) and 16.5 ± 4.2 kJ (TT W′) (P = .028). While a high level of agreement (−12 to 17 W) and a low prediction error of 2.7% were established for CP, for W′ limits of agreements were markedly lower (−8 to 3.7 kJ), with a prediction error of 18.8%. The mean standard error for TTE CP values was significantly higher than that for TT CP values (2.4% ± 1.9% vs 1.2% ± 0.7% W). The standard errors for TTE W′ and TT W′ were 11.2% ± 8.1% and 5.6% ± 3.6%, respectively. The V˙O2 response was significantly faster during TT (~22 s) than TTE (~28 s). Conclusions: The TT protocol with a 60-min recovery period offers a valid, time-saving, and less error-filled alternative to conventional and more recent testing methods. Results, however, cannot be transferred to W′.

Karsten and Naclerio are with the Dept of Life and Sport Science, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom. Karsten is also with the Dept of Exercise and Sport Science, Lunex International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg. Baker is with Palmares Ltd, London, United Kingdom. Klose is with Münster University, Münster, Germany. Bianco is with the University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. Nimmerichter is with Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Karsten (B.Karsten@greenwich.ac.uk) is corresponding author.
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