This study aimed to compare acute physiological responses during the W prime (W<acute accent>) balance training model (W<acute accent>BAL-INT) with performance in the critical power test (CPTest). Test ). Additionally, the study sought to determine the extent of neuromuscular and metabolic fatigue associated with severe and extreme intensity domains. Fourteen road master cyclists (13 male, 1 female) completed graded incremental exercise tests to determine their maximum oxygen uptake and 12-, 7- and 3-min maximal efforts to assess CP and W<acute accent> (CPTest). Test ). Additionally, they participated in a reconstitutive intermittent training session following the W<acute accent>BAL-INT model. Physiological responses including oxygen uptake (VO2), 2 ), the heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLa<overline>) concentration, and perceptual responses (RPE), were measured and compared to CP Test performance data. The W<acute accent>BAL-INT induced steady-state physiological responses in VO 2mean (F = 0.76, p = 0.655) and absolute HR, relative HR and HRCP CP (F = 0.70, p = 0.704; F = 1.11, p = 0.359; F = 1.70, p = 0.095, respectively) comparable to CP Test . During the 3-min work intervals in the training session, VO2 2 was stable and similar to VO 2peak (54.2 +/- 6.7 to 59.3 +/- 4.9 ml<middle dot>kg-1<middle dot>min-1) - 1 <middle dot>min - 1 ) in the CP Test . Furthermore, 4-min rest intervals facilitated recovery up to moderate fatigue levels (80-100% of W<acute accent> balance). HR responses were sensitive to interval intensity and accumulated time. Meanwhile, BLa<overline> responses and the RPE increased fatigue development during W<acute accent>BAL-INT. The W<acute accent>BAL-INT training model generates consistent physiological responses in mean oxygen kinetics, the percentage of CP and the HR, similar to those observed during the CP Test . However, different physiological responses were observed in peak oxygen kinetics and W<acute accent> energy balance.
