Influence of initial metabolic rate on the power–duration relationship for all-out exercise

A single 3-min all-out cycling test can be used to estimate the power asymptote (critical power, CP) and the curvature constant (W′) of the power–duration relationship for severe-intensity exercise. It was hypothesized that when exercise immediately preceding the 3-min all-out test was performed <CP, the CP and W′ parameters would be unaffected, whereas preceding exercise >CP would systematically reduce the W′ without affecting the CP. Seven physically active males completed 3-min all-out cycling tests in randomized order immediately preceded by: unloaded cycling (control); 6-min moderate; 6-min heavy; 2-min severe (S2); or 4-min severe (S4) intensity exercise. The CP was estimated from the mean power output over the final 30 s of the test and the W′ was estimated as the power–time integral above end-test power. There were no significant differences in the CP between control (279 ± 62), moderate (275 ± 52), heavy (286 ± 66 W), S2 (274 ± 55), or S4 (273 ± 65 W). The W′ was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in S2 (11.5 ± 2.5) and S4 (8.9 ± 2.2) than in control (16.3 ± 2.3), moderate (17.2 ± 2.4) and heavy (15.6 ± 2.3 kJ). These results support the notion that the W′ is predictably depleted only at a power output >CP whereas the CP is independent of the mechanisms which reduce W′.