Running Critical Power: A Comparison Of Different Theoretical Models.

This study aimed (i) to compare the critical power (CP) and work capacity over CP (W´) values reported by the different CP models available in current analysis software packages (Golden Cheetah and Stryd platform), (ii) to locate the CP values in the power-duration curve (PDC), and (iii) to determine the influence of the CP model used on the W´ balance. Fifteen trained athletes performed four time trials (i. e., 3, 5, 10, 20 minutes) to define their PDC through different CP models: work-time (CP work ), power-1/time (CP 1/time ), Morton hyperbolic (CP hyp ), Stryd platform (CP stryd ), and Bioenergetic Golden Cheetah (CP Cheetah ). Three additional time trials were performed: two to locate the CP values in the PDC (30 and 60 minutes), and one to test the validity of the W' balance model (4 minutes). Significant differences (p<0.001) were reported between all models for the estimated parameters (CP, W´). CP cheetah was associated with the power output developed between 10 to 20 minutes, CP work to 20 minutes, and CP 1/time , CP hyp , and CP stryd to 30 minutes. The W´ reported by each model overestimated the actual 4 minutes time to exhaustion, with CP 1/time being the only valid model (p=0.233, bias: 0.40 [0.06 to 0.75] minutes).