jw1979 said:
Nice. Maybe that cyclist happens to be an insect that rides a mini bike?
Insects are able to do far better than that. Crickets, e.g., put out about 18,000 watts/kg. See
http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthr...ket#post575652
Here are few more studies of relevance. They only scratch the surface of the subject, but if jw1979 and others are authorities in this area, they ought at least be able to post some links to studies that back up their claim that the variability is too great.
Int J Sports Med. 2012 Jan;33(1):18-25. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1284340. Epub 2011 Nov 17.
Reliability of a high-intensity endurance cycling test.
O'Hara JP1, Thomas A, Seims A, Cooke CB, King RF.
Abstract
This study assessed the reproducibility of performance and selected metabolic variables during a variable high-intensity endurance cycling test. 8 trained male cyclists (age: 35.9 ± 7.7 years, maximal oxygen uptake: 54.3 ± 3.9 mL·kg - 1·min - 1) completed 4 high-intensity cycling tests, performed in consecutive weeks. The protocol comprised: 20 min of progressive incremental exercise, where the power output was increased by 5% maximal workload (Wmax) every 5 min from 70% Wmax to 85% Wmax; ten 90 s bouts at 90% Wmax, separated by 180 s at 55% Wmax; 90% Wmax until volitional exhaustion. Blood samples were drawn and heart rate was monitored throughout the protocol. There was no significant order effect between trials for time to exhaustion (mean: 4 113.0 ± 60.8 s) or total distance covered (mean: 4 6126.2 ± 1 968.7 m).
Total time to exhaustion and total distance covered showed very high reliability with a mean coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.6% (95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 0.0 ± 124.3 s) and CV of 2.2% (95% CI 0.0 ± 1904.9 m), respectively. Variability in plasma glucose concentrations across the time points was very small (CV 0.46-4.3%, mean 95% CI 0.0 ± 0.33 to 0.0 ± 0.94 mmol·L - 1). Plasma lactate concentrations showed no test order effect. The reliability of performance and metabolic variables makes this protocol a valid test to evaluate nutritional interventions in endurance cycling.
Int J Sports Med. 2010 Jun;31(6):397-401. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1247528. Epub 2010 Mar 18.
The power profile predicts road cycling MMP.
Quod MJ1, Martin DT, Martin JC, Laursen PB.
Abstract
Laboratory tests of fitness variables have previously been shown to be valid predictors of cycling time-trial performance. However, due to the influence of drafting, tactics and the variability of power output in mass-start road races, comparisons between laboratory tests and competition performance are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the power produced in the laboratory Power Profile (PP) test and Maximum Mean Power (MMP) analysis of competition data. Ten male cyclists (mean+/-SD: 20.8+/-1.5 y, 67.3+/-5.5 kg, V O (2 max) 72.7+/-5.1 mL x kg (-1) x min (-1)) completed a PP test within 14 days of competing in a series of road races. No differences were found between PP results and MMP analysis of competition data for durations of 60-600 s, total work or estimates of critical power and the fixed amount of work that can be completed above critical power (W'). Self-selected cadence was 15+/-7 rpm higher in the lab.
These results indicate that the PP test is an ecologically valid assessment of power producing capacity over cycling specific durations. In combination with MMP analysis, this may be a useful tool for quantifying elements of cycling specific performance in competitive cyclists.
Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1992;65(1):79-83.
Peak power output predicts maximal oxygen uptake and performance time in trained cyclists.
Hawley JA1, Noakes TD.
Abstract
The purposes of this study were firstly to determine the relationship between the peak power output (Wpeak) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) attained during a laboratory cycling test to exhaustion, and secondly to assess the relationship between Wpeak and times in a 20-km cycling trial. One hundred trained cyclists (54 men, 46 women) participated in the first part of this investigation. Each cyclist performed a minimum of one maximal test during which Wmax and VO2max were determined. For the second part of the study 19 cyclists completed a maximal test for the determination of Wpeak, and also a 20-km cycling time trial. Highly significant relationships were obtained between Wpeak and VO2max (r = 0.97, P less than 0.0001) and between Wpeak and 20-km cycle time (r = -0.91, P less than 0.001). Thus,
Wpeak explained 94% of the variance in measured VO2max and 82% of the variability in cycle time over 20 km. We concluded that for trained cyclists, the VO2max can be accurately predicted from Wpeak, and that Wpeak is a valid predictor of 20-km cycle time.
Katch VL, Sady SS, Freedson P
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise [1982, 14(1):21-25]
Type: Journal Article
The biological variation in maximum aerobic power (V O2max) was examined in four trained females and one trained male. An average of 8-20 repeat VO2max treadmill tests over a 2-4 wk period were performed on each subject (80 total tests). Biological variation (Si) in VO2max was computed as the standard deviation for the VO2max values for each individual, after subtracting net technological error (Se). Technological error was computed for each piece of equipment as the standard deviation of multiple trials.
Results revealed that Si + Se amounted to +/- 5.6%. Biological variability accounted for 90% or more of this variability, while technological error accounted for less than 10%. In light of the magnitude of biological variation for VO2max, the necessity for securing control data when attempting to study training effects is pointed out.
The Laboratory Assessment of Endurance Performance in Cyclists
Susan R. Hopkins, Donald C. McKenzie
Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 1994, 19(3): 266-274, 10.1139/h94-022
ABSTRACT
Performance in endurance activities depends on maximal aerobic capacity and the ability to sustain a high percentage of over time. This study examined whether noninvasive laboratory measures would be valid predictors of endurance performance in an individual-start bicycle race (TT). Eight experienced male cyclists (age = 25.1 ± 3.3 years, weight = 75.0 ± 5.7 kg, ) performed a progressive incremental exercise test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. V02max, maximum power output, and ventilatory threshold were determined. Later the subjects completed a 40-km TT. Power output at the ventilatory threshold (VT watts) was correlated with race performance time and calculated power output during the competition (r = −0.81; r = 0.82).
VT watts and V02max accounted for 75% of the variance between subjects (r = 0.91) in performance time. These data indicate that simple laboratory measures can predict TT performance in trained cyclists. Individual differences may be accounted for by motivation, aerodynamic position, and efficiency. Key words: exercise, laboratory methods, , athletes
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