Barker, Tyler; Poole, David C.; Noble, M. Larry; Barstow, Thomas J.
Critical power (CP) is lower at faster rather than slower pedalling frequencies and traditionally reported in watts (W). Faster pedalling frequencies also engender a greater metabolic rate V̇O2 at low work rates, but with progressive increases in power output, the initial difference in V̇O2between fast and slower pedalling frequencies is reduced. We tested the hypothesis that CP represents a unique metabolic rate for any given individual which would be similar at different pedalling frequencies. Eleven collegiate athletes (five cross-country runners, END; six sprinters, SPR), aged 18–23 years, performed exhaustive rides at either 60 or 100 r.p.m. on separate days for the determination of the pedal rate-specific CP. The V̇O2at CP (CP-V̇O2) was determined from an 8 min ride at the CP for each pedal frequency. The group mean CP was significantly lower at 100 r.p.m. (189 ± 50 W) compared to 60 r.p.m. (207 ± 53 W,P< 0.05). However, the group mean CP-V̇O2values at 60 (2.53 ± 0.60 l min−1) and 100 r.p.m. (2.58 ± 0.53 l min−1) were not significantly different. Critical power was significantly higher in the END athletes (242 ± 50 W at 60 r.p.m.; 221 ± 56 W at 100 r.p.m.) compared to SPR athletes at both pedal frequencies (177 ± 38 W at 60 r.p.m.; 162 ± 27 W at 100 r.p.m.,P< 0.05), but the CP-V̇O2was not (P> 0.05). However, when the CP-V̇O2was scaled to body weight, the END athletes had a significantly greater CP-V̇O2(41.3 ± 4.1 ml min−1kg−1 at 60 r.p.m.; 40.8 ± 5.5 ml min−1kg−1 at 100 r.p.m.) compared to the SPR athletes at both pedal frequencies (27.7 ± 4.6 ml min−1kg−1 at 60 r.p.m.; 29.4 ± 2.8 ml min−1kg−1 at 100 r.p.m.,P< 0.05). We conclude that CP represents a specific metabolic rate V̇O2which can be achieved at different combinations of power outputs and pedalling frequencies.