Effects Of A Race Timer On The 3 Minute All-out Test For Critical Power

Abstract

The Critical Power (CP) model provides a valuable insight into the physiological capacities of an individual to perform work by profiling both aerobic and anaerobic capacities. The 3 Minute All-Out Test for Critical Power (3MT) was developed as a time conscious method for obtaining CP as well as providing insights into the amount of work done above CP (WEP). Concerns about pacing during the test lead researchers to develop a protocol which blinds participants to time during the 3MT. Due to the role that knowledge of time plays in anticipation, pacing, and decision-making during exercise, this protocol may lead to inaccurate results obtained from the 3MT. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of incorporating a race timer in the 3MT. METHODS: Twelve healthy active males (Age: 24.9 ± 2.2 yrs; Height: 180.4 ± 7.5 cm; Weight 78.1 ± 6.6 kg; VO2peak 53.9 ± 6.1 ml.kg.min) completed one VO2peak test and one 3MT familiarization trial before completing one standard 3MT and one 3MT with the presence of a countdown race timer in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Paired T-tests were used to compare CP, WEP, PPO, Mean Power, Total Work, VO2peak, & HRmax. RESULTS: CP was significantly higher in the timer condition (Timer: 276.7 ± 49.6 Watts vs. Standard: 267.51 ± 44.54 Watts, p = 0.02) while WEP was significantly lower in the timer condition (Timer: 12.47 ± 4.01 kJ vs. Standard: 13.71 ± 4.34 kJ, p = 0.004). No significant differences were observed in PPO, Mean Power, Total Work, VO2peak, & HRmax between trials. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the knowledge of time (elapsed or remaining) may have a significant impact on CP and WEP in the 3MT. This impact may be due in part to the role that knowledge of time plays in pacing and decision making, and fits within the framework of the Affordances Competition Hypothesis. These findings warrant further investigation in more experienced cyclists in order to better understand what role knowledge of time plays in the 3MT.