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FTP, CP, and mFTP
Mathematical and practical reference for the three principal threshold-power constructs in cycling: Functional Threshold Power (a protocol-derived single-effort estimate), Critical Power (an asymptotic parameter of the two-parameter Monod model), and modeled FTP (a regression-derived estimate from mean-maximal-power history). The three estimate the same underlying physiology, the maximum sustainable steady-state aerobic power, but reach it via different practical paths and produce systematically different numbers in typical athlete profiles.
Mathematical and practical reference for the three principal threshold-power constructs in cycling: Functional Threshold Power (a protocol-derived single-effort estimate), Critical Power (an asymptotic parameter of the two-parameter Monod model), and modeled FTP (a regression-derived estimate from mean-maximal-power history). The three estimate the same underlying physiology, the maximum sustainable steady-state aerobic power, but reach it via different practical paths and produce systematically different numbers in typical athlete profiles.
References
- Jones AM, Vanhatalo A (2017). The 'Critical Power' concept: applications to sports performance with a focus on intermittent high-intensity exercise. Sports Med 47 Suppl 1:65-78. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0688-0 · PMID 28332113
- Poole DC, Burnley M, Vanhatalo A, Rossiter HB, Jones AM (2016). Critical Power: an important fatigue threshold in exercise physiology. Med Sci Sports Exerc 48:2320-2334. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000939 · PMID 27031742
- Brickley G, Doust J, Williams CA (2002). Physiological responses during exercise to exhaustion at critical power. Eur J Appl Physiol 88:146-151. doi: 10.1007/s00421-002-0706-1 · PMID 12436283
- Valenzuela PL, Morales JS, Foster C, Lucia A, de la Villa P (2018). Is the functional threshold power a valid surrogate of the lactate threshold? Int J Sports Physiol Perform 13:1293-1298. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0008 · PMID 29745765
- Sitko S, Cirer-Sastre R, López-Laval I (2022). Time to exhaustion at estimated functional threshold power in road cyclists of different performance levels. J Sci Med Sport 25:783-786. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.06.007 · PMID 35835698
- Hill DW (1993). The critical power concept: a review. Sports Med 16:237-254. doi: 10.2165/00007256-199316040-00003 · PMID 8248682
- Leo P, Spragg J, Lawley JS, Mujika I (2022). Power profiling and the power-duration relationship in cycling: a narrative review. Eur J Appl Physiol 122:301-316. doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04833-y · PMID 34708276