Effects of a Race Timer on the 3-Minute All-Out Test for Critical Power

Authors

Paul Mandell, Cal Poly HumboldtFollow
Boe Burrus, Gonzaga UniversityFollow
Taylor BloedonFollow

Abstract

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 2, 2023. The 3-min all-out cycling test (3MT) elicits valuable fitness metrics including V̇O_2peak, HR_max, Critical Power (CP), and Work Above End Power (WEP; equivalent to work prime; W’). Twelve (n = 12) healthy active males were recruited to participate in the current study on the effects of the implementation of a race timer on the 3MT. Participants completed a V̇O_2peak 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 order. CP was found to be significantly higher in the timer condition, while WEP was found to be significantly lower (CP: P = .011, WEP: P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in PPO or total work between trials. These results indicate that the presence of a race timer led to a difference in work profiles between tests. Potential explanations for these results may be attributed to the influence of knowledge of time on anticipation, decision-making, and pacing strategy during all-out exercise. The presence of a timer during the test may confer potential differences in performance outcomes in the 3MT.

Repository Citation

Mandell, Paul; Burrus, Boe; and Bloedon, Taylor (2023) "Effects of a Race Timer on the 3-Minute All-Out Test for Critical Power," Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/scholarship_kin/vol4/iss1/2