I did a vo2 max test on a bike a few weeks ago for an exercise science research study. The protocol was start at 30 watts and increase by 5 watts every 30 sec until the cadence dropped below 60 rpm (cadence over the whole thing was supposed to stay in the 60-80 range) and RPE was a 9-10. I did about 27 sec at 200 watts and all of a sudden it was like my quads couldn’t push any more and the cadence dropped and they stopped the test. (I’ve done a vo2 max test on a treadmill and the lung burning felt very different - this is was like my quads gave up!).
Anyway, can I use that data to estimate FTP?
Yesterday’s follow up session was 45 min @ 65% vo2 max and the RPE for that stayed at a 5 for me. I felt like I could pedal that pace for quite awhile.
Semi-relatedly the study they’re doing is about exercise intensity and gut health. They take blood pre- and post ride. It’s super cool to work at a research university and get to participate in this sort of stuff.
Thanks for any help. Also I know I’m not a good cyclist and you don’t need to remind me of it
Yes you can, a lot of the trainer based software systems use a “ramp test” to estimate FTP. It’s not perfect, especially if you happen to have a strong or weak anaerobic ability in comparison to your aerobic, however it should get you in the ballpark. I believe the calculation is generally 75% of your peak 1 minute power from the test.
I did a vo2 max test on a bike a few weeks ago for an exercise science research study. The protocol was start at 30 watts and increase by 5 watts every 30 sec until the cadence dropped below 60 rpm (cadence over the whole thing was supposed to stay in the 60-80 range) and RPE was a 9-10. I did about 27 sec at 200 watts and all of a sudden it was like my quads couldn’t push any more and the cadence dropped and they stopped the test. (I’ve done a vo2 max test on a treadmill and the lung burning felt very different - this is was like my quads gave up!).
Anyway, can I use that data to estimate FTP?
Yesterday’s follow up session was 45 min @ 65% vo2 max and the RPE for that stayed at a 5 for me. I felt like I could pedal that pace for quite awhile.
Semi-relatedly the study they’re doing is about exercise intensity and gut health. They take blood pre- and post ride. It’s super cool to work at a research university and get to participate in this sort of stuff.
Thanks for any help. Also I know I’m not a good cyclist and you don’t need to remind me of it
Yes, no, maybe? What did they say your VO2max power was? 200watts? 195?
It really depends on what you want to use it for. Are you planning on doing some training? Wild as guess, would be ~75% VO2max? So, 140-150 ish? Maybe? kinda? I wouldn’t use a number like that for very much, because of the wide variation, but I guess you could use it as a starting point for gaging lower-intensity training until you felt read to do an actual FTP type of test.
As a doctor you realize that 1) you can and 2) it’s a matter of accuracy.
83% of the power at vo2max the researchers told you you have would be a reasonable benchmark (VO2max power often being about 120% of FTP), but some people can go to 77% or 80% only, and some can go above 83%. I have no idea how dispersed the data is. 6 percentage points is a solid difference at this intensity. On the other hand, I like the way that Mikael Eriksson thinks of FTP for practical purposes - as more of a range than a point estimate.
Yes, no, maybe? What did they say your VO2max power was? 200watts? 195?
It really depends on what you want to use it for. Are you planning on doing some training? Wild as guess, would be ~75% VO2max? So, 140-150 ish? Maybe? kinda? I wouldn’t use a number like that for very much, because of the wide variation, but I guess you could use it as a starting point for gaging lower-intensity training until you felt read to do an actual FTP type of test.
200 watts.
I got the “training with power” book and was mostly just curious if I could use this test as an estimate until I do a real FTP test. I know almost nothing about training with power, but it seems to be the thing people pay attention to and FTP seems to be an important metric, along with w/kg or something. I am trying to get faster on the bike. Mostly I just go out and ride it right now.
Yes you can, a lot of the trainer based software systems use a “ramp test” to estimate FTP. It’s not perfect, especially if you happen to have a strong or weak anaerobic ability in comparison to your aerobic, however it should get you in the ballpark. I believe the calculation is generally 75% of your peak 1 minute power from the test.
The big question is was the ‘a bike’ your bike? There is quite a difference if you do a test on a regular ergometer bike sitting up straight or perform the test in your aerobar on your own bike and position.
If you didn’t get the raw data from the test you can estimate your ftp but if this was not done on your own bike, your own position with your own power meter you can also can be off as much as 20-25 watts.
The big question is was the ‘a bike’ your bike? There is quite a difference if you do a test on a regular ergometer bike sitting up straight or perform the test in your aerobar on your own bike and position.
If you didn’t get the raw data from the test you can estimate your ftp but if this was not done on your own bike, your own position with your own power meter you can also can be off as much as 20-25 watts.
Ergometer bike. Thank for the info. I’ve really appreciated everyone’s replies in the thread. Even the imperfect (not my bike) data gives me some useful info, which is good! I’m also a mediocre enough cyclist that imperfect data will likely help me if I make use of it - probably more so than someone who is very very good at cycling.
