Running critical power modeling: insights into physiological and neuromuscular performance.

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relationship of the critical power (CP) and the work above CP (W´) with physiological and neuromuscular performance factors. Twenty-one recreational runners, 11 men and 10 women were tested on 3 separate occasions spaced by 48-72 hours. In the first session, the vertical load-velocity and horizontal force-velocity profiles were determined. In the second testing session, the maximal oxygen uptake, running economy, first and second ventilatory thresholds and maximal aerobic power were determined through a graded exercise test. In the third testing session, the CP and W´ were determined through two-time trials of 9- and 3-min. The CP was significantly correlated with all physiological factors evaluated (r ≥ -0.479; p ≤ 0.028), meanwhile none were with W´ (r ≤ 0.377; p ≥ 0.092). On the other hand, W´ was positively associated with specific neuromuscular performance factors of the vertical load-velocity (r = 0.763; p < 0.001) (i.e., theoretical maximal vertical velocity) and horizontal force-velocity (r ≥ 0.658; p ≤ 0.001) (i.e., theoretical maximal horizontal velocity and maximal power) profiles. The CP modelling results in a feasible procedure to capture both physiological and neuromuscular performance determinants through the CP and W´ parameters, respectively.