The 3-minute all-out cycling test is sensitive to changes in cadence using the Lode Excalibur Sport ergometer

Abstract

This study investigated the effect cadence has on the estimation of critical power (CP) and the finite work capacity (Wʹ) during the 3-minute all-out cycling test. Ten participants completed 8 tests: 1) an incremental test to calculate gas exchange threshold (GET), maximal aerobic power (MAP) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak), 2–4) three time-to-exhaustion tests at 80, 100 and 105% MAP to calculate CP and Wʹ, 5–7) four 3-minute all-out tests to calculate end power (EP) and work done above EP (WEP) using cadences ranging from preferred −5 to preferred +10 rev·min−1 to set the fixed resistance. Significant differences were seen between CP and EP-preferred (267.5 ± 22.6 W vs. 296.6 ± 26.1 W, P < 0.001), CP and EP−5 (267.5 ± 22.6 W vs. 303.6 ± 24.0 W, P < 0.001) and between CP and EP+5 (267.5 ± 22.6 W vs. 290.0 ± 28.0 W, P = 0.002). No significant differences were seen between CP and EP+10 (267.5 ± 22.6 W vs. 278.1 ± 30.9 W, P = 0.331). Significant differences were seen between Wʹ and WEP at all tested fixed resistances. EP is reduced when cycling at higher than preferred cadences, providing better estimates of CP.