FTP, LT, AT

phil s

Hi, a message for the power geeks. I have measurements for myself for LT and AT done at Loughborough Uni. I was wondering whether FTP is a completely separate number or could I deduce it from my test results?

Alex_Simmons/RST

Double teaming on cycling forums are we?

It helps to know what the terms given are defined as and the protocol used to arrive at them.

If by the acronyms they stand for:
i. Lactate Threshold
ii. Anaerobic Threshold

Then I would say that

i. should refer to power at a specific blood lactate concentration level of approx 2.5mmol/L (or change in level of 1mmol/L over baseline) and which typically occurs at a power 10-15% less than your FTP.

ii. is an often mis-used term which really should be better explained by the university (:roll: ). It could be something closer to what your FTP is - but I'd only be guessing as the term and protocol for arriving at it are unknown. Sometimes they mean a BLC of 4mmol/L but that is an arbitrary point which has no basis as an indicator of TT / FTP / or "threshold" power.

Having said that, if you can produce more power at the same BLC, then you are getting fitter and as long as the BLC measure and protocol is the same, then it can at least guide you on the relative change in fitness.

It's one of the reasons FTP is so handy. Being "Functional" it refers simply to what you can actually do out there in the real world of bike racing/riding and not in some lab. All that requires is a power meter and can be done whenever you like.

If you want to know your FTP, then go out there and test for it on your bike.

Mike Willcox

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

Double teaming on cycling forums are we?

It helps to know what the terms given are defined as and the protocol used to arrive at them.

If by the acronyms they stand for:
i. Lactate Threshold
ii. Anaerobic Threshold

Then I would say that

i. should refer to power at a specific blood lactate concentration level of approx 2.5mmol/L (or change in level of 1mmol/L over baseline) and which typically occurs at a power 10-15% less than your FTP.

ii. is an often mis-used term which really should be better explained by the university (:roll: ). It could be something closer to what your FTP is - but I'd only be guessing as the term and protocol for arriving at it are unknown. Sometimes they mean a BLC of 4mmol/L but that is an arbitrary point which has no basis as an indicator of TT / FTP / or "threshold" power.

Having said that, if you can produce more power at the same BLC, then you are getting fitter and as long as the BLC measure and protocol is the same, then it can at least guide you on the relative change in fitness.

It's one of the reasons FTP is so handy. Being "Functional" it refers simply to what you can actually do out there in the real world of bike racing/riding and not in some lab. All that requires is a power meter and can be done whenever you like.

If you want to know your FTP, then go out there and test for it on your bike.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

phil s

Cheers Alex, I was looking for a short cut because I want to start Hunter Allen's 12 week spring plan from Monday. I was going to do the FTP test this week but I was hit by a car last week and my bike is being repaired so now I can't.
I did have a coach doing my HR-based training plans but when it came to power it appeared he wouldn't give me a straight answer on some of my questions... so, it boils down to working it out for myself with the resources available on the net and knowledge of others (not a bad thing as we have just refurbed and the stork is also arriving later in the year, so I need to save money 8) ).

Alex_Simmons/RST

Fair enough - good luck with it although bad luck with the crash . Presumably you wanted to start the 12 week plan as it was timed for something later on. Bugger. :?

PM me with some details of the test and maybe I can help out.