VO2 max intervals?

neeb

Finally got around to doing a proper 5 minute maximum effort test with the power meter. For the past few months I've only really been doing FTP efforts, but I was surprised to discover that without any shorter interval training at all I managed 5.1 W/kg, while my FTP is only about 4 or 4.1 W/kg. So, if my 5 min effort is already 2 or 3 slots above my FTP on the table and I haven't even been targeting this area, would I benefit from doing so or not?

The table of expected physiological adaptations in the Hunter & Coggan book suggests that these are similar for FTP and VO2 max anyway, so is it simply the case that while I have been targeting FTP I have also been improving my VO2 max? What would be likely to happen if I started doing more specific VO2 max intervals, would it further increase my 5 min power relative to my FTP, or does the fact that my 5 min power is already good relative to my FTP mean that this is unlikely?

Could doing more VO2 max work even potentially help to increase my FTP (more than just doing FTP intervals alone), or does the fact that my 5 min power (and presumably VO2 max) is already OK mean that I should do more sub-FTP work to target the other physiological systems that contribute to FTP?

Maximising 5min power and FTP are both goals, but given my current figures I wouldn't want to increase 5min power at the expense of FTP.

Tom Dean

If you want to maximise both levels then do the work to achieve that. There is plenty of crossover in the benefits of L4 and L5 .
I don't think your test show a huge difference in your relative ability at these levels. I wouldn't read too much into it. At the moment you just have a snapshot, what matters is how the figures change over time with training.

neeb

Thanks - yes, I wouldn't have been too surprised at the difference if I had already been doing L4 and L5 intervals, it's just because I haven't been doing any L5 at all it's surprising to find that my L5 is already better than my L4.

Alex_Simmons/RST

neeb wrote:

so is it simply the case that while I have been targeting FTP I have also been improving my VO2 max?

Most likely - adaptations are on a continuum and are not discrete to level. Indeed VO2max (and MAP) can be improved (to a point) without even doing Level 4 work (as can FTP).

Whether you should do work specifically targeted to maximising VO2max is a matter involving several individual considerations (and IMO/E is not something to be trifled with, as such a dedicated block of work can have negative or unintended effects).

neeb

Thanks, yes, I think I won't worry too much about VO2 max specifically right now. My real weakness seems to be in the shorter durations (1 min and below), so I think I need to start looking to that area.

okgo

That is likely the area you can influence the least I reckon. The short duration stuff is much more god given that the longer stuff from my findings. Obviously others might think otherwise.