First FTP test

Alex_Simmons/RST

Knowing FTP is not about knowing/predicting TT power.

It's about providing insight into your unique physiological profile which is well defined by 3 parameters: FTP (or CP); FRC (or AWC)*; and Pmax (Peak power). Then you can assess how your profile evolves as you train (or detrain), how you respond to such training and other factors, and understand capability relative to the demands of goal events and what training might be more suitable for you and your individual phenotype.

IOW testing methods or input data used to ascertain FTP and other parameters should be suitable for the task (so they provide reliable results and insight), and that will vary depending on the individual, their circumstances and what they are training for.

Only relying on tests of relatively short duration, e.g. 10-min and less, means the error in the parameter estimates is going to be larger than if you also include reliable data from longer efforts. It's a good idea to have data from maximal efforts that cover very short duration (handful or so of seconds), short duration (e.g. 3-6 minutes) and longer duration (e.g. 20-30-min). For those that race a variety of events, then this data alone may well suffice. You can also use incremental tests such as Maximal Aerobic Power to balance these.


* Functional Reserve Capacity, an equivalent to Anaerobic Work Capacity but recognising that our energy reserve above threshold power is not entirely anaerobic, AWC is a bit of a misnomer in that sense.