Effects of Submaximal Performances on Critical Speed and Power: Uses of an Arbitrary-Unit Method with Different Protocols.

The effects of submaximal performances on critical speed (S) and critical power (P) were studied in 3 protocols: a constant-speed protocol (protocol 1), a constant-time protocol (protocol 2) and a constant-distance protocol (protocol 3). The effects of submaximal performances on S and P were studied with the results of two theoretical maximal exercises multiplied by coefficients lower or equal to 1 (from 0.8 to 1 for protocol 1; from 0.95 to 1 for protocols 2 and 3): coefficient C for the shortest exercises and C for the longest exercises. Arbitrary units were used for exhaustion times (t), speeds (or power-output in cycling) and distances (or work in cycling). The submaximal-performance effects on S and P were computed from two ranges of t (1-4 and 1-7). These effects have been compared for a low-endurance athlete (exponent = 0.8 in the power-law model of Kennelly) and a high-endurance athlete (exponent = 0.95). Unexpectedly, the effects of submaximal performances on S and P are lower in protocol 1. For the 3 protocols, the effects of submaximal performances on S, and P, are low in many cases and are lower when the range of t is longer. The results of the present theoretical study confirm the possibility of the computation of S and P from several submaximal exercises performed in the same session.