Why You Need To Know Your Critical Power

Summary by Krater

The video explains what critical power is, how it differs from functional threshold power, how to calculate it, and how professional cycling coach James Spragg uses it with Tudor Pro Cycling athletes.

From the video

Answers: What is critical power and how do I find mine?

• Critical power in cycling
• FTP vs critical power
• W prime anaerobic capacity
• Power duration curve
• Cycling training zones

What it concludes

• Critical power is the highest work rate a muscle group can maintain for a long time without continuous fatigue accumulation.
• FTP is one measurement that estimates all training zones, whereas critical power quantifies shorter durations and very highest power outputs.
• Critical power aligns better with underlying physiology and provides a more accurate measure of physiological thresholds.
• FTP tends to underestimate anaerobic capacity for short, high-intensity efforts, especially for riders with lower FTP.
• Critical power and W prime work together to provide the power duration curve and understand intermittent exercise limits.