WHY just an FTP can hold you back & HOW TO AVOID IT! What happens with estimated Zones & Testing
Our example : Cyclist that let Zwift and TrainingPeaks estimate his FTP : Results – OVER ESTIMATION = Decreased VO2 (aerobic capacity) ; DECREASED Threshold ; INCREASED VLAMAX (anaerobic capacity – bad for endurance) – Why does it matter? Check it out and get your testing from anywhere (link at bottom)
– glossary of terms: https://www.optimize-performance.com/glossary
A cyclist’s Functional Threshold Power is the highest average power output a cyclist can maintain for 60 minutes. From a practical standpoint, it determines the highest amount of work your aerobic system can sustain for prolonged efforts. HERE’S THE CATCH – You utilize 2 main energy systems while training and racing. FTP is not an accurate assessment of both energy systems.
This is why we utilize a protocol that measures both ANAEROBIC (VLaMax) and AEROBIC (VO2) capacities. This allows for true ACCURACY in building training plans.
As your training changes throughout the year, your FTP changes. For experienced, moderately fit cyclists it’s not uncommon for FTP to fluctuate by 15-20%. For beginners or cyclists returning to the sport, FTP may increase up to 50% during a single season. Training software like TrainingPeaks and Strava use FTP to calculate training zones for workouts. And indoor cycling apps like Zwift, use power-to-weight ratio at FTP to categorize group rides and competitions.
If your training zones are too low your workouts will not create enough stress to stimulate adaptation. As a result, your fitness stagnates. From an analysis standpoint, if your FTP setting is substantially lower than your current fitness, TrainingPeaks may overestimate metrics like daily Training Stress Score and Intensity Factor. And for your avatar’s behavior to be accurate on indoor cycling apps, it is important for your weight and FTP to be correct.
As an example we show in the video – The cyclists FTP was OVER ESTIMATED which then made him completely shift his Zones to being too intense. This DECREASED his aerobic capacity and DECREASED his Threshold – all due to increasing his VLa (anaerobic power). This was built through TrainingPeaks –
So, what did we do? We gave him more accurate measurements to put into TrainingPeaks, Strava and Zwift so he can NOW train efficiently and make the most optimal improvements through his physiology toward his goals. These measurements came from our gold-standard protocol utilized by athletes, teams and federations world-wide. You can access this below!
Here’s the link to get your Remote Metabolic Test that can be uploaded to Zwift, or utilized by your own Bike Computer/Power Trainer *Power required
https://www.optimize-performance.com/cycling
https://linktr.ee/Optimizeperformance