Is the FTP Test a Reliable, Reproducible and Functional Assessment Tool in Highly-Trained Athletes?

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to assess reliability of the Functional Threshold Power test (FTP) and the corresponding intensity sustainable for 1-hour in a "quasi-steady state". Highly-trained athletes (n = 19) completed four non-randomized tests over successive weeks on a Wattbike; a 3-min incremental test (GxT) to exhaustion, two 20-min FTP tests and a 60-min test at computed FTP (cFTP). Power at cFTP was calculated by reducing 20-min FTP data by 5% and was compared with power at Dmax and lactate threshold (TLac). Ventilatory and blood lactate (BLa) responses to cFTP were measured to determine whether cFTP was quasi-steady state. Agreement between consecutive FTP tests was quantified using a Bland-Altman plot with 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) set at ± 20 W. Satisfactory agreement between FTP tests was detected (95% LoA = +13 and -17 W, bias +2 W). The 60-min effort at cFTP was successfully completed by 17 participants, and BLa and ventilatory data at cFTP were classified as quasi-steady state. A 5% increase in power above cFTP destabilized BLa data (p < 0.05) and prompted VO2 to increase to peak GxT rates. The FTP test is therefore deemed representative of the uppermost power a highly-trained athlete can maintain in a quasi-steady state for 60-min. Agreement between repeated 20-min FTP tests was judged acceptable.