Study shows threshold power fails to predict endurance in professional cyclists

A study involving 50 professional cyclists showed that athletes with identical functional threshold power values experience significantly different levels of performance loss under fatigue. TodoMountainBike reported that functional threshold power, which measures maximum sustained workload, does not fully predict how well a cyclist can preserve performance late in a race. [1]

The research evaluated cycling durability, which refers to the ability to withstand fatigue during prolonged exertion. TodoMountainBike noted that two cyclists with an identical functional threshold power of 300 watts can exhibit vastly different capabilities when reaching a final climb after five hours of racing. [1]

To account for these performance gaps, researchers examined a mathematical index developed nearly four decades ago. TodoMountainBike reported that this mathematical index captures physiological fatigue details that traditional power metrics fail to detect in professional cyclists. [1]

Cycling is a worldwide physical activity practiced for transportation, recreation, exercise, and competitive sport. The findings suggest that trainers and scientists must look beyond standard threshold metrics to evaluate late-race performance potential. [1][2]