The critical power (CP) and W' concept has become more integrated within applied cycling performance science. Both parameters can be assessed in the laboratory and field and have become a useful tool for coaches and athletes (Leo et al. 2022; Moritani et al. 1981; Poole et al. 1988; Spragg, Leo, and Swart 2022). It is possible to mathematically model the depletion and recovery of W' during intermittent exercise (Skiba et al., 2012, Skiba and Clarke, 2021). Exercising at a work rate higher than CP causes a reduction in W' whereas when exercising at a work rate below CP there is an exponential reconstitution of W' (W'REC) that is dependent on the recovery duration and a reconstitution time constant (tW'). This is contingent on the difference between recovery power output and CP (DCP) (Skiba et al., 2012; Skiba et al., 2013; Skiba et al., 2014). There are generalised equations available for W`BAL models that allow prediction of W'REC (Bartram et al. 2018, 2022; Pugh et al. 2022; Skiba et al. 2012). However, for optimal use individualisation of W`BAL is advised (Welburn et al. 2023) as W'REC has been shown to correlate with athlete specific performance parameters such as V?O2peak, CP and LT1. (Bartram et al. 2018, 2022; Caen et al. 2021; Pugh et al. 2022; Welburn et al. 2023). Recent work suggests that W'REC is influenced by work rate (Caen et al. 2019) and slows with repeated exercise (Chorley et al. 2019). However, both factors are not currently accounted for in the W`BAL model. Durability (or fatigue resistance) is considered to be a key determinant of cycling performance (Muriel et al. 2022; Spragg et al. 2022). It appears that work rate has the greatest impact on durability (Leo et al. 2024; Spragg et al. 2024), therefore understanding the impact of work rate (i.e. the rate of W' utilisation) and acute fatigue on W'REC could provide an important insight into the determinants of W`BAL which would potentially allow improvements to the accuracy of the W'BAL model. This study has two aims: assess the effect of (i) rate of W' utilisation, and (ii) acute fatigue on W'REC during intermittent exhaustive exercise.
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