Recommended order of reading:
- Oxygen uptake kinetics as a determinant of sports performance
- Critical Power: An Important Fatigue Threshold in Exercise Physiology
- Power–duration relationship: Physiology, fatigue, and the limits of human performance
Further reading:
The Power-Duration Relationship is an important concept in Exercise Physiology. Understanding this concept, and all it encapsulates, will help the Coach better understand what it is they are seeing take place in the training environment. The Power-Duration Relationship is about describing, NOT prescribing. It is not saying what to do or how you should be training yourself or others. It is helping you see things for what they are.
In the 3 Primary Articles you will be introduced to the following topics:
- Oxygen Uptake Kinetics
- Intensity Zones (Moderate, Heavy, Severe, Extreme)
- Critical Power, Critical Speed, Critical Torque
- W’ (said as W Prime)
- Vascular Control/Blood Flow Changes Above/Below Critical Power/Critical Speed/Critical Torque
- Power Duration Relationship In Health And Disease
- Intensity Zone Dependent Limitations of Your Performance
In the 2 Secondary Articles you will take a DEEP dive into Human Physiology.
In Peripheral Circulation you will take a tour of the human circulatory system, one organ at a time (muscles, heart, brain, skin, kidneys, digestive, etc.). This will provide you with a deep understanding of the underpinnings and complexity that is your body’s response to exercise.You will learn about the adjustments, adaptations and control mechanisms associated with each of these organ circulatory systems.
In Oxygen Uptake Kinetics you will take what you have learned from the 3 Primary Articles and go deeper. You will learn more about Pulmonary and Muscular Oxygen Uptake Kinetics and how they differ. You will understand how “warm-ups” positively influence your performance. An important portion of the article is the detailed discussion of the “Slow Component”, its potential causes and effects. As well, a discussion of the change in Oxygen Uptake Kinetics within different muscle fibres, upper vs. lower limbs and change over a lifetime as you age.