What metrics should I focus on to accurately gauge the impact of strength training on my bike power, and how can I isolate the effects of strength gains from other factors that influence power output, such as changes in fitness, fatigue, or bike setup?
Can I rely solely on average power output or should I be looking at more nuanced metrics like peak power, power at lactate threshold, or power duration curves? Are there any specific protocols or testing methods that can help me tease out the effects of strength training from other variables?
Additionally, how can I account for the potential placebo effect of strength training, where perceived improvements in power may be due to increased confidence or motivation rather than actual physiological changes? Are there any studies or data that suggest a clear correlation between strength gains and power output, or is this relationship still largely anecdotal?
Can I rely solely on average power output or should I be looking at more nuanced metrics like peak power, power at lactate threshold, or power duration curves? Are there any specific protocols or testing methods that can help me tease out the effects of strength training from other variables?
Additionally, how can I account for the potential placebo effect of strength training, where perceived improvements in power may be due to increased confidence or motivation rather than actual physiological changes? Are there any studies or data that suggest a clear correlation between strength gains and power output, or is this relationship still largely anecdotal?