How Does One Determine Their Ftp ?

edd said:

Functional Threshold Power(FTP) is referred to a lot and for most of you who race, have a coach or are just road savie, know

Us weekenders who've been watching HR for years and are now about to spend big and get a PM in the process would like to know just how one goes about determining their FTP

…*and if there are several methods, lets hear about them

Andy Coggan wrote:

Quoted post said:

...er, ways of determining your functional threshold power (roughly in order of increasing certainty):

1) from inspection of a ride file.
2) from power distribution profile from multiple rides.
3) from blood lactate measurements (better or worse, depending on how it is done).
4) based on normalized power from a hard ~1 h race.
5) using critical power testing and analysis.
6) from the power that you can routinely generate during long intervals done in training.
7) from the average power during a ~1 h TT (the best predictor of performance is performance itself).

BTW, another method that could be added to this list would be to do an
incremental exercise test to determine 'MAP', then estimate functional
threshold power as being ~75% (range 72-77%, using Ric Stern's
guidelines) of this value. You could then use this estimate as is, or if
necessary/desired, further refine it using one of the methods described
above (e.g., by doing a TT).

BTW, the reason this approach works is because in trained cyclists, LT
falls within a fairly narrow range as a percentage of VO2max, and there
is tendency for those with the highest LTs to have the lowest anaerobic
capacities (and therefore a slightly lower MAP relative to power at
VO2max), and vice-versa. In any case, at the very least knowing your MAP
will help 'bracket' what could be considered a reasonable range into
which you expect your threshold power to fall.

FWIW, I use #5, #6 and #7 and sometimes #2(power histogram step down).

-Dave

daveryanwyoming said:

Andy Coggan wrote: FWIW, I use #5, #6 and #7 and sometimes #2(power histogram step down).

-Dave

7 sounds simple enough, thanks

edd said:

7 sounds simple enough, thanks

Sure, just remember that FTP is defined as your best power for an effort approximately one hour long under ideal conditions. Those ideal conditions usually include some taper leading up to the event and very high motivation during the ride. Conditions I typically get during an actual 40km TT and not during normal training.

There are other methods on the list that you can track during weekly training that don't require an all out best effort for the duration. But sure, if you've got it in you to get rested and psyched up then a full hour long effort is the best measure. Just don't be disappointed if your first efforts come in a bit lower than expected.

Good luck,
Dave
P.S. you might want to take a look at: cyclingpeakssoftware.compower411Open ↗
or get a copy of:
amazon.com1931382794Open ↗

Those explain a lot of the terms and concepts that we discuss on these forums.

daveryanwyoming said:

Sure, just remember that FTP is defined as your best power for an effort approximately one hour long under ideal conditions. Those ideal conditions usually include some taper
Good luck,
Dave.

Thanks for that Dave, will get a copy, and do a two day rest prior.

Know just the place and just the bloke to chase. He's half my age and a stronger rider, he has work things that put him off the bike for a month at a time so his fitness varies a bit, last time we've ridden I've given him a bit of stick, he's sure to want to give some back, it'll be a best effort.

PS: Really feel trashed this week, starting to think that a mini taper for a 47 yr. old just might be appropriate convalescing (recovery) for a 59 yr. old