Paced effort and all-out 30-second power tests

The purpose of this study was to determine whether mean power output in 30 seconds was greater in a paced effort test or an all-out effort under optimal loading conditions. Nine male athletes volunteered to participate. All testing was done on a Monark cycle ergometer with continuous measurement of velocity and resistance. Power output was calculated (Resistance Velocity) and corrected for acceleration of the flywheel, For each subject, optimal resistance for peak power output was determined with 5 brief (7-second) tests. Subsequently, 3 all-out 30-second tests using 80, 90 and 100% of this estimated optimal resistance, then 3 paced effort 30-second tests were completed on separate days. Pacing was accomplished with velocity feedback at 80, 100 or 120% of optimal velocity calculated from the all-out tests. Subjects were encouraged to try to exceed the target velocity if possible during the final 10 seconds of the paced effort test. The best all-out test (772 +/- 35 W) was not-different (paired t test, p=0.31) from the best paced effort test (787 +/- 27 W). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between mean power output in the all-out tests at 90% (736 +/- 28 W) and 100% (766 +/- 36 W) of estimated optimal resistance for peak power output (1.16 +/- 0.05 N.kg(-1)), but mean power at 80% of the estimated optimal resistance was lower (722 +/- 31 VV; ANOVA for repeated measures, p<0.05). In conclusion, a paced effort test does not permit greater mean power output over 30 seconds than an all-out test, and there is considerable latitude in apparent optimal resistance for mean power output in a 30-second test.