LAUSR

This study examined the contribution of lower body strength and isokinetic peak torque measures to the prediction of critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (AWC). Fourteen recreationally trained males (mean ± SD age: 22.4 ± 2.5 yrs; height: 177.9 ± 7.7 cm; body mass: 84.2 ± 12.4 kg) with anaerobic training experience completed this study. The lower body strength measures included one repetition max (1RM) bilateral back squat [BSq], isokinetic peak torque at 30°·sec [PT30] and isokinetic peak torque at 240°·sec [PT240]) of the dominant leg. The CP and AWC were determined from the 3-min all-out CP cycle ergometer test (CP3MT), with the resistance set at 4.5% of the total body mass. The CP was defined as the mean power output over the final 30s of the test and the AWC was calculated using the equation, AWC = 150s (P150 - CP), where P150 equals the mean power output for the first 150s. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that only BSq contributed significantly to the prediction of AWC (AWC = 0.0527[BSq] + 8.094 [SEE = 2.151 kJ; p = 0.012]), with a correlation of r = 0.423. None of the strength parameters significantly predicted CP. These findings indicated that BSq strength accounted for 42% of the variance in AWC, but lower body strength was not related to CP. The current results indirectly supports the unique metabolic characteristics of both CP and AWC in providing separate measures of an individual's aerobic and anaerobic capabilities, respectively.