Fitness
Critical Power
Critical power is the highest sustainable aerobic power or pace maintainable for about 30–60 minutes in endurance physiology models.
Critical power is the highest sustainable aerobic power or pace you can maintain for roughly 30–60 minutes in cycling and running models—it separates heavy aerobic domains from truly anaerobic work. Tests use multiple time trials or ramp protocols.
Training near critical power builds threshold without constant race-pace burnout.
Common questions
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How is critical power different from FTP?
Functional threshold power (FTP) is a practical cycling estimate often near one-hour power. Critical power comes from multi-duration models and may differ slightly by test design.
Related terms
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