Critical power, W ′ and W ′ reconstitution in women and men

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare critical power (CP) and work capacity W′ , and W′ reconstitution ( W ′ REC ) following repeated maximal exercise between women and men. Methods Twelve women ( V̇ O 2PEAK : 2.53 ± 0.37 L·min −1 ) and 12 men ( V̇ O 2PEAK : 4.26 ± 0.30 L·min −1 ) performed a minimum of 3 constant workload tests, to determine CP and W′ , and 1 maximal exercise repetition test with three work bouts (WB) to failure, to quantify W′ REC during 2 recovery periods, i.e., W′ REC1 and W′ REC2 . An independent samples t test was used to compare CP and W′ values between women and men, and a repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare W′ REC as fraction of W′ expended during the first WB, absolute W′ REC , and normalized to lean body mass (LBM). Results CP normalized to LBM was not different between women and men, respectively, 3.7 ± 0.5 vs. 4.1 ± 0.4 W·kg LBM −1 , while W′ normalized to LBM was lower in women 256 ± 29 vs. 305 ± 45 J·kg LBM −1 . Fractional W′ REC1 was higher in women than in men, respectively, 74.0 ± 12.0