Dynamics of the power-duration relationship during prolonged endurance exercise and influence of carbohydrate ingestion

We tested the hypotheses that the parameters of the power-duration relationship, estimated as the end-test power (EP) and work done above EP (WEP) during a 3-min all-out exercise test (3MT), would be reduced progressively after 40 min, 80 min, and 2 h of heavy-intensity cycling and that carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion would attenuate the reduction in EP and WEP. Sixteen participants completed a 3MT without prior exercise (control), immediately after 40 min, 80 min, and 2 h of heavy-intensity exercise while consuming a placebo beverage, and also after 2 h of heavy-intensity exercise while consuming a CHO supplement (60 g/h CHO). There was no difference in EP measured without prior exercise (260 +/- 37 W) compared with EP after 40 min (268 +/- 39 W) or 80 min (260 +/- 40 W) of heavy-intensity exercise; however, after 2 h EP was 9% lower compared with control (236 +/- 47 W; P < 0.05). There was no difference in WEP measured without prior exercise (17.9 +/- 3.3 kJ) compared with after 40 min of heavy-intensity exercise (16.1 +/- 3.3 kJ), but WEP was lower (P < 0.05) than control after 80 min (14.7 +/- 2.9 kJ) and 2 h (13.8 +/- 2.7 kJ). Compared with placebo, CHO ingestion negated the reduction of EP following 2 h of heavy-intensity exercise (254 +/- 49 W) but had no effect on WEP (13.5 +/- 3.4 kJ). These results reveal a different time course for the deterioration of EP and WEP during prolonged endurance exercise and indicate that EP is sensitive to CHO availability. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The parameters of the power-duration relationship [critical power (CP) and the curvature constant (W')] have typically been considered to be static. Here we report the time course for reductions in CP and W', as estimated with the 3-min all-out cycle test, during 2 h of heavy-intensity exercise. We also show that carbohydrate ingestion during exercise preserves CP, but not W', without altering muscle glycogen depletion. These results provide new mechanistic and practical insight into the power-duration curve and its relationship to exercise-related fatigue development.