The power-duration relationship accurately predicts exercise tolerance for constant power exercise performed in the severe intensity domain. However, the accuracy of the prediction of time to task failure (Tlim ) is currently unclear for work rates (WR) above severe intensities; that is, within the extreme intensity domain (Tlim < 2 min). We hypothesized that Tlim would be shorter for WRs within the extreme intensity domain than predicted from the linear 1/time relationship of the severe intensity domain which would suggest mechanisms limiting exercise are different between intensity domains. Six men completed 7 knee-extension tests. Tlim of extreme intensity exercise (60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% 1RM; Tlim < 2 min) were compared to the predicted Tlim from the slope of the S1-S3 (Tlim ≥ 2-15 min) regression. Twitch force (Qtw ) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were measured on the right vastus lateralis before and after each test. Tlim at 70-90% 1RM were shorter than the Tlim predicted by the severe domain 1/time model (P < 0.05); however, Tlim at 60% 1RM was not different than the predicted severe Tlim , suggesting the mechanisms limiting extreme exercise manifest ≥60% 1RM. A significant linear relationship for 60-90% 1RM was observed which suggested a curvature constant unique to the extreme domain ( ) that was smaller than the W ' of the severe domain (1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 5.9 ± 1.5 kJ, P < 0.001). Qtw and MVC were significantly decreased following severe exercise, however, Qtw and MVC were not significantly decreased following 80% and 90% 1RM, giving evidence that mechanisms causing task failure were recovered by the time post-exercise measurements were made (~90 sec).
Keywords: Central fatigue; critical power; extreme exercise; peripheral fatigue; severe exercise.
© 2019 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.