The rationale behind the Technogym Functional Threshold Power test

The Technogym Functional Threshold Power (T-FTP) test is a fitness test that assesses endurance performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological and psychological responses of this test (16 min at submaximal intensity followed by 4 min at maximal effort) with those of a 20-min time trial, commonly used in cycling to evaluate endurance performance. We found that respiratory frequency, perceived exertion, oxygen uptake and heart rate were to a large extent lower in the T-FTP test than in the 20-min time trial, with implications for performance assessment and testing adherence in fitness practitioners.