Training & Nutrition - What to use as FTP: NP or Avg P?

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sammy5001
09-13-09, 02:00 PM
WKO+ gives me the 60min NP (normalized power) and average power. Which should I use as my FTP? Most of the time the NP is 5-10% higher than my actual average power. So when I'm doing a real TT should I pace myself and target the NP or the average power?

asgelle
09-13-09, 02:21 PM
WKO+ gives me the 60min NP (normalized power) and average power. Which should I use as my FTP? Most of the time the NP is 5-10% higher than my actual average power. So when I'm doing a real TT should I pace myself and target the NP or the average power?
Well since by your own admission you can't ride at your NP for an hour, it seems like a bad idea to try to maintain that for a one hour TT.
tonski
09-14-09, 12:07 AM
avg power

Normalized Power is basically an estimate of the power that you could have maintainted for the same physiological “cost” if your power output had been constant. http://www.cycling-inform.com/articles/567/1/-Average-vs-Normalized-Power-for-Cyclists/Page1.html

LT Intolerant
09-14-09, 10:32 AM
WKO+ gives me the 60min NP (normalized power) and average power. Which should I use as my FTP? Most of the time the NP is 5-10% higher than my actual average power. So when I'm doing a real TT should I pace myself and target the NP or the average power?

Depends on the VI of your ride/tt. If it's low, lets say < 1.1, then your FTP may be closer to your NP, or somewhere between your AP & NP. If your VI is upwards of 1.2, then I'd question the validity of your NP being your FTP.