The magnitude of neuromuscular fatigue is not intensity dependent when cycling above critical power but relates to aerobic and anaerobic capacities

The aim of the present study was to test whether the development of neuromuscular fatigue within the severe-intensity domain could be linked to the depletion of the curvature constant (W ') of the power-duration relationship. Twelve recreationally active men completed tests to determine peak oxygen consumption, critical power (CP) and W ', followed by two randomly assigned constant-load supra-CP trials set to deplete W ' fully in 3 (P-3) and 12 min (P-12). Pre- to postexercise changes in maximal voluntary contraction, potentiated quadriceps twitch force evoked by single (Q(pot)) and paired high- (PS100) and low-frequency (PS10) stimulations and voluntary activation were determined. Cycling above CP reduced maximal voluntary contraction (P-3, -20 +/- 10% versus P-12, -15 +/- 7%), measures associated with peripheral fatigue (Q(pot), -35 +/- 13 versus -31 +/- 14%; PS10, -38 +/- 13 versus -37 +/- 17%; PS100, -18 +/- 9 versus -13 +/- 8% for P-3 and P-12, respectively) and voluntary activation (P-3, -12 +/- 3% versus P-12, -13 +/- 3%; P < 0.05), with no significant difference between trials (P > 0.05). Changes in maximal voluntary contraction and evoked twitch forces were inversely correlated with CP and peak oxygen consumption after P-12, whereas W ' was significantly correlated with changes in Q(pot) and PS10 after P-3 (P < 0.05). Therefore, the magnitude of neuromuscular fatigue does not depend on exercise intensity when W ' is fully exhausted during severe-intensity exercise; nonetheless, exploration of inter-individual variations suggests that mechanisms underpinning exercise tolerance within this domain differ between short- and long-duration exercise.