Validity and Reliability of the PowerTap P1 Pedals Power Meter

• Published in: Journal of sports science & medicine 2018-06, Vol.17 (2), p.305-311
• Main Authors: Pallarés, Jesús G, Lillo-Bevia, José Ramón
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Bicycles; Bicycling; Biomechanics; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cycling; Dynamometer; Dynamometers; Evaluation; Exercise; Exercise physiology; Exercise Test - instrumentation; Human performance; Humans; Laboratories; Male; Medicine; Methods; Muscle Strength; Muscle strength dynamometry; Physiological aspects; Physiological research; Reproducibility of Results; Science; Sitting Position; Sports medicine; Standing Position; Strain gauges; Training; Validity; Workload; Workloads; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1303-2968; 1303-2968

To validate the new PowerTap P1 pedals power meter (PP1), thirty-three cyclists performed 12 randomized and counterbalanced graded exercise tests (100-500 W), at 70, 85 and 100 rev·min cadences, in seated and standing positions. A scientific SRM system and a pair of PP1 pedals continuously recorded cadence and power output data. Significantly lower power output values were detected for the PP1 compared to the SRM for all workloads, cadences, and pedalling conditions (2-10 W, p < 0.05), except for the workloads ranged between 150 W to 350 W at 70 rev·min in seated position (p > 0.05). Strong Spearman's correlation coefficients were found between the power output values recorded by both power meters in a seated position, independently from the cadence condition (rho ≥ 0.987), although slightly lower concordance was found for the standing position (rho = 0.927). The mean error for power output values were 1.2%, 2.7%, 3.5% for 70, 85 and 100 rev·min , respectively. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that PP1 pedals underestimate the power output data obtained by the SRM device in a directly proportional manner to the cyclist's cadence (from -2.4 W to -7.3 W, rho = 0.999). High absolute reliability values were detected in the PP1 pedals (150-500 W; CV = 2.3%; SEM < 1.0 W). This new portable power meter is a valid and reliable device to measure power output in cyclists and triathletes for the assessment, training and competition using their own bicycle, although caution should be exercised in the interpretation of the results due to the slight power output underestimation of the PP1 pedals when compared to the SRM system and its dependence on both pedalling cadence and cyclist's position (standing vs. seated).