Journal Article

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial correlates of critical power and W' in healthy active individuals

Rogers, Robert, Bailey, Stephen J., Ferguson, Richard A., Mitchell, Emma A., Peden, Donald L., Taylor, Suzanne M.

2025

Overview

The asymptote (critical power; CP) and curvature constant (W') of the hyperbolic power–duration relationship can predict performance within the severe‐intensity exercise domain. However, the extent to which these parameters relate to skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and respiratory function is not known. Fifteen males (peak O2 uptake, 52.2 ± 8.7 mL kg−1 min−1; peak work rate, 366 ± 40 W; and gas exchange threshold, 162 ± 41 W) performed three to five constant‐load tests to task failure for the determination of CP (246 ± 44 W) and W' (18.6 ± 4.1 kJ). Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis to determine citrate synthase (CS) activity, as a marker of mitochondrial content, and the ADP‐stimulated respiration (P) and maximal electron transfer (E) through mitochondrial complexes (C) I–IV. The CP was positively correlated with CS activity (absolute CP, r = 0.881, P < 0.001; relative CP, r = 0.751, P = 0.001). The W' was not correlated with CS activity (P > 0.05). Relative CP was positively correlated with mass‐corrected CI + IIE (r = 0.659, P = 0.038), with absolute CP being inversely correlated with CS activity‐corrected CIVE (r = −0.701, P = 0.024). Relative W' was positively correlated with CS activity‐corrected CI + IIP (r = 0.713, P = 0.021) and the phosphorylation control ratio (r = 0.661, P = 0.038). There were no further correlations between CP or W' and mitochondrial respiratory variables. These findings support the assertion that skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity is positively associated with CP and that this relationship is strongly determined by mitochondrial content. What is the central question of this study? The asymptote (critical power; CP) and curvature constant (W') of the hyperbolic power–duration relationship are important determinants of severe‐intensity exercise performance. We assessed the relationship between these parameters and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and respiration. What us the main finding and its importance? Citrate synthase (CS) activity was positively correlated with CP. Relative CP was positively correlated with mass‐corrected CI + IIE; absolute CP was inversely correlated with CS activity‐corrected CIVE. CS activity was not correlated with W'. CS activity‐corrected CI + IIP and the phosphorylation control ratio were positively correlated with relative W'. Mitochondrial content influences CP. Some facets of mitochondrial respiration might influence W'.

• Publisher: Wiley
• Subject: Adult / Cell Respiration - physiology / Citrate (si)-Synthase - metabolism / citrate synthase activity / Electron Transport - physiology / Exercise - physiology / high‐resolution respirometry / Humans / Male / Mitochondria, Muscle - metabolism / Mitochondria, Muscle - physiology / mitochondrial content / mitochondrial function / Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism / Muscle, Skeletal - physiology / Oxygen Consumption - physiology / power–duration relationship / severe‐intensity exercise / Young Adult