1. What is W' (Watt Prime)?

W' (Watt Prime) represents the finite amount of work capacity available above critical power that can be used during high-intensity exercise. It's a key concept in cycling power modeling that helps athletes understand their anaerobic work capacity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the W' equation:

Where:

• \( W' \) — Watt Prime (joules)
• \( \text{Total Work} \) — Total work done during the effort (joules)
• \( CP \) — Critical Power (watts)
• \( t \) — Time duration of the effort (seconds)

Explanation: The equation calculates the amount of work done above your critical power threshold, representing your anaerobic capacity.

3. Importance of W' in Cycling

Details: W' helps cyclists understand their ability to perform high-intensity efforts above their critical power. It's crucial for race strategy, training zone determination, and performance analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total work in joules, critical power in watts, and time in seconds. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is W' different from Critical Power?
A: Critical Power represents your sustainable power output, while W' represents your finite anaerobic work capacity above CP.

Q2: What are typical W' values for cyclists?
A: Recreational cyclists might have W' values around 10-15 kJ, while elite cyclists can have 20-30 kJ or more.

Q3: How can I increase my W'?
A: High-intensity interval training targeting efforts above critical power can help increase W'.

Q4: Does W' vary with fitness level?
A: Yes, W' tends to increase with training and is generally higher in more trained athletes.

Q5: How is W' used in training?
A: Coaches use W' to design interval sessions and predict how long an athlete can sustain efforts above CP.