Long-distance triathlon glossary·Ramp test

Ramp test : Progressive power test

Bike

Effort test where power (or pace) rises in steps until exhaustion to estimate FTP or vVO2max.

The ramp test is an alternative to the 20-min FTP test. Power increases by 20 W (or pace by a few seconds/km) every 1-2 minutes. The test typically lasts 15-25 min. Estimated FTP equals roughly 75% of peak power at the last completed step. Advantage: psychologically easier than a sustained 20-min effort, so more reproducible. Limitation: the 75% estimator can be less accurate for atypical athlete profiles.

In TriPaced:

In TriPaced, if you complete a ramp test and record it in Strava (progressive max effort), the automatic FTP detection analyses 5-20 min power curves to select the best available estimator.

Related terms

  • FTP : Functional Threshold Power
  • Cadence : rotation frequency
  • Drafting : energy saving by sitting in someone's slipstream
  • W/kg : Watts per kilogram
  • Aero position : aerodynamic optimization on the bike
  • CdA : Aerodynamic drag coefficient