True Fitness CS8.0 manual Personal Power Calculation

APPENDIX C

Constant torque is used in a modified way in Bike Mode. In addition to constant resistance for a given “gear,” additional torque is applied to simulate wind and road resistance, as well as to compensate for different body weights.

Personal Power was initially designed to vary workload at a 1:1 ratio with body weight, just like a METs-based exercise prescription. However, it turns out that human endurance and power generating capability varies with the 2/3 root of body weight, not straight body weight. This relationship can be seen in everything from weightlifting world records to distance running competitions. (See McMahon and Bonner, On Size and Life (1985), page 55).

Since METs do not work the way they’re supposed to, Personal Power is based on a new unit of measure that correctly accounts for body weight. This new unit of metabolic measure, called the T-MET, is defined as:

T-MET = watts / (kg) 2/3

where watts is power applied to an external machine from the exerciser, and kg is the exerciser’s body weight in kilograms.

THE PERSONAL POWER CALCULATION

CS8.0 BIKES OWNER’S GUIDE 85