When doing an FTP test do the riders need to hold the same resistance for the duration of the test?
+During the FTP test the system samples the output power and updates an average of it so there is no need to hold the same resistance.
Having said that, during the FTP test it is recommended to work with highest output power that can be sustained equality during the whole test period since that’s the definition of the FTP.
What the parameters are for the performance target views ?
+There are 5 different zones.
Here are the parameters which define what color you see on the performance target views, e.g. at what cadence does the cadence box turn from blue to green etc:
Zone 1: Grey
Zone 2: Light Blue
Zone 3: Green
Zone 4: Yellow
Zone 5: Red
Cadence View Zones:
Zone 1: 10 – 60 RPM
Zone 2: 61 – 80 RPM
Zone 3: 81 – 100 RPM
Zone 4: 101 – 120 RPM
Zone 5: > 120 RPM
Power View Zones:
Zone 1: 10 – 60 %FTP
Zone 2: 61 – 80 %FTP
Zone 3: 81 – 100 %FTP
Zone 4: 101 – 120 %FTP
Zone 5: > 120 %FTP
Heart Rate View Zones:
Zone 1: 10 – 60 %MAX HR
Zone 2: 61 – 70 %MAX HR
Zone 3: 71 – 80 %MAX HR
Zone 4: 81 – 90 %MAX HR
Zone 5: 91 – 100 %MAX HR
How does Spivi® compute speed?
+Spivi® uses a chain of ordered methods to get the most accurate results of speed.
It starts with the first method and continues to the next one if value wasn’t computed. If the method succeeded Spivi® uses the returned value to display the speed.
- Hardware based method
Some fitness equipment devices provide their computed speed. In that case Spivi® will use this direct value for displaying the speed. - Power based method
Any bike with power console that transmit it out will fit to this method. Blade ION, Schwin AC Perfomance w/MPower Console, FreeMotion etc.
The output power in WATT is converted to Speed in KPH units based on standard power curves.
Note: In this method the speed displayed on the bike’s console will be different from the speed displayed by Spivi since each vendor uses different conversion formula. As side effect the computed distance will be different as well. - Cadence based method
This method is based on linear conversion factor to convert RPM units to KPH units. The default value is 1/3. I.E value of 90 RPM will be converted to 30 KPH.
How does Spivi® compute burned calories?
+Spivi® uses a chain of ordered methods to get the most accurate results of burned calories.
It starts with the first method and continues to the next one if value wasn’t computed. If the method succeeded Spivi® uses the returned value to display the burned calories.
- Hardware based method
Some fitness equipment devices such as the Kieser M3i provide their computed burned calories. In that case Spivi® will use this direct value for displaying the burned calories. - Power based method
Any bike with power console that transmit it out will fit to this method. Blade ION, Schwin AC Perfomance w/MPower Console, FreeMotion etc.
The output power in Watts is converted to Energy in KJ units and the KJ units are converted to calories in KCal units using the direct conversion factor of 4.184. Since the human body is just about 20-25% efficient it actually expends 4-5 times the direct measured energy.
Spivi® uses a value of 4.75 for the human body efficiency factor.
Example: 500 KJ would be ~120 Kcal, applying the human efficiency factor of 4.75 results in with ~570 KCal. - Heart rate based method
In case a trainee wears compatible heart rate strap that is paired with Spivi® the system uses personal information such as Age, Gender and Weight and combine it with the actual measured heart rate to convert it to estimated burned calories. - METS based method
Using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) to convert available Cadence/Speed data to burned calories.
What is SEP?
+The Spivi Ecosystem Points (SEP) is an innovative metric for measuring physical effort in a uniform way across heterogeneous training group. Unlike traditional scoring systems that are based on absolute performance values such as KJ, KCal etc which give an advantage to individuals with good fitness shape, the earned SEPs will reflect a personal physical effort level of each individual.
For example, a young woman with high FTP value which means a good fitness shape level will have to work much harder than an older woman with low FTP value in order to earn same SEPs.
The SEPs are accumulated per second during live training session and computed based the following input parameters:
- Fitness activity type – (Indoor cycling, Walking, Running etc)
- Personal information – Age, Weight, Gender, FTP, LTHR, RHR
- Real time performance data – HR, Power, Cadence, Speed etc
The Power data in terms of %FTP is the most dominant component in the SEP computation. Following the Power data are the HR in terms of %LTHR and Cadence value.
The SEPs concept is a powerful motivating tool that encourages trainees to work hard and earn more points while eliminating the natural physical differences that exists on most of the training groups.