It’s a good question, I’m also a long time TR user and same power meters so I’ve got consistent data gathering.
I experimented with simply higher time last year for the first quarter, 50% more time in the saddle, higher TSS - nada.
This year I’m making hard days harder and easy days easier, as well as aiming at increasing overall load. No progress so far.
Don’t forget Robert Marchand who increased his vo2 by 13% past 100yo. He beat his own 1h world record at 103yo.
Got a PM at 43, hit all my power PRs at 50 during Covid. Now 53 and increased volume about 40% this year in preparation of the GF Marmotte and already huge improvement and likely to exceed those PRs…training time, not age is my limiter
Almost certainly the case for 99% of amateurs.
Thats what im trying to fathom. doing 4 sessions a week with no benefit may just be making me tired…BUT what if just did a VO2 max, a tempo, and a long ride each week, and kept my FTP where it is.
Is the extra session worth it if my age is capping my FTP
Most likely you are more limited by time to train and recover, as well as nutrition, than age. 6 rides a week plus weights, totaling 15-20 hours is doable and will still have benefits into your 50s and sometimes 60s. You’re still young enough to do this with good results.
Maybe thats the key, ride more, but as a triathlete im trying to fit my 3 runs and 3 or 4 swims in. Plus a teaching job, which everyone knows is the hardest job in the world because we complain about it so much 