Comparison and Performance Validation of Calculated and Established Anaerobic Lactate Thresholds in Running

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the calculated running velocity at the anaerobic lactate threshold (cLTAn), determined by a mathematical model for metabolic simulation, with two established threshold concepts (onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA; 4 mmol∙L−1) and modified maximal deviation method (mDmax)). Additionally, all threshold concepts were correlated with performance in different endurance running events. Materials and Methods: Ten sub-elite runners performed a 30 s sprint test on a cycle ergometer adjusted to an isokinetic mode set to a cadence of 120 rpm to determine maximal lactate production rate (VLamax), and a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Running velocities at OBLA, mDmax, and cLTAn were then compared with each other, and further correlated with running performance over various distances (3000 m, 5000 m, and 10,000 m). Results: The mean difference in cLTAn was −0.13 ± 0.43 m∙s−1 and −0.32 ± 0.39 m∙s−1 compared to mDmax (p = 0.49) and OBLA (p < 0.01), respectively. cLTAn indicated moderate to good concordance with the established threshold concepts (mDmax: ICC = 0.87, OBLA: ICC = 0.74). In comparison with other threshold concepts, cLTAn exhibited comparable correlations with the assessed running performances (cLTAn: r = 0.61–0.76, mDmax: r = 0.69–0.79, OBLA: r = 0.56–0.69). Conclusion: Our data show that cLTAn can be applied for determining endurance performance during running. Due to the consideration of individual physiological profiles, cLTAn offers a physiologically justified approach to assess an athlete’s endurance performance.

Reliability of power output, maximal rate of capillary blood lactate accumulation, and phosphagen contribution time following 15‐s sprint cycling in amateur cyclists

“…Given that directly measuring intramuscular lactate production in sprint cycling is presently impractical, recent and older studies have explored various metabolic pathways through simulations employing Mader's model. (Hauser et al, 2014;Ji et al, 2021;Mader & Heck, 1986). However, these simulations are highly dependent on νLa max and its calculation, i.e., the denominator and the t PCr component.…”

“…our study, we recommend a standardized application of t PCr , specifically in our case t PCr of 3.5 s because this variable revealed the highest degree of reliability. We assume that the integration of different time frames of t PCr may at least partly explain the discrepancy between data obtained from the simulations compared to actual performance testing (Hauser et al, 2014;Ji et al, 2021).…”

Lactate: Anaerobic Threshold and New Discoveries

“…Ji et al [87] through their study were able to observe how the anaerobic lactate threshold could be used to predict performance during a race. Although the data provided by the authors are very interesting, the sample size suggests that a much larger study would be needed to better understand the use of this parameter.…”