Difference between revisions of "Lactate Threshold"

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Introduction pending.  
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Lactate Threshold is a key component of running performance, and is a better predictor of race performance than [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]]. Lactate Threshold can be thought of a reflecting a change from largely aerobic exercise to largely anaerobic exercise. Lactate Threshold is often used to determine the correct pace for [[Tempo Runs]], though the science indicates such training is ineffective at best. However, Lactate Threshold provides an excellent way of monitoring the effectiveness of your training, and provides an objective estimate of your race pace. Unfortunately, measuring Lactate Threshold is time consuming and expensive, with the gold standard MLSS test requiring three to five 30 minute tests on separate days.  
 
=What is Lactate?=
 
=What is Lactate?=
 
''Main article: [[Lactate]]''
 
''Main article: [[Lactate]]''
  
−
At one time [[Lactate]] was viewed as a harmful waste product due anaerobic exercise, but research since the early 2000s has shown that Lactate is an intermediate fuel in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Muscles will burn Lactate in preference to Glucose, and will convert Lactate back to Glucose at rest. The level of Lactate in the blood is primarily dependent on exercise intensity. Note that Lactate forms Lactic Acid in the blood, and the terms are used interchangeably. Lactate is used as a fuel source by working muscles, and injecting extra lactate into the blood results in increased lactate metabolism and carbohydrate sparing<ref name="MillerFattor2002"/> without impairing performance<ref name="EllisSimmons2009"/>.  
+
At one time [[Lactate]] was viewed as a harmful waste product due anaerobic exercise, but research since the early 2000s has shown that Lactate is an intermediate fuel in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Muscles will burn Lactate in preference to Glucose, and will convert Lactate back to Glucose at rest. The level of Lactate in the blood is primarily dependent on exercise intensity, rather like [[Heart Rate]]. Lactate is used as a fuel source by working muscles, and injecting extra lactate into the blood results in increased lactate metabolism and carbohydrate sparing<ref name="MillerFattor2002"/> without impairing performance<ref name="EllisSimmons2009"/>. Note that Lactate forms Lactic Acid in the blood, and the terms are used interchangeably.  
 
=What is the Lactate Threshold?=
 
=What is the Lactate Threshold?=
 
The Lactate Threshold (LT) is the point at which the lactate level in the blood will rise even if the work intensity is kept constant. This is sometimes referred to as the Anaerobic Threshold (AT), or the Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA), though the most accurate term is Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS). Even within the scientific community terminology is confusing<ref name="Binder-2008"/>. It is sometimes believed that the MLSS represents the maximum clearance of Lactate, but this may not be the case<ref name="EllisSimmons2009"/>. Note that Lactate is normally measured in the blood stream, so the Lactate level reflects the net of the muscles releasing and absorbing Lactate.  
 
The Lactate Threshold (LT) is the point at which the lactate level in the blood will rise even if the work intensity is kept constant. This is sometimes referred to as the Anaerobic Threshold (AT), or the Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA), though the most accurate term is Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS). Even within the scientific community terminology is confusing<ref name="Binder-2008"/>. It is sometimes believed that the MLSS represents the maximum clearance of Lactate, but this may not be the case<ref name="EllisSimmons2009"/>. Note that Lactate is normally measured in the blood stream, so the Lactate level reflects the net of the muscles releasing and absorbing Lactate.  
−
Lactate Threshold is important as it is an excellent good predictor of race performance<ref name="Billat-1996"/><ref name="Palmer-1999"/><ref name="Baldari-2000"/><ref name="Jones-2000"/>. Lactate Threshold can be thought of as the percentage of VO2max that can be maintained for a protracted time<ref name="Costill-1973"/>, though it's not clear what the limiting factor is for exercise above the Lactate Threshold<ref name="Baron-2008"/>.
+
Lactate Threshold is important as it is an excellent good predictor of race performance<ref name="Billat-1996"/><ref name="Palmer-1999"/><ref name="Baldari-2000"/><ref name="Jones-2000"/><ref name="Lehmann-1983"/><ref name="Tanaka-1984"/>, and may be a better predictor than [[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]]<ref name="Allen-1985"/>. Lactate Threshold can be thought of as the percentage of VO2max that can be maintained for a protracted time<ref name="Costill-1973"/>, though it's not clear what the limiting factor is for exercise above the Lactate Threshold<ref name="Baron-2008"/>.
 +
=Lactate Threshold Training =
 +
''Main article: [[Tempo Runs]]''
 +
 
 +
There is good evidence that endurance training changes Lactate Threshold. However, the idea that training at threshold intensity, such as [[Tempo Runs]], is particularly effective has no evidence<ref name="Beneke-2011"/>"/><ref name="Guellich-2010"/>, and polarized training is a better approach<ref name="StögglSperlich2014"/><ref name="Muñoz-2014"/>. For trained athletes, Tempo runs are ineffective<ref name="Londeree-1997"/> and may actually be counterproductive<ref name="Evertsen-2001"/><ref name="Guellich-2010"/>. See [[Tempo Runs]] for more details.
 +
Detraining shifts will reduce the Lactate Threshold<ref name="Coyle-1985"/>, and Lactate levels can be higher at a given intensity after just a few days without training<ref name="Mujika-2001"/>, suggesting rapid detraining effects.
 +
=The Usefulness of Lactate Threshold=
 +
One of the primary goals of Lactate Threshold testing is to determine the correct pace for [[Tempo Runs]]. However, even if Tempo training is ineffective there are two good reasons for knowing your Lactate Threshold. Firstly, monitoring Lactate Threshold is a great way of evaluating the effectiveness of a training regime. Secondly, Lactate Threshold can be used to validate race pace goals. If your Lactate Threshold suggests a much faster race pace than you've been able to achieve, it suggests either a lack of resistance to muscular damage or a lack of mental fortitude. If the Lactate Threshold suggests a race pace that is slower than your target goal, it suggests you objective is wrong and you should aim for a slower finish time. This is especially important in the marathon, where "hitting the wall" is a common issue.  
 
=Lactate Curve=
 
=Lactate Curve=
 
It is common to plot exercise intensity against lactate level to produce a blood lactate curve similar to the one below, showing an exponential rise in lactate level with intensity. It's generally accepted that a shift of the curve to the right indicates an improved athletic performance<ref name="Bosquet-2002"/><ref name="Yoshida-1990"/>, and training can improve performance because of this shift without a change in aerobic capacity ([[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]])<ref name="Acevedo-1989"/>. There is some limited evidence from radio-isotope studies in animals that a benefit of endurance training may be in Lactate clearance<ref name="Donovan-1983"/>. Note that above the Lactate Threshold the Lactate level is not at a steady state, but rises even though the intensity remains constant, so the typical curve that is shown is rather misleading. Some Lactate Curves are plotting Blood Lactate against time during an Incremental Power Test (see below), which is more reasonable, but can still be rather misleading.  
 
It is common to plot exercise intensity against lactate level to produce a blood lactate curve similar to the one below, showing an exponential rise in lactate level with intensity. It's generally accepted that a shift of the curve to the right indicates an improved athletic performance<ref name="Bosquet-2002"/><ref name="Yoshida-1990"/>, and training can improve performance because of this shift without a change in aerobic capacity ([[VO2max|V̇O<sub>2</sub>max]])<ref name="Acevedo-1989"/>. There is some limited evidence from radio-isotope studies in animals that a benefit of endurance training may be in Lactate clearance<ref name="Donovan-1983"/>. Note that above the Lactate Threshold the Lactate level is not at a steady state, but rises even though the intensity remains constant, so the typical curve that is shown is rather misleading. Some Lactate Curves are plotting Blood Lactate against time during an Incremental Power Test (see below), which is more reasonable, but can still be rather misleading.  
 
[[File:LactateThreshold.png|none|thumb|500px|A blood lactate curve with lactate level plotted against intensity. Note that above the Lactate Threshold there is no fixed relationship between Lactate and work intensity, so the curve is misleading at best. ]]
 
[[File:LactateThreshold.png|none|thumb|500px|A blood lactate curve with lactate level plotted against intensity. Note that above the Lactate Threshold there is no fixed relationship between Lactate and work intensity, so the curve is misleading at best. ]]
−
=Lactate Threshold Training =
 
−
''Main article: [[Tempo Runs]]''
 
−
 
−
There is good evidence that endurance training changes Lactate Threshold. However, the idea that training at threshold intensity (Tempo Runs) is particularly effective has no evidence<ref name="Beneke-2011"/>"/><ref name="Guellich-2010"/>, and polarized training is a better approach<ref name="StögglSperlich2014"/><ref name="Muñoz-2014"/>. For trained athletes, Tempo runs are ineffective<ref name="Londeree-1997"/> and may actually be counterproductive<ref name="Evertsen-2001"/><ref name="Guellich-2010"/>. See [[Tempo Runs]] for more details.
 
−
Detraining shifts the curve to the left<ref name="Coyle-1985"/>. Lactate levels can be higher at a given intensity after just a few days without training<ref name="Mujika-2001"/>, suggesting rapid detraining effects.
 
 
=Determining Lactate Threshold=
 
=Determining Lactate Threshold=
 
There are various ways of determining the Lactate Threshold, each with their own problems.  
 
There are various ways of determining the Lactate Threshold, each with their own problems.  
Line 30: Line 32:
 
Because MLSS is time consuming and expensive, a shortcut is often used to estimate MLSS by assuming that it occurs at a fixed Lactate Level (Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation, or FBLA)<ref name="De SouzaGrossl2012"/>, unusually 4.0 mmol/l<ref name="Heck-1985"/> though sometimes 3.5 mmol/l<ref name="DenadaiFigueira2004"/><ref name="Denadai-2005"/>. However, while the MLSS may average around 4.0 mmol/l<ref name="Denadai-2005"/>, there are significant differences for individuals<ref name="Mamen-2009"/>, with variations between 3.0 and 5.5 in small sample sizes<ref name="Heck-1985"/> and has been shown to have a range as wide as 2.0 to 10.0 mmol/l<ref name="Faude-2009"/><ref name="Stegmann-1981"/>. This approach also typically uses a blood test, but in some sports (like running), the athlete has to pause to have a pinprick blood sample taken, further confusing the test<ref name="Heck-1985"/>. The term "Individual Anaerobic Threshold" (IAT) has been used to emphasize that the Lactate Threshold is specific to each individual rather than using a FBLA, though this can refer to a specific protocol for estimating MLSS<ref name="Stegmann-1981"/>. The Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation is sometimes called "Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation" (OBLA)<ref name="Mamen-2009"/>, a particularly misleading term in this context.  
 
Because MLSS is time consuming and expensive, a shortcut is often used to estimate MLSS by assuming that it occurs at a fixed Lactate Level (Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation, or FBLA)<ref name="De SouzaGrossl2012"/>, unusually 4.0 mmol/l<ref name="Heck-1985"/> though sometimes 3.5 mmol/l<ref name="DenadaiFigueira2004"/><ref name="Denadai-2005"/>. However, while the MLSS may average around 4.0 mmol/l<ref name="Denadai-2005"/>, there are significant differences for individuals<ref name="Mamen-2009"/>, with variations between 3.0 and 5.5 in small sample sizes<ref name="Heck-1985"/> and has been shown to have a range as wide as 2.0 to 10.0 mmol/l<ref name="Faude-2009"/><ref name="Stegmann-1981"/>. This approach also typically uses a blood test, but in some sports (like running), the athlete has to pause to have a pinprick blood sample taken, further confusing the test<ref name="Heck-1985"/>. The term "Individual Anaerobic Threshold" (IAT) has been used to emphasize that the Lactate Threshold is specific to each individual rather than using a FBLA, though this can refer to a specific protocol for estimating MLSS<ref name="Stegmann-1981"/>. The Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation is sometimes called "Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation" (OBLA)<ref name="Mamen-2009"/>, a particularly misleading term in this context.  
 
==Lactate Threshold Estimation From Lactate Patterns==
 
==Lactate Threshold Estimation From Lactate Patterns==
−
There have been several approaches to determining MLSS without the difficulty of the full protocol<ref name="Billat-1994"/><ref name="Harnish-2001"/><ref name="Palmer-1999"/><ref name="Tegtbur-1993"/><ref name="Dickhuth-1999"/><ref name="Urhausen-1993"/>, but their validity is limited<ref name="Kilding-2005"/><ref name="De SouzaGrossl2012"/><ref name="Beneke-1995"/>. These approaches generally look for some pattern in the change of Lactate level.  
+
There have been several approaches to determining MLSS without the difficulty of the full protocol<ref name="Billat-1994"/><ref name="Harnish-2001"/><ref name="Palmer-1999"/><ref name="Tegtbur-1993"/><ref name="Dickhuth-1999"/><ref name="Urhausen-1993"/>, but their validity is limited<ref name="Kilding-2005"/><ref name="De SouzaGrossl2012"/><ref name="Beneke-1995"/><ref name="Jones-1998"/>. These approaches generally look for some pattern in the change of Lactate level.  
 
For example, one approach called the "Lactate Minimum Speed Test" (LMST) uses an initial sprint to elevate blood lactate followed by an incremental power test<ref name="SoteroPardono2009"/><ref name="Sotero-2009"/><ref name="MiyagiLeite2013"/>. However, the effectiveness of the LMST is profoundly impacted by the starting speed of the incremental portion of the test<ref name="Carter-1999"/>and so the results may be coincidence<ref name="Carter-2000"/>. This is not entirely surprising given the initial sprint phase disrupts the metabolism<ref name="Carter-2000"/>.  
 
For example, one approach called the "Lactate Minimum Speed Test" (LMST) uses an initial sprint to elevate blood lactate followed by an incremental power test<ref name="SoteroPardono2009"/><ref name="Sotero-2009"/><ref name="MiyagiLeite2013"/>. However, the effectiveness of the LMST is profoundly impacted by the starting speed of the incremental portion of the test<ref name="Carter-1999"/>and so the results may be coincidence<ref name="Carter-2000"/>. This is not entirely surprising given the initial sprint phase disrupts the metabolism<ref name="Carter-2000"/>.  
 +
Some trivial approaches have been tried, such as looking for a 1 mmol/l increase followed by another 1 mmol/l increase<ref name="CTS"/>. So for an athlete performing an incremental load test with [[Lactate]] readings of 1.7, 2.3, 2.6, 3.7, & 5.6 the conclusion would be their Lactate Threshold is 3.7 (3.7 is more than 1.0 more than 2.6 and followed by another increment of more than 1.0.) However, given that most portable Lactate meters have a Typical Error of 0.4-1.0 mmol/l<ref name="Tanner-2010"/>, a fractional error in the reading gives a different result. In the previous example, if the 2.6 reading was 2.8, then the Lactate Threshold would jump from 3.7 to 5.6.
 
Part of the problem with these approaches may be that MLSS may not represent the point of maximum lactate clearance<ref name="Beneke-2003-2"/>, as injecting additional lactate into the blood of athletes exercising above MLSS did not significantly increase lactate levels<ref name="EllisSimmons2009"/>.
 
Part of the problem with these approaches may be that MLSS may not represent the point of maximum lactate clearance<ref name="Beneke-2003-2"/>, as injecting additional lactate into the blood of athletes exercising above MLSS did not significantly increase lactate levels<ref name="EllisSimmons2009"/>.
 
Some of the tests could be "p-hacking", where the study looks at a sufficiently large number of variables that some correlation occurs randomly<ref name="HeadHolman2015"/>.
 
Some of the tests could be "p-hacking", where the study looks at a sufficiently large number of variables that some correlation occurs randomly<ref name="HeadHolman2015"/>.
Line 108: Line 111:
 
<ref name="Donovan-1983">CM. Donovan, GA. Brooks, Endurance training affects lactate clearance, not lactate production., Am J Physiol, volume 244, issue 1, pages E83-92, Jan 1983, PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6401405 6401405]</ref>
 
<ref name="Donovan-1983">CM. Donovan, GA. Brooks, Endurance training affects lactate clearance, not lactate production., Am J Physiol, volume 244, issue 1, pages E83-92, Jan 1983, PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6401405 6401405]</ref>
 
<ref name="Gleeson-1998">M. Gleeson, AK. Blannin, NP. Walsh, CN. Field, JC. Pritchard, Effect of exercise-induced muscle damage on the blood lactate response to incremental exercise in humans., Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol, volume 77, issue 3, pages 292-5, Feb 1998, doi [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004210050336 10.1007/s004210050336], PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9535593 9535593]</ref>
 
<ref name="Gleeson-1998">M. Gleeson, AK. Blannin, NP. Walsh, CN. Field, JC. Pritchard, Effect of exercise-induced muscle damage on the blood lactate response to incremental exercise in humans., Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol, volume 77, issue 3, pages 292-5, Feb 1998, doi [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004210050336 10.1007/s004210050336], PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9535593 9535593]</ref>
 +
<ref name="Jones-1998">AM. Jones, JH. Doust, The validity of the lactate minimum test for determination of the maximal lactate steady state., Med Sci Sports Exerc, volume 30, issue 8, pages 1304-13, Aug 1998, PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9710874 9710874]</ref>
 +
<ref name="CTS">The Performance Benefits of Lactate Threshold Testing and Training - CTS, http://trainright.com/the-performance-benefits-of-lactate-threshold-testing-and-training/, Accessed on 22 August 2015</ref>
 +
<ref name="Tanner-2010">RK. Tanner, KL. Fuller, ML. Ross, Evaluation of three portable blood lactate analysers: Lactate Pro, Lactate Scout and Lactate Plus., Eur J Appl Physiol, volume 109, issue 3, pages 551-9, Jun 2010, doi [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1379-9 10.1007/s00421-010-1379-9], PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20145946 20145946]</ref>
 +
<ref name="Tanaka-1984">K. Tanaka, Y. Matsuura, Marathon performance, anaerobic threshold, and onset of blood lactate accumulation., J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol, volume 57, issue 3, pages 640-3, Sep 1984, PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6490453 6490453]</ref>
 +
<ref name="Lehmann-1983">M. Lehmann, A. Berg, R. Kapp, T. Wessinghage, J. Keul, Correlations between laboratory testing and distance running performance in marathoners of similar performance ability., Int J Sports Med, volume 4, issue 4, pages 226-30, Nov 1983, doi [http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1026039 10.1055/s-2008-1026039], PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6654546 6654546]</ref>
 +
<ref name="Allen-1985">WK. Allen, DR. Seals, BF. Hurley, AA. Ehsani, JM. Hagberg, Lactate threshold and distance-running performance in young and older endurance athletes., J Appl Physiol (1985), volume 58, issue 4, pages 1281-4, Apr 1985, PMID [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3988681 3988681]</ref>
 
</references>
 
</references>

Revision as of 04:48, 22 August 2015

Lactate Threshold is a key component of running performance, and is a better predictor of race performance than V̇O2max. Lactate Threshold can be thought of a reflecting a change from largely aerobic exercise to largely anaerobic exercise. Lactate Threshold is often used to determine the correct pace for Tempo Runs, though the science indicates such training is ineffective at best. However, Lactate Threshold provides an excellent way of monitoring the effectiveness of your training, and provides an objective estimate of your race pace. Unfortunately, measuring Lactate Threshold is time consuming and expensive, with the gold standard MLSS test requiring three to five 30 minute tests on separate days.

1 What is Lactate?

Main article: Lactate

At one time Lactate was viewed as a harmful waste product due anaerobic exercise, but research since the early 2000s has shown that Lactate is an intermediate fuel in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Muscles will burn Lactate in preference to Glucose, and will convert Lactate back to Glucose at rest. The level of Lactate in the blood is primarily dependent on exercise intensity, rather like Heart Rate. Lactate is used as a fuel source by working muscles, and injecting extra lactate into the blood results in increased lactate metabolism and carbohydrate sparing[1] without impairing performance[2]. Note that Lactate forms Lactic Acid in the blood, and the terms are used interchangeably.

2 What is the Lactate Threshold?

The Lactate Threshold (LT) is the point at which the lactate level in the blood will rise even if the work intensity is kept constant. This is sometimes referred to as the Anaerobic Threshold (AT), or the Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA), though the most accurate term is Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS). Even within the scientific community terminology is confusing[3]. It is sometimes believed that the MLSS represents the maximum clearance of Lactate, but this may not be the case[2]. Note that Lactate is normally measured in the blood stream, so the Lactate level reflects the net of the muscles releasing and absorbing Lactate. Lactate Threshold is important as it is an excellent good predictor of race performance[4][5][6][7][8][9], and may be a better predictor than V̇O2max[10]. Lactate Threshold can be thought of as the percentage of VO2max that can be maintained for a protracted time[11], though it's not clear what the limiting factor is for exercise above the Lactate Threshold[12].

3 Lactate Threshold Training

Main article: Tempo Runs

There is good evidence that endurance training changes Lactate Threshold. However, the idea that training at threshold intensity, such as Tempo Runs, is particularly effective has no evidence[13]"/>[14], and polarized training is a better approach[15][16]. For trained athletes, Tempo runs are ineffective[17] and may actually be counterproductive[18][14]. See Tempo Runs for more details. Detraining shifts will reduce the Lactate Threshold[19], and Lactate levels can be higher at a given intensity after just a few days without training[20], suggesting rapid detraining effects.

4 The Usefulness of Lactate Threshold

One of the primary goals of Lactate Threshold testing is to determine the correct pace for Tempo Runs. However, even if Tempo training is ineffective there are two good reasons for knowing your Lactate Threshold. Firstly, monitoring Lactate Threshold is a great way of evaluating the effectiveness of a training regime. Secondly, Lactate Threshold can be used to validate race pace goals. If your Lactate Threshold suggests a much faster race pace than you've been able to achieve, it suggests either a lack of resistance to muscular damage or a lack of mental fortitude. If the Lactate Threshold suggests a race pace that is slower than your target goal, it suggests you objective is wrong and you should aim for a slower finish time. This is especially important in the marathon, where "hitting the wall" is a common issue.

5 Lactate Curve

It is common to plot exercise intensity against lactate level to produce a blood lactate curve similar to the one below, showing an exponential rise in lactate level with intensity. It's generally accepted that a shift of the curve to the right indicates an improved athletic performance[21][22], and training can improve performance because of this shift without a change in aerobic capacity (V̇O2max)[23]. There is some limited evidence from radio-isotope studies in animals that a benefit of endurance training may be in Lactate clearance[24]. Note that above the Lactate Threshold the Lactate level is not at a steady state, but rises even though the intensity remains constant, so the typical curve that is shown is rather misleading. Some Lactate Curves are plotting Blood Lactate against time during an Incremental Power Test (see below), which is more reasonable, but can still be rather misleading.

A blood lactate curve with lactate level plotted against intensity. Note that above the Lactate Threshold there is no fixed relationship between Lactate and work intensity, so the curve is misleading at best.

6 Determining Lactate Threshold

There are various ways of determining the Lactate Threshold, each with their own problems.

  • MLSS. The gold standard test (and the only one that appears to be valid) is to measure Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS). The test requires 3 to 5 constant intensity trials of at least 30 minutes' duration, each performed on separate days. Each test is at a different exercise intensity, and the highest intensity that does not have a rise in blood lactate in the last 20 minutes is the MLSS. While this is the best way of determining Lactate threshold, it's obviously time consuming and interferes with the athlete's regular training. Because of the effort of MLSS testing, various shortcuts have been tried.
  • Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation. A simple approach is to assume that Lactate Threshold always occurs at the same Lactate level. Sadly, this assumption is wrong, as Lactate Threshold can occur at vastly different levels.
  • Lactate Patterns. There are various approaches that look at the pattern of change in Lactate in an attempt to create a simple test. So far, I've seen little evidence to support any of these approaches.
  • Heart Rate Deflection. An indirect way of finding Lactate Threshold is to look for the Heart Rate Deflection, sometimes called the "Conconi test". This test only requires a heart rate monitor to perform rather than blood draws, so it is much easier than the above approaches. However, the validity of the Conconi test has many issues and seems of dubious value[25]. See Heart Rate Deflection for details.
  • Respiratory gasses. Another method for estimating Lactate Threshold is to measure the respiratory gasses[3][26], but given this is impractical for most athletes, it's not covered here.

6.1 Lactate Threshold & Maximal Lactate Steady State

The best approach to determine Lactate Threshold is to measure the Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS)[27]. The test is actually several constant load trials of at least 30 minutes' duration on different days at various exercise intensities (in the range of 50–90% V̇O2max. The highest workload that results in an increase of less than 1 mmol/L of lactate between the 10 and 30 minute mark defines the MLSS[28][29][30]. Lactate is typically measured using a blood sample, either using a pinprick or a catheter. Note that MLSS for a given individual will vary by sport[31], probably based on the mass of muscle engaged[32][33]. The difficulty of performing this test makes it impractical in most situations.

Blood lactate levels over time at various workloads. The lower lines are at lower intensities, with the line marked MLSS being the highest intensity that produces stable lactate levels.

6.2 Lactate Threshold & Incremental Power Test

A common approach to determine the Lactate Threshold is the Incremental Power Test. The subject exercises in stages of increasing intensity, with lactate measured at the end of each stage, with stages typically lasting 3 to 10 minutes. However, blood lactate takes 20-30 minutes to stabilize for a given intensity[4]. This means that the incremental power test tends to be of limited value[34], with 3 minute stages giving low reproducibility[35], the stage length changing the lactate values[27], and even longer stages lengths of 8 minutes having low reproducibility[36]. The lactate level can drop between the 4th and 12th minute of exercise at a constant intensity[37]. Some have suggested using the lactate value measured as an indication of the prior stage's intensity, as it takes more than 3 minutes for lactate to stabilize[38], but this rather arbitrary approach can be used as a guideline (at best)[6]. For running, it is common to pause the exercise for 30 seconds to take a blood sample. These breaks only make a non-significant difference to the testing, though the slight difference tends to be greater at higher intensities[39].

6.3 Lactate Threshold & Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation

Because MLSS is time consuming and expensive, a shortcut is often used to estimate MLSS by assuming that it occurs at a fixed Lactate Level (Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation, or FBLA)[29], unusually 4.0 mmol/l[40] though sometimes 3.5 mmol/l[41][42]. However, while the MLSS may average around 4.0 mmol/l[42], there are significant differences for individuals[43], with variations between 3.0 and 5.5 in small sample sizes[40] and has been shown to have a range as wide as 2.0 to 10.0 mmol/l[27][44]. This approach also typically uses a blood test, but in some sports (like running), the athlete has to pause to have a pinprick blood sample taken, further confusing the test[40]. The term "Individual Anaerobic Threshold" (IAT) has been used to emphasize that the Lactate Threshold is specific to each individual rather than using a FBLA, though this can refer to a specific protocol for estimating MLSS[44]. The Fixed Blood Lactate Accumulation is sometimes called "Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation" (OBLA)[43], a particularly misleading term in this context.

6.4 Lactate Threshold Estimation From Lactate Patterns

There have been several approaches to determining MLSS without the difficulty of the full protocol[45][46][5][47][48][28], but their validity is limited[49][29][50][51]. These approaches generally look for some pattern in the change of Lactate level. For example, one approach called the "Lactate Minimum Speed Test" (LMST) uses an initial sprint to elevate blood lactate followed by an incremental power test[52][53][54]. However, the effectiveness of the LMST is profoundly impacted by the starting speed of the incremental portion of the test[55]and so the results may be coincidence[56]. This is not entirely surprising given the initial sprint phase disrupts the metabolism[56]. Some trivial approaches have been tried, such as looking for a 1 mmol/l increase followed by another 1 mmol/l increase[57]. So for an athlete performing an incremental load test with Lactate readings of 1.7, 2.3, 2.6, 3.7, & 5.6 the conclusion would be their Lactate Threshold is 3.7 (3.7 is more than 1.0 more than 2.6 and followed by another increment of more than 1.0.) However, given that most portable Lactate meters have a Typical Error of 0.4-1.0 mmol/l[58], a fractional error in the reading gives a different result. In the previous example, if the 2.6 reading was 2.8, then the Lactate Threshold would jump from 3.7 to 5.6. Part of the problem with these approaches may be that MLSS may not represent the point of maximum lactate clearance[33], as injecting additional lactate into the blood of athletes exercising above MLSS did not significantly increase lactate levels[2]. Some of the tests could be "p-hacking", where the study looks at a sufficiently large number of variables that some correlation occurs randomly[59].

The correlation (or lack thereof) between MLSS and the lactate levels at the MLSS intensity seen during 3 or 5 minute incremental power tests[40].

7 Factors that may influence Lactate Threshold

There are a few factors that may change the Lactate Threshold (other than training)

  • Because lactate is produced from the metabolism of carbohydrate, a reduction in carbohydrate intake (or Glycogen depletion) will shift the lactate curve to the right[60][61][62][63].
  • It's not clear if Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness changes the lactate curve as there are reports that it does[64] and reports that it does not[65].
  • Lactate Threshold will vary by sport, probably based on the mass of muscle engaged[32], or because the inactive muscles consume more lactate as the concentration rises[38]. MLSS may also vary with environmental conditions, with a lower lactate levels at MLSS in hotter conditions[66].

8 Aerobic Threshold

There is a related concept called "Aerobic Threshold" that is generally used to mean the exercise intensity at which Lactate levels rise above resting baselines[27]. This threshold is believed to be the upper limit of nearly exclusive use of aerobic metabolism that can be sustained for many hours. Intensities just above the aerobic threshold can be maintained for prolonged periods (~4 hours)[67]. This aerobic threshold can be hard to determine in untrained subjects as it occurs at very low intensities[68]. Unfortunately, the term "Lactate Threshold" is sometimes used to mean this point where lactate rises above resting levels[61].

9 References

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