Relationship between blood lactate and excess CO2 in elite cyclists

This study examined the relationship between expired non-metabolic CO2 (exCO2) and the accumulation of blood lactate. Particular emphasis was placed on the ventilatory (exCO2 and VE/VO2) and lactate threshold relationship. A total of 21 elite cyclists (15 males, 6 females) performed a progressive intensity bicycle ergometer test during which ventilatory parameters were monitored on-line at 15-s intervals, and blood lactate sampling occurred at each minute. Transition threshold values were determined for each of the three indices: excess CO2 (TexCO2), VE/VO2 (Tvent) and blood lactate (Tlac). The three threshold values (TexCO2, Tvent, Tlac) all correlated significantly (P less than 0.001) when each was expressed as an absolute VO2 (l min-1). A significant ANOVA (F = 8.41, P less than 0.001) and post-hoc correlated t-tests demonstrated significant differences between the TexCO2 and Tlac (P less than 0.001) and the TexCO2 and Tvent values (P less than 0.025). The Tlac occurred at an average blood lactate concentration of 3.35 mM, while the mean expired excess CO2 volume at the TexCO2 was 14.04 ml kg-1 min-1. Over an 11-min range across the threshold values (TexCO2 and Tlac), which were used as relative points of reference, the expired excess CO2 volume (ml kg-1 min-1) and blood lactate concentration (mM) correlated significantly (r = 0.69, P less than 0.001). Higher individual correlations over the same period of time (r = 0.82-0.96, P less than 0.001) stress the individual nature of this relationship. These results indicate a strong relationship between the three threshold values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Substrate oxidation during incremental arm and leg exercise in men and women matched for ventilatory threshold

The aim of this study was to determine the variations in substrate utilization between men and women matched for ventilatory threshold (Tvent) during incremental arm cranking and leg cycling exercise at 70, 85, 100 and 115% of the mode-specific Tvent. Recreationally active men (n=12) and women (n=10) with similar values for percentage of peak oxygen consumption at Tvent participated in the study. Ventilatory equivalence, excess CO2 and modified V-slope methods were used concurrently to determine Tvent. The participants performed 5 min of exercise at each of 70, 85, 100 and 115% Tvent during both arm cranking and leg cycling exercise. The females were tested during the early follicular phase for all trials. A two-way mixed-design analysis of variance was performed to test for differences between the sexes. When carbohydrate and fat oxidation were expressed relative to total fat-free mass, carbohydrate oxidation during arm cranking and leg cycling was significantly higher in men than women at each percentage of Tvent. In contrast, women showed significantly higher fat oxidation across intensities during both arm cranking and leg cycling. Our results suggest that when substrate utilization is expressed relative to total fat-free mass, women appear to maintain a higher rate of fat and lower rate of carbohydrate oxidation than men during both incremental arm cranking and leg cycling exercise relative to Tvent.     

Renal lactate elimination is maintained during moderate exercise in humans

Reduced hepatic lactate elimination initiates blood lactate accumulation during incremental exercise. In this study, we wished to determine whether renal lactate elimination contributes to the initiation of blood lactate accumulation. The renal arterial-to-venous (a-v) lactate difference was determined in nine men during sodium lactate infusion to enhance the evaluation (0.5 mol x L(-1) at 16 ± 1 mL x min(-1); mean ± s) both at rest and during cycling exercise (heart rate 139 ± 5 beats x min(-1)). The renal release of erythropoietin was used to detect kidney tissue ischaemia. At rest, the a-v O(2) (CaO(2)-CvO(2)) and lactate concentration differences were 0.8 ± 0.2 and 0.02 ± 0.02 mmol x L(-1), respectively. During exercise, arterial lactate and CaO(2)-CvO(2) increased to 7.1 ± 1.1 and 2.6 ± 0.8 mmol x L(-1), respectively (P < 0.05), indicating a -70% reduction of renal blood flow with no significant change in the renal venous erythropoietin concentration (0.8 ± 1.4 U x L(-1)). The a-v lactate concentration difference increased to 0.5 ± 0.8 mmol x L(-1), indicating similar lactate elimination as at rest. In conclusion, a -70% reduction in renal blood flow does not provoke critical renal ischaemia, and renal lactate elimination is maintained. Thus, kidney lactate elimination is unlikely to contribute to the initial blood lactate accumulation during progressive exercise.     

The effects of carbohydrate supplementation on immune responses to a soccer-specific exercise protocol

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of carbohydrate (CHO) versus placebo (PLA) beverage consumption on the immune and plasma cortisol responses to a soccer-specific exercise protocol in 8 university team soccer players. In a randomized, counterbalanced design, the players received carbohydrate or placebo beverages before, during and after two 90min soccer-specific exercise bouts (3 days apart) designed to mimic the activities performed and the distance covered in a typical soccer match. Blood and saliva samples were collected before, during and after the exercise protocol. Plasma lactate concentration increased to ~4 mmol.l-1 at 45 and 90 min of exercise in both treatments (P? 0.01). Plasma glucose concentration was significantly lower after 90 min of exercise with ingestion of the placebo than the carbohydrate (PLA: 4.57 +/- 0.12 mmol.l-1; CHO: 5.49 +/- 0.11 mmol.l-1; P? 0.01). The pattern of change in plasma cortisol, circulating lymphocyte count and saliva immunoglobulin A secretion did not differ between the carbohydrate and placebo trials. Blood neutrophil counts were 14% higher 1 h after the placebo trial than the carbohydrate trial (PLA: 4.8 =/- 0.5 x 10 9 cells.l-1; CHO:4.2 +/- 0.5 x 10 9 cells.l-1; P=0.06),but the treatment had no effect on the degranulation response of blood neutrophils stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. We conclude that, although previous studies have shown that carbohydrate feeding is effective in attenuating immune responses to prolonged continuous strenuous exercise, the same cannot be said for a soccer-specific intermittent exercise protocol. When overall exercise intensity is moderate,and changes in plasma glucose, cortisol and immune variables are relatively small, it would appear that carbohydrate ingestion has only a minimal influence on the immune response to exercise.     

Endurance running performance in athletes with asthma

Laboratory assessment was made during maximal and submaximal exercise on 16 endurance trained male runners with asthma (aged 35 +/- 9 years) (mean +/- S.D.). Eleven of these asthmatic athletes had recent performance times over a half-marathon, which were examined in light of the results from the laboratory tests. The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) of the group was 61.8 +/- 6.3 ml kg-1 min-1 and the maximum ventilation (VEmax) was 138.7 +/- 24.7 l min-1. These maximum cardio-respiratory responses to exercise were positively correlated to the degree of airflow obstruction, defined as the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (expressed as a percentage of predicted normal). The half-marathon performance times of 11 of the athletes ranged from those of recreational to elite runners (82.4 +/- 8.8 min, range 69-94). Race pace was correlated with VO2max (r = 0.863, P less than 0.01) but the highest correlation was with the running velocity at a blood lactate concentration of 2 mmol l-1 (r = 0.971, P less than 0.01). The asthmatic athletes utilized 82 +/- 4% VO2max during the half-marathon, which was correlated with the %VO2max at 2 mmol l-1 blood lactate (r = 0.817, P less than 0.01). The results of this study suggest that athletes with mild to moderate asthma can possess high VO2max values and can develop a high degree of endurance fitness, as defined by their ability to sustain a high percentage of VO2max over an endurance race. In athletes with more severe airflow obstruction, the maximum ventilation rate may be reduced and so VO2max may be impaired. The athletes in the present study have adapted to this limitation by being able to sustain a higher %VO2max before the accumulation of blood lactate, which is an advantage during an endurance race. Therefore, with appropriate training and medication, asthmatics can successfully participate in endurance running at a competitive level.     

Influence of single-leg training on muscle metabolism and endurance during exercise with the trained limb and the untrained limb

We have previously shown that single-leg training results in improved endurance for exercise with the untrained leg (UTL) as well as for exercise with the trained leg (TL). The purpose of this study was to see whether the improved endurance of the untrained leg could be explained on the basis of changes in muscle metabolism. Exercise time to exhaustion at 80% of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was determined for each leg separately, pre- and post-training. Muscle metabolite concentrations were measured pre- and post-training in biopsy samples obtained immediately before this endurance test and at the pre-training point of exhaustion (END1). After six weeks of single-leg training endurance time was increased for both the UTL and the TL (UTL 34.0 +/- 16.4 min vs 97.9 +/- 26.3 min, P less than 0.01; TL 28.3 +/- 10.1 min vs 169.0 +/- 32.6 min, P less than 0.01). No changes in muscle metabolite concentrations were found in resting muscle. Training increased muscle ATP (P less than 0.05) and glycogen (P less than 0.01) concentrations and decreased muscle lactate concentration (P less than 0.05) in the TL at END1. No significant changes in muscle metabolite concentrations were found for the UTL. The improved endurance of the contralateral limb after single-leg training could not be explained on the basis of changes in muscle metabolism.     

Eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage dissociates the lactate and gas exchange thresholds

We tested the hypothesis that exercise-induced muscle damage would increase the ventilatory (V(E)) response to incremental/ramp cycle exercise (lower the gas exchange threshold) without altering the blood lactate profile, thereby dissociating the gas exchange and lactate thresholds. Ten physically active men completed maximal incremental cycle tests before (pre) and 48 h after (post) performing eccentric exercise comprising 100 squats. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured breath-by-breath and fingertip blood sampled at 1-min intervals for determination of blood lactate concentration. The gas exchange threshold occurred at a lower work rate (pre: 136 ± 27 W; post: 105 ± 19 W; P < 0.05) and oxygen uptake (VO(2)) (pre: 1.58 ± 0.26 litres · min(-1); post: 1.41 ± 0.14 litres · min(-1); P < 0.05) after eccentric exercise. However, the lactate threshold occurred at a similar work rate (pre: 161 ± 19 W; post: 158 ± 22 W; P > 0.05) and VO(2) (pre: 1.90 ± 0.20 litres · min(-1); post: 1.88 ± 0.15 litres · min(-1); P > 0.05) after eccentric exercise. These findings demonstrate that exercise-induced muscle damage dissociates the V(E) response to incremental/ramp exercise from the blood lactate response, indicating that V(E) may be controlled by additional or altered neurogenic stimuli following eccentric exercise. Thus, due consideration of prior eccentric exercise should be made when using the gas exchange threshold to provide a non-invasive estimation of the lactate threshold.     

Effects of dynamic upper-body exercise on lower-limb isometric endurance

Following preliminary indications that in some individuals arm exercise enhanced rather than reduced simultaneous leg endurance, ten young men and women performed three forms of intermittent work to volitional exhaustion, under duty cycles of 45 s work, 15 s rest. The protocols were as follows: (A) knee extensions at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC); (B) 30% MVC knee extensions combined with arm cranking at 130% of their own lactate threshold; (C) combined 30% MVC knee extensions and arm cranking at 20% of their own lactate threshold. Heart rate, oxygen uptake (VO(2)), and blood lactate concentration were among the variables recorded throughout. All physiological indicators of demand were substantially higher in protocol B than in protocols A or C [heart rate: (A) 154 beats . min(-1), (B) 171 beats . min(-1), (C) 150 beats . min(-1); VO(2): (A) 11.9 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1), (B) 21.7 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1), (C) 14.2 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1); blood lactate concentration: (A) 3.3 mmol . l(-1), (B) 5.1 mmol . l(-1), (C) 2.8 mmol . l(-1)], yet there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the endurance times between the three conditions [(A) 11.43 min, (B) 11.1 min, (C) 10.57 min] and seven participants endured longest in protocol B. Results from protocol (C) cast doubt on explanations in terms of psychological distraction. We suggest that lactic acid produced by the arms is shuttled to the legs and acts there either as a supplementary fuel source or as an antagonist to the depressing effects of increased potassium concentration.     

Effect of cold water immersion on repeat cycling performance and thermoregulation in the heat

To assess the effect of cold water immersion and active recovery on thermoregulation and repeat cycling performance in the heat, ten well-trained male cyclists completed five trials, each separated by one week. Each trial consisted of a 30-min exercise task, one of five 15-min recoveries (intermittent cold water immersion in 10 degrees C, 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C water, continuous cold water immersion in 20 degrees C water or active recovery), followed by 40 min passive recovery, before repeating the 30-min exercise task. Recovery strategy effectiveness was assessed via changes in total work in the second exercise task compared with that in the first. Following active recovery, a mean 4.1% (s = 1.8) less total work (P = 0.00) was completed in the second than in the first exercise task. However, no significant differences in total work were observed between any of the cold water immersion protocols. Core and skin temperature, blood lactate concentration, heart rate, rating of thermal sensation, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded. During both exercise tasks there were no significant differences in blood lactate concentration between interventions; however, following active recovery blood lactate concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05; 2.0 +/- 0.8 mmol . l(-1)) compared with all cold water immersion protocols. All cold water immersion protocols were effective in reducing thermal strain and were more effective in maintaining subsequent high-intensity cycling performance than active recovery.     

Maximal lactate steady state in trained adolescent runners

The aims of this study were: (1) to identify the exercise intensity that corresponds to the maximal lactate steady state in adolescent endurance-trained runners; (2) to identify any differences between the sexes; and (3) to compare the maximal lactate steady state with commonly cited fixed blood lactate reference parameters. Sixteen boys and nine girls volunteered to participate in the study. They were first tested using a stepwise incremental treadmill protocol to establish the blood lactate profile and peak oxygen uptake (VO2). Running speeds corresponding to fixed whole blood lactate concentrations of 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0 mmol x l(-1) were calculated using linear interpolation. The maximal lactate steady state was determined from four separate 20-min constant-speed treadmill runs. The maximal lactate steady state was defined as the fastest running speed, to the nearest 0.5 km x h(-1), where the change in blood lactate concentration between 10 and 20 min was < 0.5 mmol x l(-1). Although the boys had to run faster than the girls to elicit the maximal lactate steady state (15.7 vs 14.3 km x h(-1), P < 0.01), once the data were expressed relative to percent peak VO2 (85 and 85%, respectively) and percent peak heart rate (92 and 94%, respectively), there were no differences between the sexes (P > 0.05). The running speed and percent peak VO2 at the maximal lactate steady state were not different to those corresponding to the fixed blood lactate concentrations of 2.0 and 2.5 mmol x l(-1) (P > 0.05), but were both lower than those at the 4.0 mmol x l(-1) concentration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the maximal lactate steady state corresponded to a similar relative exercise intensity as that reported in adult athletes. The running speed, percent peak VO2 and percent peak heart rate at the maximal lactate steady state are approximated by the fixed blood lactate concentration of 2.5 mmol x l(-1) measured during an incremental treadmill test in boys and girls.     

Effect of glucose polymer ingestion on energy and fluid balance during exercise

Nine male triathletes were studied during 160 min of exercise at 65% VO2 max on two occasions to examine the effect of glucose polymer ingestion on energy and fluid balance. During one trial they received 200 ml of a 10% glucose polymer solution at 20 min intervals during exercise (CHO), while in the other they received an equal volume of a sweet placebo (CON). On average, blood glucose levels (CON = 4.2 +/- 0.2 mmol l-1, CHO = 4.8 +/- 0.1, mean +/- S.E.) and respiratory exchange ratios (CON = 0.84 +/- 0.01, CHO = 0.87 +/- 0.01) during exercise were higher (P less than 0.05) as a result of the glucose polymer ingestion. There were no differences between trials, however, in the estimated plasma volume changes during exercise. Exercise time to exhaustion at an intensity corresponding to 110% VO2 max, performed 5 min after the submaximal exercise, was not influenced by glucose polymer ingestion. Relative to a control exercise bout conducted without prior exercise, however, sprint performance and postexercise blood lactate accumulation were impaired in both trials. It is concluded that glucose polymer ingestion maintains blood glucose levels and a high rate of carbohydrate oxidation during prolonged exercise, without compromising fluid balance.     

Maximal strength and power, muscle mass, endurance and serum hormones in weightlifters and road cyclists

Maximal strength, power, muscle cross-sectional area, maximal and submaximal cycling endurance characteristics and serum hormone concentrations of testosterone, free testosterone and cortisol were examined in three groups of men: weightlifters (n = 11), amateur road cyclists (n = 18) and age-matched controls (n = 12). Weightlifters showed 45-55% higher power values than road cyclists and controls, whereas the differences in maximal strength and muscle mass were only 15% and 20%, respectively. These differences were maintained when average power output was expressed relative to body mass or relative to muscle cross-sectional area. Road cyclists recorded 44% higher maximal workloads, whereas submaximal blood lactate concentration was 50-55% lower with increasing workload than in controls and weightlifters. In road cyclists, workloads associated with blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol.l-1 were 50-60% higher and occurred at a higher percentage of maximal workload than in weightlifters or controls. Basal serum total testosterone and free testosterone concentrations were lower in elite amateur cyclists than in age-matched weightlifters or untrained individuals. Significant negative correlations were noted between the individual values of maximal workload, workloads at 2 and 4 mmol.l-1 and the individual values of muscle power output (r = -0.37 to -0.49), as well as the individual basal values of serum total testosterone and free testosterone (r = -0.39 to -0.41). These results indicate that the specific status of the participants with respect to training, resistance or endurance is important for the magnitude of the neuromuscular, physiological and performance differences observed between weightlifters and road cyclists. The results suggest that, in cycling, long-term endurance training may interfere more with the development of muscle power than with the development of maximal strength, probably mediated by long-term cycling-related impairment in anabolic hormonal status.     

Influence of single‐leg training on muscle metabolism and endurance during exercise with the trained limb and the untrained limb

We have previously shown that single‐leg training results in improved endurance for exercise with the untrained leg (UTL) as well as for exercise with the trained leg (TL). The purpose of this study was to see whether the improved endurance of the untrained leg could be explained on the basis of changes in muscle metabolism. Exercise time to exhaustion at 80% of maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) was determined for each leg separately, pre‐ and post‐training. Muscle metabolite concentrations were measured pre‐ and post‐training in biopsy samples obtained immediately before this endurance test and at the pre‐training point of exhaustion (END1). After six weeks of single‐leg training endurance time was increased for both the UTL and the TL (UTL 34.0+16.4 min vs 97.9±26.3 min, P<0.01; TL 28.3 + 10.1 min vs 169.0 + 32.6 min, P < 0.01). No changes in muscle metabolite concentrations were found in resting muscle. Training increased muscle ATP (P <0.05) and glycogen (P <0.01) concentrations and decreased muscle lactate concentration (P<0.05) in the TL at END1. No significant changes in muscle metabolite concentrations were found for the UTL. The improved endurance of the contralateral limb after single‐leg training could not be explained on the basis of changes in muscle metabolism.     

冠心病人康复训练后有氧工作能力和心肌供氧的变化

目的：探讨康复训练后冠心病人进行定量负荷运动时有氧工作能力和心肌供氧的变化，以此为康复效果的评估提供依据。方法：25名男性冠心病人参加了12周有氧多样化运动康复训练，训练前、后对他们在递增负荷运动中的生理和临床指标进行了测定。结果：1）反映冠脉血流和心肌耗氧量的指标RPP，康复训练前在跑台的V级负荷时已超过200，康复训练后增加幅度则有显著下降（P〈0．01）；2）康复训练前受试者的血乳酸浓度（BL）在Ⅳ级运动负荷之后出现了突增（达到4．6mmol／L），而康复训练后他们运动中的BL增加平缓，始终保持较低水平；3）康复训练前在V级运动负荷时受试者的ST下降达到-0．9mm水平，这已接近心肌缺血的阈值，训练后心肌供血出现了明显的改善。结论：康复训练前冠心病人运动中反映运动系统缺氧的BL突增领先于心肌缺血阈值的到达；与康复训练前相比，康复训练后冠心病人在进行相同负荷运动时显示出有氧工作能力有所增强，心肌供氧状况有所改善。     

The effects of combined glucose-electrolyte and sodium bicarbonate ingestion on prolonged intermittent exercise performance

This study examined the effects of combined glucose and sodium bicarbonate ingestion prior to intermittent exercise. Ninemales (mean ± s age 25.4 ± 6.6 years, body mass 78.8 ± 12.0 kg, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max)) 47.0 ± 7 ml · kg · min(-1)) undertook 4 × 45 min intermittent cycling trials including 15 × 10 s sprints one hour after ingesting placebo (PLA), glucose (CHO), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or a combined CHO and NaHCO3 solution (COMB). Post ingestion blood pH (7.45 ± 0.03, 7.46 ± 0.03, 7.32 ± 0.05, 7.32 ± 0.01) and bicarbonate (30.3 ± 2.1, 30.7 ± 1.8, 24.2 ± 1.2, 24.0 ± 1.8 mmol · l(-1)) were greater for NaHCO3 and COMB when compared to PLA and CHO, remaining elevated throughout exercise (main effect for trial; P < 0.05). Blood lactate concentration was greatest throughout exercise for NaHCO3 and COMB (main effect for trial; P < 0.05). Blood glucose concentration was greatest 15 min post-ingestion for CHO followed by COMB, NaHCO3 and PLA (7.13 ± 0.60, 5.58 ± 0.75, 4.51 ± 0.56, 4.46 ± 0.59 mmol · l(-1), respectively; P < 0.05). Gastrointestinal distress was lower during COMB compared to NaHCO3 at 15 min post-ingestion (P < 0.05). No differences were observed for sprint performance between trials (P = 1.00). The results of this study suggest that a combined CHO and NaHCO3 beverage reduced gastrointestinal distress and CHO availability but did not improve performance. Although there was no effect on performance an investigation of the effects in more highly trained individuals may be warranted.     

Sodium lactate infusion during a cycling time-trial does not increase lactate concentration or decrease performance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether an exogenous sodium lactate infusion increases blood lactate concentration and decreases performance during a 20-km time-trial. Highly trained male cyclists performed a 20-km time-trial with a saline (control) or sodium lactate infusion. Sodium lactate was infused at rates previously observed to raise blood lactate concentration by 2 mmol·l^?1 in trained individuals cycling at 65% of maximum oxygen uptake. Blood lactate concentration increased (P≤0.0001) during both the control and sodium lactate trials compared with rest, with peak values of 9.6 and 10.6 mmol·l^?1, respectively. The increase in sodium lactate over time was not significantly different from the control (P=0.34). Time to complete the time-trial and average power for the time-trial were not significantly different between the control (25.72±0.80 min; 348.0±32.4 W) and sodium lactate trials (25.58±0.93 min; 352.6±39.3 W). In addition, rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and respiratory parameters did not differ between trials. In conclusion, when exogenous lactate is infused during a 20-km cycling time-trial, an exercise bout performed above the maximal lactate steady state, blood lactate concentration did not increase. Furthermore, exogenous lactate infusion did not decrease exercise performance, increase perceived exertion, or change respiratory parameters. Because lactate per se did not change performance outcomes or measured perceived exertion, we suggest that alternative objective measures of exercise intensity and performance be explored.     

Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed

The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of the lactate minimum speed test to changes in endurance fitness resulting from a 6 week training intervention. Sixteen participants (mean +/- s: age 23+/-4 years; body mass 69.7+/-9.1 kg) completed 6 weeks of endurance training. Another eight participants (age 23+/-4 years; body mass 72.7+/-12.5 kg) acted as non-training controls. Before and after the training intervention, all participants completed: (1) a standard multi-stage treadmill test for the assessment of VO2max, running speed at the lactate threshold and running speed at a reference blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol x l(-1); and (2) the lactate minimum speed test, which involved two supramaximal exercise bouts and an 8 min walking recovery period to increase blood lactate concentration before the completion of an incremental treadmill test. Additionally, a subgroup of eight participants from the training intervention completed a series of constant-speed runs for determination of running speed at the maximal lactate steady state. The test protocols were identical before and after the 6 week intervention. The control group showed no significant changes in VO2max, running speed at the lactate threshold, running speed at a blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol x l(-1) or the lactate minimum speed. In the training group, there was a significant increase in VO2max (from 47.9+/-8.4 to 52.2+/-2.7 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)), running speed at the maximal lactate steady state (from 13.3+/-1.7 to 13.9+/-1.6 km x h(-1)), running speed at the lactate threshold (from 11.2+/-1.8 to 11.9+/-1.8 km x h(-1)) and running speed at a blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol x l(-1) (from 12.5+/-2.2 to 13.2+/-2.1 km x h(-1)) (all P < 0.05). Despite these clear improvements in aerobic fitness, there was no significant difference in lactate minimum speed after the training intervention (from 11.0+/-0.7 to 10.9+/-1.7 km x h(-1)). The results demonstrate that the lactate minimum speed, when assessed using the same exercise protocol before and after 6 weeks of aerobic exercise training, is not sensitive to changes in endurance capacity.     

Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed

The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of the lactate minimum speed test to changes in endurance fitness resulting from a 6 week training intervention. Sixteen participants (mean +/- s :age 23 +/- 4 years;body mass 69.7 +/- 9.1 kg) completed 6 weeks of endurance training. Another eight participants (age 23 +/- 4 years; body mass 72.7 +/-12.5 kg) acted as non-training controls. Before and after the training intervention, all participants completed: (1) a standard multi-stage treadmill test for the assessment of VO 2max , running speed at the lactate threshold and running speed at a reference blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol.l -1 ; and (2) the lactate minimum speed test, which involved two supramaximal exercise bouts and an 8 min walking recovery period to increase blood lactate concentration before the completion of an incremental treadmill test. Additionally, a subgroup of eight participants from the training intervention completed a series of constant-speed runs for determination of running speed at the maximal lactate steady state. The test protocols were identical before and after the 6 week intervention. The control group showed no significant changes in VO 2max , running speed at the lactate threshold, running speed at a blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol.l -1 or the lactate minimum speed.In the training group, there was a significant increase in VO 2max (from 47.9 +/- 8.4 to 52.2 +/- 2.7 ml.kg -1 .min -1 ), running speed at the maximal lactate steady state (from 13.3 +/- 1.7 to 13.9 +/- 1.6 km.h -1 ), running speed at the lactate threshold (from 11.2 +/- 1.8 to 11.9 +/- 1.8 km.h -1 ) and running speed at a blood lactate concentration of 3 mmol.l -1 (from 12.5 +/- 2.2 to 13.2 +/- 2.1 km.h -1 ) (all P ? 0.05). Despite these clear improvements in aerobic fitness, there was no significant difference in lactate minimum speed after the training intervention (from 11.0 +/- 0.7 to 10.9 +/- 1.7 km.h -1 ). The results demonstrate that the lactate minimum speed,when assessed using the same exercise protocol before and after 6 weeks of aerobic exercise training, is not sensitive to changes in endurance capacity.