Factors influencing running speed on lactic acid threshold (lactate threshold) for male and female runners at different performance levels
Background for the study
The main purpose of the study was to find the relationship between lactic acid threshold or lactate threshold (LT, in % of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max)) and running speed at LT.
Another aim was to investigate the extent to which VO2max, the oxygen cost during running (running economy), and maximum aerobic speed (MAS=VO2max/running economy) determine the running speed of the LT. Our third aim was to investigate any differences between LT in % of VO2max and the running speed of LT between elite, national and exercise runners as well as study any gender differences.
The method used
37 men and 38 women participated in the study. They were tested on VO2max, LT, running speed at LT, and running economy. They had an average VO2max of 63 ml/kgxmin, and an average LT running speed of 13.6 km/h.
Conclusion
LT in % of VO2max did not determine running speed at LT. The product of MAS and LT, on the other hand, strongly determined the running speed of LT. There were no differences between elite, national or exercise runners with regard to LT, but the female runners had higher LT than the males. Female runners at the same relative performance level as men had lower VO2max and running speed at LT, but better running economy.
Practical consequences
Our results show that training to improve running speed on LT should focus on increasing VO2max and better running economy. To achieve such improvements, we would recommend high-intensity aerobic interval training (eg 4x4min) to improve VO2max and maximal strength training in squats (4x4 reps) to improve running economy.
Since running speed at LT is determined by MAS and not LT in % of VO2max we would suggest testing VO2max and running economy rather than LT to assess training progress among competitive runners.
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