Structure

and
Function
of the
Muscular,
Neuromuscular,
Cardiovascular,
and Respiratory
Systems

Lactate Threshold

PHEC 192
CDR D. D. Peterson, MS, CSCS
Director, Aviation Survival Training Center

Lactate
Metabolite produced in the
muscle during the breakdown
of glucose
Previously thought a waste
product, but can be retained
by the muscle and used for
energy

Lactate, Cont.
Once formed in the muscle,
pyruvate has two possible
fates:
Lactate
Combine with coenzyme A
to form acetyl coA and is
used by the electron
transport chain (ETC) to
regenerate ATP

Lactate, Cont.
Lactate can also be absorbed
by the liver and be converted
back into glucose and
released into the bloodstream
to the working muscle
Process is called
gluconeogenesis

Lactate, Cont.
Production of large amounts of lactate indicates
the body is using its last line of defense to maintain
glycolytic ATP production
Further increase in work rate will overwhelm the
capacity for lactate production and result in
acidosis, a drop in NAD levels, and fatigue

 VO2max: maximum amount of oxygen that can be

utilized in one minute of maximal/exhaustive exercise
Lactate Threshold (LT): point in exercise at which
blood lactate starts to accumulate in the blood
blood lactate ~ 4 mmol / liter

Aerobic Threshold (AT): point in exercise just below

LT and is used to conserve energy
blood lactate ~ 2 mmol / liter

Ventilatory Threshold (VT): point in exercise where

the respiration rate (ventilation) starts to increase in a
non-linear fashion

LT vs. VO2Max

LT vs. AT

LT vs. VT

LT w/ Training

LT Testing

LT Testing, Cont.
The objective is to identify the exercise intensity at
which the body begins to relies heavily on glycolysis
Generally reached after ~ 12-20 minutes
Information can be used to:
Predict racing / training paces
Assess fitness
Assess efficacy of training program

Sample Sites for LT Testing

Finger Tips
Earlobes
Antecubital Vein

Means of Determining LT
0.5 and 1.0 mmlL-1 Criteria
Regression Analysis
D-Max Method
Maximal Lactate Steady State

0.5 and 1.0 mmlL-1 Criteria

Plots blood lactate concentrations against
respective work rates
LT is identified as the highest work rate that
does not result in a 0.5 or 1.0 mmolL-1
increase in blood lactate concentration in
response to at least two consecutive
increases in work rate

Regression Analysis
Divides lactate curve into two parts
Baseline (includes all lactate values up to the point at
which blood lactates levels begin to rise)
Exponential Portion (includes all values from inflection
point until test termination)
Separate regression analyses are performed on each portion
to generate two lines of best fit
LT is determined by drawing a vertical line to x-axis from
where the two lines of best fit intersect

D-Max Method
Requires subject to exercise until volitional
exhaustion
Plot all blood lactate levels then draw a straight
line connecting the first and last lactate values
Second line is drawn perpendicularly from the first
line to point on plotted lactate value that is farthest
from the first line

D-Max Method, Cont.

Third line is drawn downward from
intersection of the second line and plotted
lactate value until it intersects x-axis
LT is said to be the point at which the third
line intersects the x-axis
Considered to be the most accurate method
for estimating LT

Maximal Lactate Steady State

Monitors blood lactate during extended
periods of consistent exercise intensity in
order to identify the highest workload at
which blood lactate levels remain stable

LT Test Results

Questions?