Relationship Between the Lactate Thresholds and Endurance Performance in Trained Runners
Loading...
Authors
DiMeo, Mauri T
Issue Date
2025
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The study explored the relationship between the aerobic threshold (AeT), anaerobic threshold (AnT), and endurance performance in trained runners. A total of 63 participants were tested and 52 were included (38 male, 14 female). They conducted a treadmill graded exercise test (GXT) to determine their AeT and AnT, as well as heart rate and blood lactate levels at each threshold. The participants were categorized into elite (D1 cross-country athletes and professional athletes) and recreational groups, with a minimum of two hours of running per week required for inclusion.The key findings were as follows:
• Significant differences were observed between elite and recreational runners in both speed and heart rate at the AeT and AnT. Specifically, elite athletes had higher speeds and heart rates at both thresholds.
• The percentage difference between AeT and AnT heart rates was significantly lower in the elite group (6.8% ± 2.1%) than the recreational group (8.9% ± 3%), indicating better lactate clearance and metabolic efficiency in elite runners.
The percent difference in heart rate was a valuable metric for comparing elite and recreational runners, with athletes outside the observed range (below 5% or above 9% difference) potentially indicating deficits in training. Above 9% indicating an athlete’s performance may be limited aerobically, while below 5% meaning they are anaerobically deficient, lacking the ability to produce more lactate. These findings suggest that the percentage difference between AeT and AnT heart rates may serve as an additional marker for endurance performance, especially for individualizing training prescriptions, because the percentage difference between threshold heart rates may show training deficits.