scholarly journals The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot O. Hering ◽  
Jens Stepan

The lactate threshold (LT) and the strongly related maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) are critical for physical endurance capacity and therefore of major interest in numerous sports. However, their relevance to individual swimming performance is not well understood. We used a custom-made visual light pacer for real-time speed modulation during front crawl to determine the LT and MLSSW in a single-exercise test. When approaching the LT, we found that minute variations in swimming speed had considerable effects on blood lactate concentration ([La−]). The LT was characterized by a sudden increase in [La−], while the MLSSW occurred after a subsequent workload reduction, as indicated by a rapid cessation of blood lactate accumulation. Determination of the MLSSW by this so-called “individual lactate threshold” (ILT)-test was highly reproducible and valid in a constant speed test. Mean swimming speed in 800 and 1,500 m competition (S-Comp) was 3.4% above MLSSW level and S-Comp, and the difference between S-Comp and the MLSSW (Δ S-Comp/MLSSW) were higher for long-distance swimmers (800–1,500 m) than for short- and middle-distance swimmers (50–400 m). Moreover, Δ S-Comp/MLSSW varied significantly between subjects and had a strong influence on overall swimming performance. Our results demonstrate that the MLSSW determines individual swimming performance, reflects endurance capacity in the sub- to supra-threshold range, and is therefore appropriate to adjust training intensity in moderate to severe domains of exercise.

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-121
Author(s):  
David Michael Morris ◽  
Rebecca Susan Shafer

The authors sought to compare power output at blood lactate threshold, maximal lactate steady state, and pH threshold with the average power output during a simulated 20-km time trial assessed during cycle ergometry. Participants (N = 13) were trained male and female cyclists and triathletes, all permanent residents at moderate altitude (1,525–2,225 m). Testing was performed at 1,525 or 1,860 m altitude. Power outputs were determined during a simulated 20-km time trial (PTT), at blood pH threshold (PpHT), at maximal lactate steady state (PMLSS), and at blood lactate threshold determined by 2 methods: the highest power output that did not result in consecutive and continued increases in blood lactate concentrations from exercising baseline (PLT) and the highest power output that did not result in consecutive and continued increases of ≥1 mmol/L in blood lactate concentrations from exercising baseline (PLT1). PLT, PLT1, and PMLSS were all significantly lower than PpHT (p < .05) and PTT (p < .05). No significant difference was observed between PpHT and PTT (p > .05). Significant correlations were observed between each of the metabolic variables, PLT, PLT1, PMLSS, and PpHT, compared with PTT (p < .05). The authors conclude that, of the 4 metabolic variables, only PpHT offered an accurate reflection of PTT.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Faude ◽  
Anne Hecksteden ◽  
Daniel Hammes ◽  
Franck Schumacher ◽  
Eric Besenius ◽  
...  

The maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS) is frequently assessed for prescribing endurance exercise intensity. Knowledge of the intra-individual variability of the MLSS is important for practical application. To date, little is known about the reliability of time-to-exhaustion and physiological responses to exercise at MLSS. Twenty-one healthy men (age, 25.2 (SD 3.3) years; height, 1.83 (0.06) m; body mass, 78.9 (8.9) kg; maximal oxygen uptake, 57.1 (10.7) mL·min−1·kg−1) performed 1 incremental exercise test, and 2 constant-load tests to determine MLSS intensity. Subsequently, 2 open-end constant-load tests (MLSS 1 and 2) at MLSS intensity (3.0 (0.7) W·kg−1, 76% (10%) maximal oxygen uptake) were carried out. During the tests, blood lactate concentrations, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), variables of gas exchange, and core body temperature were determined. Time-to-exhaustion was 50.8 (14.0) and 48.2 (16.7) min in MLSS 1 and 2 (mean change: −2.6 (95% confidence interval: −7.8, 2.6)), respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) was high for time-to-exhaustion (24.6%) and for mean (4.8 (1.2) mmol·L−1) and end (5.4 (1.7) mmol·L−1) blood lactate concentrations (15.7% and 19.3%). The CV of mean exercise values for all other parameters ranged from 1.4% (core temperature) to 8.3% (ventilation). At termination, the CVs ranged from 0.8% (RPE) to 11.8% (breathing frequency). The low reliability of time-to-exhaustion and blood lactate concentration at MLSS indicates that the precise individual intensity prescription may be challenging. Moreover, the obtained data may serve as reference to allow for the separation of intervention effects from random variation in our sample.


2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Lajoie ◽  
Louis Laurencelle ◽  
François Trudeau

Changes in physiological variables during a 60-min continuous test at maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) were studied using highly conditioned cyclists (1 female and 9 males, aged 28.3 ± 8.1 years). To determine power at MLSS, we tested at 8-min increments and interpolated the power corresponding to a blood lactate value of 4 mmol/L. During the subsequent 60-min exercise at MLSS, we observed a sequential increase of physiological parameters, in contrast to stable blood lactate. Heart rate drifted upward from beginning to end of exercise. This became statistically significant after 30 min. From 10-60 min of exercise, a change of + 12.6 ± 3.2 bpm was noted. Significant drift was seen after 30 min for the respiratory exchange ratio, after 40 min for the rate of perceived exertion using the Borg scale, and after 50 min for % [Formula: see text] and minute ventilation. This slow component of [Formula: see text] may be the result of higher recruitment of type II fibers. Key words: Rate of perceived exertion, heart rate, oxygen consumption, blood lactate, cycling


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Beneke ◽  
Hermann Heck ◽  
Helge Hebestreit ◽  
Renate M Leithäuser

The value of blood lactate concentration (BLC) measured during incremental load tests in predicting maximal lactate-steady-state (MLSS) workload has rarely been investigated in children. In 17 children and 18 adults MLSS was 4.1 ± 0.9mmol 1.1. Workload at BLC of 3.0mmol 1.1 determined during an incremental load test explained about 80% of the variance (p < .001) and best predicted MLSS workload independent of age. This was despite the increase in power per time related to maximum incremental load test power being higher (p < .001) in children than in adults. The BLC response to given exercise intensities is faster in children without affecting MLSS.


Author(s):  
Ioannis S. Nikitakis ◽  
Argyris G. Toubekis

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to define the most appropriate method for the calculation of the speed corresponding to lactate threshold (sLT) in male swimmers. Eight boys and eight adolescents (age: 11.4±0.5 and 15.8±0.8 years) performed 7×200-m swimming front-crawl and after drawing the speed vs. lactate curve, the sLTs were calculated using five methods: i) the intersection of two linear regression lines, ii) visual inspection, iii) D-max, iv) D-max modified, v) intersection of combined linear and exponential regression lines. All methods were compared to the speed corresponding to maximal lactate steady state (sMLSS). Two to four 30-min efforts of continuous swimming at imposed constant pace were used for sMLSS calculation. In both groups, speed of D-max modified was similar to sMLSS (children, 1.061±0.073 vs. sMLSS: 1.071±0.072 m·s−1; p>0.05; effect size: ES=0.15, small; adolescents, 1.318±0.060 vs. sMLSS: 1.284±0.047 m·s−1; p>0.05; ES=0.64, medium). In adolescents, sLT calculated by intersection of two regression lines and by visual inspection presented medium ES (0.22–0.24) and were no different to sMLSS (1.296 ± 0.051, 1.295±0.053 m·s−1, p>0.05). When testing children, D-max modified is the most appropriate method to estimate sMLSS. The intersection of the linear regression lines and visual inspection are suggested for sMLSS determination in adolescents.


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