Summary
In an attempt to develop a submaximal exercise test protocol for the evaluation of physical work capacity, the blood lactate responses to an incremental and an acute exercise protocol have been investigated. Twelve males performed two cycle ergometer exercise tests: (1) a continuous, incremental (IncEx) protocol with 50 W steps every 4 min to exhaustion; (2) an acute exercise bout (AcEx) for 7 min at 200 W. Blood lactate concentration was determined for every stage of the IncEx protocol and after 4, 5, 6, and 7 min of the AcEx protocol. Time to exhaustion was correlated with the power output calculated to elicit 4 mmol×l−1 blood lactate with IncEx and with the lactate concentration measured 6 min after the onset of AcEx. These two parameters were related to both the percentage of slow twitch fibres and the capillary density in the M. vastus lateralis. The data are interpreted as suggesting that, with regard to lactate accumulation during IncEx, training status starts to exert its effects at relatively low exercise intensities. In addition, those factors which contribute to a delay in lactate accumulation during IncEx also contribute to the ability to avoid high blood lactate concentrations after AcEx. The lactate response to an acute, submaximal exercise bout offers a viable alternative to maximal exercise testing for mass testing of endurance.
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Jacobs, I., Sjödin, B. & Schéle, R. A single blood lactate determination as an indicator of cycle ergometer endurance capacity. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 50, 355–364 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423241
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423241