Summary
Venous lactate concentration and ventilatory responses to progressively increased work rates were studied in 16 men who performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. In this test the characteristic curvilinear increase in venous lactate concentrations was observed. In addition to the anaerobic threshold (AT), a second breakpoint was observed and named the lactate turnpoint (LTP). Eight of the 16 subjects performed a second incremental exercise test initiated during lactic acidosis. In this test the direction of change in venous lactate concentrations was different. The work rate at which lactate concentrations again increased, after a steady decline (previously described as the AT2), was similar to the work rate established for the LTP in the first test. In the second test removal of lactate was demonstrated at work rates exceeding the AT. Although the lactate response to the two tests was different the pattern of change was similar, with the two breakpoints occurring at the same work rates. Collectively these results lend a measure of support to the hypothesis of a positive relationship between the AT, LTP, and a pattern of recruitment of motor units with different enzyme profiles. Both the AT and LTP were predictable from the ventilatory response to incremental exercise.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Davis JA, Vodak P, Wilmore JH, Vodak J, Kurtz P (1976) Anaerobic threshold and maximal aerobic power for three modes of exercise. J Appl Physiol 41: 544–550
Davis JA, Frank MH, Whipp BJ, Wasserman K (1979) Anaerobic threshold alterations caused by endurance training in middle aged men. J Appl Physiol: Respirat Environ Exercise Physiol 46: 1039–1046
Davis HA, Gass GC (1979) Blood lactate concentrations during incremental work before and after maximum exercise. Br J Sports Med 13: 165–169
Davis HA, Gass GC (1981) The anaerobic threshold as determined before and during lactic acidosis. Eur J Appl Physiol 47: 141–149
Davis HA, Gass GC, Eager D, Bassett J (1981) Oxygen deficit during incremental exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 47: 133–140
Gollnick PD, Hermansen L (1973) Biochemical adaptations to exercise: anaerobic metabolism. Exerc Sports Sci Rev 1: 1–43
Ivy JL, Withers RT, Van Handel PJ, Elger DH, Costill DL (1980) Muscle respiratory capacity and fiber type as determinants of the lactate threshold. J Appl Physiol: Respirat Environ Exercise Physiol 48(3): 523–527
Ritz E, Heidland A (1977) Lactic acidosis. Clin Nephrol 7: 231–240
Rowell LB (1974) Human cardiovascular adjustments to exercise and thermal stress. Physiol Rev 54: 75–157
Ryan TA, Joiner BL, Ryan BF (1976) Minitab Student handbook. Massachusetts, Duxbury Press, pp 148–193
Stamford BA, Weltman A, Fulco C (1978) Anaerobic threshold and cardiovascular responses during one — versus — two-legged cycling. Res Q 49: 351–362
Sutton JR, Jones NL (1979) Control of pulmonary ventilation during exercise and mediators in the blood: CO2 and hydrogen ion. Med Sci Sports 11: 198–203
Wasserman K, Whipp BJ, Koyal SN, Beaver WL (1973) Anaerobic threshold and respiratory gas exchange during exercise. J Appl Physiol 35: 236–243
Wasserman K, Whipp BJ, Davis JA (1981) Respiratory physiology of exercise: metabolism, gas exchange and ventilatory control. In: Widdicombe J (ed) MTP International review of physiology. Respiratory physiology III, vol 23. University Park Press, Baltimore, pp 149–211
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Davis, H.A., Bassett, J., Hughes, P. et al. Anaerobic threshold and lactate turnpoint. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 50, 383–392 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423244
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00423244