Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anaerobic threshold in children: determination from saliva analysis in field tests

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the anaerobic threshold of children by the analysis of saliva collected during field tests. A group of 25 children (mean age, 10.5 years) performed an incremental exercise test on a track, consisting of 4-min stages at increasing running velocities. Before each test (at rest) and at the end of each stage, both blood (via finger pricks) and saliva samples (for measurement of salivary concentrations of Na+ and Cl−) were collected to determine lactate threshold (Th1a-) and saliva threshold (Thsa), respectively. There were no significant differences between values of Th1a- and Thsa when expressed either as running velocity [mean Th1a-, 10.73 (SD 1.96) km · h−1; mean Thsa, 10.89 (SD 1.69) km · h−1] or heart rate [Th1a-, 182(SD 14) beats · min−1 Thsa 183 (SD 11) beats · min−1]. In addition, correlations between Thsa and Th1a were high, when both values were expressed as running velocity in kilometres per hour (r = 0.89;P < 0.001), or heart rate in beats per minute (r = 0.90;P < 0.001). In conclusion, these findings suggested that saliva analysis would be a valid method for anaerobic threshold determination in field tests.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson LC, Garret JR, Johnson DA, Kauffman DL, Keller PJ, Thulin A (1984) Influence of circulating catecholamines on protein secretion into rat parotid saliva during parasympathetic stimulation. J Physiol (Lond) 352:163–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Asking B, Gjörstrup P (1980) Amylase secretion in response to activation of different autonomic receptors in the rabbit parotid gland. Acta Physiol Scand 109:407–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Baum BJ (1993) Principles of saliva secretion. In: Malamud D, Tabak L (eds) Saliva as a diagnostic fluid. Ann NY Acad Sci 694:17–23

  • Berne RM, Levy MN (1988) Gastrointestinal secretions. In: Berne R (ed) Physiology, 2nd edn. Mosby, St. Louis, pp 684–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomfield J, Rush AR, Alars HM (1976) Interrelationships between flow rate, amylase, calcium, sodium, potassium, and inorganic phosphate in stimulated human parotid saliva. Arch Oral Biol 21:645–650

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper DM, Weiler-Ravell D, Whipp BJ, Wasserman K (1984) Aerobic parameters of exercise as a function of body size during growth in children. J Appl Physiol 56: 628–634

    Google Scholar 

  • Chicharro JL, Legido JC, Alvarez J, Serratosa L, Gamella C (1994) Saliva electrolytes as a useful tool for anaerobic threshold determination. Eur J Appl Physiol 68:214–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawes C, Jenkins GN (1964) The effects of different stimuli on the composition of saliva in man. J Physiol 170: 86–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawes C (1974) Rhythms in salivary flow rate and composition. Int J Chronobio 12:253–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawes C (1981) The effects of exercise on protein and electrolyte secretion in parotid saliva. J. Physiol 320:139–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Dehaye JP, Turner RJ (1991) Isolation and characterization of rat submandibular intralobular ducts. Am J Physiol 261: C490-C496

    Google Scholar 

  • Denniss AR, Schneyer LH, Sucanthapree C, Young JA (1978) Actions of adrenergic agonists on isolated excretory ducts of submandibular glands. Am J Physiol 235: F548-F556

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleim GW, Zabetakis PM, Depasquale EE, Michelis MF, Nicholas JA (1984) Plasma osmolarity, volume and renin activity at the “anaerobic threshold”. J Appl Physiol 52:991–994

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagberg JM, Coyle EF, Carroll JE, Miller JM, Martin WH, Brooke MH (1982) Exercise hyperventilation in patients with McArdle's disease. J Appl Physiol 52:991–994

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones NL, McCartney N, Graham T, Spriet LL, Kowalchuck JM, Heigenhaiser GJF, Sutton J (1985) Muscle performance and metabolism in maximal isokinetic cycling at slow and fast speeds. J Appl Physiol 59:132–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Kindermann W, Simon G, Keul J (1979) The significance of the aerobic-anaerobic transition for the determination of work load intensities during endurance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 42:25–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann M, Schmid P, Keul J (1985) Plasma catecholamines and blood lactate accumulation during incremental exhaustive exercise. Int J Sports Med 6: 78–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin SL, Khaikina LI (1987) Is there neural control over electrolyte reabsorption in the human salivary gland? Clin Sci 72:541–548

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark AL, Victor RG, Nerhed C, Wallin BG (1985) Microneurographic studies of the mechanisms of sympathetic nerve responses to static exercise in humans. Circ Res 57:461–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazzeo RS, Marshall PM (1989) Influence of plasma catecholamines on the lactate threshold during graded exercise. J Appl Physiol 67:1319–1322

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray CHA, Mark AL (1993) Augmentation of muscle sympathetic nerve activity during fatiguing isometric leg exercise. J Appl Physiol 75:228–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray SL, Lewis SF, Haller RG, Bertocci LA, Victor RG (1985) Microneurographic studies of the mechanisms of sympathetic nerve responses to static exercise in humans. Circ Res 57:461–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Reybrouck T, Weymans M, Stijns H, Knops J, Van der Hauwaert L (1985) Ventilatory anaerobic threshold in healthy children. J Appl Physiol 54:278–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Saito M, Mano T, Abe H, Iwase S (1986) Responses in muscle sympathetic activity to sustained hand-grips of different tensions in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 55:493–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Saito M, Tsukanaka A, Yanagihara D, Mano T (1993) Muscle sympathetic nerve response to gradual leg cycling. J Appl Physiol 75:663–667

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneyer LH (1976) Sympathetic control of Na, K transport in perfused submaxillary main duct of rat. Am J Physiol 230:341–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Seals DR, Chase PB, Taylor JA (1988) Autonomic mediaton of the pressor responses to isometric exercise in humans. J Appl Physiol 64:2190–2196

    Google Scholar 

  • Shannon IL, Prigmore JR (1960) Parotid fluid flow rate. Its relationship to pH and chemical composition. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 13:1488–1500

    Google Scholar 

  • Thaysen JH, Thorn HA, Schwartz IL (1959) Excretion of sodioum, potassium, chloride and carbon dioxide in human parotid saliva. Am J Physiol 178:155–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Victor RG, Seals DR, Mark AL (1987) Differential control of heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity during dynamic exercise. J Clin Invest 79: 508–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Weltman A, Snead D, Stein P, Seip R, Schurrer R, Rutt R, Weltman J (1990) Reliability and validity of a continuous incremental treadmill protocol for the determination of lactate threshold, fixed blood lactate concentrations, and VO2max. Int J Sports Med 11:26–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Whip BJ, Davis JA, Torres F, Wasserman K (1981) A test of determine parameters of aerobic function during exercise. J Appl Physiol 50:217–221

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Escuela de Medicina del Deporte, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Pabellón 6 planta 5, E-28040, Madrid, Spain

    J. L. Chicharro, J. Alvarez, A. F. Vaquero & J. C. Legido

  2. Departamento de Fisiologiá Y Farmacología, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, Spain

    F. Calvo

  3. Fundación Laboral INI, Madrid, Spain

    F. Bandrés

Authors
  1. J. L. Chicharro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Calvo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Alvarez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. F. Vaquero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. Bandrés
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. C. Legido
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chicharro, J.L., Calvo, F., Alvarez, J. et al. Anaerobic threshold in children: determination from saliva analysis in field tests. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 70, 541–544 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00634384

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00634384

Key words

Search

Navigation