Validation of a single-day maximal lactate steady state assessment protocol.
OBJECTIVE
The classical maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) assessment protocol takes multiple days to measure thus necessitates athletes to return to a laboratory for several visits. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of a new protocol (Palmer protocol), which proposes to measure MLSS in a single-day.


METHODS
Nine endurance-trained males (age 21.1 +/- 1.6 years, VO2max of 63.2 +/- 3.2 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) performed the Palmer protocol and the classical MLSS assessment protocol. The classical MLSS protocol consisted of several constant-velocity runs of increasing intensity. The MLSS was defined as the highest velocity associated with an increase in blood lactate concentration ([La-]) = or < 1.0 mmol x L (-1) during the final 20 min of a 30 min run. Concurrent validity was assessed by calculating a Pearson product correlation coefficient between the running velocity at MLSS from the classical protocol and from the single-day Palmer protocol. Test-retest reliability was assessed by calculating a Pearson product correlation coefficient between the running velocities from 2 separate trials of the single-day Palmer protocol.


RESULTS
The velocity at MLSS from the single-day Palmer protocol (236.4 +/- 27.8 m x min(-1)) produced a strong correlation of 0.97 (p<0.001) with the velocity at MLSS from the classical protocol (226.3 +/- 22.6 m x min(-1)). An equally strong correlation was calculated from test-retest reliability of the single-day Palmer protocol (r=0.97), (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the single-day Palmer protocol is valid and reliable in the estimation of MLSS.
Kuphal
K E
KE
Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Potteiger
J A
JA
Frey
B B
BB
Hise
M P
MP
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D019344:Lactic Acid