title: Validity of a single lactate measure to predict fixed lactate thresholds in athletes.
abstract: This study aimed to validate the use of a single blood lactate concentration measure taken following a 12 km h-1running stage (BLC12) to predict and monitor fixed blood lactate concentration (FBLC) thresholds. Three complementary studies were undertaken. Study I: the relationships between BLC12and the running speeds at FBLC of 3 mmol L-1(S3mM) and 4 mmol L-1(S4mM) measured during a multistage running field test were examined in 136 elite athletes. Study II: data from 30 athletes tested one year apart were used to test the predictive capacity of the equations obtained in Study I. Study III: 80 athletes were tested before and after an intensified training period to examine whether training-induced changes in FBLC thresholds could be predicted and monitored by BLC12. Study I: BLC12was significantly (P < 0.001) and inversely related to S3mM (R2= 0.89) and S4mM (R2= 0.95). Study II: prediction models yielded robust correlations between the estimated and measured FBLC thresholds (r = 0.94-0.99; P < 0.001). Study III: estimated changes predicted actual training-induced changes in FBLC thresholds (r = 0.81-0.91; P < 0.001). This study gives empirical support to use a single lactate measure during a sub-maximal running field test as a simple, low-cost and practical alternative to FBLC thresholds in athletes.
authors.affiliation: a Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre , Government of Navarre , Pamplona , Spain.
authors.forename: Ibai
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garcia-Tabar
authors.affiliation: a Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre , Government of Navarre , Pamplona , Spain.
authors.forename: Iñaki
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Llodio
authors.affiliation: a Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre , Government of Navarre , Pamplona , Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Medina
authors.affiliation: b Spanish Basque-ball Federation , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Xabier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Asiain
authors.affiliation: a Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre , Government of Navarre , Pamplona , Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ibáñez
authors.affiliation: a Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre , Government of Navarre , Pamplona , Spain.
authors.forename: Esteban M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gorostiaga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D056352:Athletes; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: OBLA; anaerobic threshold; elite athletes; endurance training; exercise testing