title: Does the Friel Anaerobic Threshold Test Accurately Detect Heart Rate Deflection in Trained Cyclists?
abstract: The Friel Anaerobic Threshold Test (FATT) has been used to determine anaerobic threshold (AT). The FATT suggests AT occurs near the heart rate deflection point (HRDP) at a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 17.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary purpose of this study was to determine 1) whether the HRDP could be determined using the FATT, 2) examine differences between HRVT and HR that coincided Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 17, and 3) if riding position (hoods or aero) would influence performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen male cyclists (30.4 ± 7.41years of age; 151.8 ± 60.4 cycled miles/week) participated in the study. Each subject performed the FATT on two occasions within one week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings of this study suggest that the FATT can determine HRDP in trained cyclists while riding in the hoods position but not the aero position. No significant difference was found between the hoods and aero position for HRVT as measured by the metabolic cart. Our data suggest that HR at an RPE of 15 more accurately reflects the HRVT than the RPE of 17. A low, non-significant correlation was found for both the hoods and aero (0.41 and 0.44, respectively; p > 0.20) for the HR at RPE of 17.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study suggest that the FATT can determine HRDP in trained cyclists. However, HRDP was identified in the cyclists preferred riding position. When performing the FATT, HRVT at an RPE of 15 should be used to estimate VT over the suggested RPE of 17.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Holland Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy Education and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Willie K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: Georgia Holland Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy Education and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Shad R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Schreiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy Education, Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.affiliation: Georgia Holland Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy Education and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Janice K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Loudon
authors.affiliation: Georgia Holland Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy Education and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Billinger
keywords: Computrainer™; anaerobic capacity; lactate threshold; maximal steady state; tempo training