A lactate threshold test consists of a graded exercise protocol to simulate increased workload on the individual. This test can be done easily on a bike or treadmill and generally is 30-45 minutes in length. This test should be completed at the end of a recovery period so that the overall training fatigue is low and can be considered part of the training. The appearance of lactate in blood is measured from a pin prick on the finger with an analyzer that gives a reading in mmol/L (millimoles per liter). The information will reveal your Onset of Blood Lactate (Lactate Threshold) which will be used for the creation of your personalized & accurate Heart Rate/Power Zones.
COST:
Testing + Training zones = $150/ test or $250 for 2 tests
Testing, Training zones + 1 hour consultation = $200
Lactate Testing provides the most practical information for training in comparison to most other physiological testing on the market.
Lactate is the unique metabolic variable that indicates the capability of the muscles for an athletic performance. We emphasize "unique" in the preceding sentence because no other metabolic parameter provides the same information. Lactate is an output of the anaerobic process and a fuel for the aerobic process and levels of it in the blood during exrcise is indicative of the strength of each system. No other parameter provides this same information.
The ability of the muscles to reach a peak performance during an athletic event requires that the energy systems providing energy be "fine tuned" or "balanced" properly so that the athlete can generate the highest amount of energy per unit of time during a race. Proper training is what accomplishes this fine tuning or optimal balance and it is lactate testing that lets the coach know if the balance has been obtained or how each energy system must be trained in order to obtain the balance.
How Does Lactate Testing do This?
Provides a multi-dimensional profile of conditioning. Because lactate is produced by the anaerobic system and used by the aerobic system it is the only marker available for measuring each system. The amount of energy an athlete can produce per unit of time depends on the development of both systems which is why they have to be balanced. (Essentially this means training the anaerobic system to a level that is appropriate for the athlete's aerobic capacity.) This balance will depend upon the event for which the athlete is competing and will also depend upon which part of the training cycle the athlete is in. The closer the athlete gets to the "big" event the balance will have to be "fine tuned" for a peak performance.
Show adaptation in each system. Over time changes in blood lactate levels tell the coach what physiological adaptation has taken place in each system. It tells the coach which forms of training are working or not working. Training time becomes much more efficient as the athlete performs only workouts that work. Your analyzer becomes a "training compass" that "steers" each athlete in the right direction. It is much more relevant than heart rate monitoring which reflects a general overall body response to stress and doesn't necessarily reflect what is happening in the muscles or with the anaerobic system. It is much more versatile than VO2 testing which requires very expensive equipment and requires experts to administrate the test properly.
Teaches coaches and athletes what is required for a peak performance. Lactate testing is also a learning and motivating experience for coaches and athletes as they become much more aware of the interactions of variables and the other nuances that affect workouts as well as performance. Since the emphasis will be on training energy systems and not the use of very broad training zones, coaches will understand what works best for each energy system and why, what may be counter-productive and when and in what sequence various types of training are appropriate.
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