Comparison of ventilation and lactate threshold in elite athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the ventilation and lactate thresholds in elite athletes during incremental exercise test. Research methods: anaerobic threshold was detected with onset blood lactate accumulation and gas exchange methods (ventilation equivalent ratio for oxygen, VE/VO2) due to incremental load tests. Research results. The power and oxygen consumption at ventilation and lactate thresholds have been compared in 35 elite athletes, who specialized in endurance events by using treadmill, cycle, and rowing incremental tests. The lactate and ventilation thresholds have matched in 48,3 % events, in 19,0% the ventilation threshold has been determined previous to the lactate thresholds and the lactate thresholds have been determined previous to the ventilation thresholds in 32,7% cases. The power difference between lactate and ventilation thresholds has been within the range from 33,3 to 54,4 watt and oxygen consumption – from 2,6 to 6,9 ml·min·kg-1 (2,6–15,2%). The highest aerobic ability was revealed in athletes with simultaneous lactate and ventilation thresholds. Сonclusion. It is necessity to continue investigations of physiology mechanisms and biochemistry process of aerobic – anaerobic transitional zone for better theoretical understanding of anaerobic threshold nature. Several approaches must be used for correct anaerobic threshold definition of endurance events athletes.