Reply: On the Methodology of the Conconi Test

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between “anaerobic thresholds” obtained from incremental exercise testing and the maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS) in elite cyclists. Because the vast majority of cyclists use heart rate as an index of exercise intensity, we were particularly interested to find out the threshold procedure yielding the most precise prediction of heart rate corresponding with the MLSS. Dr. Grazzi and his co-workers criticize the test protocol we have used to eventually conclude that the “Conconi threshold” (deflection of the heart rate/power curve) is an inadequate method to predict MLSS exercise intensity. We acknowledge the criticism that we did not use the test procedures as originally described by Grazzi and his co-workers [[5]]. Thus, we cannot exclude that this procedure still might yield a good prediction of MLSS. However, it must at the same time be emphasized that experimental evidence is entirely missing which proves that the test protocol by Grazzi et al. allows to adequately predict MLSS heart rate or power output. In fact, the reliability and validity of the Conconi threshold principle has been a matter of debate at several earlier occasions [[2], [3], [7], [8]].