Lactate Testing to Improve Performance

In a recent blog post, CLICK HERE

we discussed what lactate is and the importance of its production. In order to determine our individual lactate thresholds we need to perform an exercise test.

How is a lactate threshold test performed?

Lactate testing requires a lactate meter and lactate test strips to perform. We begin by taking a baseline blood lactate reading which should be below or at 1.5 mM. We can perform either a running (treadmill) or cycling test depending on your preference. We track speed/power, heart rate, and perceived rating of exertion throughout the test. Using a recent race or hard workout, we then estimate the start of a graded and incremental exercise test. Every 5 minutes, we take a blood lactate reading. We then analyze the data for the critical change in blood lactate to determine your aerobic threshold. Past this point, exercise becomes more strenuous and is more difficult to recover from. When starting an aerobic exercise program or endurance training, we need a mixture of sub threshold training and above threshold training.

Reach out to us if you’re interested in performing a lactate exercise test to improve your performance!