The relationship between anaerobic running capacity and peak plasma lactate

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between anaerobic running capacity and peak plasma lactate. Twelve adult males (mean age +/- SD = 21.9 +/- 1.2 yrs) performed a critical velocity test from which anaerobic running capacity was determined and a maximal treadmill running test from which peak plasma lactate was determined from post-exercise blood samples taken at one minute intervals. The results indicated that anaerobic running capacity (mean +/- SD = 0.18 +/- 0.04 km) was not significantly (r = -0.06, p greater than 0.05) correlated with peak plasma lactate (9.3 +/- 1.8 mM). These findings do not support anaerobic running capacity as an indirect indicator of anaerobic capabilities.