Relationship between optimal lactate removal power output and Olympic triathlon performance

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Biathlon Performance Analysis

Background:

• Efficient lactate removal is crucial for endurance athletes, particularly in triathlons.
• Understanding the relationship between exercise intensity, lactate kinetics, and race performance is key for optimizing training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal running velocity (V(r)) for lactate removal in triathletes.
• To investigate the correlation between V(r) at optimal lactate removal and overall triathlon race performance.

Main Methods:

• 10 male triathletes performed active recovery runs at three different velocities derived from their individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and individual ventilatory threshold (IVT).
• Capillary blood lactate levels were measured throughout the 30-minute recovery runs.
• Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between V(r) parameters and race times.

Main Results:

• The running velocity at the individual ventilatory threshold minus 50% DeltaT (IVT(-50%DeltaT)) was the most effective for lactate removal.
• Running velocities at IVT and IVT(-50%DeltaT) showed a strong correlation with cycle, run, and overall race times (p < 0.01).
• V(r) at IVT(-50%DeltaT) accounted for 76% of the variance in triathlon race time (r = 0.87, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

• The V(r) at which efficient lactate removal occurs is a significant predictor of triathlon race performance.
• Assessing V(r) at IVT and IAT can be a valuable tool for monitoring training adaptations and performance improvements in Olympic-distance triathletes.