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Published on: January 28, 2020
Predicting maximal lactate steady state in children and adults
Ralph Beneke1, Hermann Heck, Helge Hebestreit
1Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, England, UK.
Pediatric Exercise Science
|February 5, 2010
Summary
Blood lactate concentration (BLC) measured during exercise tests effectively predicts maximal lactate-steady-state (MLSS) workload in children and adults. A BLC of 3.0 mmol/L during an incremental test is a reliable indicator, regardless of age.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Pediatric Sports Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Maximal lactate-steady-state (MLSS) workload is a key indicator of endurance capacity.
- Predicting MLSS workload in children using blood lactate concentration (BLC) during incremental tests is under-researched.
- Understanding BLC responses in children during exercise is crucial for performance assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of BLC during incremental load tests for MLSS workload in children.
- To compare the BLC response to exercise intensity between children and adults.
- To determine if BLC at a specific threshold reliably predicts MLSS workload irrespective of age.
Main Methods:
- 17 children and 18 adults underwent incremental exercise tests.
- Blood lactate concentration (BLC) was measured at various exercise intensities.
- Maximal lactate-steady-state (MLSS) workload was determined for each participant.
Main Results:
- MLSS workload was 4.1 +/- 0.9 mmol/L in both children and adults.
- Workload at a BLC of 3.0 mmol/L during incremental testing explained 80% of the variance in MLSS workload (p < .001).
- This predictive relationship was independent of age, despite children showing a higher increase in power relative to maximum incremental test power.
Conclusions:
- BLC measured during incremental exercise tests is a strong predictor of MLSS workload in children and adults.
- A BLC of 3.0 mmol/L during an incremental test serves as a reliable indicator for predicting MLSS workload across different age groups.
- Children exhibit a faster BLC response to exercise intensities compared to adults, without compromising the predictive accuracy of MLSS workload.
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