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Wearable Lactate Threshold Predicting Device is Valid and Reliable in Runners.
Nattai R Borges1, Matthew W Driller
11School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia; and2University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|July 27, 2016
Summary
A new wearable lactate threshold predicting device (WLT) shows high agreement and reliability when compared to traditional blood lactate analysis methods. This noninvasive tool is a practical option for predicting lactate threshold in runners.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Lactate threshold (LT) is a key physiological marker for endurance performance.
- Traditional LT assessment requires invasive blood sampling and laboratory equipment.
- Wearable technology offers a potential for noninvasive, field-based LT prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a wearable lactate threshold predicting device (WLT) against traditional LT assessment methods.
- To determine the interdevice and intradevice reliability of the WLT.
- To assess the WLT's practicality and noninvasiveness for runners.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen runners completed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion.
- Blood lactate samples were analyzed using five traditional methods to determine LT.
- The WLT's predicted LT workload was compared to traditional methods.
- Interdevice and intradevice reliability of the WLT were assessed in a subset of 12 participants.
Main Results:
- High to very high agreement (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] > 0.80) was found between WLT and traditional LT methods.
- WLT showed good validity with Total Error of Measurement (TEM) and mean differences between 3.9-10.2% and 1.3-9.4%.
- Excellent interdevice and intradevice reliability were observed (CV < 1.2%, TEM <0.2 km·h, ICC > 0.97).
Conclusions:
- The wearable lactate threshold predicting device (WLT) is a valid and reliable tool for predicting LT in runners.
- The WLT offers a practical, noninvasive alternative to traditional laboratory-based lactate threshold testing.
- This technology has the potential to aid in training prescription and performance monitoring for athletes.
