Reproducibility of post-exercise lactate and anaerobic threshold

To test the effect of previous strenuous training on lactate (LA) formation and on changes of lactate threshold (AT) values, a group of seven male athletes aged 26.3 +/- 9.2 years, height 184 +/- 6.2 cm, body weight 79.3 +/- 8.1 kg, percentage of body fat 8.8 +/- 3.7 and VO2 max 56.2 +/- 5.4 ml/kg were examined on a treadmill to the maximum in the morning after 2 days of rest, and after 2 consecutive days of strenuous training. The subjectively perceived rate of fatigue (SPF) in the morning prior to the exercise test was assessed by means of a 5-grade score. The values of LA max, AT, and SPF on day 1 were 11.06 +/- 2.4 mmol/l, 3.5 +/- 0.4 m/s, and 0.6 +/- 0.4, respectively. The corresponding values on day 2 were 8.8 +/- 1.7 mmol/l, 4.0 +/- 0.3 m/s, and 2.0 +/- 0.5, respectively. The values on day 3 were 8.6 +/- 1.1 mmol/l, 4.1 +/- 0.4 m/s, and 2.1 +/- 0.7, respectively. Statistically significant differences on the 1st day were found in LA max, AT, and SPF compared with days 2 and 3. No significant differences were found between the values for the 2nd and 3rd days. AT values for day 1 were significantly lower than those for days 2 and 3. A significantly higher level of SPF in the morning prior to the test procedure was observed on days 2 and 3 compared with day 1. The AT and SPF values for days 2 and 3 showed no significant difference.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)