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The Agreement between Fatmax and the Gas-Exchange and Blood Lactate Thresholds: A Systematic Review and

Clorinda Hogan¹, Troy J Cross^1,2, Megan Tiong^1,2

¹Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, AUSTRALIA.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

|May 21, 2026

Summary

Maximal fat oxidation intensity (Fatmax) typically occurs at a lower exercise intensity than the lactate threshold/gas-exchange threshold (LT/GET). However, LT/GET can surrogate Fatmax in certain conditions, like in sedentary individuals or with specific testing protocols.

Keywords:

EXERCISE TESTING FUEL UTILISATION INDIRECT CALORIMETRY LACTATE MAXIMAL FAT OXIDATION VENTILATORY THRESHOLD

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Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Metabolic Adaptations
Sports Science

Background:

The relationship between maximal fat oxidation intensity (Fatmax) and exercise thresholds like lactate threshold/gas-exchange threshold (LT/GET) is of interest in sports performance and health.
Existing literature shows inconsistent agreement between Fatmax and LT/GET intensities.
This review systematically assesses the literature to clarify the relationship and identify moderating factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review and meta-analyze studies comparing exercise intensity at Fatmax versus LT/GET.
To determine if Fatmax occurs at the same intensity as LT/GET.
To investigate how study design and participant characteristics moderate the relationship between Fatmax and LT/GET.

Main Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases.
Studies reporting both Fatmax and LT/GET in healthy adults were included.
A random effects multilevel meta-analysis and univariate moderator analyses were performed.

Main Results:

The meta-analysis of 42 studies found Fatmax occurred at a significantly lower exercise intensity than LT/GET (approx. 5.78% V̇O2max lower).
Differences varied based on participant characteristics (age, sex, fitness), nutritional status, and study protocols.
Moderator analyses identified key factors influencing the Fatmax-LT/GET relationship.

Conclusions:

Fatmax generally occurs at a lower exercise intensity than LT/GET.
The difference is smaller in sedentary individuals (<20 years), with shorter fasting periods (<6 hours), and using treadmill-based, two-session protocols.
Under these specific conditions, LT/GET may serve as a practical surrogate for Fatmax when direct measurement is not feasible.