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Effect of training on lactate/ventilatory thresholds: a meta-analysis
1Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65203, USA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Exercise intensity significantly improves lactate and ventilatory thresholds in sedentary individuals. Conditioned individuals may require higher intensity training for similar gains, and detraining reduces these thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Lactate and ventilatory thresholds are key indicators of exercise capacity.
- Understanding the impact of training intensity on these thresholds is crucial for optimizing exercise prescription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analyze the effect of exercise training intensity on lactate and ventilatory thresholds.
- To compare these effects in sedentary versus active (conditioned) individuals.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 34 studies, encompassing 85 study groups.
- Analysis of oxygen consumption at specified thresholds as the dependent variable.
- Independent variables included training intensity and fitness level (sedentary/conditioned).
Main Results:
- Sedentary subjects showed significant improvements in thresholds (effect size = 2.32) compared to controls (ES = 0.15).
- Conditioned subjects demonstrated nonsignificant gains (ES = 0.63).
- No significant differences in training intensity effects were found within fitness categories, though conditioned subjects trended towards better response with high-intensity training.
Conclusions:
- Training near the lactate or ventilatory threshold is adequate for sedentary individuals.
- Conditioned individuals may need higher intensity training to improve thresholds.
- Detraining leads to a reduction in lactate and ventilatory thresholds.