Anaerobic threshold determination with analysis of salivary amylase

The purpose of this study was to determine the anaerobic threshold from analysis of amylase concentration in total saliva during a laboratory exercise test. Each of 20 healthy young men performed both a submaximal and a maximal test on a treadmill. During the submaximal test, capillary blood and total saliva samples were collected for determination of anaerobic threshold (AT) and saliva threshold (Tsa), respectively. Tsa was defined as the point at which the first continuous increase in amylase concentration occurred during exercise. The results showed no significant difference between values of AT and Tsa when both were expressed either as running velocity or as heart rate. In addition, there existed a high correlation between AT and Tsa (r = .93, p < .001). It was therefore concluded that the analysis of amylase concentration in total saliva during exercise might be used as a valid new method for determining AT.