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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(10): 748-758
DOI: 10.1055/a-2328-3845
Training & Testing

Reassembling the Field-based Applicability of the Lactate Threshold for Old Age

Ibai Garcia-Tabar 
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Society Sports and Physical Exercise Research Group (GIKAFIT), Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
2   Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre (CEIMD), Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain, Pamplona, Spain
3   Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health group, Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health group. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
,
Maitane Ruiz-Rios
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Society Sports and Physical Exercise Research Group (GIKAFIT), Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
3   Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health group, Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health group. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
,
Cristina Martinez-Labari
2   Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre (CEIMD), Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain, Pamplona, Spain
,
Sara Maldonado-Martin 
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, Society Sports and Physical Exercise Research Group (GIKAFIT), Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
3   Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health group, Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health group. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
,
Juan Manuel Murias 
4   College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
,
Esteban M. Gorostiaga
2   Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre (CEIMD), Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain, Pamplona, Spain
› Author Affiliations Funding Information University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) — PIF21/160
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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the applicability of the Lactate Threshold (LT) to predict maximal oxygen uptake (˙VO2max) and demarcate the boundary between the moderate- to heavy-intensity domain (HRm-h) in old age in comparison to the most utilized methods. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted. Participants aged 61 to 77 performed a familiarization procedure, an incremental maximal exercise treadmill test (CPX) for ˙VO2max determination, the Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT), and a discontinuous incremental field test for LT determination. Lower (P<0.01) internal effort was required for LT testing (76±8%HRmax) compared to 6MWT (92±9%HRmax). The application of the 6MWT reference equations overestimated ˙VO2max by 10–23%. LTs better estimated the ˙VO2max (r ≈0.90, SEE: ≈3.0] compared to the 6MWT (r=0.68, SEE=5.5). HRm-h determined by the CPX differed (20%; P=0.001) from that obtained by LT. HRm-h stratification indicated participants fall into the very light to the vigorous intensity domains. LT testing is more submaximal than the 6MWT, and is a valuable tool to estimate the ˙VO2max in older male adults. Implementation of LT testing in physical activity programs might help improving the quality of aerobic exercise training in older men.

Keywords

aerobic threshold - cardiorespiratory exercise testing - endurance assessment - exercise-intensity domains - fixed-percentage approach


Publication History

Received: 30 January 2024

Accepted: 06 May 2024

Article published online:
03 July 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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