Blood Lactate at 12 km/h and vOBLA as Predictors of Run Performance in Non-Endurance Athletes*

Abstract

Run velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (vOBLA) has been reported to be highly correlated with performance in endurance runs. From capillary blood samples taken during incremental treadmill running, vOBLA and the blood lactate concentration at a run speed of 12 km/h (Lai 2) were determined in a group of 11 men which excluded endurance athletes. The inter-relationships between these variables, 4-km run performance and maximal oxygen uptake (VChmax) were investigated. vOBLA and La 12 were highly correlated with one another (r = -0.95). Mean 4-km run speed was found to be closely related to vOBLA (r = 0.86), La 12 (r = -0.88) and V̇O₂max (r = 0.86). Reproducibility of both vOBLA and La12 was found to be good; test and re-test scores were highly correlated (r > 0.93) and did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The present study suggests that vOBLA may be a valid and reproducible predictor of run performance in individuals who are not endurance athletes. It was not, however, found to be better in these respects than La12, the measurement of which would be easier and less traumatic to the subject since it would require less blood sampling.

Key words

Endurance fitness - aerobic fitness - lactate - OBLA - running