Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 1991; 12(3): 305-308
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024686
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Physiological Responses at the Fatigue Threshold

T. J. Housh, G. O. Johnson, S. L. McDowell, D. J. Housh, M. Pepper
  • Center for Youth Fitness and Sports Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the oxygen consumption, heart rate and plasma lactate responses at the fatigue threshold (FT) and estimate the length of time the FT could be maintained. Ten adult males (x̄ age ± SD = 21.1 ± 1.3 yrs) volunteered to perform a maximal treadmill test and FT test. During the maximal test, V̇O2, heart rate and plasma lactate measurements were taken. The results of the investigation indicated that the FT (14.0 ± 1.2 km·hr-1, 197 ± 8 bpm; 47.5 ± 5.7 ml/kg·min -1; 5.4 ± 1.3 mM) was very close to a maximal effort (V̇O2max = 14.4 ± 1.2 km·hr-1; 203 ± 10 bpm; 49.5 ±6.1 ml/kg·min-1; 7.4 ± 2.1 mM) and could be maintained for only 0.16 to 0.28 hrs. These findings do not support the validity of the FT as a measure of the maximal running velocity that can be continued for an extended period of time without exhaustion.

Key words

Fatigue threshold - V̇O2max - physiological responses

      >