What is meant by the anaerobic threshold?

The anaerobic threshold is the intensity at which anaerobic energy production rises sharply and lactate starts to accumulate. The term is often used interchangeably with lactate threshold.

What is the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS)?

The MLSS is the highest intensity at which blood lactate stays stable over time. Lactate rises steadily above the MLSS, and fatigue soon follows.

Describe how a lactate threshold test is carried out.

The performer runs or cycles through a series of increasing stages, usually of three to four minutes. A small blood sample from the finger or earlobe is analysed for lactate at each stage.

How is the lactate threshold identified from test results?

Blood lactate is plotted against intensity for each stage. The threshold is the point where the curve leaves its flat baseline and begins to climb steeply.

What does a rightward shift of a runner's lactate curve after training show?

Blood lactate is lower at every speed, so the threshold now occurs at a faster pace. The runner can sustain a higher intensity before fatigue.

Edexcel A-Level Physical Education 9PE0

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Fitness Testing

Lactate and functional threshold testing

3 things to know
Component 1

Overview

The lactate and anaerobic thresholds, the maximal lactate steady state, lactate threshold testing and a rightward shift, functional threshold power and pace with a worked FTP, and the three determinants of endurance running.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What do the lactate threshold and the anaerobic threshold mean?

Evaluation

Evaluate blood lactate testing.

Key term

What is the lactate threshold?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is the lactate threshold?
Model answer
The lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which blood lactate first rises noticeably above resting levels. Below the lactate threshold, lactate is removed as fast as it is produced.
2
What is meant by the anaerobic threshold?
Model answer
The anaerobic threshold is the intensity at which anaerobic energy production rises sharply and lactate starts to accumulate. The term is often used interchangeably with lactate threshold.
3
What is the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS)?
Model answer
The MLSS is the highest intensity at which blood lactate stays stable over time. Lactate rises steadily above the MLSS, and fatigue soon follows.
4
Describe how a lactate threshold test is carried out.
Model answer
The performer runs or cycles through a series of increasing stages, usually of three to four minutes. A small blood sample from the finger or earlobe is analysed for lactate at each stage.
5
How is the lactate threshold identified from test results?
Model answer
Blood lactate is plotted against intensity for each stage. The threshold is the point where the curve leaves its flat baseline and begins to climb steeply.
6
What does a rightward shift of a runner's lactate curve after training show?
Model answer
Blood lactate is lower at every speed, so the threshold now occurs at a faster pace. The runner can sustain a higher intensity before fatigue.

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