OBJECTIVE: To characterize the physiological responses of runners with different velocity abilities at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and to determine if 4 mmol•L-1 represent the same relative exercise intensity for each runner. METHODS: Eleven trained and twelve well-trained runners completed two running tests on treadmill: first, a maximal incremental lactate test to calculate OBLA (Test 1), and then another one at the corresponding OBLA until exhaustion (Test 2). Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were continuously measured and plotted as a percentage of time to exhaustion in Test 2 (TET2). The individual lactate threshold velocity (VLT) and lactate concentration ([La-1]LT) were calculated according to the D-max method. RESULTS: VOBLA and VLT were higher in well-trained runners (P<0.001). [La-1]LT was <4 mmol•L-1 in the well-trained runners (P<0.001), but not in the trained ones. Well-trained runners were faster at VOBLA than at VLT (P<0.001). Well-trained runners ran a shorter TET2 than the trained runners (P<0.05). Moreover, well-trained runners presented a higher respiratory rate at 50, 80 and 90% of TET2 and VO2 at 20-100% of TET2 (P<0.05). TET2 was inversely correlated (P<0.01) with VOBLA and positively with personal best 10-km performance (P<0.01). VOBLA was positively correlated with the %VO2max in Test 2 (P<0.01). The standard value (4 mmol•L-1) for the concentration of blood lactate seems to represent a different exercise intensity for runners of different athletic ability. CONCLUSION: VOBLA may not be accurate for the design of running training sessions or for evaluation of aerobic capacity.
athletes; OBLA; fatigue; exercise intensity; performance
