Heart Rate/Lactate Threshold Confusion

pauln99

I've recently had a lab test to determine by vo2max, lactate threshold etc.

Part of the motivation was to use the resulting lactate threshold value to help me more specifically target my training.

The results

Max heart rate : 182 bpm (the most ever recorded in 'normal' riding is 184)
Lactate threshold : 160 bpm
V02max : 71.5 at 180 bpm

Maybe I misunderstand the lactate threshold but I was of the belief that this should guide me to the maximal long term (1 hour +) effort that I should be able to sustain.

However, I seem to be able to sustain much higher heart rates. For example a 175bpm average for well over an hour (1hr12 to be precise) in a time trial and routinely 170+ on my turbo trainer.

My point - apologies for wittering - is that my maximal sustainable efforts seem beyond the expectation possible relative to my max heart rate and lactate threshold.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Paul

Alex_Simmons/RST

Lactate threshold is equivalent to an effort level that one could sustain for several hours.

170 bpm avg for TT / 184 bpm max = 92%, so that's within reason for a TT level effort.

175 is getting up there but not unbelievable. Weather, hydration, motivation, drugs (e.g caffeine) amongst a multitude of other things can have an impact on HR.

onabike

My max HR is 183. This is the highest I've ever seen on a ride ( right at the end of a 10 mile TT when my eyes are bulging) and is also exactly that estimated by my Polar HR test.

Average HR in a 10 TT = 178 bpm, or 96% of Max.
In a 25 TT = 172bpm, or 91% Max.

So not so different to yours, but high when compared to most.

pauln99

Any thoughts on where i should aim my training if i want to calculate my training zones relative to my lactate threshold?

Given that the 'real' figure - not that I'm suggesting there is a single, accurate magic number - lies somewhere between 160 and 175 (depending on definition - lab -v- actual sustainable effort) it seems to me I could easily end up working too hard or overworking.

Cheers

Paul

Alex_Simmons/RST

Well since you know that 175bpm is an average value for a hard 1 hr effort, then see here for some guidance on training levels:

http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/power411/levels.asp
It shows rough equivalent HR levels based on your TT HR.

fuzzynavel

Alex_Simmons/RST wrote:

Well since you know that 175bpm is an average value for a hard 1 hr effort, then see here for some guidance on training levels:

http://www.cyclingpeakssoftware.com/power411/levels.asp
It shows rough equivalent HR levels based on your TT HR.

According to that link I am working at around lactate threshold during my gym sessions.

186bpm highest recorded HR, 176 BPM over an hour at 310 Watt average on an undulating course. Was hard going but with a little will power I could get the wattage higher...I give up too easily before my body does! Hopefully I am not pushing myself too hard.

keith-a

Were you tested at Glasgow Uni by any chance? I took part in a lactate study there that measured the lower end threshold, ie when lactate starts to build up, as opposed to the upper limit. Mine was at 155bpm.

I don't pretend to be an expert on these matters, but is that not a bloody good VO2 max you've got?

pauln99

keith

no, not glasgow uni.

i had a really interesting session at v02fortri

http://www.vo2fortri.com/index.htm

chap called peter. great guy.

not sure how good the v02max is - pretty good i think, but i don't have much to compare with.

cheers

paul

Alex_Simmons/RST

Assuming the measure is 71.5 ml/kg/min and it's accurate, then yes that's very good.

In a study of the characteristics male professional road cyclists*, the VO2 Max for 24 subjects ranges from ~ 70 - 85 ml/kg/min with a mean of ~ 79 ml/kg/min.

However, a high VO2 Max, while a necessary component to be a pro or high category cyclist, is not in itself a determinant of performance potential. Power to weight at LT is a better physiological indicator of performance potential.

Of course that just physiologically speaking and there are many many other factors that go into making a successful cyclist.

* abstract for reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11428685