Estimating ventilatory threshold

james22b2

Hi
Does anyone know a way I can estimate my ventilatory threshold?
Thanks in advance.

napoleond

Pedal harder and harder until you find it hard to breath.

Although that is simplifying it a *little*

Have a read through this-
https://www.acefitness.org/certifiednew ... esting.pdf

However, I'd recommend rather than estimating it, have a test at www.sportstest.co.uk

fenix

Why would you need to know this ?

james22b2

I am trying to calculate a recovery pace for training.

NapoleonD > Thanks for the link, is it possible to guesstimate VT1 as a percentage of HR for a healthy non professional athlete? Might suffice for now at my current level. Thanks.

imposter2.0

james22b2 wrote:

I am trying to calculate a recovery pace for training.

'Recovery pace' doesn't need calculating. I think you are getting too hung up on science here...

napoleond

Recovery pace? That's just bimbling along with minimal effort in the little ring. That doesn't need calculating.
Knowing Ventilatory threshold is great for targeting endurance improvements though. However there's no hard and fast rule for calculating it. It's a different percentage of max for different people and then again different for the same person depending on the activity
Eg, VT1 for me on the bike is at 154bpm. Whilst running its 145.

james22b2

NapoleonD> Thanks for the info. So if you ride below 154 bpm do you consider that a low intensity ride?

herzog

I really wouldn't worry about getting a test/estimate. If you can breath easy through your nose whilst riding, you're in the right area.

napoleond

james22b2 wrote:

NapoleonD> Thanks for the info. So if you ride below 154 bpm do you consider that a low intensity ride?

Not low intensity. My endurance zone is 144-154. It can actually feel quite tough. But it works wonders for aerobic fitness.
A low intensity ride would be below the 144 really.

Dave_P1

Recovery pace is easy, like really easy. It's a pace you should be able to sit at all day, in fact, you would probably get bored before your body or legs give up. You don't need a HRM or Power meter for this.

Alex_Simmons/RST

james22b2 wrote:

Hi
Does anyone know a way I can estimate my ventilatory threshold?

Which one?

Generally this require gas exchange analysis in a lab.

For the purpose of rough estimation though, I'd call VT1 as being approximately equivalent to maximal sustainable effort for ~3 hours and VT2 approximately equivalent to max sustainable effort for ~40-60minutes. Use whatever HR or power averages equate to those.

If you're looking to set up some training levels, well there are many ways to do that, and what's appropriate for you depends on a few things.