Anaerobic Threshold vs Lactate Threshold

anaerobic threshold is an incorrect term commonly used to describe lactate threshold. if you are training for triathlons IMO you could do field testing to obtain a pretty close estimate of your lactate threshold under real world conditions using pace and HR for all 3 sports.

I agree with the above that the best thing to do is a field test in all 3 sports to determine your HR zones while doing the most specific activity to yoru sport...which is the sport itself.

THere are several different definitions for both anaerobic threshold and lactate threshold. Anaerobic threshold is something that exists in theory, but since the transition from MOSTLY aerobic to MOSTLY anaerobic is fuzzy, there is no single point at which the transition occurs, makign it difficult to pinpoint an anaerbic threshold...and indeed, does it really exist?

When a testing protocol like you mentioned states that it will determine your anaerobic threshold, but not lactate threshold, this probably means that they are measuring your expired respiratory gas volumes and compositions, and not doing blood testing. There is a ventilatory threshold point that is frequently referred to as your anaerobic threshold, but you would have to check with the lab doing the test to find out exactly how they are determining it.

Your ventilatory threshold (possible referred to as anaerobic threshold by the lab) is a good approximation of your lactate threshold since the increase in ventilation is a drect reflection of the amount of acidity being created by your physical activity.

Lactate is a blood test used as a surrogate marker of the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, and also has several different definitions depending on who is doing the test...increase above baseline, increase above 4.0 mMol, deflection point from linear to non-linear increase (most common).

The best way to avoid ambiguity is just to do the field test, which gives you the exact information you need to know...how fast can you go, what is your avg heart rate, and if you have a power meter, what is the power output that you can sustain for a prolonged period (20-60 minutes). If you were to measure your lactate during this period, you might find that this is your lactate steady state...the lactate level you reach during sustained high itensity exercise.

Hope that helps mroe than confuses. If you want to do the test, go ahead and do it, I love the data personally. But I don't use my lab data for training, rather the field test results.

That’s the irony of the use of those terms. AeT is a coined term commonly used to describe lactate threshold defined as 1 mmol/l above the athlete’s baseline.  At the same time AT is used to either describe the same thing or your MLSS or OBLA.

IOW, AeT doesn’t exit although many people keep using it (unfortunately)

AT testing or define for endurance sports is inaccurate: AT is the point in which your muscles burn glucose sources in the absence of oxygen, usually for all out efforts lasting less than 2:00-2:30 min.

Amine's right, no matter what terms a lab or physiologist gives you...

AeT, LT, AT...you need to know how THAT lab and THAT physiologist determined THAT number...how did they define it? YOu could use this script to approach him/her so as not to offend,

"I've heard from my awesome friends on Beginner Triathlete that there are a number of differing definitions even amongst exercise physiologists of lactate threshold and anaerobic threshold. I'm interested in having you help determine my numbers, but first I'd like to know how your lab determines those points."

The raw data from any VO2 test could be used to determine a differently defined LT...the test doesn't vary so much, although there are different protocols, so much as the method used after the test to identify the point differs.

In theory, AeT could be used to compare from test to test to see if your sub-threshold oxygen uptake is decreasing as well as your ventilation.

But it would be cheaper and easier to determine the same thing with field testing.

Agreed - It's all interesting stuff to me to study.  But in practice, it's field testing for me.  I also read somewhere, and I'll butcher the quote "there is no better way to determine LT for your run/bike/swim than to get outside and test while running/biking/swimming."  It's good indicator of how you will perform during those activities.  Sometimes the simplest and obvious is best....

Oh, yeah, edited to make note of my "awesome friends" SO true! :)

Edited by Aikidoman 2008-02-07 1:42 PM

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Nice.