In order to investigate the validity of critical velocity (CV) as a noninvasive method to estimate the lactate minimum velocity (LMV), 25 youth runners underwent the following tests: 1) 3,000m running; 2) 1,600m running; 3) LMV test. The intensity of lactate minimum was defined as the velocity corresponding to the lowest blood lactate concentration during the LMV test. The CV was determined using the linear model, defined by the inclination of the regression line between distance and duration in the running tests of 1,600 and 3,000m. There was no significant difference (p=0.3055) between LMV and CV. In addition, both protocols presented a good agreement based on the small difference between means and the narrow levels of agreement, as well as a standard error of estimation classified as ideal. In conclusion, CV, as identified in this study, may be an alternative for noninvasive identification of LMV.
athletes; running; anaerobic threshold; performance
