OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possibility of determining the lactate minimum (LM) velocity in prepubertal runners applying only three incremental stages. METHODS: Eleven teens (13.7 ± 1.0 years; 47.3 ± 12.1 kg; 160.0 ± 1.0 cm; 18.3 ± 1.8 kg/m²) performed three run tests on athletic track field on different days: 1) performance at 3000m (Vm3000) 2) LM test consisting of a 500m sprint for hyperlactatemia induction, followed by 10min of recovery and six sets of 800m at intensities of 83, 86, 89, 92, 95 and 98% of Vm3000, 3) LM test with threestage (LMp3) similarly to the previous protocol; however, with only three sets of 800m at intensities of 83, 89 and 98% of Vm3000. During the first recovery minute between the second and third test stages, blood samples were collected in order to measure blood lactate. The following criteria were used to determine LM: a) visual inspection (LM), b) polynomial function of second order to LM six stages (LMp) and to three stages (LMp3). RESULTS: ANOVA showed no differences between speeds (m.min-1) identified in the studied methods (LM = 221.7 ± 15.4 vs. LMp = 227.1 ± 10.8 vs. LMp3 = 224.1 ± 11.2). High correlations were observed between the studied protocols and between these protocols and the Vm3000 (p <0.01). CONCLUSION: It was possible to identify the velocity corresponding to the LM in youth runners even when applying only three incremental stages for identification of the LM intensity (LMp3).
anaerobic threshold; aerobic capacity; predictive equation; field test; run
