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Maximal power output estimates the MLSS before and after aerobic training

Potência máxima estima a MFEL antes e após o treinamento aeróbio

Potencia máxima estima el MLSS antes y después del entrenamiento aerobio

Abstracts

The purpose of this study is to present an equation to predict the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) through a VO2peak incremental protocol. Twenty-six physically active men were divided in two groups (G1 and G2). They performed one maximal incremental test to determine their VO2peak and maximal power output (Wpeak), and also several constant intensity tests to determine MLSS intensity (MLSSw) on a cycle ergometer. Group G2 underwent six weeks of aerobic training at MLSSw. A regression equation was created using G1 subjects Wpeak and MLSSw to estimate the MLSS intensity (MLSSweq) before and after training for G2 (MLSSweq = 0.866 x Wpeak-41.734). The mean values were not different (150±27W vs 148±27W, before training / 171±26W vs 177±24W, after training) and significant correlations were found between the measured and the estimated MLSSw before (r²=0.49) and after training (r²=0.62) in G2. The proposed equation was effective to estimate the MLSS intensity before and after aerobic training.

predictive equation; lactate threshold; aerobic training


Este estudo propõe uma equação para predição da máxima fase estável de lactato (MFEL) através de um teste para medida do VO2pico. Vinte e seis homens fisicamente ativos foram divididos em dois grupos (G1 e G2). Eles realizaram um teste máximo para medida do VO2pico e potência máxima (Ppico) e testes submáximos para determinar a intensidade da MFEL (MFELw) em cicloergômetro. O grupo G2 treinou por seis semanas na MFELw. Uma equação de regressão linear foi desenvolvida utilizando os resultados do G1 (Ppico e MFELw) para estimativa da MFEL (MFELweq) antes e após o treinamento no G2 (MFELweq=0,866 x Ppico-41,734). Os valores médios não foram diferentes (150±27W vs 148±27W, pré-treino / 171±26W vs 177±24W, pós-treino) e encontrou-se uma correlação significativa entre a MFELw medida e estimada antes (r²=0,49) e após o treinamento (r²=0,62) no grupo G2. A equação proposta foi efetiva para estimar a MFEL antes e após o treinamento.

equação de predição; limiar de lactato; treinamento aeróbio


Este estudio propone una ecuación para la predicción del máximo estado estable de lactato (MLSS) a través de un test para medir VO2pico. Veintiséis hombres físicamente activos se dividieron en dos grupos (G1 y G2). Ellos realizaron un test máximo para medir el VO2pico y potencia máxima (Ppico) y testes submáximas para determinar la intensidad de la MLSS (MLSSw) en cicloergómetro. El grupo G2 entrenó por seis semanas en la MLSSw. Una ecuación de regresión lineal fue desarrollada utilizando los resultados del G1 (Ppico y MLSSw) para estimar la MLSS (MLSSweq) antes y después del entrenamiento en el G2 (MFELweq=0,866 x Ppico-41,734). Los valores medios no fueron distintos (150±27W vs 148±27W, pre-entrenamiento / 171±26W vs 177±24W, después del entrenamiento) y se encontró una correlación significativa entre la MFELw medida y estimada antes (r²=0,49) y después del entrenamiento (r²=0,62) en el G2. La ecuación propuesta fue eficaz para estimar la MLSS antes y después del entrenamiento.

ecuación de predicción; umbral de lactato; entrenamiento aeróbico


Introduction

The power output or velocity at the maximal lactate steady state (MLSSw) is considered the gold standard to determine the lactate threshold (LT) (Svedahl & Macintosh, 2003Svedahl, K., & Macintosh, B. R. (2003). Anaerobic threshold: the concept and methods of measurement. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 28(2), 299-323. doi: 10.1139/h03-023
https://doi.org/10.1139/h03-023...
), and have been widely used for training prescription and to predict aerobic capacity (Billat, Sirvent, Py, Koralsztein, & Mercier, 2003Billat, V. L., Sirvent, P., Py, G., Koralsztein, J. P., & Mercier, J. (2003). The concept of maximal lactate steady state: a bridge between biochemistry, physiology and sport science. Sports Medicine, 33(6), 407-426. doi:0112-1642/03/0006-0407). The method used for the determination of the MLSSw requires two or more 30min constant intensity exercise tests in different days and several blood sample collections. These procedures are quite expensive, time consuming and are not considered very practical for use with athletes and other physically active subjects (Sotero, Pardono, Campbell, & Simões, 2009Sotero, R. D., Pardono, E. P., Campbell, C. S. G., & Simoes, H. G. (2009). Indirect assessment of lactate minimum and maximal blood lactate steady state intensity for physically active individuals. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 844-853. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196b609
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196...
).

Several authors have proposed simplify the methods for LT identification from a single test, which may include blood collection and analysis (individual anaerobic threshold - IAT (Stegmann, Kindermann, & Schnabel, 1981Kuipers, H., Verstappen, F. T., Keizer, H. A., Geurten, P., & Van Kranenburg, G. (1985). Variability of aerobic performance in the laboratory and its physiologic correlates. Int Journal of Sports Medicine, 6(4), 197-201. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1025839
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1025839...
), onset of blood lactate accumulation - OBLA (Heck et al., 1985Heck, H., Mader, A., Hess, G., Mucke, S., Muller, R., & Hollmann, W. (1985). Justification of the 4-mmol/l lactate threshold. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 6(3), 117-130. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1025824
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1025824...
), lactate minimum - LM (Tegtbur, Busse, & Braumann, 1993Tegtbur, U., Busse, M. W., & Braumann, K. M. (1993). Estimation of an individual equilibrium between lactate production and catabolism during exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 25(5), 620-627. doi: 0195-9131/93/2505-0620) or, respiratory variables (ventilatory threshold - VT (Wasserman & McIlroy, 1964Wasserman, K., & McIlroy, M. B. (1964). Detecting the threshold of anaerobic metabolism in cardiac patients during exercise. American Journal of Cardiology, 14(6), 844-852. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(64)90012-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(64)900...
). However, these methods also require highly specialized technicians to collect and analyze the blood and also expensive equipments and chemical reagents, which may not be available for most athletes at any time. Moreover, some of these methods depend on data interpretation and different testers can produce different results.

Other existing protocols that do not require blood or ventilatory analyses such as time trials (Swensen, Harnish, Beitman, & Keller, 1999Swensen, T. C., Harnish, C. R., Beitman, L., & Keller, B. A. (1999). Noninvasive estimation of the maximal lactate steady state in trained cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), 742-746.) and linear regression equations (Matsunami, Taguchi, Taimura, Suga, & Taba, 1999Matsunami, M., Taguchi, M., Taimura, A., Suga, M., & Taba, S. (1999). Relationship among different performance tests to estimate maximal aerobic swimming speed. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), s105.; Sotero et al., 2009Sotero, R. D., Pardono, E. P., Campbell, C. S. G., & Simoes, H. G. (2009). Indirect assessment of lactate minimum and maximal blood lactate steady state intensity for physically active individuals. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 844-853. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196b609
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196...
) can be used by fitness coaches as alternative tools for exercise prescription. However these regression equations protocols were originated from MLSS estimates such as LM and OBLA and this may compromise the reliability of the results obtained using such calculations.

The peak power output (Wpeak) achieved during an incremental protocol, has been found to be strongly correlated to MLSSw (Schuylenbergh, Vanden Eynde, & Hespel, 2004Schuylenbergh, V. R., Vanden Eynde B., & Hespel P. (2004). Correlations between lactate and ventilatory thresholds and the maximal lactate steady state in elite cyclists. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 25(6), 403-408. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-819942
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-819942...
). Endurance training provides several aerobic adaptations which lead to increases in Wpeak (Carter, Jones, & Doust, 1999Carter, H., Jones, A. M., & Doust, J. H. (1999). Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17(12), 957-967. doi: 10.1080/026404199365353
https://doi.org/10.1080/026404199365353...
) and MLSSw (Ferreira et al., 2007Ferreira, J. C. B., Rolim, N. P. L., Bartholomeu, J. B., Gobatto, C. A., Kokubun, E., & Brum, P. C. (2007). Maximal lactate steady state in running mice: effect of exercise training. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 34(8), 760-765. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007.04635.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007...
; Gobatto et al., 2001Gobatto, C. A., Mello, M. A. R., Sibuya, C. Y., Azevedo, J. R. M., Santos, L. A., & Kokubun, E. (2001). Maximal lactate steady state in rats submitted to swimming exercise. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, 130(1), 21-27. doi:org/10.1016/S1095-6433(01)00362-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(01)00...
). Therefore, any method used to estimate the MLSS intensity should be sensitive to the effects of training, thereby ensuring the reliability of all tests results over a training period. In our literature review we found only one study proposing a single test method (LM) to estimate the MLSSw after a training period (Carter et al., 1999Carter, H., Jones, A. M., & Doust, J. H. (1999). Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17(12), 957-967. doi: 10.1080/026404199365353
https://doi.org/10.1080/026404199365353...
). However the LM did not accurately identify MLSSw after training.

Therefore, the aim of the present study was to propose a noninvasive, inexpensive and objective protocol to identify the MLSSw, and to test this method's validity for physically active subjects before and after a training period.

Methods

Participants

Twenty six physically active men, divided into two groups (G1; n=13 [24 ± 2 years; 73.8 ± 7.3 kg; 15.9 ± 6.0 %fat; 48.86 ± 7.75 ml.kg-1.min-1] and G2; n=13 [23 ± 2 years; 72.9 ± 6.3 kg; 14.9 ± 5.5 %fat; 44.88 ± 4.77 ml.kg-1.min-1]) volunteered for this study after having signed an informed consent form stating both the risks and benefits of their participation. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee for Human Research (no.153/2008).

All participants were asked to refrain from any physical exercise and to abstain from ingesting alcohol or caffeine containing beverages or food during the 24-hour period preceding the experiments. The physical tests as well as the aerobic training sessions were performed on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer (Monark Ergomedic E-824E) previously adjusted and calibrated before each situation in a room with temperature between 21-24ºC and 50-70% relative humidity. The volunteers ingested 500ml of water two hours before the experiments to ensure that they would begin the tests euhydrated (American College of Sports Medicine, 1996).

Overview of experimental design

The research was divided into two parts. The first part of the study was designed to create a prediction equation to identify the MLSSw using the Wpeak measured during an incremental exercise test performed by a group of 13 participants (G1). In the second part of the study, we tested the accuracy of the prediction equation, prior and immediately after six weeks of aerobic training on another group of 13 participants (G2). The overview of the procedures is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Overview of the experimental procedures.

The 26 participants were initially tested for VO2peak and MLSSw. Then, the 13 participants of G2 underwent 6 weeks of aerobic training at MLSS intensity. One week before they finished training all participants of G2 were tested again on VO2peak and MLSSw.

Determination of VO2peak and Wpeak

A maximal incremental exercise test was performed on a braked cycle ergometer starting at 50W and with increments of 25W at every other two minutes of exercise (Balke & Ware, 1959Balke, B., & Ware, R. W. (1959). An experimental study of physical fitness of Air Force personnel. United States Armed Forces Medical Journal, 10(6), 675-688.). Pedal frequency was maintained at 50rpm. Heart rate (HR) was recorded every 1 min during the tests using a HR monitor (Polar S810i(r), Finland). Blood samples (30mL) were collected from the earlobe before and at the end of each stage of exercise. Respiratory variables were measured using a gas analyzer (K4b2, Cosmed(r), Italy) calibrated before every test. The highest VO2 of the last minute of exercise was considered the VO2peak. At least two of the following criteria had to be met for determination of the VO2peak: 1) no increase in VO2 or HR despite increased exercise intensity; 2) respiratory exchange ratio greater than 1.10; 3) maximal heart rate within 5 b.min-1 of age predicted HR (220-age) (American College of Sports Medicine, 2009American College of Sports Medicine. (2009). ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.).

Wpeak was considered as the highest power output at which the last stage of the test was completed. If the stage was not completed, Wpeak was calculated using Kuipers, Verstappen, Keizer, Geurten and Van Kranenburg (1985) equation:

Wpeak = W1 + (W2 • t / 120)

Where W1 is the power output of the last completed stage, W2 the power output that was incremented in each stage and t is the duration time (in seconds) of the incomplete stage.

Determination of MLSSw

Following the described Wpeak exercise tests, the participants performed two to five 30-min exercise tests at constant pre-set intensities for the determination of MLSSw. The first intensity was that corresponding to 60% Wpeak obtained during the maximal incremental exercise. If during the first trial the [La-] remained stable or decreased towards the end of the 30 min of exercise, the intensity of the following trial was increased until a steady [La-] could no longer be maintained. On the other hand, if during the first trial [La-] increased continuously over the 30 min or exercise was interrupted due to participant's fatigue, the intensity of the following trials was reduced. The MLSSw was determined with a precision of 15W. During the tests to determine the MLSSw, blood samples were collected for [La-] analysis prior to the beginning of the exercise and at 5-min intervals until the end of the test. The highest intensity at which [La-] increased less than 1mM during the last 20min of exercise was defined as the MLSSw (Heck et al., 1985Heck, H., Mader, A., Hess, G., Mucke, S., Muller, R., & Hollmann, W. (1985). Justification of the 4-mmol/l lactate threshold. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 6(3), 117-130. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1025824
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1025824...
).

Blood analyses

All blood samples were stored at -20ºC in tubes containing 60μL NaF (1%) and later analyzed in triplicates for lactate on (YSI 1500 STAT(r), Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA). The YSI 1500 STAT was calibrated with standard solutions of 5mM and 30mM lactate, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Part 1 - Generation of the predictive equation

From the results of the Wpeak and MLSS tests obtained for the participants of G1, a predictive equation of MLSSw was generated (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Linear regression between maximal power output (Wpeak) and power output at MLSS (MLSSw) for participants in group 1.

Part 2 - Validation of the predictive equation before and after aerobic training

The Wpeak of G2 participants before training was used in the predictive equation to estimate MLSS intensity (MLSSweq). The MLSSweq was then compared to the actually measured values (MLSSw) to analyze its validity. The same calculations were repeated with G2 data after the 6-week training period.

Aerobic training program

The aerobic training protocol was adapted from Philp, Macdonald, and Watt (2005). The G2 participants accomplished three constant exercise training sessions per week during six weeks. The initial training session duration was 24 min and it was increased continuously by 3 min per week, reaching 39 min over the six-week period. The G2 participants were instructed to maintain their normal daily activities and not undertake any kind of additional physical training during the study period.

Statistical analysis

A linear regression between Wpeak and MLSSw was applied to the G1 results (Figure 2) to yield a predictive equation for MLSSweq. The equation generated by G1 (MLSSweq= 0.8622 x Wpeak - 41.734) was applied to G2 to predict MLSSw before and after training. To compare MLSSw and MLSSweq a paired Student's t test was used. Correlations between MLSSw and MLSSweq, both before and after aerobic training were calculated using the Pearson product-moment correlation. The agreement between the studied variables was analyzed by the method of Bland and Altman. The level of significance adopted was p < 0.05 and all data were analyzed and expressed as mean ± standard deviation.

Results

The results of Wpeak, MLSSw e MLSSweq are presented in Table 1.

Table 1
Maximal power output (Wpeak), power output corresponding to MLSS (MLSSw) and power output corresponding to MLSS estimated by the regression equation (MLSSweq) (Watts) of G1 and G2 before (pre) and after (post) six weeks of aerobic training.

A strong correlation was found between Wpeak and MLSSw of G1 (r 2 = 0.89; p<0.001) and the linear regression yielded the following predictive equation for MLSSw: MLSSweq = 0.8662 x Wpeak - 41.734.

When the predictive equation was applied to data obtained from participants of G2 no differences were observed (p > 0.05; Table 1) and there was a strong correlation between MLSSw and MLSSweq before training (r 2 = 0.49; p < 0.01). After the training period G2 Wpeak and MLSSw were higher than before (p < 0.05; Table 1) and there were no differences between the MLSS power output measured and that estimated using the predictive equation (Table 1). Moreover, a strong correlation (r 2 = 0.62; p < 0.05) between MLSSw and MLSSweqwas found.

The Bland-Altman technique revealed a good agreement between MLSSw and MLSSweq before and after the six weeks of training (Figure 3). The difference between the measured and the estimated MLSSw was lower than 25W for 85% of the participants before and after training, and only for two participants the variations was close to 40-60W.

Figure 3
Limits of agreement between power output at maximal lactate steady (MLSSw) - power output at MLSS estimated by the regression equation (MLSSweq) of G2 before (A) and after (B) six weeks of aerobic training.

Discussion

The main finding of this study was that the equation (MLSSweq = 0.8662 x Wpeak - 41.734) provided a good estimate of the MLSSw using the maximal power output reached on a single incremental test of physically active man before and after six weeks of aerobic training.

The traditional method used to determine the MLSS requires 3 to 5 days of testing, making its use burdensome for athletes. Furthermore, the excessive number of testing sessions increases the cost of the evaluation, which can be too expensive for recreational athletes and physically active participants. Given that the MLSSw is considered the gold standard to predict aerobic capacity (Denadai, Gomide, & Greco, 2005Denadai, B. S., Gomide, E. B. G., & Greco C. C. (2005). The relationship between onset of blood lactate accumulation, critical velocity, and maximal lactate steady state in soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19(2), 364-368.) and performance in exercises lasting from 30 to 60 minutes (Billat et al., 2003Billat, V. L., Sirvent, P., Py, G., Koralsztein, J. P., & Mercier, J. (2003). The concept of maximal lactate steady state: a bridge between biochemistry, physiology and sport science. Sports Medicine, 33(6), 407-426. doi:0112-1642/03/0006-0407), the development of alternative methods for the simplification of its measurement becomes important (Sotero et al., 2009Sotero, R. D., Pardono, E. P., Campbell, C. S. G., & Simoes, H. G. (2009). Indirect assessment of lactate minimum and maximal blood lactate steady state intensity for physically active individuals. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 844-853. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196b609
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196...
; Swensen et al., 1999Swensen, T. C., Harnish, C. R., Beitman, L., & Keller, B. A. (1999). Noninvasive estimation of the maximal lactate steady state in trained cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), 742-746.).

Many researchers have published papers proposing the use of single-day test protocols to estimate MLSS in order to make these methods of training evaluation and prescription more affordable for the people in general (De Barros et al., 2011De Barros, C. L. M., Mendes, T. T., Mortimer, L. A. C. F., Simões, H. G., Prado, L. S., Wisloff, U., & Silami-Garcia, E. (2011). Maximal lactate steady state is altered in the heat. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 32(10), 749-753. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1277191
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1277191...
; Knoepfli-Lenzin & Boutellier, 2011Knoepfli-Lenzin, C., & Boutellier, U. (2011). Lactate minimum is valid to estimate maximal lactate steady state in moderately and highly trained subjects. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(5), 1355-1359. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d6dbf4
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d6...
; Schuylenbergh et al., 2004Schuylenbergh, V. R., Vanden Eynde B., & Hespel P. (2004). Correlations between lactate and ventilatory thresholds and the maximal lactate steady state in elite cyclists. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 25(6), 403-408. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-819942
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-819942...
). Some of these methods are widely used (Amann, Subudhi, & Foster, 2004Amann, M., Subudhi, A. W., & Foster, C. (2004). Predictive validity of ventilatory and lactate thresholds for cycling time trial performance. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 16(1), 27-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004.00424.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004...
; Heck et al., 1985Heck, H., Mader, A., Hess, G., Mucke, S., Muller, R., & Hollmann, W. (1985). Justification of the 4-mmol/l lactate threshold. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 6(3), 117-130. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1025824
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1025824...
; Stegmann et al., 1981Stegmann, H., Kindermann, W., & Schnabel, A. (1981). Lactate kinetics and individual anaerobic threshold. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2(3), 160-165. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1034604
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1034604...
). However most studies are focused on the relationships among direct blood lactate measurements (Grossl, De Lucas, Souza, & Guglielmo, 2012Grossl, T., De Lucas, R. D., Sousa, K. M., & Guglielmo, L. G. A. (2012). Maximal lactate steady-state and anaerobic thresholds from different methods in cyclists. European Journal of Sport Science, 12(2), 161-167. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2010.551417
https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2010.55...
) or indirect methods using gas exchange (Bentley & McNaughton, 2003Bentley, D. J., & McNaughton, L. R. (2003). Comparison of W(peak), VO2(peak) and the ventilation threshold from two different incremental exercise tests: relationship to endurance performance. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 6(4), 422-35. doi: 10.1016/S1440-2440(03)80268-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(03)80...
). Additionally, few studies tested alternative methods that require less technology and lower cost (Sotero et al., 2009Sotero, R. D., Pardono, E. P., Campbell, C. S. G., & Simoes, H. G. (2009). Indirect assessment of lactate minimum and maximal blood lactate steady state intensity for physically active individuals. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 844-853. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196b609
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318196...
; Swensen et al., 1999Swensen, T. C., Harnish, C. R., Beitman, L., & Keller, B. A. (1999). Noninvasive estimation of the maximal lactate steady state in trained cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), 742-746.) and none of them checked their validity after a training period.

The Wpeak has been shown to be highly correlated to time trial performance ranging from 21 to 40km (Balmer, Davison, & Bird, 2000Balmer, J. R. C., Davison, R., & Bird, S. R. (2000). Peak power predicts performance power during an outdoor 16.1-km cycling time trial. Medicine and Science in Sports and exercise, 32(8), 1485-1490. doi: 0195-9131/00/3208-1485/0; Hawley & Noakes, 1992Hawley, J. A. & Noakes, T. D. (1992). Peak power output predicts maximal oxygen uptake and performance time in trained cyclists. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 65(1), 79-83. doi: 10.1007/BF01466278
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01466278...
) and lasting for 90 min (Bentley, Lars, Dylan, Veronica, & Alan, 2001Bentley, D. J., Lars, R. M., Dylan, T., Veronica, E. V., & Alan, M. B. (2001). Peak power output, the lactate threshold, and time trial performance in cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and exercise, 33(12), 2077-2081. doi: 0195-9131/01/3312-2077). In our study, the Wpeak was also highly correlated to MLSSw (G1 - r 2 = 0.89; p < 0.01), a similar value to the one reported by Schuylenbergh et al. (2004), who studied trained cyclists. Based on this relationship we created a predictive equation to estimate power output at MLSS using Wpeak.

The MLSS in G2 estimated by the equation created in this study was very similar to the MLSSw determined by traditional method (148 ± 27 W vs 150 ± 27 W, respectively, p > 0.05). Furthermore they presented strong correlation (r = 0.70; p<0.01) and the technique of Bland and Altman showed an agreement between MLSSw and MLSSweq. These results were supported by the fact that for 85% of the participants the estimated MLSSw showed an error of up to 15% or 25W. However estimated MLSSw of two participants showed variation between 30-60W from the original measure, which may have a significant impact on training prescription and therefore shows a limitation of the use of the equation proposed on this study.

Prediction of the MLSS using different methods has already been shown to have limitations for individual analysis and differences between the measured and the estimated MLSS between 15 and 70W were already found (Faude, Kindermann, & Meyer, 2009Faude, O., Kindermann, W., & Meyer, T. (2009). Lactate threshold concepts: how valid are they? Sports Medicine, 39(6), 469-90. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200939060-00003
https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-2009390...
). Nevertheless based on the lack of difference between the measured and the estimated MLSSw and the high correlation between them before and after training, the use of proposed equation can contribute to training prescription of athletes and physically active people that do not have access to the gold standard measure procedures.

Another way of predicting MLSS is through time trials. Cycling time trials of 5 and 40km has been proposed to estimate the MLSS velocity (Harnish, Swensen, & Pate, 2001Harnish, C. R., Swensen, T. C., & Pate, R. R. (2001). Methods for estimating the maximal lactate steady state in trained cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(6), 1052-1055. doi:0195-9131/01/3306-1052; Swensen et al., 1999Swensen, T. C., Harnish, C. R., Beitman, L., & Keller, B. A. (1999). Noninvasive estimation of the maximal lactate steady state in trained cyclists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), 742-746.). However it would be necessary more than one day of testing to determine MLSS velocity through 5km TT, while the 40km TT can be limited only to highly trained participants.

Sotero et al. (2009) proposed an equation to predict LM running velocity trough a 1600 meters TT that was found to be valid for physically active men. Although there were no differences between the measured MLSS and the estimated LM velocity the predictive equation was created using an estimation method for MLSS determination, and that could decrease the results reliability.

More studies with the aim to predict MLSS intensity through regression equation used protocols that already estimate MLSSw - OBLA or LM - (Almeida et al., 2010Almeida, J. A., Pardono, E., Sotero, C. R., Magalhaes, G., Simões, H. G., & Campbell, C. S. G. (2010). Predictive equations validity in estimating the VO2max of young brazilians from performance in a 1600 m Run. Brazilian Journal of Sports Medicine, 16(1), 57-60. doi:org/10.1590/S1517-86922010000100011
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1517-8692201000...
; Matsunami et al., 1999Matsunami, M., Taguchi, M., Taimura, A., Suga, M., & Taba, S. (1999). Relationship among different performance tests to estimate maximal aerobic swimming speed. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), s105.) to design their methods. Moreover, they did not compare the estimated MLSSw to the traditional method, therefore making the results even less reliable. In addition, those studies were conducted in swimming and running, while we used cycling exercise.

Aerobic training performed at or near the intensity corresponding to MLSS has been related to an increase in MLSSw (Carter et al., 1999Carter, H., Jones, A. M., & Doust, J. H. (1999). Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17(12), 957-967. doi: 10.1080/026404199365353
https://doi.org/10.1080/026404199365353...
). Corroborating these data, in the present study the period of aerobic training increased the MLSSw (150 ± 27 W before and 171 ± 26 W after training), showing that adaptations occurred. Even with increased MLSSw no differences and a strong correlation were found between the measured and estimated MLSS intensity ​​after the training period (MLSSw = 171 ± 26 W and MLSSweq = 177 ± 24 W; r = 0.79).

The LM is not sensitive enough to detect changes in aerobic capacity over an endurance training period of 6 weeks (Carter et al., 1999Carter, H., Jones, A. M., & Doust, J. H. (1999). Effect of 6 weeks of endurance training on the lactate minimum speed. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17(12), 957-967. doi: 10.1080/026404199365353
https://doi.org/10.1080/026404199365353...
). Recently Knoepfli-Lenzin and Boutellier (2011) suggested using LM as an accurate estimative of MLSS for physically active and trained participants, however LM intensity was different from the one observed at MLSS.

Our results showed that the use of the equation is reproducible since it can be used for physically active individuals over a training period. Another advantage provided by this test protocol is that it was first designed to assess VO2peak (American College of Sports Medicine, 1996American College of Sports Medicine. (1996). American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 28(1), 556-572.). Thus a single test can be used to assess both the MLSSw and VO2peak.

However, since the participants in the present study were young and physically active men, caution should be taken when extrapolating the use of the proposed equation to women, older people and aerobic trained individuals. Also, the reduced number of participants used to test the predictive equation (13 participants) is a limitation of this study. Therefore, more studies should be encouraged to test the validity of proposed equation in a larger sample of participants, and in different groups.

In conclusion, the proposed linear regression equation (MLSSweq = 0.8662 x Wpeak - 41.734) may be applied to estimate MLSS intensity on a cycle ergometer of physically active individuals before and after a period of aerobic training in a practical, non-invasive and inexpensive procedure.

Acknowledgments

This study is part of the graduation project of the first author. This investigation was supported by CNPq, FAPEMIG, CAPES, FINEP, FUNDEP/SANTANDER and Brazilian Ministry of Sport for financial support.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Apr-Jun 2014

History

  • Received
    21 June 2013
  • Accepted
    25 May 2014
Universidade Estadual Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista, Av. 24-A, 1515, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP/Brasil, Tel.: (55 19) 3526-4330 - Rio Claro - SP - Brazil
E-mail: motriz.rc@unesp.br