Maximal Lactate Steady State as a Training Stimulus

Abstract

The present study examined the use of the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) as an exercise training stimulus in moderately trained runners. Fourteen healthy individuals (12 male, 2 female; age 25 +/- 6 years, height 1.76 +/- 0.05 m, body mass 76 +/- 8 kg mean +/- SD) took part in the study. Following determination of the lactate threshold (LT), VO2max, running velocity at MLSS (vMLSS) and a control period of 4 weeks, participants were pair matched and split into two cohorts performing either continuous (CONT: 2 sessions/week at vMLSS) or intermittent treadmill running (INT: 2 sessions/week, 3-min repetitions 0.5 km . h (-1) above and below vMLSS). vMLSS increased in CONT by 8 % from 12.3 +/- 1.5 to 13.4 +/- 1.6 km . h (-1) (p < 0.05) and in INT by 5 % from 12.2 +/- 1.9 km . h (-1) to 12.9 +/- 1.9 km . h (-1) (p < 0.05). Running speed at the LT increased by 7 % in the CONT group (p < 0.05) and by 9 % in the INT group (p < 0.05). VO2max increased by 10 % in the CONT group (p < 0.05) and by 6 % in INT (p < 0.05). Two sessions per week at vMLSS are capable of eliciting improvements in the physiological responses at LT, MLSS, and VO2max in moderately trained runners.