Many of your clients may now be competing recreationally in endurance events, such as mini-triathlons, triathlons, duathlons (running and cycling), half-marathons and marathons. Some clients will seek your training expertise to help them attain the most positive of outcomes. From the research, it is apparent that lactate threshold training is a well-established system to enhance endurance performance. However, before you start designing individual training programs, a few questions must first be answered, such as (1) What are the frequency, intensity, time and type (F.I.T.T) recommendations for lactate threshold training; and (2) How should lactate threshold training be progressed? Questions such as these encourage fitness professionals to use an evidence-based practice to guide program development. Evidence-based practice is the integration of the best research evidence with professional expertise and client values (Straus et al., 2005). This article uses this approach in designing an exercise program that will optimize lactate threshold training. 

Lactate Threshold Defined

The lactate threshold is the fastest a person can continuously run, cycle, swim or aerobically exercise in a steady state bout without fatiguing. Increased intensity of training just above the LT results in an abrupt increase in blood lactate levels. At rest and under steady-state exercise conditions, there is a balance between lactate production and removal, as lactate can be used as substrate (fuel) by the heart, liver and muscles (Brooks, 2000). Thus, the LT represents the point at which a disruption begins in the equilibrium between blood lactate production and blood lactate removal. Although actual measurement of the LT is completed with an incremental exercise test in an exercise physiology laboratory, the sidebar at right, “Assessing and Tracking the LT,” presents a validated field test for estimating and tracking improvement in the LT.

How is lactate produced?

Through the process of glycolysis (which means the splitting of sugar), blood glucose or muscle glycogen is converted to pyruvate, which will either enter the mitochondria (energy factory of the cell) or be converted to lactate, depending on the intensity of exercise. Pyruvate enters the mitochondria at exercise intensity levels below the LT, while at intensity levels above LT the capacity for mitochondrial respiration (the complete breakdown of carbohydrate) is exceeded and pyruvate is converted to lactate. Lactate production should not be viewed as a negative metabolic event, but as a consequence of high-intensity exercise. Also, with this increasing exercise intensity there is a shift toward the recruitment of more fast-twitch muscle fibers, which have metabolic characteristics that are geared toward glycolysis. 

How does training affect lactate production?

Reduced lactate production at the same given workload following endurance training can be attributed to increased mitochondria size and number, as well as to enzymes. Both mitochondria size and number have been reported to increase within endurance-trained individuals by 50 percent to 100 percent, which results in an improved capacity for mitochondrial respiration (Holloszy and Coyle, 1984). Furthermore, there is an increase in several of the key enzymes (catalysts to metabolic reactions) involved in mitochondrial respiration following endurance training (Honig, Connett and Gayeski, 1992). The combined result of these training adaptations enhances the muscle cell’s ability to generate energy through mitochondrial respiration, and thus lowers the amount of lactate production from glycolysis.

How does training effect lactate removal?

Endurance training appears to cause an increase in lactate utilization by muscles, which results in an improved ability to remove lactate from circulation (Gladden, 2000). It has been suggested that part of the reason slow-twitch muscle fibers are more resistant to fatigue is that they contain more lactate and hydrogen ion transporters (into the mitochondria) than fast-twitch muscles (Brooks, 2000). Hydrogen ion accumulation is now considered to be the cause of acidosis (Robergs, Ghiasvand and Parker, 2004). Thus, slow-twitch muscle fibers have a greater capacity for clearing lactate and hydrogen ions than do fast-twitch muscle fibers. Training also has been known to improve capillarization in and around the muscles, especially the slow-twitch muscles. This adaptation functions to improve blood flow to and from exercising muscles, which also enhances the clearance of lactate and hydrogen ions. 

Developing a Lactate Threshold Training Program

Now, with the understanding of the lactate threshold and its production and removal, let’s return to the evidence-based approach to designing an exercise program that will optimize lactate threshold training

Step 1: Gather the background research on lactate threshold training.

Although maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been viewed as a key component to success in prolonged exercise activities, most researchers agree that lactate threshold is the best and most consistent predictor of performance in endurance events (Londeree, 1997). When considering the optimal LT training program, the following questions must first be answered: 

1. What are the F.I.T.T. recommendations for lactate threshold training?

2. Do these recommendations differ between untrained and trained individuals? 

3. What type of workout best modifies lactate threshold (steady state or interval)?

4. How should lactate threshold training be progressed?

Step 2: Where is the best evidence to answer these four questions?

A central pillar of evidence-based practice is to identify and employ the best evidence available to answer the questions pertaining to the optimal LT training program compiled in Step 1. The quality of evidence may range from research findings derived from multiple randomized, controlled studies (the most powerful form of evidence) to those resulting from personal expertise (the least attractive type of evidence). Two review articles published in high-impact factor (highly esteemed via research standards), peer-reviewed publications on the topic of LT training were the primary sources of evidence used to address our questions for this article (Midgley, McNaughton and Jones, 2007; Londeree, 1997). Importantly, review articles summarize findings across a number of scientifically rigorous studies and provide the overall ‘state of knowledge’ on a specific topic.

What are the F.I.T.T. recommendations for lactate threshold training? 

The general F.I.T.T. approach to exercise programming used for cardiorespiratory fitness–program design can also be applied to LT programming (American College of Sports Medicine, 2014). Two types of specialized LT workouts identified in the literature include steady-state LT exercise bouts and high-intensity interval training (above the LT) sessions. The F.I.T.T. recommendations for each form of training, along with several modifications, are presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. 

Do these recommendations differ between untrained and trained individuals? 

The training status (along with age, body weight and training time) will suggest individual modifications in all aspects of F.I.T.T. with trained versus untrained clients, but the LT approach is the same. Initially, the best way to improve LT levels is to simply increase the client’s training volume (i.e., distance, time and/or frequency) whether their endurance activity involves cycling, using the elliptical crosstrainer or swimming. The premier benefit of increased training volume will be increased capacity for mitochondrial respiration. Training intensity during this phase should fall within the moderate-intensity range recommended by the ACSM of 40 to 60 percent of heart-rate reserve (HRR).

What type of workout best modifies the LT (steady-state or interval)?

Both are critical for the continued improvement of the LT. Importantly, it is the timing for when these specialized workouts should be implemented into a client’s training program. Research has shown that the addition of steady-state workouts performed at LT to an existing aerobic exercise routine in previously active participants results in improved LT levels (Midgley, McNaughton and Jones 2007). For highly endurance–trained clients, or those who have been performing steady-state workouts for some time, interval training sessions must be integrated into training programs to facilitate continued improvement of LT. 

How should lactate threshold training be progressed?

A training program designed to optimize LT consists of three components: (1) base-building aerobic training phase; (2) steady-state LT workouts; and (3) high-intensity interval sessions. The increase in training volume should be approximately 10 to 20 percent per week. For example, if an individual is currently running 10 miles per week, the increase in training volume should be 1 to 2 miles per week. Incorporating multiple training modalities (e.g., cycling, elliptical, rowing) into the aerobic exercise routine may also facilitate program adherence. The maximum training volume an individual attains can be best gauged by determining his or her overall capacity and motivation. The base-building phase may last a minimum of two to three months for some individuals. 

Following adequate build-up in training volume, the next training period to be addressed is steady-state, continuous LT training. The RPE scale may be the most accurate way to determine training intensity during this aspect of training (recommendations are listed in Table 1). Research has shown that RPE is strongly related to the blood lactate response to exercise regardless of gender, training status, type of exercise being performed or the intensity of training (Weltman, 1995). This is noteworthy, as other methods of monitoring intensity at LT have been known to have serious flaws in methodology, which result in underestimating or overestimating training intensity. Similar to the timeline increase in training volume, steady-state workout sessions can be increased in duration from a starting point of 10 minutes by 10 to 20 percent per week. Evidence suggests that steady-state sessions of 30 minutes in duration are sufficient for optimizing the improvement in LT of most clients during this phase of training (Midgley, McNaughton and Jones, 2007; Londeree, 1997). The progression from 10- to 30-minute steady-state LT workouts may be accomplished gradually over several weeks.

High-intensity interval sessions are the last piece of the LT training puzzle, although these specialized workouts should only be incorporated after first completing a proper base-building phase and steady-state LT workouts. Interval workouts are high-intensity training sessions performed for short durations at velocities or workloads near or at maximal (90 to 100 percent HRR). Evidence suggests that the proper duration of these interval work bouts ranges from two to three minutes, with similar amounts of time for recovery between bouts. Progress gradually with the total number of repetitions (high-intensity bout followed by low-to-moderate intensity recovery bout) completing between five and 10 interval repetitions depending on training status, type of endurance-activity being performed and distance of the endurance activity. The key to successful steady-state and interval training is careful monitoring of intensity to prevent your client from overtraining. 

Step 3: Implement the lactate threshold training program.

Table 3 is a case study that shows how a LT program can be implemented. 

Final Thoughts

The lactate threshold is the most important determinant of success in endurance-related activities and events. Through an understanding of the physiological mechanisms of lactate production (and its utilization and removal in the body), an effective training program incorporating base training, steady-state LT sessions and interval workouts (above the LT) can be properly devised. Furthermore, individualizing the lactate threshold training program to your client’s fitness level, age, goals and training time will result in the most realistic and triumphant outcome. 

References

American College of Sports Medicine. (2014). ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (9th ed.). Baltimore: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Brooks, G.A. (2000). Intra- and extra-cellular lactate shuttles. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 32, 4, 790–799.

Gladden, L.B. (2000). Muscle as a consumer of lactate. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 32, 4, 764–771.

Holloszy, J.O. and Coyle, E.F. (1984). Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences. Journal of Applied Physiology, 56, 4, 831–838.

Honig, C.R., Connett, R.J. and Gayeski, T.E.J. (1992). O₂ transport and its interaction with metabolism: A systems view of aerobic capacity. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 24, 1, 47–53. 

McGehee, J., Tanner, C.J. and Hourmar, J.A. (2005). A comparison of methods for estimating the lactate threshold. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19, 3, 553–558.

Midgley, A.W., McNaughton, L.R. and Jones, A.M. (2007). Training to enhance the physiological determinants of long-distance running performance: Can valid recommendations be given to runners and coaches based on current scientific knowledge? Sports Medicine, 37, 10, 857–880.

Londeree, B.R. (1997). Effect of training on lactate/ventilatory thresholds: A meta-analysis. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 29, 6, 837–843. 

Robergs, R.A., Ghiasvand, F. and Parker, D. (2004). Biochemistry of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 287, R502–R516.

Roberts, S.O. and Robergs, R.A. (1997). Exercise Physiology: Exercise, Performance, and Clinical Applications. Maryland Heights, Mo.: Mosby.

Straus, S.E. et al. (2005). Evidence-based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Weltman, A. (1995). The Blood Lactate Response to Exercise. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.