The Importance Of Lactate Testing for Athletes

Its time to stop guessing where your zones are!

Lactate testing is an essential tool for cyclists and runners aiming to optimize their training and performance. It helps determine two important metabolic points LT1 and LT2 which helps to guide training to a high precision, gone are the days of having to estimate zones.

LT1 represents the intensity level where lactate starts to accumulate above resting levels and marks the transition from aerobic to a more anaerobic metabolism. This is useful to ensure endurance rides are ridden at an appropriate intensity.

LT2 is the point at which lactate begins to accumulate rapidly and the power becomes less sustainable. Training near this threshold can improve an athlete’s ability to sustain high-intensity efforts and delay fatigue, but it must be managed carefully to prevent overtraining.

By identifying these thresholds, athletes can tailor their workouts to target specific energy systems. Most popular and successful training intensity distributions rely on athletes knowing their LT1 and LT2. LT1 especially is almost impossible to gauge from a field test and so lactate testing is essential.

In summary, lactate testing provides valuable insights that help cyclists and runners design personalised training programs. This approach not only boosts performance by optimizing intensity levels but also helps prevent injury and overtraining through informed workout planning.