International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2018, 13, 687-693

https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0258
© 2018 Human Kinetics, Inc. ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION

Effects of Varying the Step Duration on the Determination

of Lactate Thresholds in Elite Rowers
Pitre C. Bourdon, Sarah M. Woolford, and Jonathan D. Buckley

This study aimed to identify the minimum increment duration required to accurately assess 2 distinct lactate thresholds. A total
of 21 elite rowers (12 women and 9 men) participated in this study, and each performed 8 or 9 rowing tests comprising 5
progressive incremental tests (3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, or 10-min steps) and at least three 30-min constant-intensity maximal lactate steady-
state assessments. Power output (PO) at lactate threshold 1 was higher in the 3- and 4-min incremental tests. No other measures
were different for lactate threshold 1. The PO at the second lactate threshold was different between most tests and was higher than
the PO at maximal lactate steady state, except for the 10-min incremental test. Lactate threshold 2 oxygen consumption was
higher in the 3-, 4-, and 5-min tests, but heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion were not different between tests. Peak
PO in the incremental tests was inversely related to the step durations (r2 = .86, P ≤ .02). Peak oxygen consumption was higher in
the shorter (≤5 min) than the longer (≥7 min) incremental tests, whereas peak HR was not different between tests. These data
suggest that for the methods used in this study, incremental exercise tests with step durations ≤7 min overestimate maximal lactate
steady-state exercise intensity, peak physiological values are best determined using incremental tests with step durations ≤4 min,
and HR measures are not affected by step duration, and therefore, prescription of training HRs can be made using any of these
tests.

Keywords: MLSS, athlete monitoring, incremental exercise, heart rate, power output

Prescribing training loads for endurance athletes often incor-
porates the measurement of the blood lactate response to incre-
mental exercise in conjunction with heart rate (HR), oxygen
consumption (V̇O2 ), and exercise intensity, and the subsequent
calculation of blood lactate thresholds. Numerous studies have
suggested that there are at least 2 apparent discontinuities or
thresholds in the blood lactate response to incremental
exercise.1–3 The first of these is associated with the initial intensity
at which there is a sustained increase in blood lactate concentration
([BLa−]) above resting levels (lactate threshold—LT1) and the
second marked by a very rapid rise in [BLa−] (anaerobic threshold
—LT2), which refers to the intensity indicating the upper limit of
equilibrium between lactate production and lactate clearance.1
These thresholds are important insofar as they have been proven
to be valid and reliable indicators of endurance performance1–5
and can be used to prescribe submaximal aerobic training
intensities1–3,6 and assess training adaptations.1,3 However, com-
parisons between studies reporting lactate thresholds and related
variables are often difficult because of differences in the protocols,
definitions, assessment techniques, and variables used.
The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS), defined as the
highest exercise intensity that can be maintained over time without
a continual accumulation of [BLa−], has been widely accepted as
the criterion by which LT2 should be identified.7–10 Constant-load
exercise above MLSS is associated with a constant increase in
[BLa−] and V̇O2 is poorly tolerated by athletes for extended periods
of time, therefore supporting MLSS as a strong indicator of the
endurance capacity of athletes.2,9 However, measurement of MLSS
Bourdon and Buckley are with the School of Health Sciences, University of South
Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Bourdon is also with Sport Science Dept, Aspire
Academy, Doha, Qatar. Woolford is with Sport Science Unit, South Australian
Sports Inst, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Bourdon (pitre.bourdon@gmail.com) is
corresponding author.
is not easily assessed, requiring several constant-load tests to be
performed with different intensities on different days; therefore, it
does not lend itself well to routine assessment.7,10
While the determination of MLSS requires multiple test ses-
sions, threshold indices are most commonly assessed using a single
incremental exercise test with step durations <5 minutes.5,9,11–14
These durations are considered adequate for internal load measures
such as HR and V̇O2 because these variables usually achieve steady
state in endurance-trained individuals within these time frames.4,15
However, these durations may be inadequate when the aim of the
test is to determine the exercise intensity corresponding to the
lactate thresholds and/or MLSS, as it is possible that the use of step
durations shorter than 5 minutes may overpredict the exercise
intensity at these thresholds.4,14,16 A number of studies have
indicated that step durations longer than 5 minutes may be required
to attain steady state [BLa−] and therefore allow valid determina-
tions of the lactate thresholds and better predictions of endurance
performance.4,6,9,13,16,17 However, although step durations longer
than 5 minutes may be preferable for the assessment of lactate
thresholds, it has been argued that incremental exercise protocols
with relatively long step durations are not very practical as they are
less time efficient,12,15 and peak values of V̇O2 and HR may not be
reached because of premature local muscular fatigue.12,15,17 A few
studies have been conducted using cycling9,10 and running17
exercise to assess the most suitable protocols for validly assessing
the blood lactate response to exercise and peak physiological
variables during a single incremental exercise test, but no similar
studies have been conducted using rowing. Therefore, the aims of
this study were to (1) investigate the [BLa−], V̇O2 , and HR
responses, as well as their peak values, in incremental rowing
tests with different step durations and (2) compare the derived
lactate thresholds and related variables obtained in the different
tests with MLSS to ascertain whether valid estimates of MLSS can
be determined from a single incremental exercise test.
687
688 Bourdon, Woolford, and Buckley
Methods
Subjects
Twenty-one elite rowers (12 women and 9 men; mean [SD]: age =
20.0 [2.2] y, height = 180.4 [8.9] cm, and body mass = 75.4
[12.7] kg), comprising 2 World Champions, 9 World Champion-
ship medalists, 4 World Championship representatives, and
6 Australian National Championship competitors who were
all scholarship holders at the South Australian Sports Institute,
volunteered to participate in the study after providing written
informed consent. All testing was conducted in the accredited
South Australian Sports Institute’s sports physiology laboratory
and was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the
University of South Australia.
Experimental Design
All athletes performed a series of 8 to 9 rowing tests in randomized
order. These tests were classified as (1) progressive incremental
tests or (2) MLSS assessments. Each test was performed at
approximately the same time of day and was separated by no
less than 48 hours and no more than 96 hours. All athletes
completed the full test battery within 3 weeks. Body mass and
height were measured at the start of each laboratory visit, and
mechanical work done, gas exchange parameters, HR, [BLa−],
and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during
each test.
Rowing Tests
All of the rowing tests were performed on the same rowing
ergometer (Concept 2C) with the drag factor set at 110 for
lightweight women, 120 for heavyweight women and lightweight
men, and 130 for heavyweight men so as to standardize the
ergometer resistance.18
Each athlete performed 5 progressive incremental tests con-
sisting of up to 6 submaximal steps of 3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, or 10-minute
duration, with each step separated by a 1-minute rest period.
Following the rest period after the sixth step, the athletes undertook
a final maximal effort of identical duration, during which they
performed as much work as possible. The resistances for each of
the 6 submaximal workloads were based on each athlete’s best time
for a 2000-m race simulation performed on the rowing ergometer
during the 2 months preceding commencement of the study. The
average 500-m pace of the 2000-m race simulation, plus 4 seconds,
was calculated, and then an additional 36, 30, 24, 18, 12, and
6 seconds were added to give target times per 500 m for the first
through sixth workloads, respectively.18,19 The intensity for each of
the submaximal steps was the same for all 5 incremental tests. The
researchers monitored each test individually, and as a result of the
greater accumulated fatigue experienced in the 10-minute incre-
mental test, they adjusted the protocol slightly for 15 of the athletes,
so that only 5 submaximal steps were performed before commenc-
ing the final step, to ensure that they could give a maximal effort.
This was the then-current Australian national rowing screening
protocol and was performed routinely by all of the athletes in
this study.
MLSS was assessed using a series of at least three 30-minute
constant-intensity tests and was defined as the highest intensity
during which [BLa−] increased by no more than 1.0 mmol·L−1 over
the final 20 minutes of the test.2,7,20,21 The intensity of the first
constant-intensity test was set at the LT2 pace calculated from the
IJSPP Vol. 13, No. 6, 2018
athlete’s last incremental test performed on the rowing ergometer,
either as part of this study or during the 2 months preceding
commencement of the study. The athletes were instructed to build
up to the set pace over 5 to 10 strokes so as to minimize the
likelihood of a sudden rise in [BLa−]. Depending on the result of the
first constant-intensity test, the pace was increased or decreased by
1 second per 500-m increments in subsequent tests until a MLSS
had been attained.
Gas-Exchange Parameters
Throughout each rowing test, the athletes breathed through a face
mask (series 7500; Hans Rudolph, Shawnee, KS) attached to a
2-way nonrebreathing valve (series 2700; Hans Rudolph) with a
precalibrated large flow turbine transducer (Morgan Mark 2 venti-
lation meter, Rainham, Kent, UK) connected to the inspiratory port
to measure ventilatory volumes. Expired air was collected into a
2.6-L mixing chamber (Sportech, Canberra,Australia) from which
dried gas was sampled continuously (∼500 mL·min−1) and passed to
separate oxygen (S-3A/I; Ametek, Berwyn, PA) and carbon dioxide
(CD-3A; Ametek) analyzers, both of which had been calibrated prior
to each test with 3 α-grade calibration gases (0.02% tolerance) of
known oxygen and carbon dioxide composition (BOC Gases,
Adelaide, Australia). The electrical outputs from the gas analyzers
and ventilation meter were integrated using a personal computer
system, which calculated the necessary ventilatory variables as
30-second averages using custom written software (South Austra-
lian Sports Institute, Adelaide, Australia).18 The values for submax-
imal V̇O2 were measured by averaging the final 2 minutes of each
submaximal step of the incremental and MLSS tests. Peak V̇O2
values were obtained by averaging the 2 successive highest data
points during the final maximal-effort step in the incremental tests.
Heart Rate
HR was recorded throughout each rowing test as 5-second averages
using an integrated HR monitor (Polar Electro OY, Oulu, Finland).
The HR values averaged over the final 30 seconds of each
submaximal step of the incremental and MLSS tests, as well as
the peak value attained in the final maximal-effort step in the
incremental tests, were recorded as the measured values.
Blood Samples
Finger-prick blood samples (100 μL) for the determination of
[BLa−] were collected immediately prior to the commencement
of all rowing tests. Samples were also collected within 30 seconds
of the end of each step during the incremental tests. Constant-
intensity MLSS tests were interrupted for 30 seconds every
10 minutes for blood sampling. Aliquots were analyzed using
an automated lactate analyzer (1500 Sport; Yellow Springs Inter-
national, Yellow Springs, OH).
Ratings of Perceived Exertion
An RPE22 was collected immediately after the end of each step of
the incremental and MLSS tests.
Blood Lactate Thresholds
LT1 and LT2 were calculated using ADAPT software as per the
guidelines in the national testing protocol.19,23 LT1 was represented
by the real data point preceding the point on the blood lactate–exercise
 What Is the Ideal Lactate Threshold Test Duration? 689

response curve where the [BLa−] reached a level 0.4 mmol·L−1 above
the minimum recorded lactate reading. A 0.4-mmol·L−1 rise in [BLa−]
was used as it is twice the typical error reported at low [BLa−] and is
therefore likely to represent a real increase in [BLa−].19 LT2 was
identified using a modified Dmax method,3,11,19,23 which is repre-
sented by the point on the third-order polynomial regression curve of
[BLa−] that yielded the maximal perpendicular distance to the straight
line formed between LT1 and the end data point. Previous studies
have shown these methods to be objective and reliable.1,3,18,19
Training and Nutrition
To standardize test conditions, athletes did not train in the 12 hours
preceding each test. On the day before testing, training was limited
to no more than 12 km of low-intensity aerobic rowing. Athletes
were requested to eat a standardized high-carbohydrate meal on the
evening preceding the test and, if scheduling allowed, also on the
day of the test. Instruction was also given to maintain good
hydration in the lead up to the test.19 All assessments were
conducted during the general preparation phase of each athlete’s
training program, with the athletes undertaking ∼17 hours of
training per week in the month preceding testing.
Statistical Analysis
Power output (PO), V̇O2 , HR, [BLa−], and RPE at LT1 and LT2
were determined for all 5 incremental tests and at MLSS, and the
values achieved during each test were compared using 2-way
analysis of variance with repeated measures with gender used as
the between-subject factor. Peak values achieved in each incre-
mental test were similarly analyzed. Where analysis of variance
showed a significant main effect, differences between means were
determined by post hoc analysis using a test of least significant
differences. Linear regression was used to determine relationships
between variables, where applicable. The level of statistical sig-
nificance was set at an alpha level of P ≤ .05. All data values cited in
the text and shown in the tables represent mean (SD).
Results
Physiological and performance measures at LT1 for all 5 incre-
mental tests are presented in Table 1. The PO calculated at LT1 was
higher in the 3- and 4-minute incremental tests than in the
10-minute test. No other physiological measures were different
for LT1.
Table 2 shows the physiological and performance scores at
LT2 and MLSS. The PO calculated at LT2 in the incremental tests
was different for all step durations and was also higher than the
measured PO at MLSS except for the 10-minute protocol. LT2 V̇O2
was higher in the 3-, 4-, and 5-minute incremental tests compared
with the longer duration 7-minute, 10-minute, and MLSS assess-
ments. The mean [BLa−] tended to fall with increasing step
duration (r2 = .68, P ≤ .09). Heart rate and RPE were not relevantly
different between incremental tests.
Peak physiological and performance values from the incre-
mental tests are reported in Table 3. Peak PO during the incremen-
tal tests was inversely related to the step durations (r2 = .86,
P ≤ .02). Peak V̇O2 was higher in the shorter duration incremental
tests (≤5 min) compared with the longer tests (≥7 min). Peak HR
was not relevantly different between tests, whereas peak RPE
tended to rise with increasing step duration (r2 = .52, P ≤ .17)
and peak [BLa−] tended to decrease (r2 = .49, P ≤ .19).

Table 1 Physiological and Performance Values at LT1

Progressive incremental test—step duration
Parameter 3 min 4 min 5 min 7 min 10 min
a a
PO, W 177.0 (39.0) 177.0 (37.0) 169.0 (34.0) 170.0 (35.0) 165.0 (34.0)b
[BLa−], mmol·L−1 0.9 (0.2) 0.9 (0.2) 0.8 (0.2) 0.9 (0.3) 0.8 (0.2)
HR, beats per minute 151.0 (11.0) 153.0 (10.0) 152.0 (10.0) 155.0 (12.0) 156.0 (11.0)
V̇O2 , L·min−1 2.84 (0.57) 2.85 (0.53) 2.79 (0.51) 2.77 (0.56) 2.76 (0.54)
RPE, arbitrary units 10.2 (1.3) 10.4 (1.7) 10.6 (1.7) 10.7 (1.9) 11.1 (1.1)
Abbreviations: [BLa−], blood lactate concentration; HR, heart rate; LT1, lactate threshold 1; PO, power output; RPE, rating of perceived exertion; V̇O2 , oxygen
consumption. Note: Values are presented as mean (SD).
a
Significantly different from 10-minute incremental test. b Significantly different from 3- to 4-minute incremental tests.

Table 2 Physiological and Performance Values at LT2 and MLSS

Progressive incremental test—step duration
Parameter 3 min 4 min 5 min 7 min 10 min MLSS
PO, W 249.0 (49.0)a,b,c,d 245.0 (49.0)a,b,c,d 231.0 (41.0)b,c,d,e,f 221.0 (42.0)a,c,d,e,f 211.0 (45.0)a,b,e,f, 212.0 (39.0)a,b,e,f
[BLa−], mmol·L−1 3.0 (0.4)c 3.3 (0.5)c,d 3.0 (0.5) 3.0 (0.6) 2.6 (0.4)e,f 2.8 (0.7)f
HR, beats per minute 178.0 (11)d 178.0 (10)d 176.0 (9) 176.0 (10) 175.0 (9) 174.0 (9)e,f
V̇O2 , L·min−1 3.60 (0.68)b,c,d 3.64 (0.64)b,c,d 3.57 (0.62)b,c,d 3.41 (0.64)a,e,f 3.38 (0.67)a,e,f 3.44 (0.59)a,e,f
RPE, arbitrary units 14.1 (1.3) 14.7 (1.5) 14.8 (1.0)d 14.2 (2.1) 14.3 (1.4) 13.7 (0.7)a
Abbreviations: [BLa−], blood lactate concentration; HR, heart rate; LT2, anaerobic threshold/lactate threshold 2; MLSS, maximal lactate steady state; PO, power output;
RPE, rating of perceived exertion; V̇O2 , oxygen consumption. Note: Values are presented as mean (SD).
a
Significantly different from 5-minute incremental test. b Significantly different from 7-minute incremental test. c Significantly different from 10-minute incremental test.
d
Significantly different from MLSS. e Significantly different from 3-minute incremental test. f Significantly different from 4-minute incremental test.

IJSPP Vol. 13, No. 6, 2018

690 Bourdon, Woolford, and Buckley

Because the [BLa−] responses and resultant peak and LT2 PO
values were different between all 5 incremental tests, the curve
obtained from each incremental test may be interpreted as having
shifted either further right the shorter the step duration or upwards
the longer the step duration (Figure 1).
Table 4 presents linear regressions for the prediction of MLSS
PO using LT2 PO data from each incremental test. Equations
derived from all 5 incremental step tests offered good prediction
and precision.
Discussion
Training at intensities where [BLa−] remains stable may optimize
aerobic training while also reducing the risk of overreaching;
hence, MLSS has been used to detect the upper limit or intensity
for sustained endurance training.4,21 Considering the additional
time and associated financial costs required in the direct determi-
nation of MLSS, researchers have attempted to construct methods
to directly measure it using simpler protocols9,24 or have attempted
to draw conclusions from data derived from progressive incremen-
tal tests.4–7,9,10,17 This study compared data derived from high-level
rowers performing a series of progressive incremental tests with
MLSS assessed using 30-minute constant-intensity trials and
showed that valid estimates of MLSS can be determined from
incremental tests.
Previous research has shown that LT2 denotes the intensity
corresponding to MLSS.2,4,6,9,13,16,17 The results of this study
showed the [BLa−] responses and resultant PO values at LT2 to
be different between all 5 incremental tests (Table 2), with mean-
ingful overestimations of PO at LT2 relative to MLSS ranging
between 4.3% (7 min) and 17.6% (3 min) for all protocols up to
7 minutes. Caution must therefore be taken when prescribing
training or comparing data based on PO derived from incremental
tests with differing step durations. This is in line with the findings
of Foxdal et al,4 who compared the [BLa−] response to incremental
treadmill running and suggested that steps of at least 8 minutes are
required to achieve [BLa−] steady state. Therefore, to be safe, when
using an incremental test to accurately assess PO at MLSS directly,
it is proposed that it should incorporate increments of at least
10 minutes. Furthermore, in comparison with V̇O2 and HR, the
changes in [BLa−] following a change in exercise intensity are
slower.5,9,15 These findings were supported by this study, which
showed that it is necessary to lengthen the step duration in the
incremental tests to 10 minutes to accurately and directly determine
the intensity at which MLSS occurs.
Our findings showed that V̇O2 at LT2 was higher in the 3-,
4-, and 5-minute incremental tests compared with the longer

Table 3 Peak Physiological and Performance Values Derived From Incremental Tests of Varying Step Duration
Progressive incremental test—step duration
Parameter 3 min 4 min 5 min 7 min 10 min
a b,c,d,e c,d,e,f b,d,e,f b,c,e,f
Peak PO, W 328.0 (73.0) 309.0 (63.0) 284.0 (57.0) 270.0 (54.0) 259.0 (55.0)b,c,d,f
Peak [BLa−], mmol·L−1 8.3 (1.2)b 9.5 (1.8)c,d,e,f 9.3 (1.3)e 8.2 (1.2)b 7.5 (1.5)b,c
Peak HR, beats per minute 194.0 (10.0) 195.0 (8.0) 195.0 (9.0) 194.0 (10.0) 192.0 (8.0)
Peak V̇O2 , L·min−1 4.14 (0.80)d,e 4.16 (0.77)d,e 4.09 (0.81)e 3.98 (0.76)b,f 3.98 (0.84)b,c,f
Peak RPE, arbitrary units 17.7 (1.3)c,d,e 18.1 (1.4)c 19.0 (0.9)b,f 18.7 (1.0)f 18.9 (1.0)f
Abbreviations: [BLa−], blood lactate concentration; HR, heart rate; PO, power output; RPE, rating of perceived exertion; V̇O2 , oxygen consumption. Note: Values are
presented as mean (SD).
a
Significant difference between genders. b Significantly different from 4-minute incremental test. c Significantly different from 5-minute incremental test. d Significantly
different from 7-minute incremental test. e Significantly different from 10-minute incremental test. f Significantly different from 3-minute incremental test.

Figure 1 — Effect of step duration on the blood lactate response curve (subject is a female heavyweight rower).

IJSPP Vol. 13, No. 6, 2018


Table 4 Linear Regression Equations and Related Statistics for the Prediction of PO at MLSS
Test increment duration Regression equation
3 min MLSS = 0.76303(LT2-PO) + 21.7
4 min MLSS = 0.77633(LT2-PO) + 21.5
5 min MLSS = 0.92136(LT2-PO) + 1.3
7 min MLSS = 0.90590(LT2-PO) + 11.6
10 min MLSS = 0.83948(LT2-PO) + 34.6
Abbreviations: LT2-PO, power output in watts at lactate threshold 2 for that particular step duration; MLSS, maximal lactate steady state in watts; PO, power output; SEE,
standard error of estimate.
duration 7-minute, 10-minute, and MLSS assessments (Table 2). A
subsequent review of the raw gas exchange data at intensities
corresponding to LT2 found all V̇O2 measures to be in steady state.
Therefore, it is proposed that the higher V̇O2 values at LT2 during
the shorter incremental tests (≤5 min) were a result of the higher PO
scores associated with these tests. The correspondingly higher HR
and [BLa−] values reported in the 3- and 4-minute incremental tests
lend further support to this argument, in that higher exercise
intensities demand correspondingly higher values in associated
physiological variables.
With respect to LT1 values, the internal load measures V̇O2 ,
HR, [BLa−], and RPE were not influenced by differences in step
durations (Table 1). The PO at LT1 was, however, higher (∼6.7%)
for the 3- and 4-minute tests compared with the 10-minute tests.
Because ∼80% to 90% of rowing training is performed at or around
the LT1 intensity,25,26 assessment protocols need to accurately
identify this threshold. Despite not being utilized as regularly as a
marker of training intensity in rowing, LT2 should not be ne-
glected, as it is indicative of the transition from oxidative to partly
anaerobic energy metabolism and serves as an indicator of the
transition to high-intensity training.1,26 It is, therefore, of consid-
erable interest in terms of training prescription that the HR at LT1
—and, for that matter, also at LT2—was similar for the 5 different
incremental test durations assessed. Of the LT2 HR data, only the
3- and 4-minute incremental tests were different from MLSS HR
and, although statistically different, the magnitude of these differ-
ences was only ∼4 beats per minute. Given that training HR values
are typically prescribed not as a fixed HR value but rather as
zones,1,19,25,27 the ∼4 beats per minute difference in HR determi-
nation at LT2 using the shorter 3- and 4-minute steps would likely
be of little practical importance. Consequently, the ability to
accurately prescribe HR for LT1 and LT2 from incremental exer-
cise tests with shorter step durations supports their use for the
determination of training HRs.
Mean MLSS [BLa−] values in this study were 2.8 (0.7) mmol·L−1,
which are similar to those previously reported for elite male rowers
(3.0 [0.6] mmol·L−1),7 but were lower than those reported for cyclists
(5.4 [1.0] mmol·L−1).20 These sport-specific differences were investi-
gated by Beneke et al,28 who showed that [BLa−] at MLSS depends on
the motor pattern of exercise and decreases with the mass of the
primarily engaged muscle. Rowing is a combination of leg, trunk, and
arm work, which represents ∼85% of the total muscle mass that is
considerably more than the muscle mass used in cycling,8 thus likely
accounting for the differences seen between MLSS [BLa−] in rowers
and cyclists.
The results derived from the regression analysis (Table 4)
suggest that it is possible to accurately predict PO at MLSS, for
rowers of the ability used in this study, from incremental tests with
varying step durations. Therefore, for practical issues of time
efficiency and cost saving, shorter duration tests can be
IJSPP Vol. 13, No. 6, 2018
What Is the Ideal Lactate Threshold Test Duration? 691
SEE, W r2 P
11.5 .92 ≤.001
11.3 .92 ≤.001
9.8 .94 ≤.001
9.9 .94 ≤.001
12.3 .91 ≤.001
recommended for the accurate prediction of MLSS PO. Previous
research by Hofman et al14 showed that MLSS can likely be
predicted
for ergometer and on-water rowing from spirometric data from a
1-minute incremental stage test. However, as the authors acknowl-
edged, a true measure of MLSS was not attained in this study
as only one constant-intensity test was performed in each environ-
ment. Smekal et al5 developed complex neuro-fuzzy and back-
ward-step linear regression models to predict PO at MLSS from
1- to 3-minute step duration incremental tests and reported
even higher correlations than in this study (r = .99). The rigor of
their equations, however, can be questioned since the ratio of
subjects (n = 26) to independent variables (n = 25) used for their
predictions far exceeds the recommended ratio of 20:1, thereby
seriously limiting the ability to generalize the equation.29
This study also demonstrated that like LT2, peak values of PO
decreased with increasing step duration (Table 3 and Figure 1). The
higher peak PO values achieved in the shorter duration protocols
may be explained by a greater anaerobic contribution in the latter
steps and lower accumulated local muscular fatigue. Similar to
cyclists, where maximal PO can be used as a parameter for
endurance capacity, PO while rowing can also be used as a
parameter of endurance capacity in rowers. Peak PO, however,
is a duration-dependent variable that is negatively related to the
workload duration during incremental exercise. Therefore, when
reporting peak PO in an incremental protocol, the step duration
must be taken into account.
Although peak V̇O2 values were similar for step durations
up to 5 minutes, there was a decrease in peak V̇O2 thereafter in the
7- and 10-minute protocols (Table 3). This implies that when
measuring peak V̇O2 in an incremental test, the step duration is of
less importance up to 5 minutes. This finding was similar to that of
Pierce et al,12 who reported V̇O2 max values in rowers were not
compromised by test durations up to 4 minutes. By contrast,
Kuipers et al17 reported little difference in peak V̇O2 in runners
in incremental protocols with step durations from 1 to 6 minutes.
Peak HR values were not meaningfully different between any
of the incremental tests. This indicates that each test was exhaustive
and of sufficient duration for HR values to reach a true peak. Peak
RPE tended to rise with increasing step duration, which may reflect
additional motivational demands required to maintain exercise
during extended periods of local muscular fatigue, together with
the additional thermoregulatory stress elicited by longer test
durations.
A limitation of this and other lactate threshold studies is that
the results are dependent on the methods used to determine the
thresholds and, therefore, may not be transferrable to other thresh-
old constructs.1,15,27,30 Although the modified Dmax method
applied in this study has been shown to be reliable and valid,1,3,18,19
the resultant LT2 values can be influenced by the last data points
692 Bourdon, Woolford, and Buckley
(ie, peak PO and peak [BLa−]) of the incremental exercise-[BLa−]
curve.3,15,30 As seen in Figure 1, it appears in the longer duration
step tests that [BLa−] is elevated at lower exercise intensities and,
therefore, the Peak PO achieved is lower due to a higher accumu-
lated local fatigue, which in turn may impact the resultant LT2
values.
Practical Applications
The results of this study suggest that when using incremental step
tests to assess LT1 and LT2 in high-level rowers:
• LT1 and its associated internal load measures can be accurately
assessed independent of incremental test step duration.
• Incremental exercise tests with step durations ≤7 minutes
overestimate MLSS exercise intensity, but accurate correc-
tions can be made using regression equations.
• Peak physiological values are best determined using incre-
mental tests with step durations ≤4 minutes.
• Heart rate measures at the blood lactate thresholds are not
relevantly affected by step duration and, therefore, prescription
of training HRs can be made from tests of any duration.
Conclusions
This study showed that many parameters related to the blood lactate
thresholds vary depending on the step duration used in progressive
incremental exercise tests, particularly those associated with LT2.
Nevertheless, given that differing step durations had little effect on
most LT1 parameters, and that the majority of training in elite
rowers is at or around LT1,25,26 step duration appears to have little
importance in terms of the assessment of this threshold. While
many parameters assessed at LT2 using step durations shorter than
10 minutes differed from MLSS, the differences in HR were small
(1–4 beats per minute), and PO at MLSS could be predicted with
considerable accuracy using regression equations. Furthermore,
peak physiological variables (ie, HR, V̇O2 ) were more accurately
determined in tests with shorter step durations. Therefore, shorter
duration step tests (≤4 min) may be used to accurately determine
peak physiological measures as well as predict MLSS and would
result in considerable time and cost savings compared with the use
of incremental exercise protocols with longer steps or multiple
constant-intensity exercise trials.
References
1. Bourdon PC. Blood lactate thresholds: concepts and applications. In:
Tanner RK, Gore CJ, eds. Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes. 2nd
ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2013.
2. Faude O, Kindermann W, Meyer T. Lactate threshold concepts: how
valid are they? Sports Med. 2009;39(6):469–490. PubMed ID:
19453206 doi:10.2165/00007256-200939060-00003
3. Chalmers S, Esterman A, Eston R, Norton K. Standardization of the
Dmax method for calculating the second lactate threshold. Int J Sports
Physiol Perform. 2015;10(7):921–926. PubMed ID: 25710184
doi:10.1123/ijspp.2014-0537
4. Foxdal P, Sjodin A, Sjodin B. Comparison of blood lactate concen-
trations obtained during incremental and constant intensity exercise.
Int J Sports Med. 1996;17:360–365. PubMed ID: 8858408 doi:10.
1055/s-2007-972861
IJSPP Vol. 13, No. 6, 2018
5. Smekal G, Scharl A, von Duvillard SP, et al. Accuracy of neuro-fuzzy
logic and regression calculations in determining maximal lactate
steady-state power output from incremental tests in humans. Eur J
Appl Physiol. 2002;88:264–274. PubMed ID: 12458370 doi:10.1007/
s00421-002-0702-5
6. Stegmann H, Kindermann W. Comparison of prolonged exercise tests
at the individual anaerobic threshold and the fixed anaerobic threshold
of 4 mmol.l(–1) lactate. Int J Sports Med. 1982;3:105–110. PubMed
ID: 7107102 doi:10.1055/s-2008-1026072
7. Beneke R. Anaerobic threshold, individual anaerobic threshold, and
maximal lactate steady state in rowing. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
1995;27:863–867.
8. Billat VL, Sirvent P, Py G, Koralsztein J-P, Mercier J. The concept of
maximal lactate steady state. Sports Med. 2003;33(6):407–426. PubMed
ID: 12744715 doi:10.2165/00007256-200333060-00003
9. Stockhausen W, Grathwohl D, Burklin C, Spranz P, Kuel J. Stage
duration and increase of work load in incremental testing on a cycle
ergometer. Eur J Appl Physiol. 1997;76:295–301. doi:10.1007/
s004210050251
10. Hauser T, Adan J, Schulz H. Comparison of selected lactate threshold
parameters with maximal lactate steady state in cycling. Int J Sports
Med. 2014;35(6):517–521. PubMed ID: 24227122.
11. Cheng B, Kuipers H, Snyder AC, Keizer HA, Jeukendrup A,
Hesselink M. A new approach for the determination of ventilatory
and lactate thresholds. Int J Sports Med. 1992;13(7):518–522.
PubMed ID: 1459746 doi:10.1055/s-2007-1021309
12. Pierce SJ, Hahn AG, Davie A, Lawton EW. Prolonged incremental
tests do not necessarily compromise VO2max in well-trained athletes. J
Sci Med Sport. 1999;2(4):356–363. PubMed ID: 10710013 doi:10.
1016/S1440-2440(99)80008-5
13. Stegmann H, Kindermann W, Schnabel A. Lactate kinetics and
individual anaerobic threshold. Int J Sports Med. 1981;2:160–165.
PubMed ID: 7333753 doi:10.1055/s-2008-1034604
14. Hofmann P, Jürimäe T, Jürimäe J, et al. HRTP, prolonged ergometer
exercise, and single sculling. Int J Sports Med. 2007;28(11):964–969.
PubMed ID: 17534783 doi:10.1055/s-2007-965074
15. Gavin JP, Willems MET, Myers SD. Reproducibility of lactate
markers during 4 and 8 min stage incremental running: a pilot study.
J Sci Med Sport. 2014;17:635–639. PubMed ID: 24028777 doi:10.
1016/j.jsams.2013.08.006
16. Foxdal P, Sjodin B, Sjodin A, Ostman B. The validity and accuracy of
blood lactate measurements for prediction of maximal endurance
running capacity. Dependency of analyzed blood media in combina-
tion with different designs of the exercise test. Int J Sports Med.
1994;15:89–95. PubMed ID: 8157375 doi:10.1055/s-2007-1021026
17. Kuipers H, Rietjans G, Verstappen F, Schoenmakers H, Hofman G.
Effects of stage duration in incremental running tests on physiological
variables. Int J Sports Med. 2003;24:486–491. PubMed ID:
12968205 doi:10.1055/s-2003-42020
18. Bourdon PC, David AZ, Buckley JD. A single exercise test for
assessing physiological and performance parameters in elite rowers:
the 2-in-1 test. J Sci Med Sport. 2009;12:205–211. PubMed ID:
18083633 doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2007.09.007
19. Hahn A, Bourdon P, Tanner R. Protocols for the physiological
assessment of rowers. In: Gore CJ, ed. Physiological Tests for Elite
Athletes. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2000.
20. Beneke R, Petelin von Duvillard S. Determination of maximal lactate
steady state response in selected sports events. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
1996;28:241–246.
21. Heck H, Mader A, Hess G, Mucke S, Muller R, Hollman W. Justifica-
tion of the 4-mmol/l lactate threshold. Int J Sports Med. 1985;6(3):117–
130. PubMed ID: 4030186 doi:10.1055/s-2008-1025824

22. Borg G. Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress. Scand J
Rehabil Med. 1970;23:92–98.
23. ADAPT [computer program; version 1.2]. 1988. Belconnen, Aus-
tralia: Sport Science Division.
24. Palmer AS, Potteiger JA, Nau KL, Tong RJ. A 1-day maximal lactate
steady-state assessment protocol for trained runners. Med Sci Sports
Exerc. 1999;31(9):1336–1341. PubMed ID: 10487377 doi:10.1097/
00005768-199909000-00016
25. Guellich A, Seiler S, Emrich E. Training methods and intensity distri-
bution of young world-class rowers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2009;
4(4):448–460. PubMed ID: 20029096 doi:10.1123/ijspp.4.4.448
26. Laursen PB. Training for intense exercise performance: high-intensity
or high-volume training? Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010;20(S2):1–10.
IJSPP Vol. 13, No. 6, 2018
What Is the Ideal Lactate Threshold Test Duration? 693
27. Pallares JG, Moran-Navarro R, Ortega JF, Fernandez-Elias VE,
Mora-Rodriguez R. Validity and reliability of ventilatory and blood
lactate thresholds in well-trained cyclists. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(9):
e0163389. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0163389
28. Beneke R, Leithauser RM, Hutler M. Dependence on the maximal
lactate steady state on the motor pattern of exercise. Br J Sports Med.
2001;35:192–196. PubMed ID: 11375880 doi:10.1136/bjsm.35.3.192
29. Vincent WJ. Statistics in Kinesiology. 2nd ed. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics; 1999.
30. Camargo Alves JC, Segabinazi Peserico C, Nogueira GA. The influence
of the regression model and final speed criteria on the reliability of lactate
threshold determined by the Dmax method in endurance trained runners.
Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2016;41:1039–1044.
Copyright of International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance is the property of
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple
sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission.
However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.