The PerPot simulated anaerobic threshold : a comparison to typical lactate-based thresholds

Abstract

Intensity description as exercise prescription is a main challenge for sport scientists and coaches. Most commonly used in endurance sports are percentages of the heart rate at Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS). Since the late 1970s, MLSS is approximated by several anaerobic thresholds based on lactate extraction during graded incremental tests. Since then, scientists look for non-invasive methods to approximate these thresholds. Our new approach uses the sports computer science Performance Potential model (PerPot) for determination. The antagonistic model PerPot models the relation between load (speed) and performance (heart rate). This investigation compares lactate based and PerPot simulated thresholds. Fifteen male handball players performed a graded incremental test with lactate extraction and continuous heart rate recording. Lactate measurement was used for determination of four established lactate-based anaerobic thresholds (OBLA, Dickhuth, Keul, Simon). Speed and heart rate processes were used for PerPot determination of the threshold. Both Pearson correlations (r=0.883 - r=0.895) and intraclass correlations (ICC=0.894 - ICC=0.932) show high correlations between lactate-based and PerPot simulated thresholds. Using anaerobic threshold (AT) for exercise prescription is the ideal case. Because of adaptation, AT changes and should therefore be determined periodically. In practice, this is rarely done because of high cost and difficult invasive determination in laboratory. PerPot provides a low cost, non-invasive method for AT determination. It is therefore an ideal method for verifying former results of sports medicine diagnostics periodically. In addition, simple portability of results to field is an advantage, because the graded incremental tests can also be performed outdoors.