Determining LT from VO2 Max Test
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UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
Actually, the lactate test will be more beneficial. Your training should be based around that number (since you're always trying to increase it). VO2 is much harder to change....it has a lot more dependence on genetics than LT, and really is more of a measure of your POTENTIAL as an athlete. Your VO2 max can be estimated to within a few points by doing a LT test anyway. I haven't had mine done in a lab before, but my roommate just had his redone a little while ago (he's faster and gets his for free!). His LT was something like 310 W at 72 VO2 (I think), and they stopped the test at 76 VO2. From that they were estimating 80-ish VO2 max. The LT test ends up going close enough to VO2 that you'll get a rough idea of where it is anyway. $25 isn't that much, though. I'd probably pony up just to know. Remember that you should be redoing the test every several months to re-evaluate your training zones as your fitness improves so that you don't stagnate, but your VO2 max won't be changing as much as your LT.
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-Matt
Not fast enough.
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fittycent posted 1 year ago.
Keebler71;64995 wrote:
I found some guys at the local college sports lab who do performance testing much cheaper than offered by tri coaches in town.
Keebler, which college? I've wondered myself if any of them did that...
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Keebler71 posted 1 year ago.
I'll PM you their contact info so they don't get spammed. They test out of UH Clear Lake.
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sflynn posted 1 year ago.
You should ask them what measurements they are taking during the VO2 and how they are measuring LT. There are really two different methods used. I do VO2 max tests at my office and anaerobic threshold (correlated very well with LT) which is easy to deterimine based on the gas exchange measurements (exhaled CO2 rate changes usually already being measured during the VO2 test). LT may be measured by taking blood samples and can be more precise. However, if not done very frequently may (less than 2 minutes per blood sample) may miss that threshold. Personally, I would do the VO2 max test and get both measurements from the one test. LT or anaerobic threshold are the more important measurements but VO2 max is also a good indicator of performance. obviously, make sure you get your HR when LT is achieved so you can keep track during your training.
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Keebler71 posted 1 year ago.
I am pretty confident in their claims to accurately get to the LT from the VO2 max data... However, for the benefit of the forum, I have decided to do both tests and report back on the findings...stay tuned!
I found some guys at the local college sports lab who do performance testing much cheaper than offered by tri coaches in town. They can do VO2 Max and/or lactate testing - but they actually recommended I save my money and not do the lactate test - suggesting that they can determine my LT and training zones just as accurately from the VO2 max test. I am curious what the consensus amoung the trifuelers are on this? If I am already doing the VO2 max - should I plunk down an extra $25 for the lactate test? Thanks for the help!