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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2721-9979
Training & Testing

Estimation of Runners' Lactate Threshold Heart Rate and Speed by Heart Rate Variability

Authors

  • Changda Lu 

    1   School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)

  • Siyu Lu

    2   School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)

  • Yiwei Wu

    1   School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)

  • Qingjun Xing

    1   School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)

  • Bingyu Pan

    2   School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)
    3   China Sports Big Data Center, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)

  • Yanfei Shen

    2   School of Sports Engineering, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN47838)
    4   Engineering Research Center of Strength and Conditioning Training Key Core Technology Integrated System and Equipment, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, China (Ringgold ID: RIN12543)

Supported by: the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China 2023GCZX003
Supported by: the National Natural Science Foundation of China 72071018
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Accurate measurement of training intensity is crucial for optimizing endurance running performance. Lactate Threshold Heart Rate (LTHR) and Speed (LTspeed) are commonly used but require invasive, costly methods. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) metrics offer a non-invasive alternative by assessing autonomic nervous system activity. This study evaluated the validity of various HRV metrics in predicting LTHR and LTspeed during indoor and outdoor graded exercise tests (GXTs) in 19 recreational runners. HRV thresholds (HRVTs) were determined using SD1, SD2, DFA-α1, DFA-α2, SDNN, and RMSSD via the Dmax method, and are referred to as HRVT1 to HRVT6. Indoor GXT results showed HRVTHR often underestimated LTHR, with all HRVTs, except HRVT4speed (DFA-α2, p = 0.06), showing significant differences from LT. Moderate correlations were observed for HRVT5HR (SDNN, r = 0.66), HRVT2speed (SD2, r = 0.56), and HRVT3speed (DFA-α1, r = 0.70). Outdoor GXTs showed no significant differences between most HRVTs and LT, except HRVT6HR (RMSSD, p = 0.03). HRVTspeed demonstrated moderate correlations (r = 0.54–0.7) with LTspeed. While HRVT and LT may reflect different physiological thresholds, HRVTs, particularly those based on DFA-α2, show promise as non-invasive predictors of LT in recreational runners.



Publication History

Received: 03 May 2025

Accepted after revision: 13 October 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
13 October 2025

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