Dose-Response Relationship Between Interval Training Frequency and Magnitude of Improvement in Lactate Threshold

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if interval training at 110–120% of peak power output one and two days/wk in addition to habitual training would elicit improvements in lactate threshold (LT) in a dose response manner. Twenty physically active individuals completed this study: age – 21.1±1.3 yr, height – 172.1±7.4 cm, body mass – 68.4±9.1 kg, VO₂max – 45.3±5.2 mL/kg/min; and were randomly assigned into two separate 6 wk training groups – either 1 day/wk interval training or 2 days/wk interval training at 110–120% of peak workload (from an incremental exercise test) on a cycle ergometer. After 6 wk, LT (% VO₂max) increased significantly (p<0.05) in both 1 day/wk (4.3±3.2%) and 2 days/wk (8.2±2.6%) groups. A two-factor mixed ANOVA identified a significant interaction between exercise frequency and LT (%VO₂max) values (p<0.05) indicating that LT responded differently to 1 day/wk and 2 days/wk of interval training. Findings from the present study show high-intensity, interval training to be a successful strategy for modifying this important metabolic threshold. Moreover, results suggest that there is a dose-response relationship between frequency of interval training and the magnitude of LT improvement.

Key words

maximal lactate steady state - anaerobic threshold - endurance performance - maximal oxygen uptake - training intensity

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