Key result
Rowing slightly above MLSS yields ~64% higher blood lactate with no VO2 slow component.
Why the study?
The study aimed to compare physiological responses during rowing ergometer exercise at maximal lactate steady state versus 5% above it.
Does rowing exercise at 5% above MLSS alter physiological responses compared to MLSS in trained male rowers?
Does rowing exercise at 5% above MLSS alter physiological responses compared to MLSS in trained male rowers?
Absolute Event Rate: 5.02% vs 3.07%
p-value: p=<0.05
Exercise at 5% above MLSS induces a non-sustainable blood lactate response but maintains stable muscle oxygenation and no V̇O2 slow component in trained rowers.
Accurate MLSS targeting prevents physiological drift in rowers; leaves open precise supra-threshold margins for endurance training adaptations.
This study aimed to compare physiological responses during rowing ergometer exercise at the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) and 5% above the MLSS (MLSS+5%). Blood lactate concentration (BLC), oxygen uptake (V̇O₂) kinetics, heart rate (HR), and muscle oxygenation (deoxygenated hemoglobin [HHb] and tissue saturation index [TSI]) of the vastus lateralis were compared. Twelve male rowers (V̇O₂max: 53.0 ± 6.3 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) completed an incremental test and several 30-min constant workload tests to determine their MLSS and MLSS+5%. At the 30th minute, exercise at MLSS+5% (195 ± 25 W) resulted in significantly higher BLC (5.02 ± 1.44 vs. 3.07 ± 1.03 mmol·L⁻¹), V̇O₂ (3.56 ± 0.35 vs. 3.33 ± 0.33 L·min⁻¹), HR (177 ± 11 vs. 166 ± 10 bpm), and [HHb] (83.9 ± 16.9 vs. 72.7 ± 13.2%) compared to MLSS (185 ± 24 W) (p < 0.05). No V̇O₂ slow component was observed during either the MLSS or MLSS+5% trials. In conclusion, while exercise 5% above MLSS induced a non-sustainable BLC response, there was no apparent V̇O₂ slow component and [HHb] remained stable in the vastus lateralis during rowing exercise.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Trevisol et al. (2026) studied Trained male rowers (n=12). Rowing ergometer exercise at 5% above maximal lactate steady state (MLSS+5%) vs. Exercise at maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) (185 ± 24 W) was evaluated on Blood lactate concentration (BLC) at 30 minutes (p=<0.05). Rowing exercise at 5% above maximal lactate steady state resulted in significantly higher blood lactate concentration (5.02 vs. 3.07 mmol/L, p<0.05) compared to MLSS, with no VO2 slow component.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: