Key result
Four lactate threshold methods show poor agreement for running velocities while youth have higher VO2 max.
Why the study?
Lactate threshold and associated running velocities are important markers of physical readiness and exercise intensity prescription in athletes, prompting examination of agreement among different detection methods.
Do different lactate threshold methods show agreement in determining running velocities in professional and youth soccer players?
Cross-Sectional (n=96)
Do different lactate threshold methods show agreement in determining running velocities in professional and youth soccer players?
Different lactate threshold concepts show poor agreement and should not be used interchangeably in youth and professional soccer players.
Inconsistent lactate threshold velocities across methods in soccer players; leaves open standardization needs for training and research.
The lactate threshold (LT) and the associated running velocities are important markers used to define physical readiness and prescribe exercise intensity in athletes. This study examined blood LT during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing using four methods: visual inspection, log-to-log transformation, the Dmax method, and the 4 mmol/L fixed blood lactate accumulation (FBLA) method. The participants included 96 soccer players, comprising 52 professional (27.37 ± 5.67 years) and 44 elite youth players (16.20 ± 0.8 years). A total of 554 capillary blood lactate samples were analyzed. Bland–Altman and ICC analyses for running velocities, determined using the four LT detection methods, demonstrated poor agreement in both groups. Results indicated that the youth players had significantly (p < 0.05) higher V̇O2 max (59.89 ± 5.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) compared to the professional players (56.43 ± 4.81 mL·kg−1·min−1). However, the professional players had significantly better running performance and running economy. A two-way ANOVA revealed a main effect of playing standard, with professional players exhibiting significantly higher 4 mmol/L FBLA LT compared to youth players. A mixed-design ANOVA indicated a significant (p < 0.01) interaction, with the youth exhibiting higher lactate accumulation only after completing the 18 km/h stage. Therefore, youth and professional players should not use the different LT concepts interchangeably. Additionally, the 4 mmol/L FBLA LT method appears to be more robust for youth soccer players.
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Michaelides et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Soccer players (n=96). Lactate threshold detection methods (visual inspection, log-to-log transformation, Dmax, 4 mmol/L FBLA) vs. Comparison among methods and between professional and youth players was evaluated on Agreement among four lactate threshold detection methods for running velocities. Four lactate threshold detection methods demonstrated poor agreement for running velocities, while youth players had higher VO2 max than professionals (59.89 vs 56.43 mL/kg/min; p<0.05).
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