Relationship Between Optimal Lactate Removal Power Output and Olympic Triathlon Performance

To investigate the relationships between race performance and parameters at the optimal power output for lactate removal, 10 male triathletes were examined. Exercise intensities for lactate removal were defined by calculating 50% of difference (ΔT) between running velocity (Vr) at individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and at individual ventilatory threshold (IVT), then choosing 3 Vr: at IVT plus 50% ΔT (IVT+50%ΔT), at IVT, and at IVT minus 50% ΔT (IVT−50%ΔT). After a 6-minute treadmill run at 75% of difference between IAT and O2max, all triathletes performed a 30-minute active recovery run at IVT+50%ΔT, IVT, and IVT−50%ΔT. Capillary blood lactate was determined at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes of recovery. The IVT−50%ΔT recovery was the most efficient Vr for lactate removal. Running velocities at IVT and IVT−50%ΔT were highly (p × 0.01) related to cycle, run, and overall race time. O2 values at IAT, IVT+50%ΔT, and IVT were less (p × 0.05) related to split and overall race time. The variable most related to overall race time, as determined by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, was the Vr at IVT−50%ΔT (r = 0.87, p = 0.001). The R2 value of 0.76 indicated that Vr at IVT−50%ΔT could account for 76% of the variance in triathlon race time. This study shows that the race performances of triathletes are highly related to the Vr at which the most efficient lactate removal (IVT−50%ΔT) occurs. These findings suggest that the assessment of Vr at IVT and IAT (from which Vr at IVT−50%ΔT are calculated) may be a useful method for monitoring training-induced adaptations and performance improvements in athletes who participate in Olympic triathlons.