Longitudinal Analysis of Lactate Threshold in Male and Female Master Athletes

MARCELL, T. J., S. A. HAWKINS, K. M. TARPENNING, D. M. HYSLOP, and R. A. WISWELL. Longitudinal Analysis of Lactate Threshold in Male and Female Master Athletes. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 810–817, 2003. Purpose: The lack of relationship between lactate threshold (LT) and running performance in older runners, and the increase in LT with age, has not been previously studied in a longitudinal design. We evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in LT with age and compared the changes in LT with changes in performance variables. Methods: Fifty-one male and 23 female runners (39–77 yr) performed two graded treadmill exercise tests with minute-by-minute venous blood lactate analysis, separated by 5.8 ± 1.6 yr (mean ± SD). Body composition was determined by hydrodensitometry and training history by questionnaire. Results: There was no change in LBM over time, but significant decreases in [latin capital V with dot above]O2max and training volume irrespective of age and gender (P < 0.05). LT as a percent of [latin capital V with dot above]O2max increased with age (P < 0.05), demonstrated poor stability over time (r = 0.29, P = 0.01) compared with other parameters measured, and changes in LT were not related to changes in fitness or performance. Conclusion: Based upon these findings, we conclude that the LT may be less precise than [latin capital V with dot above]O2max or performance in the prescription of exercise intensities or as an evaluation tool in older individuals.