PEMES 3153 Exercise Physiology Lab
Training Adaptations
Lab 11
Introduction
Evaluating training adaptations allows us to see the effectiveness of a program, as well as provides feedback to the individual training. The pre-post comparison of physiological variables can be used to predict performance and identify limitations of the individual in competitive events. Although performance is not solely dictated based upon physiology, it has an influence in the outcome.
Laboratory testing has been standardized for athletes to identify factors associated with performance. For the endurance athlete, measurement of lactate threshold is common. A lactate threshold test involves sampling blood at every stage, during a progressive exercise intensity testing protocol. This evaluation provides a method to determine performance velocity and evaluate physiological changes that are affected by aerobic training.
The characteristics of successful athletes in aerobic endurance events are listed on page 112 of your textbook. The person with high performance velocity at lactate threshold is likely to perform at a high standard in events lasting greater than 20 minutes. Therefore we expect to detect the attributes for the “gifted” athlete and recognize the limitations of the “average” athlete in their pursuits of individual goals.
The purpose of this lab is to interpret the data from pre-and-post training lactate threshold testing and use it to provide feedback to the individual runner. In addition, we will determine appropriate recommendations for an upcoming event (half-marathon at the Drake Relays).
Measurements
A 24 year old male has been training for a half-marathon (13.1 miles) has been testing in the laboratory for lactate threshold at the beginning and at the end of the training period. Below are the data from each of these tests. Blood lactate is in milimolar units and VO2 is in ml.kg-1.min-1
Pre-training test results
Treadmill velocity Blood Lactate VO2 Heartrate
5 mph 1.02 29.32 126
6 mph 1.36 31.21 147
7 mph 1.59 35.56 156
8 mph 1.87 40.33 173
9 mph 3.18 44.94 187
10 mph 6.14 49.98 197
Post-training test results
Treadmill velocity Blood Lactate VO2 Heartrate
5 mph 0.92 28.46 110
6 mph 1.00 32.22 130
7 mph 1.02 35.44 141
8 mph 1.10 38.33 155
9 mph 1.28 42.64 170
10 mph 3.14 47.98 188
11 mph 7.00 53.50 195
Analysis
1. Using graphs created in Excel, determine the Lactate Threshold for both pre-training and post-training in this individual. Create a separate graph for each and appropriately label all axes.
2. If the race pace is at the lactate threshold for running the half-marathon, what should the average speed (in mph) for this individual be for the upcoming race?
3. How much faster (in total time) will this race be as compared to a prior performance based on the pre-post test comparisons? Show how you calculated time difference.
4. What physiological adaptations occurred in order for this person to run a faster half- marathon?