Training thresholds
Training thresholds can be explained as, there is a minimum amount of exercise which is required to produce improvements in athletic performance. For exercise to be effective, it must be performed: with sufficient frequency, at a high enough intensity and for a sufficient length or duration (around 20 mins)
The aerobic training threshold is the lowest threshold an athlete must operate at, and this refers to the lowest point at which training is of benefit to the athlete. It is roughly 60% of a person's MHR (maximum heart-rate), the target heart rate zone is between 60-80% of the MHR. Working within this zone gives a person the maximum health and fat-burning benefits from their cardiovascular activity. Other names to describe this similar state include:
-The onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA)
-Maximal lactate steady state
The aerobic training threshold is the lowest threshold an athlete must operate at, and this refers to the lowest point at which training is of benefit to the athlete. It is roughly 60% of a person's MHR (maximum heart-rate), the target heart rate zone is between 60-80% of the MHR. Working within this zone gives a person the maximum health and fat-burning benefits from their cardiovascular activity. Other names to describe this similar state include:
-The onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA)
-Maximal lactate steady state
VO2 Max- Fitness can be measured by the amount of you consume training at maximum capacity. VO2 Max is the maximum amount of oxygen in milliliters, one can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight. VO2 max is important to athletes as the higher their VO2 max intake is, the more oxygen can be used by their muscles, this also allows an athlete to absorb and utilise oxygen more efficiently during exercise. Overall, the higher VO2 level an athlete has, the higher their performance will be.
The lactic acid training threshold- The lactate threshold is a point during exhaustive, all-out exercise at which lactate builds up in the blood stream faster than the body can remove it. This point is usually reached between 50-80% of an athletes VO2 max. This point is reached much faster during high intensity activity, and the body can not absorb the lactate fast enough. This threshold can lead to fatigue and reduce the power of muscle contractions.
The lactic acid training threshold- The lactate threshold is a point during exhaustive, all-out exercise at which lactate builds up in the blood stream faster than the body can remove it. This point is usually reached between 50-80% of an athletes VO2 max. This point is reached much faster during high intensity activity, and the body can not absorb the lactate fast enough. This threshold can lead to fatigue and reduce the power of muscle contractions.
If an athlete trains closely at their training thresholds, they can increase their threshold. For an athlete who relies heavily on the lactic acid system, such as a long distance sprinter, they will train as close as possible to the anaerobic threshold. This training can make it possible to delay the threshold by being able to increase the ability to deal with the lactic acid for a longer period of time or by pushing the threshold higher. Cycling is another example where the lactate threshold often takes place.