LACTATE THRESHOLD TESTING

Lactate Testing provides the most practical information for training in comparison to most other physiological testing on the market.

AETT is a FACT-certified testing centre with three certified testers: Tara Norton, Cindy Lewis, and Alan Chud.

Lactate Testing can be done on the treadmill, cycling, or swimming in the endless pool.

COST: Testing + Training zones = $150/ test or $250 for 2 tests
           Testing, Training zones + 1 hour consultation = $225

What is lactate?
Lactate is a by-product of muscle metabolism. It is produced concurrently with hydrogen ions when the muscle contracts and relaxes. The common misconception regarding lactate is that it is responsible for the muscle soreness that comes with physical activity. However, it is hydrogen ions that are the real culprits for muscle soreness. Because lactate and hydrogen ions are produced in a parallel fashion, and lactate is measurable in the blood, we measure blood lactate to look at lactate clearance at various workloads.

Why do Lactate Testing?
Lactate testing provides a useful and practical measure of fitness, training "zones", recovery and over-training, and effectiveness of the training program. Lactate test results can also be used on a daily basis to determine the body's readiness to perform an endurance versus a speed workout, to ensure you do the optimal workout for your body on any specific day.

At the end of the FACT protocol a graph is produced for you based on your results. The graph has a performance line which is an indicator of your endurance fitness and your speed fitness. This line can be used to alter a training program based on the races the athlete is striving towards and the athlete's current strengths and weaknesses.

The graph also has a recovery line, which is a measure of the athletes ability to recover and will give an indication of whether overtraining is present. For long endurance events this line is important - if you've ever bonked at mile 19 in the marathon or Ironman, this line will show you why! The graph will show you your "Lactate Balance Point" - this is what most people refer to as the Anaerobic or Lactate Threshold. This is the point whereby your body is producing lactate at a faster rate than it can clear it. This is an important measure for determining the intensity of your workouts whether you are a sprint or an endurance athlete.