The validity of the lactate minimum test for determination of the maximal lactate steady state

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of the lactate minimum test ([Lac(-)](B)MIN) in the determination of the velocity at the maximal lactate steady state (V-MLSS), and to identify those physiological factors most closely associated with 8-km running performance. Methods: Thirteen trained male runners ((V) over dot O-2max range 53-67 mL . kg(-1) . min(-1)) look part in an 8-km simulated race on flat roads and completed a comprehensive battery of laboratory tests. Results: Performance velocity was most strongly correlated with the estimated running velocity at (V) over dot O-2max (r = 0.93) and with V-MLSS (r = 0.92) and velocity at lactate threshold (V-T-lac) (r = 0.93). The running velocity at the ventilatory threshold (V-T-vent) (r = 0.81) and the [Lac(-)](B)MIN (r = 0.83) also produced good correlations with performance velocity. Performance running velocity (mean +/- SEM 16.0 +/- 0.3 km . h(-1)) was not significantly different from V-MLSS (15.7 +/- 0.3 km h(-1)). The running velocity at [Lac(-)](B)MIN (14.9 +/- 0.2 km . h(-1)) was not significantly different from the V-T-lac (15.1 +/- 0.3 km . h(-1)) or V-T-vent (14.9 +/- 0.3 km . h(-1)) but was significantly lower than the V-MLSS (P < 0.05). The [Lac(-)](B)MIN provided the lowest correlation with V-MLSS (r = 0.61) and the worst estimate of V-MLSS (SEE = 0.75 km . h(-1)) compared with the other measures of lactate accumulation. The V-T-lac was not significantly different from V-MLSS and provided the highest correlation (r = 0.94) and a close estimate (SEE = 0.33 km . h(-1)) of the V-MLSS. Conclusions: It is concluded that of the measures studied relating to blood lactate accumulation during submaximal exercise, V-T-lac provides the best estimate of the V-MLSS. The V-MLSS and the V-T-lac had equal predictive power for 8-km race performance.