We have all heard of it. Be it at the beginning of the rowing season in spring, or at the start of the handball or soccer league – the lactate test. But what exactly is lactate, and what is the goal of a lactate test for rowers? We will answer this question for you in the following article!
Simply put, lactate is a metabolic product. The body has various energy systems at its disposal, which it constantly draws on. Depending on the intensity and length of an athletic effort, these systems provide different amounts of energy. One of these systems is the so-called lactacide-anaerobic metabolism. A process in which sugar is broken down into lactic acid in the muscle without the supply of oxygen. This process releases a great deal of energy in a short time. If the effort is reduced, the lactate is broken down again.
The lactate test is an endurance performance test for athletes. The lactate value in the blood provides information about where a person’s performance limit lies. For more than 50 years, it has been one of the standards in performance diagnostics: rowers undergo the little sting in the earlobe just like professional soccer players or swimming stars.
The lactate values in the blood can be used to determine where the performance limits lie. In order to be able to tailor training units even more individually, sports physicians are researching more precise parameters. Before each Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships, the national team contenders have to fight for their nomination. Not only rowing in various team boats, but also an extensive performance test decides who will be included in the squad. The test – developed in Germany and today a worldwide standard – offers the following advantages:
William C. Hilberg and also the rowing association RISH wrote about it some time ago: For the lactate test, the subject has to train in stages on a suitable ergometer or treadmill. At the end of each stage, a small drop of blood is taken from the finger or earlobe to determine the lactate. A very good overview can be found in the documents of Swiss Olympics.
Do not train on the day before the test and on the test day itself!
(Foto Credit: MWZ)
How does the test person assess his current performance level?
Documentation of anthropometric data
Determination of the lactate levels in the individual training stages by taking a blood sample from the finger / ear lobe.
A heart rate-lactate curve is created from the test data, i.e. the lactate concentration is set in relation to the training stage. From the curve, the aerobic and individual anaerobic threshold (IANS) of the test person can now be determined. With this data, a training plan – adapted to the athlete – can be developed, and the performance can be compared with that of other athletes.
Based on various values, the individual training areas can be derived, among other things, and thus an efficient and healthy increase in performance can be achieved.
Even if we always associate a lactate test only with competitive athletes, such a test can also make sense for amateur athletes who want to increase their performance. However, it is always important to set realistic goals and maintain the right sense of proportion. In addition, you should discuss any measures with your coach and doctor. Even though there are many providers of performance tests for amateur athletes nowadays, this does not mean that they also have a medical background. And a performance test only makes sense if you discuss your training and possible performance improvements with your coach.
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