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Questions and answers about sports

Is Anaerobic Threshold a concept or a construct?

2 min read

Asked by: Michael Berry

What is the difference between VO2max and anaerobic threshold?

Anaerobic Threshold is often expressed as a percentage of VO2max (50% – 60% for the general population, 75% and above for athletes). The higher the AT, the higher intensity the athlete can sustain without producing lactic acid. Therefore, AT is a better predictor of performance than VO2max in elite athletes.

How can the anaerobic threshold be described?

The anaerobic threshold (AT) is the exertion level between aerobic and anaerobic training. The AT is the point during exercise when your body must switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. The AT is a useful measure for deciding exercise intensity for training and racing in endurance sports.

What is anaerobic threshold intensity?

The anaerobic threshold is the lowest intensity of exercise at which the production of lactate exceeds the body’s ability to utilize lactate as fuel in aerobic metabolism. Once you go above this intensity, blood lactate levels begin to rise.

What is the purpose of measuring anaerobic thresholds?

Determining your anaerobic threshold allows you to customise your training sessions, increasing aerobic capacity over time and improving stamina and performance.

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic threshold?

Aerobic Threshold = The point where your anaerobic energy system starts to contribute a bit more to your total energy production. Aerobic energy production is still very dominant. Anaerobic threshold = The point at which your lactate clearance can no longer keep up with accumulation.

What is the difference between lactate threshold and OBLA?

The key difference between lactate threshold and OBLA is based on the point at which the values are taken. Lactate threshold is based on the exercise intensity levels that begin lactate accumulation, while OBLA refers to the lactate accumulation in blood following the overproduction of lactate.

How do you create anaerobic threshold?

Good examples include; walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, stair climbing. The more time and intensity you add to your workout, the greater the effect on your anaerobic threshold. Another way to ‘push’ or increase your anaerobic threshold is to exercise above it for several short periods of time during your workout.