What is the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold?

What is the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold?

• A. VO2 max is the same as lactate threshold
• B. Lactate threshold is a fixed percentage of VO2 max, unaffected by training
• C. The higher VO2 max delays lactic acid build-up, so lactate threshold increases as a percentage of VO2 max
• D. Lactate threshold occurs before VO2 max in all cases

Answer: (C)

Understanding how lactate threshold relates to VO2 max: VO2 max is the maximum rate at which your body can take in and use oxygen during intense exercise, while lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which lactate starts to accumulate in the blood because energy is being produced more by anaerobic glycolysis than your body can clear it. Training makes your muscles better at using oxygen, increases mitochondrial density, and improves lactate clearance. These adaptations let you sustain a higher fraction of your VO2 max before lactate builds up, so the lactate threshold shifts to a higher percentage of VO2 max. That’s why increasing VO2 max often goes hand in hand with a higher lactate threshold relative to max capacity, enabling you to work harder before fatigue from lactate accumulation sets in. It isn’t a fixed percentage and it isn’t equal to VO2 max itself.

Understanding how lactate threshold relates to VO2 max: VO2 max is the maximum rate at which your body can take in and use oxygen during intense exercise, while lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which lactate starts to accumulate in the blood because energy is being produced more by anaerobic glycolysis than your body can clear it.

Training makes your muscles better at using oxygen, increases mitochondrial density, and improves lactate clearance. These adaptations let you sustain a higher fraction of your VO2 max before lactate builds up, so the lactate threshold shifts to a higher percentage of VO2 max. That’s why increasing VO2 max often goes hand in hand with a higher lactate threshold relative to max capacity, enabling you to work harder before fatigue from lactate accumulation sets in. It isn’t a fixed percentage and it isn’t equal to VO2 max itself.