Validity of the heart rate deflection point as a predictor of lactate threshold concepts during cycling

J Strength Cond Res. 2004 Aug;18(3):498-503. doi: 10.1519/1533-4287(2004)18<498:VOTHRD>2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

This paper examines the validity of the heart rate deflection point (HRDP) obtained with the "updated" Conconi test. Eleven male road cyclists performed 2 progressive incremental cycling tests and a 30-minute prolonged exercise test (PET). From the data obtained, comparisons were made and correlation coefficients were calculated between HRDP, the lactate threshold (LT), and the 3 mmol.L(-1) threshold (AT3). The PET at HRDP demonstrated whether or not a steady state in blood lactate concentration (BLaSS) could be maintained. Significantly lower values for power output (p < 0.01) and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.01) were found at LT compared with HRDP. No differences were found between HRDP and AT3. Only a moderate correlation for power output between HRDP and AT3 (rs = 0.69; p < 0.05) could be observed. During the PET, only 6 out of 11 cyclists reached the target time of 30 minutes, and only 4 cyclists maintained a BLaSS. We conclude that the updated Conconi test is not a valid method for assessing LT or AT3. Therefore, this method seems not suitable to evaluate endurance performance and prescribe exercise intensities in road cycling.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anaerobic Threshold / physiology*
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Test / methods*
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / blood*
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Lactic Acid