The present study evaluated the accuracy of predicting velocity and oxygen consumption (VO2) at the LT lactate threshold and FBLC fixed blood lactate concentrations from a 3200-m time trial in women. Forty-four women (mean age = 31.1 yrs, mean ht = 164.9 cm, mean wt = 65.0 kg) completed a treadmill protocol for the determination of LT and FBLC and a 3200-m time trial. Velocity and VO2 values at LT, FBLC of 2.0 2.5, and 4.0 mM, and peak were determined. Mean VO2 and velocity ranged from 27.8 +/- 10.8 ml/kg.min-1 at LT to 42.5 ml/kg.min-1 at peak and from 129.8 +/- 44.0 m.min-1 at LT to 187.0 +/- 52.4 m.min-1 at peak, respectively. Results indicated that a 3200-m time trial (mean time = 20.6 +/- 6.6 min) was a good predictor of VO2 and velocity at LT, FBLC, and peak. Correlation coefficients (using a quadratic model) for velocity ranged from R = 0.96 to R = 0.98 with SEE ranging from 9.0 to 13.1 m.min-1. Correlation coefficients for VO2 ranged from R = 0.94 to R = 0.96 with SEE ranging from 2.8 to 3.6 ml/kg.min. The validity of these regression equations was examined in 13 women who completed a 12-month running program (VO2 LT, VO2 at FBLC of 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0 mM, and VO2 peak increased by 34.7, 19.9, 16.9, 11.9, and 5.4%, respectively, p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)