The validity of incremental exercise testing in discriminating of physiological profiles in elite runners

The goal of this study was to determine whether traditional ergoespirometric incremental exercise testing carried out to the point of exhaustion could be useful in distinguishing the physiological profiles of elite runners that compete in races that lasted about 8 minutes versus those that lasted about 2 hours. Ten male marathon runners (performance time: 2:12:04, coefficient of variation (CV) = 2.33%) and 8 male 3000 m steeplechase runners (performance time: 8:37.83, CV = 2.12%) performed an incremental test on the treadmill (starting speed 10 km·h-1; increments, 2 km·h-1; increment duration, 3 min to exhaustion). Heart rate (HR), VO2, and lactate concentrations were measured at the end of each exercise level. At maximal effort, there were no differences between the groups regarding VO2max and maximal HR; however, the workload time, vVO2max and peak treadmill velocity were significantly higher in the 3000 m steeplechase group (p<0.05). At submaximal effort, there were no significant differences between groups for VO2 (ml·kg-1·min-1), HR, or lactate. Our results show that this type of testing was not sufficient for discriminating the physiological profiles of elite runners who competed in middle-distance versus long-distance events (e.g. in the marathon and the 3000 m steeplechase).     

Mathematical analysis of the heart rate performance curve during incremental exercise testing

In this study we performed laboratory treadmill protocols of increasing load. Heart rate was continuously recorded and blood lactate concentration was measured for determination of lactate threshold by means of LTD-max and LT4.0 methods.Our results indicate that the shape of heart rate performance curve (HRPC) during incremental testing depends on the applied exercise protocol (change of initial speed and the step of running speed increase, with the constant stage duration). Depending on the applied protocol, the HRPC can be described by linear, polynomial (S-shaped), and exponential mathematical expression.We presented mathematical procedure for estimation of heart rate threshold points at the level of LTD-max and LT4.0, by means of exponential curve and its relative deflection from the initial trend line (tangent line to exponential curve at the point of starting heart rate). The relative deflection of exponential curve from the initial trend line at the level of LTD-max and/or LT4.0 can be defined, based on the slope of the initial trend line. Using originally developed software that allows mathematical analysis of heart rate-load relation, LTD-max and/or LT4.0 can be estimated without direct measurement of blood lactate concentration.     

Analysis of heart rate deflection points to predict the anaerobic threshold by a computerized method

Many studies have used the heart rate deflection points (HRDPs) during incremental exercise tests, because of their strong correlation with the anaerobic threshold. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of the HRDPs identified by a computerized method and compare them with ventilatory and lactate thresholds. Twenty-four professional soccer players (age, 22 ± 5 years; body mass, 74 ± 7 kg; height 177 ± 7 cm) volunteered for the study. The subjects completed a Bruce-protocol incremental treadmill exercise test to volitional fatigue. Heart rate (HR) and alveolar gas exchange were recorded continuously at ≥1 Hz during exercise testing. Subsequently, the time course of the HR was fit by a computer algorithm, and a set of lines yielding the lowest pooled residual sum of squares was chosen as the best fit. This procedure defined 2 HRDPs (HRDP1 and HRDP2). The HR break points averaged 43.9 ± 5.9 and 89.7 ± 7.5% of the VO2peak. The HRDP1 showed a poor correlation with ventilatory threshold (VT; r = 0.50), but HRDP2 was highly correlated to the respiratory compensation (RC) point (r = 0.98). Neither HRDP1 nor HRDP2 was correlated with LT1 (at VO2 = 2.26 ± 0.72 L·min(-1); r = 0.26) or LT2 (2.79 ± 0.59 L·min(-1); r = 0.49), respectively. LT1 and LT2 also were not well correlated with VT (2.93 ± 0.68 L·min(-1); r = 0.20) or RC (3.82 ± 0.60 L·min(-1); r = 0.58), respectively. Although the HR deflection points were not correlated to LT, HRDP2 could be identified in all the subjects and was strongly correlated with RC, consistent with a relationship to cardiorespiratory fatigue and endurance performance.     

Anaerobic threshold and maximal steady-state blood lactate in prepubertal boys

To elucidate further the special nature of anaerobic threshold in children, 11 boys, mean age 12.1 years (range 11.4-12.5 years), were investigated during treadmill running. Oxygen uptake, including maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), ventilation and the "ventilatory anaerobic threshold" were determined during incremental exercise, with determination of maximal blood lactate following exercise. Within 2 weeks following this test four runs of 16-min duration were performed at a constant speed, starting with a speed corresponding to about 75% of VO2max and increasing it during the next run by 0.5 or 1.0 km.h-1 according to the blood lactate concentrations in the previous run, in order to determine maximal steady-state blood lactate concentration. Blood lactate was determined at the end of every 4-min period. "Anaerobic threshold" was calculated from the increase in concentration of blood lactate obtained at the end of the runs at constant speed. The mean maximal steady-state blood lactate concentration was 5.0 mmol.l-1 corresponding to 88% of the aerobic power, whereas the mean value of the conventional "anaerobic threshold" was only 2.6 mmol.l-1, which corresponded to 78% of the VO2max. The correlations between the parameters of "anaerobic threshold", "ventilatory anaerobic threshold" and maximal steady-state blood lactate were only poor. Our results demonstrated that, in the children tested, the point at which a steeper increase in lactate concentrations during progressive work occurred did not correspond to the true anaerobic threshold, i.e. the exercise intensity above which a continuous increase in lactate concentration occurs at a constant exercise intensity.     

Perceived exertion related to heart rate and blood lactate during arm and leg exercise

To compare some psychophysiological responses to arm exercise with those to leg exercise, an experiment was carried out on electronically braked bicycle ergometers, one being adapted for arm exercise. Eight healthy males took part in the experiment with stepwise increases in exercise intensity every 4 min: 40-70-100-150-200 W in cycling and 20-35-50-70-100 W in arm cranking. Towards the end of each 4 min period, ratings of perceived exertion were obtained on the RPE scale and on a new category ratio (CR) scale:heart rate (HR) and blood lactate accumulation (BL) were also measured. The responses obtained were about twice as high or more for arm cranking than for cycling. The biggest difference was found for BL and the smallest for HR and RPE. The incremental functions were similar in both activities, with approximately linear increases in HR and RPE and positively accelerating functions for CR (exponents about 1.9) and BL (exponents 2.5 and 3.3 respectively). When perceived exertion (according to the CR scale) was set as the dependent variable and a simple combination of HR and BL was used as the independent variable, a linear relationship was obtained for both kinds of exercise, as has previously been found in cycling, running, and walking. The results thus give support for the following generalization: For exercise of a steady state type with increasing loads the incremental curve for perceived exertion can be predicted from a simple combination of HR and BL.     

Anaerobic threshold and lactate turnpoint

Venous lactate concentration and ventilatory responses to progressively increased work rates were studied in 16 men who performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. In this test the characteristic curvilinear increase in venous lactate concentrations was observed. In addition to the anaerobic threshold (AT), a second breakpoint was observed and named the lactate turnpoint (LTP). Eight of the 16 subjects performed a second incremental exercise test initiated during lactic acidosis. In this test the direction of change in venous lactate concentrations was different. The work rate at which lactate concentrations again increased, after a steady decline (previously described as the AT2), was similar to the work rate established for the LTP in the first test. In the second test removal of lactate was demonstrated at work rates exceeding the AT. Although the lactate response to the two tests was different the pattern of change was similar, with the two breakpoints occurring at the same work rates. Collectively these results lend a measure of support to the hypothesis of a positive relationship between the AT, LTP, and a pattern of recruitment of motor units with different enzyme profiles. Both the AT and LTP were predictable from the ventilatory response to incremental exercise.     

Relation between the change of slope of heart rate and second lactic and ventilatory thresholds in muscular exercise with large load]

The time-course of heart rate, blood lactate, and ventilatory gas exchange was studied during an incremental exercise test on cycloergometer in order to ascertain whether heart rate deflection occurred at the same load as the second lactate S[La]2) and ventilatory (SV2) thresholds. Twelve moderately trained subjects, 22 to 30 years old, participated in the study. The initial power setting was 30 W for 3 min with successive increases of 30 W every min except at the end of the test where the increase was reduced to 20 and 10 W.min-1. Ventilatory flow (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2, ventilatory equivalents of O2 (EO2 = VE/VO2) and CO2 (ECO2 = VE/VCO2), and heart rate (HR) were determined during the last 20 s of every min. Venous blood samples were drawn at the end of each stage of effort and analyzed enzymatically for lactate concentration ([La]). The HR deflection, S[La]2, and SV2 were represented graphically by two investigators using a double blind procedure. Following the method proposed by Conconi et al. 1982, the deflection in HR was considered to begin at the point beyond which the increase in work intensity exceeded the increase in HR and the linearity of the work rate/HR relationship was lost. S[La]2 corresponded to the second breaking point of the lactate time-course curve (onset of blood lactate accumulation) and SV2 was identified at the second breaking point in the increase in VE and ventilatory equivalent for O2 uptake accompanied by a concomitant increase in ventilatory equivalent for CO2 output. We observed that the deflection point in HR was present only in 7 subjects. The work load, VO2, HR, and [La] levels at which heart rate departed from linearity did not differ significantly from those determined with S[La]2 ans SV2. The VO2 and HR values at HR deflection point were significantly correlated with those measured at S[La]2 and SV2. It is concluded that deflection in heart rate does not always occur, and when it does, it coincides with the second lactate and ventilatory gas exchange thresholds. It can thus be used for the determination of optimal intensity for individualized aerobic training.     

Effect of exercise duration during incremental exercise on the determination of anaerobic threshold and the onset of blood lactate accumulation

To determine the effect of the duration of incremental exercise on the point at which arterial blood lactate concentration (HLa) increases above the resting value (anaerobic threshold: AT) and on the point at which HLa reaches a constant value of 4 mM (onset of blood lactate accumulation: OBLA), eight male students performed two different kinds of incremental exercise. A comparison of arterial HLa and venous HLa was made under both conditions of incremental exercise. The incremental bicycle exercise tests consisted of 25 W increase every minute (1-min test) and every 4 min (4-min test). At maximal exercise, there were no significant differences in either gas exchange parameters or HLa values for the two kinds of incremental exercise. However, the peak workloads attained during the two exercises were significantly different (P less than 0.01). At OBLA and AT, there were no significant differences in gas exchange parameters during the 1-min and 4-min tests except for the workload (at OBLA P less than 0.01; at AT P less than 0.05). When venous blood HLa was used instead of arterial HLa for a 4-min test, AT was not significantly different from that obtained by arterial HLa, but OBLA was significantly different from that obtained by arterial HLa (P less than 0.05). On the other hand, for the 1-min test, venous HLa values yielded significantly higher AT and OBLA compared with those obtained using arterial HLa (P less than 0.01). It was concluded that when arterial blood was used, there was no effect of duration of workload increase in an incremental exercise test on the determination of the AT and OBLA expressed in VO2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hepatic lactate uptake versus leg lactate output during exercise in humans.

The exponential rise in blood lactate with exercise intensity may be influenced by hepatic lactate uptake. We compared muscle-derived lactate to the hepatic elimination during 2 h prolonged cycling (62 +/- 4% of maximal O(2) uptake, (.)Vo(2max)) followed by incremental exercise in seven healthy men. Hepatic blood flow was assessed by indocyanine green dye elimination and leg blood flow by thermodilution. During prolonged exercise, the hepatic glucose output was lower than the leg glucose uptake (3.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 6.5 +/- 0.6 mmol/min; mean +/- SE) and at an arterial lactate of 2.0 +/- 0.2 mM, the leg lactate output of 3.0 +/- 1.8 mmol/min was about fourfold higher than the hepatic lactate uptake (0.7 +/- 0.3 mmol/min). During incremental exercise, the hepatic glucose output was about one-third of the leg glucose uptake (2.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.3 mmol/min) and the arterial lactate reached 6.0 +/- 1.1 mM because the leg lactate output of 8.9 +/- 2.7 mmol/min was markedly higher than the lactate taken up by the liver (1.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/min). Compared with prolonged exercise, the hepatic lactate uptake increased during incremental exercise, but the relative hepatic lactate uptake decreased to about one-tenth of the lactate released by the legs. This drop in relative hepatic lactate extraction may contribute to the increase in arterial lactate during intense exercise.     

Validity of the heart rate deflection point as a predictor of lactate threshold during running.

During an incremental run test, some researchers consistently observe a heart rate (HR) deflection at higher speeds, but others do not. The present study was designed to investigate whether differences in test protocols could explain the discrepancy. Additionally, we sought to determine whether the HR deflection point accurately predicts lactate threshold (LT). Eight trained runners performed four tests each: 1) a treadmill test for maximal O(2) uptake, 2) a Conconi test on a 400-m track with speeds increasing approximately 0.5 km/h every 200 m, 3) a continuous treadmill run with speeds increasing 0.5 km/h every minute, and 4) a continuous LT treadmill test in which 3-min stages were used. All subjects demonstrated an HR deflection on the track, but only one-half of the subjects showed an HR deflection on the treadmill. On the track the shortening of stages with increasing speeds contributed to a loss of linearity in the speed-HR relationship. Additionally, the HR deflection point overestimated the LT when a continuous treadmill LT protocol was used. In conclusion, the HR deflection point was not an accurate predictor of LT in the present study.     

Specific alterations of physiological parameters in competitive race walkers

Race walking is the technical and athletic expression of fast walking and it can be considered as a type of endurance performance. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 12 weeks of a specially designed training program results in the further training enhancement of endurance performance and the related physiological parameters in already well-trained race walkers competing at the national and international level. The investigation protocol consisted of determining the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and related gas exchange values using an automated cardiopulmonary exercise system and of determining blood lactate variables (aerobic threshold - LTAer and the maximal lactate steady state - MLSS) during walking with proper technique at 8, 10, 12 and 14 km·h-1 for 4 minutes without rest in between. Thereafter, the speed on the treadmill was increased by 0.5 km·h-1 every two minutes until exhaustion to determine VO2peak. After 12 weeks of a specially designed endurance training, statistically significant increases in VO2peak (61.8±8.5 mL·kg-1·min-1 pre vs. 66.9±9.5 mL·kg-1·min-1 post training; p<0.05) and blood lactate variables (VO2-LTAer and VO2-MLSS; p<0.05) were noted. The obtained results suggest that the applied training program can improve endurance and race performance in previously well trained race walkers.     

Physiological responses to fitness activities: a comparison between land-based and water aerobics exercise

This study compared the heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BL) responses in young healthy women performing the same routine of aerobics exercise in 3 different conditions: on land, in shallow water (0.8 m), and in deep water (1.4 m). The average age and body mass index (BMI) of the group were 27.4 years and 22.6 kg.m(-2), respectively. The highest HR and BL values were reached during land aerobics (median HR values were 138.0 and 161.5 b.min(-1), and lactate values were 3.10 and 5.65 mmol.L(-1) at slow and at faster pace, respectively). These parameters were progressively reduced going from shallow water (121.5 and 154.0 b.min(-1), 1.75 and 3.15 mmol.L(-1)) to deep water (97.5 and 113.5 b.min(-1), 1.70 and 1.75 mmol.L(-1)). The HR measured as percentage of maximum HR varied from 48.43% to 77.53% depending on the water depth and the pace. These data indicate that exercise in water significantly reduces HR and BL production compared with the same exercise performed on land.     

Scientific approach to the 1-h cycling world record: a case study.

The purpose of this study was to describe the physiological and aerodynamic characteristics and the preparation for a successful attempt to break the 1-h cycling world record. An elite professional road cyclist (30 yr, 188 cm, 81 kg) performed an incremental laboratory test to assess maximal power output (W(max)) and power output (W(OBLA)), estimated speed (V(OBLA)), and heart rate (HR(OBLA)) at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). He also completed an incremental velodrome (cycling track) test (VT1), during which V(OBLAVT1) and HR(OBLAVT1) were measured and W(OBLAVT1) was estimated. W(max) was 572 W, W(OBLA) 505 W, V(OBLA) 52.88 km/h, and HR(OBLA) 183 beats/min. V(OBLAVT1), HR(OBLAVT1), and W(OBLAVT1) were 52.7 km/h, 180 beats/min, and 500.6 W, respectively. Drag coefficient and shape coefficient, measured in a wind tunnel, were 0. 244 and 0.65 m(2), respectively. The cyclist set a world record of 53,040 m, with an estimated average power output of 509.5 W. Based on direct laboratory data of the power vs. oxygen uptake relationship for this cyclist, this is slightly higher than the 497. 25 W corresponding to his oxygen uptake at OBLA (5.65 l/min). In conclusion, 1) the 1-h cycling world record is the result of the interaction between physiological and aerodynamic characteristics; and 2) performance in this event can be predicted using mathematical models that integrate the principal performance-determining variables.     

The relationship between onset of blood lactate accumulation, critical velocity, and maximal lactate steady state in soccer players

The objective of this study was to analyze the validity of the velocity corresponding to the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and critical velocity (CV) to determine the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in soccer players. Twelve male soccer players (21.5 +/- 1.0 years) performed an incremental treadmill test for the determination of OBLA. The velocity corresponding to OBLA (3.5 mM of blood lactate) was determined through linear interpolation. The subjects returned to the laboratory on 7 occasions for the determination of MLSS and CV. The MLSS was determined from 5 treadmill runs of up to 30-minute duration and defined as the highest velocity at which blood lactate did not increase by more than 1 mM between minutes 10 and 30 of the constant velocity runs. The CV was determined by 2 maximal running efforts of 1,500 and 3,000 m performed on a 400-m running track. The CV was calculated as the slope of the linear regression of distance run versus time. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between OBLA (13.6 +/- 1.4 km.h(-1)) and MLSS (13.1 +/- 1.2 km.h(-1)) and between OBLA and CV (14.4 +/- 1.1 km.h(-1)). The CV was significantly higher than the MLSS. There was a significant correlation between MLSS and OBLA (r = 0.80), MLSS and CV (r = 0.90), and OBLA and CV (r = 0.80). We can conclude that the OBLA can be utilized in soccer players to estimate the MLSS. In this group of athletes, however, CV does not represent a sustainable steady-state exercise intensity.     

Effect of blood volume in resting muscle on heart rate upward drift during moderately prolonged exercise

The aim of this study was to determine whether the increase in blood volume in resting muscle during moderately prolonged exercise is related to heart rate (HR) upward drift. Eight healthy men completed both arm-cranking moderately prolonged exercise (APE) and leg-pedaling moderately prolonged exercise (LPE) for 30 min. Exercise intensity was 120 bpm of HR that was determined by ramp incremental exercise. During both APE and LPE, HR significantly increased from 3 to 30 min (from 108±9.3 to 119±12 bpm and from 112±8.9 to 122±11 bpm, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between HR in APE and that in LPE. Oxygen uptake was maintained throughout the two exercises. Skin blood flow, deep temperature, and total Hb (blood volume) in resting muscle continuously increased for 30 min of exercise during both APE and LPE. During both APE and LPE, there was a significant positive correlation between total Hb and deep temperature in all subjects. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between HR and total Hb (in seven out of eight subjects) during LPE. However, during APE, there was no positive correlation between HR and total Hb (r=0.391). These findings suggest that an increase of blood pooling in resting muscle could be proposed as one of the mechanisms underlying HR upward drift during moderately prolonged exercise.     

Influence of mild exercise at the lactate threshold on glucose effectiveness.

The effect of a single bout of mild exercise on glucose effectiveness (S(G)) and insulin sensitivity (S(I)) was studied in six young male subjects by using a minimal model. An intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed under two conditions as follows: 1) 25 min after a bout of exercise on a cycle ergometer at the lactate threshold level for 60 min (Ex) and 2) without any prior exercise (Con). Leg blood flow (LBF) was also measured by strain-gauge plethysmography simultaneously with blood sampling. S(I) did not significantly change after exercise (18.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 17.7 +/- 1.9 x 10-(5) min/pM), whereas S(G) significantly increased (0.016 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.025 +/- 0.002 min(-1), P < 0.01). The increased blood flow after exercise remained high during the time period for measurement of the glucose disappearance constant and may be a determinant of S(G). The incremental lactate area under the curve until insulin loading was also significantly higher in Ex than in Con (2.6 +/- 0.9 vs. -3.5 +/- 1.5 mM/min, P < 0.05). These results suggest that increased S(G) after mild exercise may be due, at least in part, to increased LBF and lactate production under a hyperglycemic state.     

The acute response of practical occlusion in the knee extensors

Training at low intensities with moderate vascular occlusion results in increased muscle hypertrophy, strength, and endurance. Elastic knee wraps, applied to the proximal portion of the target muscle, might elicit a stimulus similar to the KAATSU Master Apparatus. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that intermittently occluding the leg extensors with elastic knee wraps would increase whole-blood lactate (WBL) over control (CON). Twelve healthy men and women participated in this study (age 21.2 ± 0.35 years, height 168.9 ± 2.60 cm, and body mass 71.2 ± 4.16 kg). One repetition maximum (1RM) testing for the leg extensors was performed on a leg extension machine for the first trial, followed by occlusion (OCC) and CON trials. Four sets of leg extension exercise (30-15-15-15) were completed with 150-second rest between sets at 30% 1RM. Whole-blood lactate, heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) were measured after every set of exercise and 3 minutes postexercise. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Whole-blood lactate increased in response to exercise (p = 0.01) but was not different between groups (OCC 6.28 ± 0.66 vs. CON 5.35 ± 0.36 mmol·L, p = 0.051). Heart rate (OCC 128.86 ± 4.37 vs. CON 119.72 ± 4.10 b·min?1) was higher with OCC from sets 2-4 (p ≤ 0.03), with no difference 3 minutes postexercise (p = 0.29). Rating of perceived exertion was higher with OCC after every set (OCC 15.10 ± 0.31 vs. CON 12.16 ± 0.50, p = 0.01). In conclusion, no differences exist for WBL between groups, although there was a trend for higher levels with OCC. The current protocol for practical occlusion did not significantly increase metabolic stress more than normal low-intensity exercise. This study does not support the use of knee wraps as a mode of blood-flow restriction.     

Comparison of mathematically determined blood lactate and heart rate “threshold” points and relationship with performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between threshold points for heart rate (Thfc) and blood lactate (Thla) as determined by two objective mathematical models. The models used were the mono-segmental exponential (EXP) model of Hughson et al. and the log-log (LOG) model of Beaver et al. Inter-correlations of these threshold points and correlations with performance were also studied. Seventeen elite runners (mean, SD = 27.5, 6.5 years; 1.73, 0.05 m; 63.8, 7.3 kg; and maximum oxygen consumption of 67.8, 3.7 ml.kg-1.min-1) performed two maximal multistage running field tests on a 183.9-m indoor track with inclined turns. The initial speed of 9 km.h-1 (2.5 m.s-1) was increased by 0.5 km.h-1 (0.14 m.s-1) every lap for the fc test and by 1 km.h-1 (0.28 m.s-1) every 4 min for the la test. After fitting the la or the fc data to the two mathematical models, the threshold speed was assessed in the LOG model from the intersection of the two linear segments (LOG-la; LOG-fc) and in the EXP model from a tangent point (TI-la; TI-fc). Thla and Thfc speeds computed with the two models were significantly different (P less than 0.001) and poorly correlated (LOG-la vs LOG-fc: r = 0.36, TI-la vs TI-fc: r = 0.13). In general, Thfc were less well correlated with performance than Thla. With two different objective mathematical models, this study has shown significant differences and poor correlations between Thla and Thfc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lactate, pyruvate, and lactate-to-pyruvate ratio during exercise and recovery

The pattern of lactate increase and its relation to pyruvate and lactate-to-pyruvate (L/P) ratio were studied during exercise and early recovery in 10 normal subjects for incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer. Gas exchange was measured breath by breath. Lactate and pyruvate were measured by enzymatic techniques. Lactate and log lactate changed only slightly at low levels of O2 uptake (VO2) but both began to abruptly increase at approximately 40-55% of the maximal VO2. However, the point of abrupt increase in pyruvate occurred at higher work rates and the rate of increase was not as great as that for lactate. Thus L/P ratio increased at the same VO2 as the log lactate increase. Following the exercise, pyruvate continued to increase steeply for at least the first 5 recovery min, whereas at 2 min lactate increased only slightly or decreased. Thus arterial L/P ratio reversed its direction of change and decreased toward the resting value by 2 min of recovery. Lactate, as well as L/P ratios, decreased in all subjects by 5 min. This study demonstrates that lactate and pyruvate concentrations increase slightly at low levels of exercise without a change in L/P ratio until a threshold work rate at which lactate abruptly increases without pyruvate. The resulting increase in L/P ratio is progressive as work rate is incremented and abruptly reverses when exercise stops.