Just read this: http://www.biomed.cas.cz/physiolres/pdf/2005/54_473.pdf which is an explanation by Conconi’s group of how to conduct the conconi test to get a HR deflection point in most subjects. Interesting read. Here is my question, what is the significance of the HR deflection point physiologically and what is it’s significance performance wise? It is supposed to be an estimate of the AT but is it? Does it correlate reasonably well with real world performance measures like CP60?
Just looking for some info from someone who is more current than I am. Thanks.
Does it matter? Uhhh…yes. If your AT is at 6:30/mile and mine is at 6:00/mile, I will beat you in a 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, whatever… More important than VO2 max. Is there a physiological marker that is more important?
How do athletes with a low AT beat athletes with a high AT? Mostly they don’t.
this is one of the more controversial topics right now in exercise physiology. I truly enjoy learning about it. Do some research on Tim Noakes Central Governor theory. Many people believe that the aerobic/anaerobic model is antiquated and/or irrelevant. Many athletes have been documented to have low VO2’s and beat people with higher VO2’s. I won’t take time to track down examples though. Power to weight ratio is where it’s at. LA was documented to not change his VO2, yet he increased his power output and lowered his body weight and then won the TDF. Also, his threshold HR didn’t change…if there is such a thing as LT.
David K
i’ve done both conconi tests and vo2 max tests on the bike to determine LT…the conconi test has failed miserably every single time…5/5 for failures. and the coaches that have performed these tests (2 different people) have found the results are always different between the two.
i’m not a huge fan as the numbers were SIGNIFICANTLY different…
Other than the Conconi group, no one has ever been able to make the protocol work. There seems to be little / no physiologic relevance in terms of training.
Best bets in terms of field tests:
1 Hour Power: Highly correlated with LT / MLSS (Maximal Lactate Steady State) on the bike
10k pace to 1 hr pace: Highly correlated with MLSS running; practically speaking it depends on how fast the runner is.
Universite de Montreal Track Test: Can find vVO2max (or something pretty close to it).
I am very familiar with Tim Noakes’ work. I wouldn’t say that the concept of aerobic/anaerobic model is antiquated or irrelevant at all. Many people just have misconceptions about what it represents. Same is true with LT or anaerobic threshold. They exist, it is just that many do not understand what they represent. It is all about what is going on inside of the muscle, which is primarily determined by the concentration of enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase. In fast twitch muscle (fast glycolytic), there is a ton of lactate dehydrogenase. When you recurit them, you get lactate…regardless of if you have enough oxygen. Oxygen is not the issue at all. So…to say that you get lactate accumulation because you have “gone anaerobic” is not correct. So, in that sense, I understand why you would say that the concept of anaerobic is outdated. Still, LT and AT as defined by the scientists, extists and is valid.
VO2 max is an OK predictor of performance, but as you pointed out (and as is explained in detail in Noakes’ book), it fails to be a perfect predictor. However, pace at anaerobic threshold is a VERY good predictor. Much better than VO2 max (which by the way is a power to weight ratio).
LA probably did not change his AT heart rate but he most certainly increased his AT power, and his power to weight ratio, and his VO2 max.