Maximal steady state versus state of conditioning

Abstract

Criteria for the identification of maximal steady state as related to state of conditioning were evaluated. 13 volunteers walked and/or ran during a series of 15 min tests on a treadmill. The speeds ranged from mild to exhaustive. Heart rate was monitored continuously; \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) was determined from 6 min to 9 min; and venous blood was obtained at 10 min and 15 min for lactate analyses. Max \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) was established for each subject. Subjects were classified on level of conditioning according to the quantity and quality of their activity record for the previous 6 months. The 10 min heart rate associated with a blood lactate level of 2.2 mM/L (MSSHR) was the best predictor of conditioning. The relative \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) (% of max \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) ) found with a 10 min blood lactate concentration of 2.2 mM/L (RMSS \(\dot V_{O_2 } \) ) was almost as accurate as MSSHR in predicting state of conditioning. Changes in blood lactate levels between 10 min and 15 min were not significantly related to conditioning.