Summary
The metabolic and ventilatory responses to steady state submaximal exercise on the cycle ergometer were compared at four intensities in 8 healthy subjects. The trials were performed so that, after a 10 min adaptation period, power output was adjusted to maintain steady state\(\dot V_{O_2 }\) for 30 min at values equivalent to: (1) the aerobic threshold (AeT); (2) between the aerobic and the anaerobic threshold (AeTAnT); (3) the anaerobic threshold (AnT); and (4) between the anaerobic threshold and\(\dot V_{O_{2max} } \) (AnTmax). Blood lactate concentration and ventilatory equivalents for O2 and CO2 demonstrated steady state values during the last 20 min of exercise at the AeT, AeAnT and AnT intensities, but increased progressively until fatigue in the AnTmax trial (mean time=16 min). Serum glycerol levels were significantly higher at 40 min of exercise on the AeAnT and the AnT when compared to AeT, while the respiratory exchange ratios were not significantly different from each other. Thus, metabolic and ventilatory steady state can be maintained during prolonged exercise at intensities up to and including the AnT, and fat continues to be a major fuel source when exercise intensities are increased from the AeT to the AnT in steady state conditions. The blood lactate response to exercise suggests that, for the organism as a whole, anaerobic glycolysis plays a minor role in the energy release system at exercise intensities upt to and including the AnT during steady state conditions.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Armstrong DT, Steele R, Altszuler N, Dunn A, Bishor JS, Debodo C (1961) Regulation of plasma free fatty acid turnover. Am J Physiol 201:9–15
Bang O (1936) The lactate content of the blood during and after exercise in man. Skand Arch Physiol [Suppl 10] 74
Brooks GA (1985) Anaerobic threshold: review of the concept and directions for future research. Med Sci Sports Exerc 17:22–31
Brooks GA, Donovan CM, White TP (1984) Estimation of anaerobic energy production and efficiency in rats during exercise. J Appl Physiol 56:520–525
Davis JA (1985) Anaerobic threshold: review of the concept and directions for future research. Med Sci Sports Exerc 17:6–18
Di Prampero PE (1981) Energetics of muscular exercise. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 89:143–222
Donovan CM, Brooks GA (1983) Endurance training affects lactate clearance, not lactate production. Am J Physiol 244 [Endocrinol Metab 7]:E83-E92
Havel RJ, Carlson LA, Ekelund LG, Holmgren A (1964) Turnover rate and oxidation of different free fatty acids in man during exercise. J Appl Physiol 19:613–618
Issekutz B, Shaw WA, Issekutz TB (1975) Effect of lactate on FFA and glycerol turnover in resting and exercising dogs. J Appl Physiol 39:349–353
Jacobs I (1981) Lactate, muscle glycogen and exercise performance in man. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl 495]
Jones NL, Heigenhauser GJ, Kuksis A, Matsos CG, Sutton JR, Toews CJ (1980) Fat metabolism in heavy exercise. Clin Sci 59:469–478
Kindermann W, Simon G, Keul J (1979) The significance of the aerobic-anaerobic transition for the determination of work load intensities during endurance training. Eur J Appl Physiol 42:25–34
Mader A, Liesen H, Heck H, Philippi H, Host R, Schürch P, Hollmann W (1976) Zur Beurteilung der sportartspezifischen AusdauerleistungsfÄhigkeit im Labor. Sportarzt Sportmed 27:80–88, 109–112
Marbach EP, Weil MH (1967) Rapid enzymatic method of blood lactate and pyruvate. Use and significance of the methaphosphoric acid as a common precipitant. Clin Chem 13:314–325
Margaria R, Cerretelli P, Mangili F (1964) Balance and kinetics of anaerobic energy release during extrenous exercise in man. J Appl Phyiol 19:623–628
Martin BJ, Morgan EJ, Zwillich CW, Weil JV (1979) Influence of exercise hyperthermia in exercise breathing pattern. J Appl Physiol 47:1039–1042
Noma A, Miroaki O, Kika M (1973) A new colorimetric microdetermination of free fatty acids in serum. Clin Chem Acta 43:317–320
Reybrouck T, Chesquire J, Cattaert A, Fagard R, Amery A (1983) Ventilatory thresholds during short and long-term exercise. J Appl Physiol 55:1694–1700
Ribeiro JP, Hughes V, Fielding RA, Black A, Bochese MA, Knuttgen HG (1985) Heart rate break point may coincide with the anaerobic and not the aerobic threshold. Int J Sports Med 6:220–224
Ribeiro JP, Yang J, Adams RP, Kuka B, Knuttgen HG (1986) Effect of different incremental protocols on lactate and ventilatory thresholds. Braz J Med Biol Res [in press]
Scheen A, Juchmes J, Cession-Fossion A (1981) Critical analysis of the “anaerobic threshold“ during exercise at constant work loads. Eur J Appl Physiol 46:367–377
Schnabel A, Kindermann W, Schmitt WM, Biro G, Stegmann H (1982) Hormonal and metabolic consequences of prolonged running at the individual anaerobic threshold. Int J Sports Med 3:163–168
Seeherman HJ, Taylor CR, Maloiy GM, Armstrong RB (1981) Design of the mammalian respiratory system. II Measurement of maximum aerobic capacity. Resp Physiol 44:11–23
Simon J, Young JL, Guttin B, Blood BK, Case RB (1983) Lactate accumulation relative to the anaerobic and the respiratory compensation thresholds. J Appl Physiol 54:13–17
Stegmann H, Kindermann W (1982) Comparison of prolonged exercise test at the individual anaerobic threshold and the fixed anaerobic threshold of 4 mmol · l−1 lactate. Int J Sports Med 3:105–110
Wahren J, Felig P, Ahlborg G, Jorfeldt L (1971) Glucose metabolism during leg exercise in man. J Clin Invest 50:2715–2725
Wasserman K, Van Kassel AL, Burton GG (1967) Interaction of physiological mechanisms during exercise. J Appl Physiol 22:71–85
Wieland O (1979) Glycerol UV method. In Bergmeyer HU (ed), Method of enzymatic analysis, vol. 3. Academic Press, New York, pp 1404–1409
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ribeiro, J.P., Hughes, V., Fielding, R.A. et al. Metabolic and ventilatory responses to steady state exercise relative to lactate thresholds. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 55, 215–221 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00715008
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00715008