What is the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and lactate threshold?

From the Guidelines

VO2 max and lactate threshold are closely related but distinct physiological markers of endurance fitness, with lactate threshold typically occurring at 45% to 65% of measured peak or maximal VO2 in healthy untrained subjects, and at a higher percentage in endurance-trained individuals 1. The relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and lactate threshold is complex, with both being important indicators of endurance fitness. VO2 max represents the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise, while lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate in the bloodstream faster than it can be cleared.

• The lactate threshold is thought to be a reflection of anaerobic threshold, which is based on the concept that at a given work rate, oxygen supply to the muscle does not meet the oxygen requirements, leading to an increase in anaerobic glycolysis for energy output, with lactate as a final metabolic byproduct 1.
• Exercise training has been shown to increase VO2 at the lactate threshold to a degree that is generally reflective of submaximal cardiovascular effort, but may be seen in those with a pulmonary limitation to exercise 1.
• The mode used for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), typically a treadmill or lower-extremity ergometer, potentially impacts the lactate threshold response for a given individual, and therefore, the same mode should be used for both testing and training 1.
• Training methods that effectively improve lactate threshold include tempo runs, threshold intervals, and polarized training that combines low-intensity and high-intensity workouts, which can lead to significant improvements in endurance performance, even if VO2 max remains relatively stable 1. In clinical practice, directly measured VO2 is more precise and is the preferred measure, but it is less often available, and lactate threshold can be a useful submaximal index of aerobic capacity, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease 1.

From the Research

Relationship Between Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2 max) and Lactate Threshold

• The relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and lactate threshold is complex and has been studied in various research papers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• According to a study published in 1987, the slow kinetic phase of VO2, characterized as the increase between the third and the sixth minute of exercise, was linearly correlated with the blood lactate increase 2.
• Another study published in 2007 found that high-intensity aerobic interval training resulted in significantly increased VO2 max compared with long slow distance and lactate-threshold training intensities 3.
• A study published in 1992 found that lactate threshold is almost exactly the speed at which endurance races are won, and close to those apparently providing optimal aerobic training 4.
• Research has also shown that manipulating high-intensity interval training can have effects on VO2 max, the lactate threshold, and 3000 m running performance in moderately trained males 5.
• A study published in 2020 found that lactate threshold did not correlate with running velocity at lactate threshold, but the product of maximal aerobic speed and individual lactate threshold determined 90% of running velocity at lactate threshold 6.

Key Findings

• VO2 max and lactate threshold are related, but the relationship is complex and influenced by various factors such as training intensity and duration 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• High-intensity aerobic interval training can improve VO2 max and lactate threshold 3, 5.
• Lactate threshold is an important factor in determining running performance, but it does not correlate with running velocity at lactate threshold 6.
• The product of maximal aerobic speed and individual lactate threshold is a strong predictor of running velocity at lactate threshold 6.

Factors Influencing the Relationship

• Training intensity and duration can influence the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Individual factors such as maximal aerobic speed and lactate threshold can also influence the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold 6.
• Gender differences can also play a role, with female runners having higher lactate thresholds and lower VO2 max values than male runners 6.