Information on the anaerobic threshold for each individual is important for developing aerobic training programs and monitor training progress. However, currently valid measurement of the anaerobic threshold requires expensive equipment and trained professionals. The aim of this study was to develop and test the validity of a new field test to individually estimate the anaerobic threshold.

The running test was a multi-stage test until exhaustion where each stage was 7 min and the speed increased 0.6 m/s at each stage. The running speed at exhaustion was calculated as the speed at the last fully completed stage plus the fraction of the speed at the final stage based on the time completed at that stage. The correlation coefficient between the running test outcome and the running speed at the anaerobic threshold was 0.84. However, the correlation coefficient between the running test outcome and VO₂max was 0.57. The running speed at exhaustion from the running test was 0.30 m/s (SD= 0.19 m/s) above the running speed at the anaerobic threshold and, therefore, the subjects performed, on average, a net anaerobic work of 150 m (SD= 77 m).

In conclusion the running test was found to be a good predictor of the anaerobic threshold.

BRYNJOLFSDOTTIR¹ H, SVEINSSON¹ T

¹University of Iceland, Department of Movement Science, Skogarhlid 10, Reykjavik, Iceland thorasve@hi.is

Acta Physiologica 2006; Volume 187, Supplement 659 : P27