A VALID FIELD TEST FOR LACTATE THRESHOLD (LT) FOR FEMALE AND MALE RUNNERS 1343:

The purpose was to determine the reliability and validity of a LT field test for a heterogeneous sample of distance runners. Fourteen females and 13 males (mean ages and VO2max = 31 & 32 yrs; 58 & 63 ml-kg/min, respectively) did two field tests (800LT) of 6 to 8 times 800m runs alternated with a 400m walk-jog for recovery. Two groups of 2 to 4 runners were tested at one session as one group ran while the other recovered. The criterion task was a standard lab test for LT (LABLT) which consisted of 5 to 6 repeated five minute runs with 15 minute recovery periods. The speeds for both tests were based on the subject's running history, and progressed in increments of 10m/min with immediate post exercise finger-tip blood samples analyzed in duplicate for lactate (YSI 1500). The subjects also ran a 3km race in order to compare the relationship of the two LT methods to endurance performance (lab criterion). The results showed that the 800LT and LABLT yielded similar velocities (means = 243.8 and 244.8 m/min, respectively) with a validity coefficient of (r=.91). The mean 3km time was 11.09 mins or 270.5 m/min. Moreover, 3km performance correlated well with the two LT methods (r=.69 and.74; p[<0.05]) for the 800LT & LABLT, respectively. These data support the conclusion that the 800 LT is a reliable and valid field test, as well as convenient for determining LT for a wide range of distance running performers.