Abstract

To examine effects of training at and above the lactate threshold 24 untrained eumenorrheic women were assessed at baseline (during days 1-3 of the menstrual cycle (MC)) and every 4 MC after that (for 1 yr.) for VO2 and velocity (V) at LT, fixed blood lactate concentrations (FBLC) of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM, and Max. Subjects were assigned to control (C), at LT (aLT, trained 6 d/wk at the velocity of LT) or above LT (>LT, trained 3 d/wk at the velocity midway between V LT and V Max and 3 d/week at V LT) groups. Exercise prescriptions were adjusted after each assessment and each group progressed similarly in weekly mileage. No between group differences were observed before training. After training the >LT group had significantly higher values than the C and aLT groups for LT. For FBLC of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM and Max, the >LT group values were greater than C group. No differences were observed after training between aLT and C groups. Although >LT group had higher VO2 and V Max values than aLT group after training, these differences were not statistically significant. An interaction was observed with the increase in VO2 and V in the >LT group being greater than the aLT and C groups for LT and FBLC of 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mM and greater than the C group for Max. Within group analysis revealed that both training groups showed similar increases in VO2 and V at LT, FBLC of 2.0 and 2.5 mM from baseline to MC 4. At MC 8 and 12 the >LT group continued to increase VO2 and V with no further change observed in aLT group. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)