Lactate threshold in pubescent boys

Abstract

In order to measure the anaerobic threshold of pubescent boys, 11 boys (13.3±0.3 years of age) and 10 adult contro1s (23.2±1.6 years of age) participated in the incremental bicycling exercise, during which the anaerobic threshold was identified as the point at which blood lactate began to increase steadily and rapidly. The anaerobic threshold as expressed in terms of work rate, % of maximal oxygen intake and heart rate averaged 120 watts, 72.7% and 164 beats/min, respectively. These values were 40 watts lower, 10% and 15 beats/min higher than that in adults. With an al1owance of small error, anaerobic threshold in boys could also be estimated from non-invasive ventilatory response, i, e, the point where ventilatory equivalent of carbon dioxide began to increase.