Blood glucose minimum predicts maximal lactate steady state on running.

This study analyzed if the running speed corresponding to glucose minimum (GM) could predict the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). Thirteen physically active men (25.2+/-4.2 years, 73.4+/-8.0 kg, 180.0+/-1.0 cm) completed three running tests on different days: 1) a 1 600-m time trial to calculate the average speed; 2) after 10-min of recovery from a 150-m sprint to elevate [lac], participants performed 6 series of 800-m respectively at 78, 81, 84, 87, 90 and 93% of the 1 600-m speed to identify the lactate minimum (LM) and GM speeds and 3) 2-4 constant intensity exercise sessions for the MLSS. Repeated measures ANOVA showed no differences between running speeds associated to the GM (201.7+/-23.8 m.min (-1)), LM (200.0+/-23.9 m.min (-1)) and MLSS (201.5+/-23.1 m.min (-1)), with high correlation between GM vs. LM (r=0.984), GM vs. MLSS (r=0.947) and LM vs. MLSS (r=0.961) (P<0.01). Bland and Altman plots showed good agreement [Bias (+/-95% CI)] for MLSS and GM [0.2(15.3) m.min (-1)], MLSS and LM [-1.4(13.2) m.min (-1)], as well as for LM and GM [1.7(8.5) m.min (-1)]. These running speeds occurred at approximately 84.4% of 1 600-m speed, which would have practical applications for exercise prescription. We concluded that GM running speed is a good predictor of the MLSS for physically active individuals.