Lactate Equivalent for Maximal Lactate Steady State Determination in Soccer.

: The association between an overlooked classical Lactate Threshold (LT), named "Minimum Lactate Equivalent" (LE), with Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS) has been recently described with good MLSS prediction results in endurance-trained runners. This study aimed to determine the applicability of LE to predict MLSS in lower aerobic-conditioned individuals compared to well-established blood lactate-related thresholds (BLTs). : Fifteen soccer players [velocity at MLSS (MLSS) 13.2 ± 1.0 km·h; coefficient of variation (CV) 7.6%] conducted a submaximal discontinuous incremental running test to determine BLTs and 3-6 constant velocity running tests to determine MLSS. : LE did not differ from conventional LTs ( > .05) and was 24% lower than MLSS ( < .001; ES: 3.26). Among LTs, LE best predicted MLSS ( = 0.83; < .001; SEE = 0.59 km·h). There was no statistical difference between MLSS and estimated MLSS using LE prediction formula ( = .99; ES: 0.001). Mean bias and limits of agreement were 0.00 ± 0.58 km·h and ±1.13 km·h, respectively. LE best predicted MLSS ( = 0.92; < .001; SEE = 0.54 km·h) in the pooled data of soccer players and endurance-trained runners of the previous study ( = 28; MLSS range 11.2-16.5 km·h; CV 9.8%). : Results support LE to be one of the best single predictors of MLSS. This study is the sole study providing specific operational regression equations to estimate the impractical MLSS in soccer players by means of a BLT measured during a submaximal single-session test.