[Testing aerobic energy metabolism].

The purpose of testing the aerobic metabolism is to evaluate the athlete's capacity for aerobic ATP synthesis during the events she/he is preparing for. In endurance events lasting less then eight minutes the maximal O2-intake is the most important determinant of performance, with an increasing contribution of anaerobic metabolism as intensity is raised. In long distance events (> 8 min), the capability to avoid lactate production is more important. Although a high maximal O2-intake will reduce lactate production at a given intensity, other factors are also involved, probably confined to the working muscles. Finally, in all endurance events, another important factor is working economy. Direct measurements of maximal O2-intake, and of O2-intake and lactate concentrations in blood at several submaximal intensities, constitute a test complex that is capable of separating these abilities.