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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(08): 608-615
DOI: 10.1055/a-2255-5254
Training & Testing

The Influence of Pedaling Frequency on Blood Lactate Accumulation in Cycling Sprints

Ralf Haase  ‡
1   Department of Sports Medicine and Exercise Therapy, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
,
Anna Katharina Dunst‡
2   Department of Endurance Sports, Institute for Applied Training Science Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
,
Nico Nitzsche
1   Department of Sports Medicine and Exercise Therapy, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
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Abstract

Anaerobic performance diagnostics in athletes relies on accurate measurements of blood lactate concentration and the calculation of blood lactate accumulation resulting from glycolytic processes. In this study, we investigated the impact of pedaling frequency on blood lactate accumulation during 10-second maximal isokinetic cycling sprints. Thirteen trained males completed five 10-second maximal isokinetic cycling sprints on a bicycle ergometer at different pedaling frequencies (90 rpm, 110 rpm, 130 rpm, 150 rpm, 170 rpm) with continuous power and frequency measurement. Capillary blood samples were taken pre-exercise and up to 30 minutes post-exercise to determine the maximum blood lactate concentration.

Blood lactate accumulation was calculated as the difference between maximal post-exercise and pre-start blood lactate concentration. Repeated measurement ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc t-tests revealed significant progressive increases in maximal blood lactate concentration and accumulation with higher pedaling frequencies (p<0.001; η2+>+0.782).

The findings demonstrate a significant influence of pedaling frequency on lactate accumulation, emphasizing its relevance in anaerobic diagnostics. Optimal assessment of maximal lactate formation rate is suggested to require a pedaling frequency of at least 130 rpm or higher, while determining metabolic thresholds using the maximal lactate formation rate may benefit from a slightly lower pedaling frequency.

Keywords

anaerobic performance - anaerobic diagnostics - maximal lactate formation rate


Publication History

Received: 11 August 2023

Accepted: 23 January 2024

Article published online:
22 April 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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