VLamax Correlates Strongly With Glycolytic Performance

Abstract

VLamax estimates an athlete’s maximal-glycolytic rate. This study aimed to determine the relationships between the VLamax and cycle ergometry efforts with a high-glycolytic energy contribution and the influence of VLamax and VO2max on respiratory compensation point. Eleven national-international endurance cyclists (VO2max = 70.7 ± 5.9 ml·kg−1·min−1) completed a 15-s isokinetic-test with pre- and postlactate measurements to determine VLamax, a 1-min maximal effort, and a ramp test to exhaustion in a single test session. The main findings showed strong relationships between VLamax and the mean absolute (r = 0.83, p =.002) and relative (r = 0.88, p =.0004) power during the lactic interval of the 15-s isokinetic-test. This relationship weakened when comparing VLamax with mean absolute (r = 0.52, p =.098) and relative (r = 0.29, p =.393) power during a 1-min maximal effort. Combining the VLamax and VO2max data through multiple regression resulted in a positive effect on the estimation of respiratory compensation point. It was concluded that the VLamax is a relevant indicator of maximal glycolytic rate. However, this metric currently lacks scientific validation as an accurate estimate of glycolytic rate and provides minimal extra information over using the power output from the isokinetic test alone. Practitioners may simply measure power over glycolytically demanding efforts to understand the maximal glycolytic rate of their athletes.