Blood Lactate Threshold Testing

Allied Health Service – Performance & Physiology Assessments

Lactate testing is a method of measuring appropriate cardiovascular training intensities so that ‘training zones’ can be established and training adaptations can be tracked over time.

Typically completed while running or cycling, you will undergo a graded test that incrementally increases in intensity while your heart rate and blood lactate levels are measured during each phase.

The lactate levels are used to determine your ideal heart rate zones and workload at given intensities so that you can optimize the time and effort you put into training. With established aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, you are able to target your training to maximize the adaptations in your cardiovascular system to improve your performance.

Appointment Information

What to expect

Your initial testing session at the Banff Sport Medicine clinic will be 75-90 minutes in length.

It will begin with resting baseline measures where you will be fitted with a chest heart rate monitor and become familiar with the lactate sampling process.

The test itself is typically completed while running or cycling and begins with a 10 minute warm up phase followed by 6-9 stages that are each 3-5 minutes in length. At the end of each 3-5 minute stage, your blood lactate will be sampled and heart rate recorded.

Following completion of the test, you will receive a results package that includes the raw data from your test and an outline of your heart rate zones relative to your lactate at each intensity. You can then use this data to inform your training.

As cardiovascular performance improves with training, the heart rate that is required to reach aerobic and anaerobic threshold often changes as well.

As a result, many athletes find that routine lactate testing (e.g. every 3-6 months) provides meaningful data to inform their heart rate training zones.

How do I book an appointment?

No referral is needed to book an appointment.

Call 403 760 2897 ext 3 or book online here.

Book Your Blood Lactate Threshold Testing